First United Methodist Church of Hampton 110 E Queen St Hampton VA (757) ADVENT S JOY TO THE WORLD

Transcription

1 First United Methodist Church of Hampton 110 E Queen St Hampton VA (757) December 24, 2018 CHRISTMAS EVE 7:00 p.m. ADVENT S JOY TO THE WORLD Christmas Eve Candlelight service, a time to rejoice And celebrate the Christ Child s birth with our voice. Then partake of the bread and the wine A sacred table an honor to dine. Our prayers and worship will serve us so well Thanks be to God and to all personnel. Joy to the World, our theme for the season At Advent we know that Jesus is the reason. Thanks be to Him we have such treasures. We are truly blessed beyond all human measure! ~Linda Marushi In the name of Christ WELCOME! Although you may be a stranger to us, you are no stranger to God, who knows you and loves you, and whose heart is glad at your presence here. We sincerely hope this time of worship will bless your life. As you are able, please stand for acts of worship indicated by an asterisk (*). UMH indicates The United Methodist Hymnal (red book in pew rack) TFWS indicates The Faith We Sing (thin black book in pew rack) Help us sustain God s creation by placing used worship bulletins in the basket on the credenza in the back of the sanctuary for recycling.

2 LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES GREETING PRELUDE *INTROIT Glory in the Highest The Chancel Choir *CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsively) To us, watchful and waiting, a gift has been slipped into our midst. A tiny child, born in a manger, A gift of peace to troubled souls and dangerous streets, A gift of joy to sad hearts and cautious lives, A gift of hope to wearied brows and oppressed peoples, A tiny child, a gift of God. Open your hearts; raise your songs, Give thanks to the giver; welcome the gift. *HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful UMH 234 (Vs 1-4) LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE The first Sunday of Advent gave us an invitation to meditate and prepare spiritually for the Advent season. We thank you for the gift of the Christ Child who gives us our salvation. If we are vigilant to God s promise and show steadfast love, the flame from our Advent candles will illuminate the path of righteousness for us. If we renew our covenant with God, we may walk in the light of the Lord and be blessed. Open our eyes to the needs of others as we worship this Christmas Eve. Tonight, we celebrate the birth of Christ, the Holy Child, the Messiah. As we await His coming, our enlightening icons of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace ignite the embers within our hearts reminding us that this is our opportunity to renew our covenant with God. So on this Christmas Eve Open our eyes that we may see The needs of others and try to be A beacon of love for all who care Jesus is near, just call Him there 2

3 Watching, waiting, and looking above Filled in His goodness lost in His love Tonight, we relight the candles of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace as we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, the Holy Infant, the Lord of all. (Light the Candles) We now light the Christ Candle our gift from above delivering everlasting love, for we will be transformed with His Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace for all. (Light the Christ Candle) Let us pray: Loving God, we pray for your guidance. Help us to focus on the reason for the Season and do what is pleasing in thy sight. Lord hear our prayer, Merry Christmas! Amen. HYMN Emmanuel, Emmanuel UMH 204 CHRISTMAS EVE HYMN SING Rev. Candee Martin It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (V 1) UMH 218 O Little Town of Bethlehem (V 1) UMH 230 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (V 1) UMH 240 Joy to the World (V 1) UMH 246 GOSPEL LESSON Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV) 2In 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. 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. 3

4 8In 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, 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, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! 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. The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. GIVING OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS OFFERTORY PRAYER (In Unison) O Holy God, we pray that these, our offerings, will spread into the dim light of stables and into places where the vulnerable wait for hope. Come to us this night and receive all that we bring to you. Amen. OFFERTORY Jesu Bambino Christine Woods, Solo *PRESENTATION OF GIFTS In the Bleak Midwinter (V 4) UMH 221 What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him: give my heart. *HYMN Away in a Manger UMH 217 4

5 MEDITATION Divine Lullabies A Song for You Rev. Candee Martin ANTHEM Worship Christ, the Newborn King The Chancel Choir INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION Welcome to this sacred place we call sanctuary and to the table of Jesus Christ. In the United Methodist tradition, we believe in an open communion where all are welcome. We place our trust in the unconditional love of God and the unlimited welcome of Jesus Christ. HOLY COMMUNION A Service of Word and Table III The Great Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve Musical Setting A UMH 17 THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD THE SHARING OF THE LORD S SUPPER [Gluten-free communion elements are available. Please ask Pastor Candee.] [As you come to the communion rail, you may leave an offering for those in need in the basket.] THANKSGIVING FOR THE LIGHT (In Unison) We praise and thank you, O God, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom you have enlightened us by revealing the light that never fades. He is the Word made flesh, the bright and morning star, the light of the world. Through him, and with Mary and Joseph, with the shepherds and the angels, and with the saints of every time and place, we offer praise and honor to you in the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. *SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST [This year the ushers will be providing battery operated LED flickering candles for children. The children may keep the candle as a memento of the service. Parents, we request that you use extreme caution with open flame and small children. They may forget the danger in their excitement. Thank you. You may place extinguished candles and holders in the container in the narthex.] *HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night UMH 239 5

