December 24, 2024

Dec 20

Written By Heath Nettles

Christmas Eve | A Service of Carols, Communion, and Candles

December 24, 2024 | Christmas Eve Online Worship Bulletin

Bringing in the Light of Christ
Chiming of the Trinity

Prelude

O Come, Little Children arr. Mark Hayes

Welcome

Rev. Kelly Dotson

Call to Worship

For you who are filled to the brim with happiness,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.

For you who are mourning the loss of family and friends,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.

For you who feel like you are tripping about in darkness,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.

For you who rest in gratitude and contentment,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.

For you who feel the ache of loneliness,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.

For you who are surrounded by unlikely yet beautiful companionship,
Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.

Come, let us worship the birth of our Savior!
Come, let us worship God who came to dwell among us!

Carol

Joy to the World UMH#246

Opening Prayer

Lighting of the Advent Wreath Candles

Anthony Ingle & Cindy Ingle Roberts

Reader One: Beloved, today we welcome the Christ Child, the fulfillment of our joy, as we proclaim with the prophet Isaiah, “For a child has been born for us, a Son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Congregation: Christ our joy has come near. Emmanuel, God with us, has come to dwell with us as a tiny baby. “His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and His kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:7).

Reader Two: We light this candle as a sign of Christ coming to dwell with us, to live in the neighborhood of vulnerable humanity as a vulnerable child. May the light of Christ warm our hearts and light our way as we share the joy of God’s salvation wherever we go.

Carol

O Little Town of Bethlehem UMH#230
Please sing to the tune FOREST GREEN

Reading from the Gospels

Luke 2:1-20

Carol

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing UMH#240

Sermon

Joy | Rev. Kelly Dotson

Duet

O Splendor of the Father’s Light Robert G. Farrell
Paula Dempsey and John Jalocha

The Celebration of Holy Communion

Prayer of Confession

God of Light,
we confess that we have gone astray and have left Your light.
We follow the dim lights of the world of success and fortune.
We follow the dim lights that call us
to be more religious by following rules.
We follow the fading light of personal salvation.
Forgive us for not seeking the true Light
of Your love for all the world.
Forgive us for not following the ways of Jesus,
who commanded us to love one another.
Call us to be light-bearers of love, compassion and justice,
in which the Mystery of Your Love is revealed.
In the name of Jesus the Messiah, we pray. Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving and Communion

Musical Setting D UMH pp. 23-24

Breaking the Bread
Giving the Bread and Cup
The Prayer of Thanksgiving

Duet

O, Holy Night Adolphe Adam

Carol

Silent Night, Holy Night UMH#239

(The Congregation is invited to light individual candles while singing the carol. Light from the Advent Wreath will be shared with everyone.)

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, heavenly 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.
Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light; with the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

Benediction