Christmas Eve Worship Service 4:00 pm

First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin Christmas Eve Worship Service 4:00 pm

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN DECEMBER 24, 2018 CHRISTMAS EVE A FAMILY SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS 4:00 PM Welcome to worship on this special night when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. Please be sure to sign the friendship pads so you may greet one another after worship. May our time together remind us that Christmas is much more than a birthday. It is our acknowledgement that the God who made us, now lives and walks among us. Rejoice! Rejoice! No matter who you are. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here! As Jesus courageous disciples, living God s grace, we strive to: ~ Worship faithfully ~ Welcome openly ~ Grow spiritually ~ Care passionately ~ Serve generously Large print bulletins and hearing impaired devices are available from the ushers. Please stand when noted by the * -- Congregation responses are in bold. PRELUDE GREETINGS LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Tonight we re-light the Advent candles to remember the light that has come into the world. (The leader lights each candle in order.) The light of hope the light of peace the light of joy the light of love. God is with us! Christ is come! Because of his presence, we are blessed. As we now light the Christ candle, let us each be thankful for that night long ago when the angels sang, when the shepherds worshipped, when the cattle lowed, when the Savior was born. (Leader lights the Christ candle.)

RINGING OF THE BELL CALL TO WORSHIP L: We come to celebrate the good news of great joy! P: Glory to God in the highest! L: Unto us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. P: Glory to God in the highest! L: A multitude of the heavenly host appeared, praising God. P: Glory to God in the highest! L: So come. Let us sing, pray and worship on this holy night. P: Glory to God in the highest! *HYMN O Come All Ye Faithful O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold him, born the King of angels; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord. Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, glory in the highest; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord. FIRST LESSON: Micah 5:2-5 The prophet Micah foretells the glory of Bethlehem. Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light! The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel! Josh Sippel

SECOND LESSON: Luke 1:26-35, 38 Larissa Lueck The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will give birth to God s promised Son. Hymn Hark the Herald Angels Sing Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold him come, Offspring of the Virgin s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. A MESSAGE FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES Silent Night By Lara Hawthorne/Read by Chris Myers THIRD LESSON: Luke 2:1-7 Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes, Jesus is born. Murphy Beatty Hymn Joy to the World Joy to the world! The Lord is come; let earth receive her king; Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, And wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love. FOURTH LESSON: Luke 2:8-20 The shepherds go to the manger. Hymn Away in a Manger Away in a manager, no crib for His bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love You, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Erica Sippel

A PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS & THE LORD S PRAYER (debts/debtors) 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. FIFTH LESSON: Matthew 2:1-11 The wise men are led by the star to Jesus. Suzanne Hagen Hymn What Child is This, Who, Laid to Rest What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? Refrain: This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come peasant, king, to own him; The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him. Refrain THE OFFERTORY Justine Pearson *PRESENTATION OF GIFTS Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful (verse 4) Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord! *PRAYER OF DEDICATION Wondrous God, take us into your story tonight. Let us be filled with wonder like the shepherds, be as loving as Mary and Joseph, and sing with joy like the angels. Take us to Bethlehem and fill us with peace and surprise us with joy. Then, let us take your gospel of love, peace, hope and joy into the world. Bless us and the gifts we offer this night that may be signs of your work in our world. Amen.

*LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Hymn 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, Son of God, love s pure light, Radiant streams 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. *DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING The night is still. The stars shine bright. Holiness is all around. Treasure the stillness. Drink in the wonder. As you lie down and sleep tonight, may the peace of God enfold you and may you awake with great joy for our Savior has come. Amen. POSTLUDE (Please extinguish your candles before you leave) Christmas Gift Again this year we are pleased to provide a small container of mini M & M candy to you as our gift to you. Eat them! Enjoy them! Please consider using those containers as a receptacle for small change to support the work of Feed My Starving Children. If every person in worship on Christmas Eve returned these containers with quarters (about $12), over $6,000 would be given to help feed God s starving children. This would feed over 26,000 children or 71 children for a year. Truly a gift for the Christ child. Please return the filled containers when you are able to in the offering plate or church office. A Merry Christmas to you all.

Assisting in tonight s worship service are: Organist: Marsha Pearson Pastor: Rev. Chris Myers December 24... Christmas Eve Services of Lessons and Carols 4:00 pm... Family Service 6:00 pm... Family Service with Communion 11:00 pm... Candlelight Service with Communion December 30... 9:00 am... Worship Service... No Adult Forum 10:00 am... Coffee Fellowship 10:30 am... Worship Service... No Sunday School January 6... 9:00 am... Worship Service 9:00 am... Adult Forum 10:00 am... Coffee Fellowship 10:30 am... Worship Service 10:45 am... Sunday School * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Treasurer s Report Dec 16, 2018 Year to Date Budget Income $ 13,747 $ 442,416 Budget Requirements $ 8,920 $ 446,000 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Beth Amacker Duane and Mary Church Mike and Gloria Gardner DEDICATION OF POINSETTIAS In memory of Norbert Johnson and Roger Amacker In memory of Duane and Mary s folks In memory of Anthony and Aurelia Gardner In memory of John and Irene Williams Patricia Graves/Lois Martin Family Suzanne Hagen Deb and Jeff Hoffman Gloria Knight Betty Most The Myers Family Marsha Pearson Larry and Barbara Peterson Jean Smith Sally Steneman Randy and Diane Welsh Neil Williams Family In memory of Lyle & Edith Graves; Marcella & Clarence Martin In memory of Norris and Margaret Johnson In memory of Deb s father, Donald Neu In memory of Stella Ray, Richard Knight, Gerald Hague In memory of Mathilda Most In honor of Barbara Most In memory of Vernon and Hattie Myers In memory of Elizabeth and William Sortor In memory of Jack L. Sumner In memory of Marshall & Vonita Ward, Bob & Sadie Pearson, Patti Haigh, Maynard Pearson In honor of the World s Greatest Gift In memory of Marlyn and Bernice Mohr In memory of Lois Smith In memory of Ken and Jean Johnson In memory of our parents In memory of Karen Williams