Rev. Kent Gilbert, Pastor Dr. Bernardo Scarambone, Director of Music
Iris Bailey, Opal Bailey, Betsy Whaley, Readers
Prelude Music Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming arr. Sallie Lloyd Union Church Handbell Ensemble
What Child Is This/Child of the Poor trad., Scott Soper Holly Creek Harmony
Romance Saint Seans JC Hamilton , French Horn
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Robert Powell Kim Kobersmith, flute
Wintergrace Jean Ritchie Al, Alice & Ruth
The First Noel trad. Steve Bolster and Maranda Weckman
A Welcome as We Gather to Worship Rev. Kent Gilbert
Dancing In the Light What Child Is This? trad.
Dancers: Pam Chabora, Teresa Dickson, Jennifer Elam, Carla Gilbert, Grace McKenzie, Courtney Parrish, Alvera Perman
Call to Worship
One: On this holy night, we come, singing, trusting, believing, proclaiming: good news is louder than fear. Long have the prophets foretold it!
All: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.
One: The yoke of our burdens, the bars across our shoulders, the rods of our oppressors are broken by this child of God.
All: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
One: He has come to uphold endless peace with justice and righteousness!
All: Come all who have waited and wondered! Come and behold!
¨ Hymn #103 Red/Blue Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles
1. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him born the King of angels:
Refrain: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
2. God of God, and Light of Light begotten,
Lo, He abhors not the virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten, not created;
Refrain.
3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation!
Oh sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God, all glory in the highest:
Refrain.
4. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
Refrain
Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Special Music Celtic Advent Carol Union Church Choir
Gospel Reading Matthew 1:18-25
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
All went to their own towns to be registered. 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 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 in the guest room.
Special Music Rise Up Joseph Ruth McLain Smith Al, Alice & Ruth
Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-14
Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
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: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Hymn #138 Black Jesus, Our Brother, Strong and Good Orientis Partibus
1. Jesus, our brother, strong and good,
was humbly born in a stable rude,
and the friendly beasts around him stood;
Jesus, our brother, strong and good.
2. “I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
“I carried your mother uphill and down;
I carried your mother to Bethlehem town.
I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.
3. “I,” said the cow, all white and red,
“I gave you my manger for your bed,
I gave you hay to pillow your head.
I,” said the, cow all white and red.
4. “I,” said the sheep with curly horn,
“I gave you my wool for a blanket warm;
you wore my coat on Christmas morn.
I,” said the sheep with curly horn.
5. “I,” said the dove from the rafters high,
“I cooed you to sleep that you should not cry;
we cooed you to sleep, my love and I.
I,” said the dove from the rafters high.
6. Thus all the beasts by some good spell,
in the stable dark were glad to tell
of the gifts they gave Emmanuel;
the gifts they gave Emmanuel.
Gospel Reading Luke 2:15-20
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.”
So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
Special Music Star of Peace Ruth McLain Smith Al, Alice & Ruth
Christmas Sermon Louder Than Fear Rev. Kent Gilbert
Special Music Still, Still, Still Austrian Carol Union Church Orchestra
Ringing of the Peace Bell
The Union Church Peace Bell was created by Jeff Enge in honor of Union Church member Carl Eschbach (1904-1998). A twin bell hangs in Berea’s sister province in Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Prayers of the People
One: We give thanks for the joy of friends met and family gathered. In the midst of hurry and hustle, the delight of open hearts and welcome smiles, is a gift of the season as we join the line of generations who have offered love in Jesus’ name and in celebration of Christ’s birth.
All: Hear us, O God, as we join with them to give you praise.
One: In a world fragmented by warring factions and rampant injustice, we pray for peace and goodwill over all the earth. In this Christ child may we see every child of every parent as a holy gift and act with love and charity to care for all.
All: Hear us, O God, in the silence of our hearts.
One: We pray for reconciling love and unity within families, between neighbors, within churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, and between all people of every faith who earnestly seek your peace. We pray for justice to be woven through governments and leaders everywhere; and for the collective and collaborative wisdom to steward the gifts of your creation that all might reap abundant life and health in this world.
All: Hear us, O God, yearning for wholeness.
One: We pray for all who have not heard Good News by these tidings, who have been wounded by a message meant to heal. We pray for any who have ever used your Word or the authority of your Way as a weapon, wounding others. Protect the vulnerable, and heal us of our poor judgement. Restore to us your mission and message of compassion and mercy for every living soul and all of creation.
