Worship Service – Christmas Eve
December 24th, 2020 7pm Facebook Worship Celebration
Welcome… Pastor Ed
Opening Hymn… UMH 238 “Angels we have heard on High” (V 1,2 &3)
Time of Reflection… Pastor Ed
Congregational singing … UMH 229 “Infant Holy, Infant lowly”
Liturgist:
Tonight we lit all four Advent Candles: for Peace, Joy, Love and Hope. The one to represent the presence of God’s light through Jesus Christ will be lit when we sing Joy to the World later in the service. This season, these candles have reminded us of the light of the star that shone over Bethlehem for all to see. God-with-us, Emmanuel, we open ourselves that light of Christ
wherever we are -in our lives, our families, and our communities, and the world.
Response of the People:
Fill us with your peace and light, make the world so calm and bright.
Hymn of Praise… UMH 234 “O Come all ye Faithful” (v. 1, 3, and 6)
Liturgist: The Birth of Jesus 2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered
with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Carol Song “It came upon a Midnight Clear” by Sue Keasler on Piano
Reader 1: Luke 2:8-14
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c]
Carol Song… UMH 236 “While Shepherds Watch Their Flock by Night” (v. 1, 2, 3 & 6)
Pastor Ed: Luke 2:15-20
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this
child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Song Dru Granadosin
Pastor Ed’s Christmas Message
Song: Bella Chargualaf
Pastor Ed’s Invitation to Receive the Light
Closing song… UMH 239 “Silent Night”
Pastor Ed: As you extinguish your light, I invite you to move that light out into the world and say our Christmas blessing with me:
(Unison) Go with God into this night. May the Spirit guide your sight. Offer Love to all you greet like Christ, see God in all you meet.
Benediction
Postlude……………………………………… “Joy to the World”