Special thanks to those who contributed the beautiful poinsettias decorating our Sanctuary. You may take your plant home after this evening s service.

Transcription

1 Special thanks to those who contributed the beautiful poinsettias decorating our Sanctuary. You may take your plant home after this evening s service. IN MEMORY OF: Harriett Scott & Barbara McCoy Michael Burns Robert & Elsie McFadden David McFadden Ray Beck The Dawson Five Emma, Kassandra, Alexandra, Kenny, & Madison My Parents My Grandparents Ruth & Kenneth Lutz (parents) William Mac McCauley Muriel Mikoluk Our Parents Stanley Drolette Rose DeZago s 7 Siblings Margaretta and CC Mulholland Chris Mulholland Julia Moore Our Loved Ones IN HONOR OF: Our loved ones who have passed My parents and grandparents Edie Kutz Lorna Zirbel Rose DeZago Our Children & Grandchildren BY: Deirdre & Bud Scott Barbara Small Jean McFadden Jean McFadden Margot Beck Elaine Reinhardt Ed Krynicki Ed Krynicki Brad Lutz Fran McCauley Fran McCauley Dan & Polly Champ Beverly Drolette Alaina & Bobby Marks Fred & Susan Moore Fred & Susan Moore Fred & Susan Moore Stu & Liz Dangler BY: Cheryl Ouellette Elaine Reinhardt Polly Champ April Nobles & Family Alaina & Bobby Marks Stu & Liz Dangler

2 Church of the Palms A United Church of Christ 1960 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida Christmas Eve, December 24, :30 pm Musicale 7:00 pm Candlelight & Communion

3 Church of the Palms presents Christmas Eve Musicale Gloria in Excelsis Deo arr. Larson On Christmas Night arr. Vaughan Williams Born in a Stable Thygerson Christmas Medley arr. Nielson/Young Nativity Carol Lisa & Joe Rugare, soloists O Brien Sweet Holy Child arr. Smith Gabriel s Voice Higginson The Sleep of the Infant Jesus Martin Do You Hear What I Hear? Arr.Gillan

4 Christmas Prayer & The Prayer of Our Savior 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass 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. Invitation to Share the Light Benediction Hymn #132 Joy to the World Joy to the world! The Lord is come; let earth its praises bring; Let every heart prepare Christ room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world! The Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. Christ rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove The glories of God s righteousness and wonders of God s love, and wonders of God s love, and wonders, wonders of God s love. Postlude Fantasia on Antioch arr. Bock Participating in Tonight s Service The Reverend Brad S. Lutz, Designated Pastor The Reverend Susan Moore, Co-celebrant Polly Champ - Liturgist Edward Krynicki, Music Director Elaine Reinhardt, Pianist Nancy Ann Gillan, Harpist Worship, Study and Friendship Opportunities at the Church of the Palms Sunday Worship and Children s Faith Formation, Sundays, 10 am Refreshments and Conversation follow worship on Sundays Bible Study, Thursdays, 10:30 am 11:45 am Women s Fellowship meets monthly, call for details. If you are interested in learning about membership in the Church of the Palms, please contact Pastor Brad or call the Church Office ( ).

5 Sharing God s Gracious Feast Wherever you may be on your spiritual journey, you are welcome at this table. There are two Communion stations in the front of the church tonight. (Gluten-free wafers are available at both stations.) To receive Communion, come to one of the stations by the center aisle and receive a wafer bread; touch the wafer lightly to the unfermented fruit of the vine and consume it. Please respond Amen! to the words of the servers. Return to your seat by the side aisle. Communion Anthem Were You There on That Christmas Night? Sleeth Prayer After Communion Invitation Lighting Candles CHRIST COMES IN THE LIGHTING OF CANDLES The light will be brought to the end of each row, tip your unlit candle into the flame so that it may take hold. Do not tip your lit candle! Pass the light along your row until every candle is lit. After all candles are lit we will join in singing. Hymn #134 Silent Night, Holy Night 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 Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born! Silent night, holy night, Child of God, love s pure light, Radiant beams from Your holy face bring the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Christ at Your birth, Jesus Christ at Your birth. Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend Your light. With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King. Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!

