A Gathering in Worship & Celebration Christmas Eve 2023
Rev. Kent Gilbert, Pastor
Dr. Bernardo Scarambone, Director of Music
Iris Bailey, Opal Bailey, Don Cardwell, Steve Gowler, Readers
Prelude Music Christmas Fantasia Mueller
Shining Star Berea Shapenote Singers Tune: Terry Wooten, 1988, Words: N. Tate, W. Billings
God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen arr. Bober
Carol of the Birds arr. B. Scarambone
Kent Gilbert, Debbonnaire Kovacs, Robert Rorrer, Deborah Thompson, