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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 24, 2020

We Gather to Celebrate

Organ Prelude “Carol of the Manger” — Dale Wood Mark Cole

Christ Candle Lighting Doug Gerdts

One: We have watched; we have waited

in hope

for peace

in joy!

with love.

Now our redemption draws near!

Glory to God in the highest!

ALL: Alleluia! Amen!

Carol “Joy to the World” (page 3 below)

Opening Prayer Nikki Passante

Living God, on this holy night we gather: to stand with shepherds, amazed at your glory; to sing

with angels, rejoicing in your work; to wait with Joseph, trusting in your promise; to sit with

Mary, cradling your love. May the good news of this night inspire us to tell the world of our

great joy: for to us is born a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord. Glory and praise to you forever!

Amen.

Anthem “Prince of Peace” — arr. Bill Ingram

Whitechapel Bells

We Gather to Listen

First Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 Gavin Dunn

Anthem “Christmas Sanctus” — Lee Dengler

Chancel Choir

Second Reading Luke 2:1-7 Beatrice Dunn

Anthem “O Little Town of Bethlehem” — arr. Cynthia Dobrinski

Moore Bells

Third Reading Luke 2:8-14 Lauren Crumley

Anthem “God Rest Ye Merry” — arr. Kevin McChesney

Kirk Ringers

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Fourth Reading Luke 2:15-20 Annie Veasey

Anthem “Bethlehem Night” — Terry D. Taylor

Cherub, Carol, Chapel, and Thomas Sherrerd Choirs

Christmas Poem The Work of Christmas — Howard Thurman

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and the princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among brothers,

To make music in the heart.

Carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (page 4 below)

We Gather to Proclaim

Christmas Eve Meditation Just One Word Doug Gerdts

Soli Deo Gloria “Andante” from Sonata No. 2 in A minor — J. S. Bach

Robyn Bollinger, violin

Sharing the Light of Christ

THE SERVICE OF LIGHTS

We invite you to light candles at home as we sing “Silent Night” together. The

burning candles represent the divine source of the light in that darkness, reminding us

that Emmanuel is with us wherever we are.

Carol “Silent Night, Holy Night” (page 5 below)

The second verse will be sung in German.

Benediction

Postlude “Postlude on Gloria” — Jason D. Payne Mark Cole

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