Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church
5:00 p.m.~ December 24, 2016 ~ Christmas Eve
We Gather to Worship God
We invite you to share in our ministry of Hospitality by registering your attendance
as the registration pad is passed to you. Please give us your name, address or email or phone. Thank you for silencing your cell phone as we gather to worship God.
Welcome and Ministry Announcements
Welcome in the name of Christ our Lord.
Please register your attendance, printing your name, address, phone, and email,
when the pew pad is passed to you.
Thank you for silencing cell phones as we gather to worship God.
Invocation
Prelude The Acolytes enter with the light of Christ.
*Call to Worship
Sing a new song of our ancient story.
Sing of the birth of Christ.
Sing a new song of our ancient hope.
Sing of the promises of God.
Sing a new song of peace and love.
Sing with the angels above.
Sing to the Living God! Sing a new song!
Sing to God, all the earth!
*Singing Our Faith #234 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Lighting the Christ Candle
We light the Christ candle to remind us that the light of the world was born this night.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness - on them a light has shined.
You, O Lord, have multiplied the nation. You have increased its joy.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
He is also called Emmanuel, for in him God is with us.
Prayer
Choral Anthem
Manger Moment
Prayer for Illumination Jody Underwood
Gracious God, your angels broke into the midnight of a sleeping world to sing the news that Christ was born in Bethlehem. Break into our dark world tonight and stir hearts to hear again the message of your love. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7 (CEB) Jody Underwood
Gospel Lesson Luke 2:1-20 (MSG) Jody Underwood
The word of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
*Singing our Faith # 238“Angels We Have Heard on High”
The Good News “Such a Babe in Such a Place”
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
The Giving of God’s Tithes and Our Gifts
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Offertory
*Doxology # 95 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all
Creatures herebelow;praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son,and HolyGhost. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thywill be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread 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 thineis thekingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
Taking the Bread and the Cup
Prayer after Communion
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Through it we proclaim the blessed hope— the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Service of Candle Lighting
(As “Silent Night” is sung and the lights are being dimmed, the pastor will light a candle from the Christ candle. The pastor will then light the candles of the candle lighters gathered at the altar. They will light the candles of the first worshipers. Remember that the lighted candle remains upright, and the unlighted candle is tipped to be lighted. Children under 10 are requested not to have a lighted candle. Before leaving the pew, worshipers are requested to extinguish their candles.)
*Hymn of Dedication # 239“Silent Night, Holy Night”
*Blessing and Dismissal
*Postlude