Christmas Eve 2023 Worship Service

Please follow along with this Order of Worship and click on the hymn links to sing along! ORDER OF WORSHIP DECEMBER 24, 2023 Christmas Eve ~ 4:30PM Words Of Welcome Bob Bauman Lighting Of The Advent Candles The Purdy Family Prelude: Still, Still, Still Norman Luboff Chancel Choir Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful (v. 1,2,4) 100 Call to Worship L: I believe in Christmas. P: I believe that God sends light into the dark corners of our lives. L: I believe that in the lonely and cold moments of life, God comes with a message of good news. P: I believe that God brings hope in the midst of despair. L: I believe that God brings healing in the midst of illness. P: I believe in Christmas. L: I believe that God continues to work in my life today through this story of Christ’s birth so long ago. P: I am a shepherd – startled to hear the good news of the angels, but eager to go and see for myself. L: I am Mary – aware that somehow God is using me to accomplish things too big to imagine. P: I am Joseph – not understanding fully that which God calls me to do, but following as faithfully as I can. L: I am the innkeeper –busy and frazzled, but making some room, somehow, for God to be born. P: I am the angel - proclaiming God has come into the world and we shall never be the same. L: I believe in Christmas. P: I will proclaim that Christ is born, that Christmas is here, that God is with us! Hymn of Praise: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 123 Time With the Children Prayers of the People Offertory: In the Bleak Midwinter Harold Darke Chancel Choir (Ariana Celeste, Steve Michel, soloists) The Christmas Story In Scripture Luke 2: 1-14 (ESV) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,  because he was of the house and lineage of David,  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.   And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby  wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.’ Anthem: Gesù Bambino Pietro Yon Mike Liu, soloist with Diego Miralles, cello Sermon: Unto You Bob Bauman Anthem: Candlelight Carol John Rutter Chancel Choir Candle Lighting Closing Hymn: Silent Night, Holy Night 135 Benediction Response/Postlude: O Holy Night arr. Rodger Whitten Chancel Choir (Susan Ali, Alan Crawley, soloists) This evening, we are delighted to welcome guest cellist Diego Miralles. CHURCH STAFF Bob Bauman, Senior Pastor Kathy Kipp, Minister of Spiritual Formation Emma Whitten, Director of Music Alan Crawley, Assistant Director of Music Leslie Baker, Weddings & Memorials Pam Selawski, Executive Assistant Madison Webster, Worship Videographer Michael Beu, Worship Video Editor Catarina Paton, Worship Audio Coordinator Learn more: cdmucc.org Streaming License #CSPL103834 Copyright License #11278057