Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service

Transcription

1 Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service December 24, :30 p.m.. First Presbyterian Church 617 North Elm Street Greensboro, NC

2 Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service December 24, :30 p.m. We Assemble in God s Name Voluntary Brass Ensemble Welcome...Sid Batts Call to Worship and Lighting of the Advent Candle Will and Cindy Franck Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: People: This cold winter night we join together as a community of believers joining with the magi, shepherds and pilgrims who made the journey before us to worship Emmanuel, God with us. O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Holy God, we pray that you enter our lives tonight through the stillness and light our paths with the light of Christ. O Come, O Come Emmanuel. In this season of advent waiting, we celebrate hope. We light the candle of hope. In this season of advent waiting, Christ gives us the gift of peace. We light the candle of peace.

3 Leader: In this season of advent waiting, through Christ our joy is complete.. People: We light the candle of joy. Leader: People: Leader: People: In this season of advent waiting, we live in this love because He loved us first. We light the candle of love. Tonight, we rejoice in the gift of our Savior, wonderful counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. We light the Christ candle as we celebrate His birth. * Processional Carol: No. 23 Angels We Have Heard on High... gloria

4 * Prayer of Praise and Adoration...Libby Boehne Most Loving God, thank you for this night and for all it represents. Thank you for the hope you give us, the peace you bring, the love you pour out, and the joy you give. We praise you most of all for Jesus, your Word made flesh. May he light the way of our journey this night and all nights. Amen. We Hear God s Word First Reading: Luke 2:1-7 Reader: Libby Boehne Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God. Anthem: A Christmas Hallelujah... Leonard Cohen Rejoice! Ensemble I ve heard about this baby boy Who s come to earth to bring us joy And I just want to sing this song to you. It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth The minor fall, the major lift With every breath I m singing Hallelujah. Hallelujah. A couple came to Bethlehem Expecting child, they searched the inn To find a place for You were coming soon. There was no room for them to stay So in a manger filled with hay God s only Son was born, oh Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

5 The shepherds left their flocks by night To see this baby wrapped in light A host of angels led them all to You. It was just as the angels said You ll find Him in a manger bed Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah. Hallelujah. A star shown bright up in the east To Bethlehem, the wisemen three Came many miles and journeyed long for You. And to the place at which You were Their frankincense and gold and myrrh They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah. Hallelujah. I know You came to rescue me This baby boy would grow to be A man and one day die for me and you. My sins would drive the nails in You That rugged cross was my cross, too Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Second Reading: Luke 2: Sid Batts Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God. Christmas Meditation...Sid Batts

6 We Respond to God s Word * Carol of Response: No. 31 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing...mendelssohn Call to Offering... Neil Dunnavant Offertory: On Christmas Night...arr. Philip Ledger Chancel Choir On Christmas night all Christians sing, To hear the news the angels bring- News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of your merciful King s birth. Then why should men on earth be so sad, Since our redeemer made us glad, When from our sin he set us free, All for to gain our liberty? When sin departs before his grace, Then life and health come in its place; Angels with men and with joy mat sing, All for us to see the newborn King. All out of darkness we have light, Which made the angels sing this night: Glory to God and peace to all, Now and forevermore, Amen.

7 * Congregational Response: Angels from the Realms of Glory regent square Text: Salisbury Hymnal Book / Music: Henry Thomas Smart Prayer of Dedication... Neil Dunnavant Invitation to the Lord s Table... Sid Batts, Neil Dunnavant and Libby Boehne Intinction Coming Forward for the Bread and the Cup Communion Music

8 Anthem: Christ s Lullaby...Sally Ann Morris Chancel Choir Come see the small one cradled in straw. God s whole creation gathers in awe. Worlds hushed in silence hear from on high Morning stars singing Christ s lullaby. Wind of God s Spirit, new baby s breath, Mingle in drawing life out of death. Empty and yearning, earth fills with song, no longer waiting, wondering how long. Through hills and valleys, crying will cease. God s holy promise shines forth in peace. Night full of splendor! Tame beasts and wild bow down together, worship the child. God never slumbers. Yet, at the breast Jesus the Christ child nestles at rest. Angels are watching, hov ring on high, Echoing Glory! Christ s lullaby. Mary Louise Bringle Prayer after Communion...Libby Boehne Lighting of the Candles...Sid Batts As ushers light candles from the Christ Candle, they will share that light with people on the end of each pew. We ask that you share the light of Christ with the person sitting next to you, until everyone is holding the light of Christ. * Congregational Carol: Silent Night, Holy Night... stille nacht 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, Heav nly hosts sing Alleluia:

9 Christ the Savior is born. Christ the Savior 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. Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born. Christ the Savior is born! * Benediction...Sid Batts * Congregational Carol: No. 40 Joy to the World!...antioch Voluntary Brass Ensemble * The congregation is invited to stand. Music reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net A

10 Holy Communion We invite all who trust in the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Savior to come forward to receive Holy Communion. The method of administering the Sacrament will be by intinction: dipping a piece of bread into the chalice filled with grape juice. Worshipers will be invited pew by pew to come forward to pastors and elders holding bread and the cup to receive the Sacrament. We ask that you return to your pew by way of the side aisles. For those who would like to receive communion while seated, our elders will be happy to accommodate your needs.

11 This Evening s Special Offering Tonight s offering will benefit Hot Dish & Hope on Greene Street, which offers a brief worship service, a time for prayer and free hot meal to anyone who is hungry each Tuesday and Thursday night in our Mullin Life Center. Hot Dish & Hope ministries are enabled through God s grace and gifts of volunteers time, the use of FPC buildings and your financial support. During this season of hospitality, we appreciate your continued generosity. Worship Bags for Children Worship bags for children are available at the doors, to be used during the service, and then taken home afterward. Nursery Care Available in Corl 104 for children ages 3 and under. December 28 One combined 10:45 a.m. worship service in the sanctuary for Seminary Student Sunday. No children s church school, but nursery and worship enrichment will be available during worship. January 4 Communion Sunday: 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. worship services in the sanctuary, 10:45 a.m. Rejoice! service in the Life Center. Nursery and worship enrichment available. No church school for children and youth.

12 This Evening s Worship Leaders Sid Batts, Senior Pastor Neil Dunnavant, Executive Pastor and Associate for Outreach Ministry Libby Boehne, Cynthia Price Pastoral Resident Will and Cindy Franck, Advent Lighters Robert Wells, Director of Music Ministry John Alexander, Associate Director of Music Ministry and Principal Organist James Keith, Associate Director of Music for Rejoice! Rejoice! Ensemble Chancel Choir Brass Ensemble: Donnie McEwan, trumpet Rusty Smith, trumpet Alex Askew, horn Randy Kohlenberg, trombone Dennis Askew, tuba