December 24, 2011 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service - 8:00 P.M. Saturday, December 24, 2011

REV. RUDY VISSER, PASTOR

“To Know Christ, and to Make Him Known”


 

The angel said to the shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:10-11

 


 

 

Organ Prelude

Noel V (“En Duo”), from Nouveau Livre de Noels, Louis Claude Daquin

 

The Congregation Carols the Story of Christ’s Birth

 

  HYMN  #133 (vs 1 & 3)                                          O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

  CAROL #170 (vs 1 )                                          It Came upon the Midnight Clear

  CAROL #162 (vs 1 & 2)                                                                  The First Noel

  CAROL #152 (vs 1 & 3)                                      Angels We Have Heard on High

  CAROL #155 (vs 1 & 4)                                             O Little Town of Bethlehem                                                             

 

  SOLO, Deborah Spaulding, soprano

He Shall Feed His Flock, from Messiah, George F. Handel  

 

Like Shepherds in Admiration

     GOD’S GREETING

  CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)

All the world this night rejoices.
     The stars shine more brightly,
the mountains echo their joy,
     for a Savior is born.
On this holy night,
     all the animals bow in adoration.
The birds lift their voices in song.
     All creatures know the Good News of the birth of a Savior,
and we feel drawn to this holy night,
     beckoned by some deep longing
for our lives to be made whole,
     our hearts to be filled with joy, and our lips

     to constantly sing praises.  All the world this night rejoices.

*CAROL #173 (Vs. 1, 2, & 4)                                           O Come, All Ye Faithful

*For those who are able, please stand.

  AROUND THE ADVENT WREATH  (Responsively)            The Visser Family

LEADER:  On the eve of our Christmas celebration, Jesus’ birthday, we light  all of  the candles of  the Advent wreath.   First we light the candle for HOPE,

     PEOPLE:  because Jesus is our hope.
LEADER:  Second, we light the candle for PEACE

     PEOPLE:  because Jesus is our hope and peace.
LEADER:  Third, we light the candle for JOY

     PEOPLE:  because Jesus is our greatest  joy.
LEADER:  Fourth, we light the candle for LOVE

      PEOPLE:  because Jesus is love.
LEADER:  Finally we light the center candle. This is the CHRIST candle. Jesus is born. Jesus has come.

      PEOPLE:  Jesus is our salvation.
LEADER:  Let us pray

      PEOPLE:  Great God of love and light, we thank you now for the light of that special star over two thousand years ago that       

     guided humble shepherds and learned wise men to the holy babe. Lead us now, by the light of your love, that we also may follow 

      you to new life in him. In celebration of the birthday of our King and our Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray.  Amen.

   CAROL #160,                                                                                   O Holy Night

      Verse 1, Congregation

      Verse 2, John-Bosquet-Morra, Congregation joins on last repeat, “Christ is the                

                    Lord!”

With Shepherds and Angels

   PRAYER  (Unison)

Loving and generous God, we praise and thank you for the joys of this Christmas: the music and the singing, the gathering of family and friends, the gifts we give and receive.  We thank you most of all for your great gift to us - the child, Jesus.  May Christ's Spirit of love fill our hearts to overflowing.  May Christ's Spirit of peace be upon everyone, everywhere.  Amen.

 

Glory to God in the Highest Heaven

 

  SCRIPTURE LESSON                                                                        Luke 2:8-20

  TRIO, Deborah Spaulding, John Bosquet-Morra, Paul Clause

In the Bleak Midwinter

  MESSAGE                                                              The Meaning of the Nativity

  PRAYER OF BLESSING

 *CAROL #146 (All verses)                             Joy to the World! The Lord is Come

   PRESENTATION OF GIFTS and OFFERINGS/OFFERTORY

"In dulci jubilo", Op. 28, Marcel Dupré

           LITANY OF PRAISE FOR CHRIST’S BIRTH

Loving God, in a little town of little fame, your holy Child is born.

     We welcome your Light!

By the faint light of the moon, Mary and Joseph find their way.

     We welcome your Light!

 (Over, please.)

 

Lit by a courtyard fire, the open stable door.

     We welcome your Light!

Warm breath of resting beasts, kindly sparkle in their eyes.

     We welcome your Light!

In the shadowy stable stall, Joseph kindles a lamp.

     We welcome your Light!

There Mary gives birth to Jesus, “God With Us.”

     We welcome your Light!

Angels open the doors of heaven, sing, “Glory to God in the highest!”

     We welcome your Light!

Shepherds see the sky ablaze, leave their sheep, and come to see.

     We welcome your Light!

In the darkest winter night, God sets a brilliant star.

     We welcome your Light!

Magi from the East divine God’s shining sign.

     We welcome your Light!

And on this Christmas night with joy, we greet your Child.

     We welcome his Light!

  SOLO, John Bosquet-Morra, guitarist        Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

*CAROL #164, SHARING THE LIGHT                         Silent Night! Holy Night!

  BENEDICTION

 

Postlude

Fuga sopra il Magnificat, BWV 733, J. S. Bach

 

 

Guest Organist

David Smith

 

Greeters

Paul , Anna-Marie, young Paul, and Carien Zietsman

 

 

Ushers
Ted Call, Jim Dunham, Jerry Flansburg, Arnie Mach, Glenn Warren