Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service - 8:00 P.M. Saturday, December 24, 2011
REV. RUDY VISSER, PASTOR
“To Know Christ, and to Make Him Known”
The angel said to the shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
Organ Prelude
Noel V (“En Duo”), from Nouveau Livre de Noels, Louis Claude Daquin
The Congregation Carols the Story of Christ’s Birth
HYMN #133 (vs 1 & 3) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
CAROL #170 (vs 1 ) It Came upon the Midnight Clear
CAROL #162 (vs 1 & 2) The First Noel
CAROL #152 (vs 1 & 3) Angels We Have Heard on High
CAROL #155 (vs 1 & 4) O Little Town of Bethlehem
SOLO, Deborah Spaulding, soprano
He Shall Feed His Flock, from Messiah, George F. Handel
Like Shepherds in Admiration
GOD’S GREETING
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
All the world this night rejoices.
The stars shine more brightly,
the mountains echo their joy,
for a Savior is born.
On this holy night,
all the animals bow in adoration.
The birds lift their voices in song.
All creatures know the Good News of the birth of a Savior,
and we feel drawn to this holy night,
beckoned by some deep longing
for our lives to be made whole,
our hearts to be filled with joy, and our lips
to constantly sing praises. All the world this night rejoices.
*CAROL #173 (Vs. 1, 2, & 4) O Come, All Ye Faithful
*For those who are able, please stand.
AROUND THE ADVENT WREATH (Responsively) The Visser Family
LEADER: On the eve of our Christmas celebration, Jesus’ birthday, we light all of the candles of the Advent wreath. First we light the candle for HOPE,
PEOPLE: because Jesus is our hope.
LEADER: Second, we light the candle for PEACE
PEOPLE: because Jesus is our hope and peace.
LEADER: Third, we light the candle for JOY
PEOPLE: because Jesus is our greatest joy.
LEADER: Fourth, we light the candle for LOVE
PEOPLE: because Jesus is love.
LEADER: Finally we light the center candle. This is the CHRIST candle. Jesus is born. Jesus has come.
PEOPLE: Jesus is our salvation.
LEADER: Let us pray
PEOPLE: Great God of love and light, we thank you now for the light of that special star over two thousand years ago that
guided humble shepherds and learned wise men to the holy babe. Lead us now, by the light of your love, that we also may follow
you to new life in him. In celebration of the birthday of our King and our Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
CAROL #160, O Holy Night
Verse 1, Congregation
Verse 2, John-Bosquet-Morra, Congregation joins on last repeat, “Christ is the
Lord!”
With Shepherds and Angels
PRAYER (Unison)
Loving and generous God, we praise and thank you for the joys of this Christmas: the music and the singing, the gathering of family and friends, the gifts we give and receive. We thank you most of all for your great gift to us - the child, Jesus. May Christ's Spirit of love fill our hearts to overflowing. May Christ's Spirit of peace be upon everyone, everywhere. Amen.
Glory to God in the Highest Heaven
SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 2:8-20
TRIO, Deborah Spaulding, John Bosquet-Morra, Paul Clause
In the Bleak Midwinter
MESSAGE The Meaning of the Nativity
PRAYER OF BLESSING
*CAROL #146 (All verses) Joy to the World! The Lord is Come
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS and OFFERINGS/OFFERTORY
"In dulci jubilo", Op. 28, Marcel Dupré
LITANY OF PRAISE FOR CHRIST’S BIRTH
Loving God, in a little town of little fame, your holy Child is born.
We welcome your Light!
By the faint light of the moon, Mary and Joseph find their way.
We welcome your Light!
(Over, please.)
Lit by a courtyard fire, the open stable door.
We welcome your Light!
Warm breath of resting beasts, kindly sparkle in their eyes.
We welcome your Light!
In the shadowy stable stall, Joseph kindles a lamp.
We welcome your Light!
There Mary gives birth to Jesus, “God With Us.”
We welcome your Light!
Angels open the doors of heaven, sing, “Glory to God in the highest!”
We welcome your Light!
Shepherds see the sky ablaze, leave their sheep, and come to see.
We welcome your Light!
In the darkest winter night, God sets a brilliant star.
We welcome your Light!
Magi from the East divine God’s shining sign.
We welcome your Light!
And on this Christmas night with joy, we greet your Child.
We welcome his Light!
SOLO, John Bosquet-Morra, guitarist Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
*CAROL #164, SHARING THE LIGHT Silent Night! Holy Night!
BENEDICTION
Postlude
Fuga sopra il Magnificat, BWV 733, J. S. Bach
†
Guest Organist
David Smith
Greeters
Paul , Anna-Marie, young Paul, and Carien Zietsman
