Worship Service December 24, 2024
Order of Service
Prelude-Lighting the Altar Candles Joyceline Huennekens
Chapel Chimes by M. Greenwald
Gathering and Greeting and Announcements Rev. Cindy Lunsford
* Call to Worship – Advent Wreath Rev. Warren Lunsford /All
See next panel –Advent Wreath – tune Away in a Manger
Opening Prayer Rev. Mike Holder
(Kay Holder will lead us in Carols)
* Carol The First Noel Verses 1 & 4 UMH 245
* Carol O Come, All Ye Faithful Verses 1,3, & 6 UMH 234
Old Testament Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 Rev. Cindy Lunsford
* Carol Angels We Have Heard on High Verses 1-3 UMH 238
* Carol Joy to the World Verses 1 & 4 UMH 246
Epistle Lesson Titus 2:11-14 Rev. Mike Holder
OFFERING OF OURSELVES
Worship with Our Tithes & Offerings Joyceline Huennekens instrumental
Offering tonight is for the UM Children’s Home
Dedication & Offertory Rev. Warren Lunsford
Doxology UMH 095
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Centering Song I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Anna Bradley
PROCLAMATION
Prayer of Illumination Rev. Warren Lunsford/All
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of the Holy Spirit,
that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed,
we may hear with joy, what you say to us tonight. Amen.
Scripture Luke 2:1-17 Rev. Warren Lunsford
Message The Christmas Message Rev. Warren Lunsford
WORSHIP AT THE TABLE
Great Thanksgiving Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All/See bulletin insert
Partaking of the Elements Rev. Warren Lunsford & Rev. Mike Holder/All
Prayer After Communion Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All/See bulletin insert
GOING FORTH WITH CHRIST AS WE LIFT LIGHTS OF CHIRST
* Closing Hymn Silent Night, Holy Night UMH 239
Commissioning & Benediction Rev. Cindy Lunsford
Depart to Serve, caring for others, as we truly serve God
Advent Wreath Choruses to the tune of Away in a Manger
Advent 1
A Candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December's dark night.
While angels sing blessing from heaven's starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
Advent 2
A Candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease;
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
Advent 3
A candle is burning, a candle of joy.
A candle to welcome brave Mary's new boy,
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
Advent 4
A candle is burning, a candle of love.
A candle to point us to heaven above.
A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth.
For Jesus is bringing God’s love to our earth.
Christmas Eve
We honor messiah with Christ Candle’s lame
Our Christmas Eve candles glad tidings proclaim
O come all you faithful, rejoice in this night,
As God comes among us, the Christian’s true light.
Note – “A Candle is Burning is by Sandra Dean, 1986.
Music is “Away In A Manger” by James Murray 1887.
