St. Luke s United Methodist Church 300 E lla Taylor Road Yorkt own, Virginia 23692 Christmas Eve December 24, 2015 7 o clock in the Evening Telephone (757) 898-3017; Fax (757) 898-4304 www.stlukesyorktown.org
Prelude The Order of Service v v v v v v v (You are welcome to remain seated while singing. Liturgy and lyrics will be on the screens at the front) Lighting of the Christ Candle "While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger" (Luke 2:6-7). Tonight, angels far and near sing tender lullabies; well-worn fabric full of years holds in the warmth of parental love; animals and shepherds crowd in tight, glowing with adoration, while a muffled cry squeezes out to greet the world. Tonight we give thanks for every child among us. Each new birth -- regardless of circumstances -- reminds us of the preciousness of life, the potential of tomorrow, the promise of God. On this Christmas Eve, we light the Christ candle for the child- King, the infant-redeemer, the lowly-lord. And now we know... He is born and nothing will ever be the same! (Light all candles.) vcarol, No. 219 UMH What Child is This? vthe 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.
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, 17-19 Elizabeth Lyon 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. Second Lesson: Genesis 22:15-18 George Leftwich 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 Third Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Don Reese The prophet announces the birth of a king to a people in darkness. Special Music, Christmas Song Nathan Lienard Fourth Lesson: Micah 5:2-5a Keri Houser The king is coming and will usher in a reign of justice for the poor and peace for all of God s creation. Carol, Mary, Did You Know? Fifth Lesson: Luke 1:26-35, 38 Dalton Cowan The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to God s promised Son whose kingdom shall never end.
Special Music, A Christmas Hallelujah Luke s Crew Sixth Lesson: Luke 2:1-7 Tammy Smith Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes, Jesus is born. Carol, No. 245 UMH The First Noel Seventh Lesson: Luke 2:8-16 Linda Anderson The shepherds go to see the Savior of the world, lying in a manger. Carol, No. 238 UMH Angels We Have Heard on High Eighth Lesson: Matthew 2:1-11 Ann Davis The wise men follow a star to find the child Jesus, the King of the Jews. Message The Secret of the Gifts Doug Gestwick Carol, No. 254 UMH We Three Kings Ninth Lesson: John 1: 1-14 Tom Lyon John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation. Carol, No. 234 UMH O Come, All Ye Faithful va Service of Word and Table III, No. 15 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.] vcandle-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
Dismissal in silence v v v v v v v 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 www.stlukesyorktown.org. 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. This year s miracle offering will be divided in three. One third will be used for local needs, one third will be used for national needs, and one third will be used for international needs. We invite you to join us for our other Opportunities at St. Luke s Sunday School for All Ages 9:45 am each Sunday Shrove Tuesday & Lenten Workshop Activities for All Ages February 9th, 6:00 pm Ash Wednesday February 10th, 7:00 am & 7:00 pm Easter Egg Hunt on the Great Lawn March 20th at 4:00 pm
Palm Sunday March 20th, 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 am (the Sanctuary) 5:05 pm (The Gathering at The Grove) Maundy Thursday March 24th, at 7:00 pm Good Friday March 25th, at 7:00 pm Easter Celebration Services March 27th 6:15 am Youth Led Sunrise Service 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 am (the Sanctuary) 5:05 pm (the Grove) Community Carnival April 23rd, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Vacation Bible School July 18th to 22nd For more information or to register go to www.stlukesyorktown.org St. Luke s Ministry Team Ministers...The People of St. Luke s Presiding Bishop.........Young Jin Cho District Superintendent...........Seonyoung Kim Senior Pastor......Douglas Gestwick Associate Pastor............ Clara Gestwick Youth Pastor.. Carolyn Poling Minister of Congregational Care...... David Hampton Business Manager.....Bill Boyer Director of Communication Ministries.Megan Collins Ministry Intern Tim Hares Director of Emergent Ministries.....Emily Howdyshell Director of Music Ministries.......Gordon Parr Director of Children s Ministries..... Josie Turner Administrative Coordinator.......... Joyce Wilson