CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE December 24, 2016 5:00 PM Prelude Praise Band Welcome Opening Prayer Passing of the Peace Leader: The Peace of the Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Carol (Please share God s peace with one another.) O Come, All Ye Faithful Lighting the Christ Candle Kathy and Jim Drinkard; Ryan, Stephanie, and Gemma Richards Reader: Jesus said, I am the light of the world; those who follow me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. People: We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ. (Four Advent candles are lit.) Reader: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord shall arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. (Isaiah 60:1-3) (The Christ candle is lit.) Please stand if able.
Reader: All: Carol Let us pray. God of grace and power, as you came at night when all was still, so enter our lives this night. Illumine our paths with the light of Christ s presence, that we may clearly see the way before us, the truth to speak, and the life to live for him, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Angels from the Realms of Glory Old Testament Prophecy Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Special Music We Adore You Praise Band Reading Luke 2:1-5 Carol (vs. 1 & 4) O Little Town of Bethlehem (Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus come to the manger.) Reading Luke 2:6-7 Carol (v. 1) Away in a Manger Reading Luke 2: 8 14 Carol (v. 1) Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (Angels come forward during the hymn.) Reading Luke 2:15-20 Carol (v. 1) The First Noel (Shepherds come forward during the hymn.) Reading Matthew 2:1-11 Carol We Three Kings of Orient Are (Kings come forward during the hymn.) Actors are invited to return to their seats after the hymn. Sharing of Our Gifts Special Music O, Holy Night (Adams) Jim Lawson Prayer of Dedication 2
Carol Joy to the World Celebration of the Lord s Supper Invitation to the Table Prayer of Thanksgiving Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord. Pastor: Let us give thanks and praise to the Lord or God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Pastor: It is truly right and our greatest joy who forever sing to your glory: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest. (Hymnal #581) Communion of the People (All baptized persons are invited to the Table. Come to the Table as directed by the ushers, take a piece of bread, dip it in the cup, consume it, and return to your pew for prayer or meditation.) Special Music Offering (Christmas Version) Praise Band Prayer after Communion O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true light. Grant that we who have known the mystery of that light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven, where with you and the Holy Spirit, he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. Sharing the Light of Christ And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a Father s only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) Carol Silent Night, Holy Night Blessing Postlude (Please place your extinguished candles in one of the baskets in the narthex as you leave; children are welcomed to keep their glow sticks.) 3
Welcome Friends of Grace... Old and New! Our Mission: -Growing in Spirit -Living as Disciples -Serving God s World If you re visiting us for the first time, here is information on what we offer at Grace Presbyterian Church: MISSION AT GRACE From our birth in 1954, Grace has been a mission-driven church. In addition to the needs Grace has met over the years, we are currently engaged in several major mission initiatives. First, Grace has been in partnership with Honduras Outreach, Inc., for over a decade, sponsoring week-long mission trips to Honduras for community development. We are also excited about our partnership with the St. Philip Church in Nablus, in the West Bank. The Christian community in Palestine and Israel is shrinking, so we are thankful to share a ministry with them that keeps us in touch with our unbroken roots to Christ s Apostles. The Grace Preschool, supported by the church, has been in operation since 1956. With wonderful staff, children, and parents, we not only meet the educational and developmental needs of area children, but do so in a way that is unapologetically Christian. For over 2 decades, dedicated men, women, and youth of Grace Church gather on Monday evenings to tutor children identified by their counselors at Crestwood, Lynnbrook, and Garfield Elementary Schools for special assistance. Grace is a busy place on Thursdays too, as we sponsor the Nurturing Parenting program, a ministry supported by Fairfax County, to train parents and families in building healthy, supportive lives together. We could go on, but hope this gives you a glimpse of the many ways Grace Church responds to the needs of members, neighbors, and the world to share the Good News of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Our Risen Lord continues to meet us in paths of service. Won t you come and join us? SUNDAY WORSHIP We celebrate one worship service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. during the school year, and 10:00 a.m. during the Summer. Worship incorporates elements of both contemporary and traditional worship, so that all will find spiritual touchstones in a shared setting. The Lord s Supper is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, and biweekly throughout the month. Children are welcomed in the service. A time for sharing the faith with them is part of the liturgy each week. After sharing, children may stay or go to: Play n' Worship - Where children ages 3 and 4 learn Bible stories in playful and concrete ways. Bridges to Worship - Where children ages 5 through 3rd grade are introduced to the elements of worship as they hear a new Bible story each week. Childcare - provided for infants and toddlers during church school and worship every Sunday morning. 4
