Christmas Eve @ St. Paul's UMC

Welcome home!

Chris Wahl offers the prelude

Steve Batch lights the candle on the wreath

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"Silent Night"

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Christopher Wahl

Lighting the Christmas Candle...Steve & Martha Batch

Reader One: This night, this night is a night to remember. A night when home broke in on us. A night when we were not forgotten or alone or abandoned. This night. This night is the night when here and there became one, when past and future combined in a breathless present. This is a night when we are home, in ourselves, in this family, in the God who loved us enough to walk beside us.

Reader Two: We gather in the night to proclaim the light. We shrug off despair and embrace hope. We set aside conflict and choose peace. We push away despair by claiming joy. We     overcome hate by rising into love. Because this night we know, even in the shadows of our doubts, we know that we are loved. That’s what it means to be home. 

Reader One: We light these candles, hoping to become the light, hoping to radiate light by how we live. We light these candles to create a space called home in this place, in our place, in inner places. We light these candles to declare that unto us a Savior is born, who is Christ the Lord. Welcomed home by angels singing and shepherds kneeling. Welcomed    home by those like us who have worshiped for thousands of years. Welcomed home again tonight, right here, right now, in us.

Reader Two: It’s time to be home.

—from UMCDiscipleship.org

Carol... “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” v. 1-4 (UMH #211)

A Service of Lessons and Carols

Bidding Prayer

Beloved in Christ, at this Christmastide, let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing, which is come to pass, and the babe lying in a manger. 

Therefore, let us read and mark in holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious redemption brought us by this holy Child. 

But first, let us pray for the needs of the entire world; for peace on earth and goodwill among all people; for unity and brotherhood within the church; and especially in this, our own community.

And because this would rejoice His heart, let us remember, in His name, the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children; all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love Him not, or who by sin have grieved His heart of love.

Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore, and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in the Lord Jesus we are one forevermore.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ himself hath taught us...

The Lord’s Prayer...Pastor Charles

Carol... “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” v. 1-4 (UMH #218)

First Lesson: Isaiah 40:1–8...Steve Batch

To God’s people in exile in a faraway land, the prophet Isaiah announces good news: God is coming back and bringing the exiles home!

Carol... “In the Bleak Midwinter” v. 1-2 (UMH #221)

Second Lesson: Jeremiah 23:5–6... Pastor Charles

The prophet Jeremiah offers hope for a righteous branch, a just king who is yet to come come.

Carol... “O Come, All Ye Faithful” v.1-3 (UMH #234)

Third Lesson: Zechariah 9:9–10...Suzanne Polacek

To a nation grown weary of war and weapons, God promises a king who will establish a reign of peace.

Carol... “Come, Thou Long–Expected Jesus” (UMH #196)

Fourth Lesson: Haggai 2:6–9...Ben Glancy

The prophet Haggai promises to God’s people a temple even more glorious than the temple of old.

Carol... “What Child Is This” (UMH #219)

Fifth Lesson: Isaiah 35:1–6...Larry Esposito

The prophet Isaiah announces the renewal of both the land and God’s people on the coming day of redemption.

Carol... “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” (UMH #229)

Sixth Lesson: Luke 1:26–35, 38...Scott Glancy

The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to a ruler whose reign shall never end.

Carol...... “Away in a Manger” (UMH #217)

Seventh Lesson: Mark 1:1–15...Claudia Mills

Jesus proclaims the coming of the kingdom of God.

Carol... “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (UMH #230)

Christmas Eve Reflection...Pastor Charles

Christmas Affirmation

Let the love that shaped earth and heaven dwell within us this Christmas. Let the love that created humanity dwell within us this Christmas. Let the love that overcomes suffering and hatred dwell within us this Christmas. Let the love that causes us to rejoice with loved ones dwell within us this Christmas. Let the love that forgives and renews dwell within us this Christmas. Let the love that   brings reconciliation after separation dwell within us this Christmas. Let the love that brings the blessing of peace dwell within us this Christmas. And may we share that peace with all people near and far. Amen.

—from Prayers for Christmas, posted on the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk

*Offering/Doxology (to the tune “O Tannenbaum”)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, in every generation. Praise God, all creatures here below, who gives to us salvation. Praise God above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Let all creation praise the Lord with love and adoration.

*The Passing of the Light / “Silent Night” (Verses 1-3)

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!

Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing

Alleluia! Christ the Saviour is born! Christ the Saviour is born!

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!

*Blessing...Pastor Charles (The United Methodist Book of Worship #265)

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor everyone; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty—Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer—be upon you, and remain with you always. Amen.

*Carol... “Joy to the World” v.1 & 4 (UMH #246)

*Postlude...Christopher Wahl

Adapted and revised from “An Advent Service of Lessons and Carols” © 1992 UMPH. Advent Candle Lighting liturgy 2021. Discipleship Ministries. (2021, June 1). Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/advent-candle-lighting-liturgy-2021.