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We tell this story every year. We tell this story because it illustrates so clearly God’s desire to be in a relationship with us. We tell this story because we, too, are invited to come to the manger and witness the miracle of birth. We tell this story because it brings us hope and good news—hope especially for those deemed powerless, unworthy, or unwelcome. We tell this story because it is a story we need to hear again and again; if we didn’t tell it, what would become of our faith? And so, on this night, we tell this story to pass along this good news and to continue to thread together the generations with hope.
Order of Worship for Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Click here for a printable version of the Order of Worship
Leaders
Rev Hannah Hwa-Young Chong, Lead Pastor
Music provided by
Chris Garofalo, Director of Music Ministry, Piano & Organ • Community Singers
Eric Pidluski, Violin I • Amelia Korbitz Violin II • Lerryn Donatello, Viola • Andrew Molina, Cello • Mary Elliott, Soprano • Marty Matutiis, Tenor • Carillon Bells, Kyle Markwell, Director
Prelude
Violin Concerto in E major, BWV 1042: Adagio
by Johann Sebastian Bach
Public domain
Welcome
with Pastor Hannah
Carillon Bells
Carol of The Bells
arranged by Arnold B. Sherman
Call to Worship
with Rich Fleming
Glory to God in the highest!
And hope to every discouraged heart.
Glory to God in the highest!
And peace to every conflicted soul.
Glory to God in the highest!
And joy to every downcast spirit.
Glory to God in the highest!
And love to everyone.
Let us sing praises to our God.
Let us offer our joyful hearts to God!
Opening Hymn
O Come, All Ye Faithful
United Methodist Hymnal #234
verses 1-3
Verse 1
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the King of angels;.
Refrain
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Verse 2
True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
lo, he shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;.
Refrain
Verse 3
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Refrain
Lighting of the Advent Candle
with Carillon Bell Choir Family:
Craig Colling, Kyle Markwell, Ann Steele & Marsha Taylor
Music
Star Carol
by John Rutter
©1972 Oxford University Press
Scripture Reading
with Rich Fleming
Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days, Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering a census of the whole Roman world. 2 This first census took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All the people were instructed to go back to the towns of their birth to register. 4 And so Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to “the city of David”—Bethlehem, in Judea, because Joseph was of the house and lineage of David; 5 he went to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her delivery. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn, a son; she put him in a simple cloth wrapped like a receiving blanket, and laid him in a feeding trough for cattle, because there was no room for them at the inn.
The Inclusive Bible ©2007 by Priests for Equality
Carol
What Child Is This
United Methodist Hymnal #219
verses 1, 2 & 3
Verse 1
What child is this who, laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
Refrain
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary.
Verse 2
Why lies he in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.
Refrain
Verse 3
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
come, peasant, king, to own him;
the King of kings salvation brings,
let loving hearts enthrone him.
Refrain
Scripture Reading
with Rich Fleming
Luke 2:8-14
8 There were shepherds in the area living in the fields and keeping night watch by turns over their flock. 9 The angel of God appeared to them, and the glory of God shone around them; they were very much afraid. 10 The angel said to them, “You have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim good news to you—news of a great joy to be shared by the whole people. 11 Today in David’s city, a savior—the Messiah—has been born to you. 12 Let this be a sign to you: you’ll find an infant wrapped in a simple cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in high heaven! And on earth, peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.”
The Inclusive Bible ©2007 by Priests for Equality
Music
Gesu Bambino
by Pietro Yon
Public domain
Scripture Reading
with Rich Fleming
Luke 2:15-20
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see this event that God has made known to us.” 16 They hurried and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger; 17 once they saw this, they reported what they had been told concerning the child. 18 All who heard about it were astonished at the report given by the shepherds. 19 Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went away glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.
The Inclusive Bible ©2007 by Priests for Equality
Music
Starry Skies
by Lee Dengler
© 2004 Harold Flammer Music
Sermon
We Tell This Story
with Pastor Hannah
Hymn of Response
Angels We Have Heard on High
United Methodist Hymnal #238
verses 1,3 & 4
Verse 1
Angels we have heard on high
sweetly singing o’er the plains,
and the mountains in reply
echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain [x2]
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Verse 3
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Refrain
Verse 4
See him in a manger laid,
whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while our hearts in love we raise.
Refrain
Christmas Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer
with Pastor Hannah
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Offering Invitation
with Rich Fleming
Offertory
O Holy Night
by Adolphe Adam
arranged by Marty Matutis
©2022 Marty Matutis
Lighting of the Christmas Candles
with Pastor Hannah
Carol
Silent Night, Holy Night
United Methodist Hymnal #239
Verse 1
Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Verse 2
Silent night, holy night,
shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!
Verse 3
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light;
radiant beams from thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus Lord, at thy birth.
Verse 4
Silent night, holy night,
wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!
Benediction
with Pastor Hannah
Postlude
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Allegro moderato
by Johann Sebastian Bach
Public domain
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