All: Hear us, O God, that we may be a witness to greater love.
One: We pray for all of who are on the edge and for whom fear rules: the poor, the helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; for refugees the world over seeking safety; victims of political spite and public scorn; for those who have survived fire and flood and calamity: by your Christ, help all “fear not” and may all your people work to build the communities of love and strength your Christ taught us to seek.
All: Hear us, O God, as we seek strength for them and for ourselves.
One: We pray for those who are lonely for other times and places; those who mourn the death of ones they hold dear. We remember especially those hurting because of illness of body, mind, or spirit: we name them in our hearts and hold them in the Light…
(a brief silence is observed)
One: May they, and all of us, be aware of your love; may angels of healing and comfort be with them; and may angels in the form of friends attend their needs and to their joy, now and in all days to come. O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
All: Reveal to us again the hope, peace, joy and love of this child and bring us all to the promised Christ, the light of the world.
Offering
Let’s make a difference! All of tonight’s offering will go to provide for unsheltered and underfed neighbors in need here in Madison County. Your generosity will be divided between “Room in the Inn” providing shelter during the coldest months, the UP Initiative, providing weekly drop in care for those without resources, and Berea Faith Community Outreach, which provides such vital programs as Bereans United for Utility and Rent Relief (BUURR) and the Berea Food Bank. Your generous contribution will keep families warm in the midst of our winter. Checks may be made payable to “Union Church” or you may contribute using a free text service or the QR code shown here or on the screens.
Text a dollar amount to 859-448-3403 followed by the letters “BFCO” (ex. “$50 BFCO”). A simple, secure one-time registration makes your donation possible!
We will sing the hymns listed below from the Blue or Red Hymnal as the plates are passed – or watch the screens for the lyrics.
104 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear v. 1
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all gracious King”:
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
109 Once in Royal David’s City v. 1
Once in royal’s David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mind, Jesus Christ her little child.
#113 Angels We Have Heard On High v. 1
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply echo back their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo.
120 Joy to the World (v 1 and 4)
1.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.
4.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.
Lighting the Christ Candle Terry & Deb Beishline
One: This advent we have waited, and watched, hoped for peace, worried through joy, and have been led by love.
All: The words of the angels “fear not for God is with you” come to light here and now, and for all time to come.
One: In a fearful world, where do you sense the presence of God? Can you detect God’s fingerprints in the beauty of the stars? In the love of this community?
One: Can you see that even in a fearful world, God is dreaming the dreams for a better world?
All: Even in a fearful world, God is here. God is with us. God is all around us.
One: Tonight we light the Christ Candle to join the candles of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love we have lit through this Advent season. We kindle this flame as a reminder of Jesus’s presence now, and also as a reminder for us when the days are NOT filled with music and light, family or joy. In Christ and through Christ, God is with us even then. When the days are long and hard, may this flicker of light help us to hold fast to what is good and right, and may the Light of the World shine through every darkness in every day. Amen.
[The Christ Candle is Lit].
The Light of the World John 1:1-14 Rev. Betsy Whaley Moderator of Union Church
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into beingin him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him.He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
¨ Candle Lighting Hymn #117 Blue/Red Silent Night Stille Nacht
From the Christ candle the light spreads into the world. While passing the light, please tip your unlit candle to the lit one, to avoid dripping hot wax.
¨ Benediction
Postlude Joy to the World trad.
_____________________________
¨ Please rise in body or spirit, as you choose
Tonight: All Are Invited to A Small Bites Reception Immediately After the Service in the Church Community Room
The Community Room is located directly under the sanctuary and all stairwells will take you there. You are invited to carry a candle home from tonight’s service to rekindle at home, or they may be left in one of the boxes or baskets near the doors in the vestibule.
A Special Welcome To All Our Guests!
Union Church has been a place of worship, celebration and prayer for over 172 years, and is a vital and diverse community of faith. Founded as a “free church” where all may follow their consciences as led by God, we who worship here come from many different backgrounds and denominations.
We cordially invite you to join us for our regular Sunday morning worship for all at 10:30.
Attend Sunday morning services in person or online at:
facebook.com/UnionChurchBerea/videos
youtube.com/c/UnionChurchBerea
You are welcome to Wednesday Open Table Community Dinners at 5:30 pm – no charge, all welcome! There WILL be Open Table on December 31.
We heartily welcome children in our services and we offer nursery care during our regular Sunday worship services and Wednesday Open Table We welcome you to a place where your faith can be explored and respected in the bonds of God’s love.
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