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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
December 24, 2007 – 11:00 p.m.
Choral Christmas Eve Service
OPENING VOLUNTARY
*ANTHEM “Once In Royal David's City” Hymn #250 Alex Sutterfield , Soloist (verse 1)
( congregation sings verses 2 – 4)
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Dazzling light on a dark night.
Congregation: Angelic songs on a silent night.
Leader: Wonderful news!
Congregation: Surprising Good News!
Leader: The promised Messiah is born!
Congregation: A new Prince of Peace has come.
Leader: Rejoice! For on this star-bright, holy night,
Congregation: the angels still sing!
Leader: They bid us to seek the holy in the midst of the ordinary.
Congregation: They call us to look into the eyes of a child and see God.
All: Rejoice! For on this star-bright, holy night, the angels still sing!
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
Song “Star Child” Faith #2095
Reading by representatives of the Resource Ministries
Lighting of Candles
Congregational Response: We pray this in the name of the Star-Child, the Hope-for-Peace Child, the Christ Child. Amen
Without our “Resource Ministries :” (Church Council, Finance, Trustees, Stewardship, Memorial, and Lay Leadership), the other ministries and activities of the church could not function. Those serving through these ministries, give greatly of their time and talents all throughout the year, so that the “infrastructure” remains solid, and the other ministries can grow and bear fruit.
*THE CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Leader: God of Grace and Glory, on this Holy of Holy Nights, help us to remember that when the song of angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
to radiate the Light of Christ.
Congregation: Grant us, Heavenly God, that we might embrace the Christ Child born anew in us, so that we might be prepared to do the work of Christmas all year through. Amen.
*CHRISTMAS CAROL “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Hymn #234
( verses 1, 2, 3, & 6 – Choir only on verse 2)
FIRST LESSON Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19
CHRISTMAS CAROL “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” Hymn #196
SECOND LESSON Genesis 11:15-18
ANTHEM “Of The Father's Love Begotten” Shackley
THIRD LESSON Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
CHRISTMAS CAROL “What Child Is This” Hymn #219
FORTH LESSON Isaiah 11:1-4a & 6
CHRISTMAS CAROL “Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming” Hymn #216
FIFTH LESSON Micah 5:2-5a
DUET “ Gesu Bambino” Pietro Yon
Christine Brewer and Ellen Leaf
SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7
ANTHEM “Some Children See Him” Bert
Alexander Billhartz , Stephanie Mabry, and Alex Sutterfield
SEVENTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7
ANTHEM “Shepherd and the Angel” Archer
CHRISTMAS CAROL “The First Noel” Hymn #245
EIGHTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-11
ANTHEM “Nativity Carol” John Rutter
SOLO “O Holy Night” Stephen Adams
Christine Brewer
CHRISTMAS CAROL “Silent Night, Holy Night” Insert
PASSING OF THE LIGHT
*CHRISTMAS CAROL “Joy to the World” Hymn #246
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
*Indicates those in the congregation who are able will please stand.
Rev. Joy Caschetta , Pastor
Joe Diliberto, Sound
Scott Abner & Rock Schaefer, Ushers