Christmas Eve Service | December 24th, 2024 | Carter Westminster-United Presbyterian Church

Carter - Westminster United Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve 2024 Tuesday, December 24, 2024 5:00 PM The Gathering Prelude Vom Himmel Kam der Engel Schaar J.S. Bach (To Shepherds as They Watched by Night) Elizabeth Brown, Organ A note from your music director on the Prelude: This prelude is a type somewhat different from typical Bach chorale preludes. The rapid descending and ascending passages in the manuals symbolize the descending and ascending of the angels between heaven and earth at the time of Christ's birth. The pedal part suggests perhaps the shepherds moving up and down the hill to follow the flight of the angels." When I listen to this prelude, I imagine the shepherds out in the field on a cold, dark night. Greeting, Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship One: What kind of hope can endure this world? All: The hopes and fears of all the years are met right here tonight One: How can we speak peace when the world is at war? All: Tonight, there will be heavenly peace and mercy mild; God and sinners, reconciled. One: Where is the joy of celebration when so many are hungry and hurting? All: All heaven and nature sing; the weary world rejoices. One: When will love come and save us? All: The wonders of God’s love are made flesh tonight. The angels sing “gloria,” and we have nothing to fear. Lighting of the Advent Wreath and Christ Candle Rustemeyer Family We begin by singing together “Wait for the Lord” Hymn # 249 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (all verses) ADESTE FIDELES The Lessons and Carols First Lesson: Genesis 1:1-5 The Creation Peter Ellyin Hymn #245: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (verses one & four) Second Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-9 A Shoot from Jesse Hilda Karam “Our Lord, Emmanuel” Hal H. Hopson The Chancel Choir with Jacqueline Piccolino, soloist Call to Offering Offering Carols of the Night Craig Courtney The Chancel Choir Doxology # 815 “Praise God” OLD HUNDREDTH Prayer of Thanksgiving All: Rejoicing in the birth of Christ our Savior, we give to God what we first received from God, the gifts of our lives. AMEN Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Sharing the Light Seventh Lesson: John 1:1-5 The Darkness to the Light Heidi Musser Distribution of the Light Please remember to dip the unlit candle into the flame of the lit candle. Please be careful of those around you with your lit candle. *Hymn # 253 “Silent Night, Holy Night” STILLE NACHT 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 a-far. Heaven-ly hosts sing: “Alleluia; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. 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. (next page) Third Lesson: Micah 5:2-4 The Prophet Micah foretells the glory of Bethlehem Mac McLendon Hymn # 250: “O Little Town of Bethlehem" (verses 1 and 3) ST. LOUIS Fourth Lesson: Luke 1:26-35, 38 The angel Gabriel visits Mary Helen Robles “O Come Little Children” The CW Handbell Choir Fifth Lesson: Luke 2:1-7 Luke Tells of the Birth of Jesus Jim Nadder Sixth Lesson: Luke 2:8-20 The Shepherds go to the manger - David, Michael, Joey, Alexis Americus Hymn # 277 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (all verses) MENDELSSOHN 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. *The Christmas Gospel Reading: John 1:14 *Hymn # 270 “Joy to the World!” ANTIOCH 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. Joy to the world! the Savior reigns: Let us our songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, Far as, for as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders of His love. Charge and Benediction Postlude Joy to the World Pat and George Radosavljevic, piano *Going Forth to a very Merry Christmas, and a New Year of Peace! *Please rise in body and/or in spirit!