Worship  | |
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Christmas Eve Service
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
And the Gift Goes On
For the service you will need one male reader with a deep voice, prophets
Alma and Samuel, three readers for the Christmas story, and one inquisitive
youth or teen to interact briefly with Alma.
Distribute small candles to everyone. Tree lights are on, four advent
candles are lit, light in the baptismal font is on, and one set of sanctuary
lights is on. There can be a small manger scene with or without the baby.
In the Beginning…the Prophecies
Sanctuary lights dim
Reader 1:
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(from the back of the room or anywhere unseen)
For
in the beginning was the Word, even the Son, who is made of flesh, and sent
unto us by the will of God. And as many as believe on his name shall receive
of his fullness. And of his fullness have all we received, even immortality
and eternal life through his grace. |
Sanctuary lights come back on.
Introit
Played by piano, violin, flute, guitar, or any other available
instruments.
Welcome
Invocation
Scripture: Isaiah 9:6
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Hymn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
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HS 211 |
If there is a choir, they should come in while singing this hymn.
The prophet Alma comes down the aisle. When the hymn is done, Alma
narrates from a scroll:
I am the prophet, Alma. Behold, there is one thing that is of importance;
for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer will live and come
among his people. This much I do know, that the Lord God has power to do all
things according to his word. Behold, the Spirit has said this much to me:
“Cry unto this people, saying, ‘Repent ye, repent ye, and prepare the
way of the Lord and walk in his paths that are straight. For behold, the
kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God is coming on the face of
the earth. And behold, he shall be born of Mary at Jerusalem, which is the
land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel,
who shall be overshadowed, and conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and
bring forth a son, even the Son of God.’”
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Congregation (and Choir): “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations”
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HS
477 |
The prophet Samuel enters from the back and walks forward, so that he is in
front when the song is finished.
Alma: And now Samuel, the Lamanite, prophesied a great many things. He said
to them, “Behold, I give you a sign.”
Samuel begins to read from his scroll:
Five years more will come, then behold, the Son of God will come to redeem
all those who shall believe on his name. This will I give you as a sign at the
time of his coming: there shall be great lights in heaven, so that it shall
appear as if it were day. Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a
day, as if it were one day and there were no night; this shall be a sign to
you, for you shall know of the rising of the sun, and also of its setting. You
shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless
the night shall not be darkened and it shall be the night before he is born.
And behold, a new star will arise, such a one as you never have beheld, and
this also shall be a sign to you. And behold, this is not all: there shall be
many signs and wonders in heaven. And it shall come to pass that whoever shall
believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life.
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Choir: “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
OR Congregation Hymn: “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
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HS
249
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God’s Gift
Someone vibrant and excited comes up the aisle dramatically saying:
Reader 2:
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Bethlehem…he was born there. There was nothing sacred about
that manger in Bethlehem. Jesus could have been born in the best hotel
room in the city, if it had been left open for him. But he wasn’t pushy.
He still isn’t. He moves only into the places we vacate for him. There
was room that night only in the stable. So that’s where he was born. |
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Congregation (and Choir): “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
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HS 238 |
Assemble a nativity scene as the Christmas story from Luke 2:1–20 is
told.
Reader 1:
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And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God,
unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin, espoused to a man
whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was
Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said…Fear not, Mary, for thou
hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt…bring forth a son, and
shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son
of the Highest…and of his kingdom there shall be no end.…And Mary
said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoiceth in God my
Savior...for he who is mighty hath done to me great things, and I will
magnify his holy name.…And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the
city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem…to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, she being great with
child.
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Reader 2:
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And so it was, that while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her
firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger because there was none to give room for them in the inns. And there
were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their flock by night. And lo, an angel of the Lord appeared unto them
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore
afraid. But the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
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Congregation (and Choir): “What Child Is This”
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HS 257 |
Reader 1:
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And this is the way you shall find the babe, he is wrapped in
swaddling clothes, 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; goodwill to men.
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Congregation (and Choir): “Angels We Have Heard on High”
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HS 237 |
Reader 2:
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And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them
into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has
made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph,
and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen, they made known
abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they
who heard it, wondered at those things which were told them by the
shepherds; but Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
which they had heard and seen, as they were manifested unto them.
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Congregation (and Choir): “Joy to the World!”
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HS 258 |
Reader 1:
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(from the back of the room or anywhere unseen) Thanks be to God for this unspeakable gift. |
The Promises of Jesus
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Reader 2:
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This is the testimony which we give of that which was from
the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,
which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of
life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness,
and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was
manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto
you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is
with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we
unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we
have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is
no darkness at all. |
—I John 1:1–5 (IV)
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Song: “Sound over All Waters”
OR “Sing Songs of Joy”
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HS 261
HS 241 |
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Reader 1:
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He was a burning and a shining light, and you are willing
for a season to rejoice in his light.
—John 5:36
adapted |
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Soloist: “Carry the Light” Trax cassette #8101;
Arranged by Smitty Price and Twila Paris; © 1989 Star Song Records
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OR Instrumental Music: “Silent Night! Holy Night!”
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HS 244 |
During the solo and /or instrumental music, congregation members come
forward to light their candles from the Christ candle and form a circle around
the perimeter of the sanctuary.
Reader 2:
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And behold, again, another sign I give you, even a sign of
his death; for, behold, he surely must die, that salvation may come. It
[is] expedient that he die to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead,
that [all creation] may be brought into the presence of the Lord.
—Heleman
5:68, 69 adapted |
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*Closing Hymn: “Silent Night! Holy Night!” stanza 1
*Sending Forth
May you go in peace.
*Postlude
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HS 244 |
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