ADULT EDUCATION MINISTRY Sunday morning classes and groups start up again on January 8th at 9:15 a.m. In addition to the ongoing Young Adults Group in the Tower Room, adult classes will continue in the Family Room, with an exploration of the Gospel in a class called A Year with Jesus. If you are interested in starting a new group or teaching a class, please feel free to talk to our Adult Discipleship elder, Nelson Thurman. CHILDREN S MINISTRY The Children's Ministry at Grace Church is an active and vital part of our community. Along with weekly Sunday School at 9:15 a.m., we also offer: Club 456 - For preteens in grades 4-6, Club 456 meets on the second Sunday of the month throughout the school year from 6-8 p.m. for fellowship, games, projects, and themed lessons. YOUTH MINISTRY Youth Group for grades 7-12 meets in the church s Wester Hall on Sundays from 6-8 p.m. It s a night of games, skits, and small group discussions as they grow closer to God together. Highlights of the year include an annual Fall Retreat, 30-Hour Famine, Honduras Mission Trip, and Tri-Cities Work Camp. AGING WITH GRACE MINISTRY The Aging with Grace ministry serves older adults and family caregivers. It includes monthly Brown Bag Lunch discussions on a variety of topics; Bunco, the Proverbs 17:22 Club; an ongoing Support Group for Caregivers of Older Adults; an Information Station with resource materials for older adults and their caregivers; delivery of Grace communication to those who are homebound; and other special events such as field trips, fellowship events, and school tutoring support. Members, neighbors or visitors may participate in any AWG event. STEPHEN MINISTRY Grace Church has trained Stephen Ministers to care for those who are facing tough times and could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. If you feel like this could be a helpful opportunity for you to navigate a difficult season in your life, please speak to a pastor to express your interest in meeting with a Stephen Minister. Or, if you have gifts of compassion and caring for others and have questions about becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact the Stephen Minister leaders whose names you will find on the back of the Prayer Request card in the pew. 5
Do nated by : Mary Helmantoler Eugene A. Williams Malcolm and Cheri Weaver Penny Newsome Fran Kurtz and Family David and Janice Buckley Bob and Virginia Bouchard Joe and Greta Miller Scott, Beth, and Lee Bartlett Janet and Dave Little Rhea Boswell Bob and Valerie Patrick Bonni and Tom Astorino Pat Ferrell Marty Post and Alan Goldstein The Machado Family Dedication: In memory of loved ones and to the Glory of God In memory of Jan and loved ones In memory and honor of our loved ones In loving memory of Allison Platig, Lynnette Newsome, and Joe Slomski, Sr. In loving memory and thanks to God for Fred, our Husband, Dad, and Grandfather To the glory of God For those who have gone before us For all of our loved ones in Heaven and on Earth In loving memory of Betty Vassel In honor of Family In memory of Frank Boswell, Husband In memory of our parents In memory of loved ones In loving memory of my husband, Alan In memory of Ernest H. Post Maynard, Jeanette, and Cherry Whitney, and Juan Machado 6
Do nated by : George Towery Laura Senich Bob McClelland The Mankin Family Peter and Beth Jenkins Smith The Bryant Family The Bryant Family Peter and Beth Jenkins Smith Jim and Kathy Drinkard Jim and Kathy Drinkard The Dickmans Marie Lawall Heather Sarmiento Vivian Martin & Family Dedication: With thanksgiving and love for family and health In memory of my mom, Dorothy Senich With love for my Grace Family In gratitude for Ray Freeman s wonderful music In honor of and in memory of our parents In loving memory of David Wester In loving memory of Betty and Paul Bryant In honor of Church and Preschool staff and volunteers In memory of Jim Drinkard, and John and Mary Jane McLaughlin In memory of Mike McLaughlin In honor of those who serve In loving memory of my husband, Dick For my grandparents who are all now in heaven In loving memory of my husband Allan Ike Edward Martin; Greg and Cherylen s father; Tom s father -in-law, and Sean s grandfather 7
Christmas Day and New Year s Day Worship Services are at 11 AM. Sunday School classes do not meet. We resume our regular schedule on January 8th, with Christian Education at 9:15 a.m. and Worship at 10:30 a.m. GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF Lisa Kenkeremath, Interim Pastor Susan Wisseman, Stated Supply Associate Pastor and Youth Director Yvette Moy, Director, Aging with Grace Ministry Scott Seifried, Director of Music Ray Freeman, Organist Jim Dunstan, Hand Bell Choir Director Veronica Crump, Treasurer Virginia Bouchard, Interim Office Manager Judy Phillips, Preschool Director Grace Weekday Preschool-703-451-3314 7434 Bath Street, Springfield, VA 22150 www.gracepresby.org 703-451-2900 In case of inclement weather, check our website and telephone message for updates.