Liturgy For wherever you are

Christmas Eve Service

December 24, 2020

BEFORE YOU LISTEN

Tonight’s service is our best version of our traditional Christmas Eve service while worshipping safely outdoors. If you are listening online, you may want to gather a few items before we begin: communion elements (any kind of bread or cracker and something to drink) and a candle or light. We pray that this is a meaningful time of worship and reflection as we await the birth of Christ on this Christmas Eve.

You can give to Friends In Deed here! ❤️

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Luke 2:1-7

1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:8-14

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Luke 2:15-20

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Lyrics*

Advent Candle Litany | Christ Candle

Because injustice and despair threaten to overwhelm us, we pray for hope…

(Light the first candle in the Advent wreath.)

Because so many swords have not yet been beaten into plowshares, we pray for peace…

(Light the second candle in the Advent wreath.)

Because grief and loss weigh so heavily, we pray for joy...

(Light the third candle in the Advent wreath—the pink one.)

Because hatred is still so strong, and because people all over the world are suffering, we pray for love.

(Light the fourth candle in the Advent wreath.)

God has come to us as a child. Christ is present in our world.

(Light the Christ Candle in the Advent wreath—the white candle in the center.)

May the light and the fire from these candles burn away everything that is preventing the God of hope and peace and joy and love from being born among us…

CONGREGATION: Brothers and sisters, be not afraid, even now—even now—the light of Christ is overwhelming the world!

Angels We Have Heard on High

Traditional French Carol | Edward Shippen Barnes | James Chadwick

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria
In excelsis Deo
Gloria
In excelsis Deo

Shepherds why this jubilee
Why your joyous strains prolong
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav'nly song

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King

What Child Is This?

Unknown | William Chatterton Dix

What Child is this,
Who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet
With anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and lamb are feeding?
Good Christian, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through
The cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail the Word made flesh
The Babe, the Son of Mary

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come, peasant, king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary

O Holy Night

Adolphe Charles Adam | John Sullivan Dwight | Placide Cappeau

O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night O holy night
O night divine

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our Friend

He knows our need
To our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King
Before Him lowly bend
Behold your King
Before Him lowly bend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name

Christ is the Lord
O praise His name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim

Silent Night

Franz Xaver Gruber | John Freeman Young | Joseph Mohr

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 afar
Heav'nly hosts sing alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

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

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

Credits

We are so grateful for those who were able to lead in worship this Christmas Eve. Gretchen read our Advent wreath litany and lit the Christ candle. John Kelly led us in a time of prayer. Chip read our scripture. Mary invited us into a time of generosity. Corrie and John Jay provided our offertory. John Jay shared tonight’s teaching. Lindsay welcomed us and presided over communion. John Jay and Leslie were our live music makers. Leslie oversaw the production while Harriet worked her technical magic to mix this collaborative worship experience. We wish you a very Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Christ.