6 Christmas Eve WELCOME! Thank you for sharing in our worship this evening. We celebrate your presence and extend our hand to you in friendship and love. After the service, turn worship into ministry by greeting those around you. If you are visiting, please sign the guest book and do come again. We wish you a joyous holiday! Welcome Solemn Declaration ORDER OF WORSHIP Indicates those who wish may stand Call to Worship One: The impossible is about to happen in a stable. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them has the light shined! One: This is the evening when creation stood still and held its breath, for God was doing the most unbelievable, dangerous thing. All: This is the evening when God embraced humanity from the inside, as one of us, from birth to death. One: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. Hymn #135 O Come, All You Faithful O Come, all you faithful, joyful and triumphant; O come now, O come now to Bethlehem! Come and behold the ruler of all angels! Refrain O come in adoration, O come in adoration, O come in adoration: Christ is Lord! Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all you messengers of heavenly love: Glory to God, all glory in the highest! : Refrain Amen, Lord, we greet You, born this happy morning: Jesus, to You shall all glory be given: Word of our God, now in flesh appearing: Refrain

7 Gathering Prayer One: Christ is Born! All: Glorify the Savior! One: Let us pray: All: We come before you in awe, O God, freshly aware of your glory and your love embodied in the midst of this world. Here amid dirt and straw, amid noise of cattle and labor of birth, we perceive your work. We dare to believe that it is you, God, coming to be among us in Jesus, and so we praise you with songs of joy. Glory be to you, O God, now and for ever. Amen. Response (sung by all) Gloria In Excelsis Deo! Hymn #125, Refrain Only Glo ri a in excelsis Deo, Glo ri a in excelsis Deo! Please be seated. Lighting of the Advent and Christ Candles One: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Many: We are easily distracted by our old lives and with history and by what has been. One: Christ is born among us and our hope is made new. All: Source of light, shine in our lives and in your world with your transforming power. Choral Response Christ, Be Our Light! Farrell CHRIST COMES IN WORDS OF SCRIPTURE AND REFLECTION Old Testament Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 (From Common English Bible) Hymn of Preparation #153 Who Would Think That What Was Needed Who would think that what was needed to transform and save the earth might not be a plan or army proud in purpose, proved in worth? Who would think, despite derision, that a child should lead the way? God surprises earth with heaven, coming here on Christmas Day. Shepherds watch and sages wonder, monarchs scorn and angels sing; such a place as none would reckon hosts a holy, helpless thing; Stabled beasts and passing strangers watch a baby laid in hay: God surprises earth with heaven, coming here on Christmas Day.

8 Centuries of skill and science span the past from which we move, yet experience questions whether with such progress we improve. In our search for sense and meaning, lest our hopes and humor fray, God surprises earth with heaven, coming here on Christmas Day. Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-20 (From Common English Bible) Response (sung by all) Gloria In Excelsis Deo! Hymn #125, Refrain Only Glo ri a in excelsis Deo, Glo ri a in excelsis Deo! Reflection Invitation to the Offering The Mystery of God s Love Offertory Gesu Bambino Yon A Doxology For Christmas Eve To God, all glorious heav nly Light, to Christ revealed in earthly night, to God the Spirit now we raise our joyful songs of thankful praise. CHRIST COMES IN THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Invitation Prayer of Confession One: When we close our eyes to the Light of the World, struggling to illuminate the lives of everyone, especially those who are poor and oppressed: All: Lord, have mercy. One: When we close our ears to the Wisdom of God, struggling to be heard above hate-filled words and fear-filled rhetoric: All: Christ, have mercy. One: When we close our hearts to the Glory of God, which is known fully only in a world of peace where all creation thrives, All: Lord, have mercy. Announcement of God s Forgiving Grace The Story of the Supper and Communion Prayer Please be seated.