Festival of Lessons and Carols

Transcription

1 St. Luke s United Methodist Church 300 Ella Taylor Road Yorktown, Virginia Festival of Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve December 24, 2014 Eleven o clock in the Evening Telephone: (757) ; Fax: (757) stlukes@stlukesyorktown.org Website: stlukesyorktown.org

2 Prelude The Order of Service ( All are invited to stand.) Resource Key for Singing UMH The United Methodist Hymnal Lighting of the Christ Candle Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1) And the city has no need of sun or moon on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The Nations will walk by its light, and the rulers of the earth will bring their glory into it. (Revelation 21:23-24) All: Break forth, O heavenly Light, and reign to the ages of ages. Entrance Hymn, No. 219 UMH What Child is This? The Bidding Prayer with The Lord s Prayer Beloved in Christ, this Christmas Eve it is our duty and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels, and to go in heart and mind to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger. Therefore let us hear again from Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our sin until the glorious redemption brought us by this holy Child; and let us make this house of prayer glad with our carols of praise. These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words that Christ himself has taught us 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.

3 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. Blessing The almighty God bless us with divine grace, Christ give us the joys of everlasting life, and unto the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen. First Lesson: Genesis 3:8-15, God announces in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve s punishment for their rebellion and that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent s head. Carol, No. 196 UMH Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Second Lesson: Genesis 22:15-18 God promises to Abraham that by his descendants all the nations of the earth shall obtain blessing. Carol, No. 211 UMH O Come, O Come, Emmanuel {stanzas 1 & 7} Third Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 The prophet announces the birth of a king to a people in darkness. Carol, No. 216 UMH Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming {stanzas 1 & 2} Fourth Lesson: Micah 5:2-5a The king is coming and will usher in a reign of justice for the poor and peace for all of God s creation. Carol, No. 230 UMH O Little Town of Bethlehem {stanzas 1& 4} Fifth Lesson: Luke 1:26-35, 38 The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to God s promised Son whose kingdom shall never end.

4 Anthem Chancel Choir Is There Room in Your Heart for a King? Sixth Lesson: Luke 2:1-7 Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes, Jesus is born. Carol, No. 245 UMH The First Noel {stanza 1} Seventh Lesson: Luke 2:8-16 The shepherds go to see the Savior of the world, lying in a manger. Carol, No. 238 UMH Angels We Have Heard on High {stanzas 1 & 4} Message View from the Street Doug Gestwick Eighth Lesson: Matthew 2:1-11 The wise men follow a star to find the child Jesus, the King of the Jews. Carol, No. 254 UMH We Three Kings {stanzas 1 & 5} Ninth Lesson: John 1: 1-14 John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation. Carol, No. 234 UMH O Come, All Ye Faithful The Great Thanksgiving, No. 17 UMH [Please come to the communion station nearest your seating section, and stand to receive the bread and cup. A server places the bread in your hand, after which you dip the bread into the cup and partake. After receiving, please take a candle to use at the candle-lighting at the close of the service. Please notify an usher if you need assistance, or need to receive the sacrament at your seat. When you come forward for communion please bring your Christmas Miracle Offering and place it in the basket at the altar rail.] Candle-light Carol, No. 239 Silent Night, Holy Night [The ushers will light their candles from the altar candles then they will proceed to light the candle of the person at the end of the pew. Please light your candle by tilting your unlit candle to the lit candle.] Dismissal in Silence

5 Welcome to St. Luke s Church! As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord, may God bless you richly. Join us each Sunday morning for worship at 8:30, 9:45, 11:00 am and 5:05 pm. Sunday school begins at 9:45 A.M. More information about other ministries is out at the table in the lobby and on our website at The Christmas Miracle Again this year we are holding ourselves accountable to THE reason for the season! Every member and friend of St. Luke s is challenged to bring to church on Christmas Eve an amount equal to what you spent on your family for Christmas. Last year we raised over $50,000, and hope to do so again this year. Because of our generosity, the Good Samaritan Fund has sufficient resources to operate in Therefore this year s miracle offering will be divided in two. One half will go to the United Methodist Church global emphasis Imagine No Malaria. Every $10 buys a net that will save a life. This can be a great teaching moment for young children as they can understand that THEIR Christmas Miracle offering can make a BIG difference. The other half of the money received will go into the Christmas Miracle Fund to be used throughout the year as needs are identified that do not fall under the guidelines of Good Samaritan or the Easter Egg fund, yet a miracle is needed. IRA Rollover Update: On December 16 Congress passed H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Protection Act of 2014, which includes the retroactive extension of a variety of expired tax provisions. Included is the IRA Rollover provision allowing individuals age 70½ and older to make direct transfers from traditional and Roth IRAs to qualified charities in amounts up to $100,000 free from federal taxation and income taxes under the laws of states that follow federal guidelines for determination of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Note that the extension is for 2014 only and applies to gifts completed by December 31, For more information please see the handout at the Hospitality Center or in the Parlor.

6 We invite you to join us for our other Opportunities at St. Luke s Sunday School for all Ages 9:45 am each Sunday Prayer Shawl Retreat - January 24th Shrove Tuesday & Lenten Workshop Activities for All Ages February 17th, 6:00 pm Ash Wednesday February 18th, 7:00 am & 7:00 pm Easter Egg Hunt on the Great Lawn March 29th at 4:30 pm Palm Sunday - March 29th, 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 am (the Sanctuary) 5:05 pm (The Gathering at The Grove) Maundy Thursday April 2nd, at 7:00 pm Good Friday April 3rd, at 7:00 pm Easter Celebration Services April 5th 6:15 am Youth Led Sunrise Service (the Front Lawn) 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 am (the Sanctuary) 5:05 pm (the Grove) Vacation Bible School July 20th to 24th For more information or to register go to