December 24 — Christmas Eve

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. Tonight’s offering gifts will be given to the U.C.C. Christmas Fund. Peace on earth. Goodwill to all. Christ the Savior is born!

Our apologies, due to technical difficulties, we do not have a livestream of our Christmas Eve 2024 worship.

PRELUDE — Still, Still, Still — Paxton

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Rejoice this night!
All: God above has come to earth!
One: Jesus has come to bring light and life to all people.
All: Glory to God in the highest!
One: Peace on earth.
All: Christ is born.

*HYMN — It Came Upon the Midnight Clear — #199

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold
When the new heav’n and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King.
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES AND THE CHRIST CANDLE

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
God Emmanuel, you are our Creator and the One who brings all creation into being! Your light overcomes darkness. As a candle provides light, you offer light to all people. You are the Savior of all the world!
O Holy One, wash over us during this time of worship. We believe in your power for transformation, and we ask you to guide us along the way toward new life in you. Renew us as we lift our voices and our souls in praise and in remembrance of you, Jesus.
Cleanse us that we may faithfully reflect your image as you draw us nearer and nearer to you. Be born in us today, Christ Jesus. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE — O Little Town of Bethlehem — #200

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.

For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love,
O morning stars together Proclaim thy holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of HIs heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still The dear Christ enters in.

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 Teh great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.

CHRISTMAS PRAYER
O God, so tender and mild; two thousand years ago, you displayed the full extent of your love for all people by coming to life as a human being – Jesus, our brother, kind and good. This night, O God, we ask that you revive within us your image – your holiness.
Our Lord Emmanuel, you are full of surprises! While the world tempts us to focus on flashiness, you are constantly appearing in out-of-the-way places among ordinary people.Earthly life can be loud and hectic. Yet, above this world’s noise, the songs of your angels still resound. Above this world’s frenzy, the night sky remains tranquil. Your stars serenely shine.
Just as you calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee, you are the One who calms any and all turmoil in our lives. God Emmanuel, help us not to be afraid. Tonight, may all your children live without fear and receive your great joy: Christ is born! Amen.

A vision of God

Keeping watch

Sight unseen

Eyestrain

A thrill of hope

Forevermore

SPECIAL MUSIC — O Holy Night (Valerie Waterman, Soloist) — arr. Strickling

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire to receive are welcome to receive the bread and the cup at Christ’s Table. Cups in the outer ring on the communion tray contain grape juice. Other cups contain wine.

The Breaking of the Bread and the Pouring of the Cup

The Sharing of the Bread and the Cup

*The Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
God Emmanuel, you are the One whom our very souls adore. Thank you, Christ Jesus, for bringing us together tonight to celebrate your birth. You became a human being to connect with us, and we marvel at your creativity!
Jesus, we are grateful to you for welcoming us as guests at your table. Each time we accept your invitation, we are blessed. Receiving the bread and the cup from you fills us with renewed hope.
Christ Jesus, may we devote ourselves to you by freely and joyously sharing with all people the extravagant grace which we receive from you. Amen.

*SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

*HYMN — Silent Night — #189

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,
Heav’nly 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 beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Merry Christmas from Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ!

December 24 – Christmas Eve – Christ is Born!

Peace on Earth! Goodwill to all! Christ the Savior is born! We are honored you have chosen to spend this special moment with Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. On this day, and on all days, we send our best wishes to you and yours.

Tonight’s offering gifts will be given to the United Church of Christ Christmas Fund.

As always, you can join us on our YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/fWagThvuqI4

We will be celebrating communion this evening, so if you are with us from home, be sure to gather the elements prior to worship.

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Rejoice this night!
All: God above has come to earth!
One: Jesus has come to bring light and life to all people.
All: Glory to God in the highest!
One: Peace on earth.
All: Christ is born.

*HYMN – Angels from the Realms of Glory – #207

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn king.

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant Light: [Refrain]

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star: [Refrain]

Sants before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES AND THE CHRIST CANDLE

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
God Emmanuel, candlelight is an ideal symbol of your love. You are as reliable as a steadily burning candle flame. Your light overcomes darkness. As a candle provides light, you offer light to all people. You are the Savior of the whole world! People all over the world rejoice on this night, celebrating your birth as the Christ Child. For generations, people have marveled at this miracle, and your holy birth will amaze people forever. Tonight, we worship you, Christ Jesus. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Emmanuel – #185

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel;

God with us, revealed in us;
His name is called Emmanuel.

*CHRISTMAS PRAYER
O God, so tender and mild; two thousand years ago, you displayed the full extent of your love for all people by coming to life as a human being – Jesus, our brother, kind and good. This night, O God, we ask that you revive within us your image – your holiness.
Our Lord Emmanuel, you are full of surprises! While the world tempts us to focus on flashiness, you are constantly appearing in out-of-the-way places among ordinary people. Earthly life can be loud and hectic. Yet, above this world’s noise, the songs of your angels still resound. Above this world’s frenzy, the night sky remains tranquil. Your stars serenely shine.
Just as you calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee, you are the One who calms any and all turmoil in our lives. God Emmanuel, help us not to be afraid. Tonight, may all your children live without fear and receive your great joy: Christ is born! Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC – Breath of Heaven (Sue Wilson, Vocalist) – Eaton/Grant

PROPHECY

BEYOND US

SETTING OUT FOR BETHLEHEM

WHISPERS OF ETERNITY

FROM THE SILENT HILLSIDES

NEWBORN SAVIOR

SPECIAL MUSIC – Who Would Imagine a King? (Valerie Waterman, Vocalist) – Warren/Hill

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to receive Holy Communion.

The Breaking of the Bread and the Pouring of the Cup

The Sharing of the Bread and the Cup

*The Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
God Emmanuel, thank you for welcoming us this Christmas Eve as guests at your table. Here in this sacred place, you have drawn us into Holy Communion with you and with one another. Being in true communion with one another is being joined together by your steadfast love.
Wherever we are, you are the very breath of life within us, O Holy One. Your miracles amaze us! We praise you for bringing us together tonight to celebrate your birth.
Christ Jesus, may our lives faithfully give away the grace that we receive from you as “a little child who leads us” – the Christ Child. Amen.

*SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

*HYMN – Silent Night – #189

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,
Heav’nly 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 beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

A Blessed Christmas