Christmas Eve Service (10pm)
Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols December 24, 2022 10:00 p.m. PRELUDE Christmas Medley Wild Notes WELCOME Rev. Jane Hawken CALL TO WORSHIP Karen Rettich Leader: Silent night, holy night, People: Behold the wonder, born in light. Leader: Born a child, yet a king, People: A promise fulfilled, the angels sing. Leader: Sing of love, sing of life, People: The Prince of Peace shall end all strife! *CAROL # 148 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” verses 1 & 2 INVOCATION & LORD’S PRAYER (in unison) O God, we joyfully adore Christ the Lord. Awaken us to the miracle of your love found in the Christmas story. Speak to us in word and music that our lives may be filled with faith, joy, and compassion. Together we offer the prayer Jesus taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY Rob Lentz Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7 SPECIAL MUSIC “Wexford Carol” Wild Notes THE VISITATION Steve Demarest Matthew 1: 18-21 CAROL 147 “Away in a Manger” verses 1 & 2 THE BIRTH OF JESUS Anita Carpene Luke 2: 1, 3-7 CAROL 151 “The First Noel” verses 1 & 2 THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE SHEPHERDS Lisa Harper Luke 2: 8-14 ANTHEM “Carol of the Bells” Ukrainian folk song Choir THE ADORATION Sally Irons Luke 2: 15-20 SPECIAL MUSIC “Angels We Have Heard on High” Wild Notes THE WISE MEN Dave Winakor Matthew 2:1-5, 7-11 SPECIAL MUSIC “What Child Is This?” Wild Notes PRESENTING OUR GIFTS The offering benefits the Portland Fuel Bank. Checks may be made payable to First Congregational Church. Call to the Offering Offertory “In the Bleak Midwinter” Wild Notes Christmas Prayer A CEREMONY OF LIGHT *CAROL “Silent Night” 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. (continued on back of bulletin) 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. BENEDICTION *CAROL “Joy to the World” Joy to the world! the Lord is come: Let earth receive her King: Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing. POSTLUDE “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella” Wild Notes The music is used by permission granted through CCLI number 11454664.
