Christmas Eve Livestream – Lighting the Christ Candle

On this holy night, Christians throughout God’s world are celebrating Christ’s birth. Tonight’s offering gifts will be given to the U.C.C. Christmas Fund.

Our Christmas worship begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24th. You can find the service on our YouTube page.

PRELUDE O Little Town of Bethlehem – Livingston

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: It’s Christmas Eve. Let’ss rejoice!
All: Emmanuel is with us.
One: Tonight is the night of our Dear Savior’s birth.
All: God appears in an astonishing way!
One: God comes to earth as a baby.
All: Christ comes to life as a human being – Jesus, born of Mary.
One: This Child is God’s Promised Messiah.
All: Glory to God in the highest!
One: Peace on earth.
All: Christ is born.

HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful #188

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him, both the King of angels;

REFRAIN
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

God of God, and Light of Light begotten,
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten, not created;

REFRAIN

Sing, choirs of angels, sin in exultation!
O sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

REFRAIN

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;

REFRAIN

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES AND THE CHRIST CANDLE

RESPONSE When God Is a Child worship booklet, p. 95

Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.

REFRAIN
When God is a child there’s joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth.

REFRAIN

Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, telling the world that the Savior is born.

REFRAIN

Love is a flame that burns in our heart. Jesus has come and will never depart.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
Gracious God, tonight as we gather together to conclude this Advent journey, we celebrate that a new light has dawned! A Child is born, and this Child is our light and the source of our joy. The child brings hope into the world, and the promise of peace on earth. The child is love incarnate, love divine; and we thank you, O God, for this – the most perfect gift imaginable. Joy to the world! Christ is born! Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming – Cotter

A Glimpse of God John 1:1-4

Census Luke 2:1, 3-5

No Vacancy Luke 2:6-7

Sensing the Spectacular Luke 2:8-12

The Messiah: World Première Luke 2:13-18

Eternal Mystery

SPECIAL MUSIC Who Would Imagine a King?
Valerie Waterman, Vocalist

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We celebrate “Open Communion” as the United Church of Christ
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to partake of this 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, 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 in order to get through to us, and we are astounded by your ingenuity. 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 hope eternal.
Christ Jesus, may our lives freely and joyously offer to all the world the 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.

Christ is born.