6 *CHRISTMAS PRAYER (In Unison) O God of grace, as we hold our candles, we ask that you grant the real Christmas experience of turning on the light of Christ within each of us. Instill within us the knowledge that his incoming makes the difference between a darkened inn and a glorified stable; that Christ received and then given out makes it a genuine Christmas for us and for others; for may Christ be born in our hearts that the light might be passed on. O Christ, open our eyes and challenge us to let our light shine outside our own little circle and give joy where it is needed most; to the joyless, the lonely, the forgotten. Amen. *CHRISTMAS BLESSING [Extinguish candles.] Let the bells ring and all the stars sing for on this holy night, the window to heaven is open and the angels will lead you to incredible joy and everlasting peace. Christ is born. Rejoice! Always rejoice! Amen. *POSTLUDE Thank you for worshipping with us this evening! We hope you have been blessed by this experience! As a gentle reminder, if you have ordered poinsettias, please take them with you at the conclusion of the service. 6

7 The poinsettias are dedicated to the glory of God and given: in Memory of C. Edward Knight, III... by Carolyn Knight My mother, Ruby Keith Wiles... by Lynn Chandler Robert Ashworth Kilgore... The Family Robert Kilgore... Bill and Doris Diggs Robert Kilgore... Lou & David Beasley Liz Crawford...Alan Crawford George W. McCracken... Shirley & Michaela McCracken Cross Parents Slye Parents... Richard & Carolyn Slye Don Kester Eloise Bowden Nisbet My Family and Friends with Jesus... Jane D. Miller and in Honor of Our families past & present... Gerald and JoAnn Walberg George Ware... The Fisher Class Wyatt, Elizabeth & Isabelle... Shirley & Michaela McCracken Page Paulin... Ashley, Will, & Hannah Jeremy Hooten in celebration of his birthday... Gran Dean Shinn... Your family of singers and ringers Dean Shinn... Ian & Carolyn Crozier Donna Robinson... Lou & David Beasley Lil Bit Brown... UMW Circle 2 Our granddaughters Brittney, Ashley, & Emily... Donna Robinson Marianne Prentiss... Midge & Jimmy Eason Doris Diggs Marianne Prentiss... UMW Circle 8 Lynn Chandler Mike, William & Matt Crawford...Alan Crawford Beverly Geer & Betty Lou Brittain Bill & Sylvia Milholen... Kristen & William Milholen Our hard-working church staff Our hard-working church volunteers...linda & Ron Minetree The UMW, Judy Rushton & Sylvia Rumsey The Congregational Care Committee My son, Fred Nell Writtenberry... Jane D. Miller 7

8 Visitor Center How to Reach Us TO REACH THE REST ROOMS OR THE NURSERY: Enter through the canopied entrance on the side of the building. Rest rooms are down the hall to the left. The Nursery is up the steps and down the hall to the right. Greeters and ushers are available to guide you. REGISTRATION PADS are located in each pew near the center aisle. Please use these to record your presence, and to pass along information for the pastor or the church office. PRAYER REQUEST CARDS are available in the pews and in the foyer atop the Prayer Box. Deposit them in the box or drop them in the offering plates. WE PRACTICE OPEN COMMUNION. We celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month, and at other special times. All are welcome at the table of the Lord, regardless of church membership, age, or feelings of worthiness. If you wish to come into relationship with Christ, deepen or renew that relationship, there is a place for you here. Office office@firstumchampton.org Pastor Rev. Candee Martin candeemartin@vaumc.org Office Manager/Finance Laura Harris office@firstumchampton.org Director of Music Ministries Dean Shinn deanshinn@aol.com Nursery Director Jenny Hamm jennynichole@outlook.com FOR INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER OF FIRST UMC, please indicate so on the registration pad, or contact the pastor. OUR SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE: FELLOWSHIP 8:30 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:00 AM WORSHIP: 10:00 AM There is a place for you and your family on Sunday mornings here at First UMC Hampton 8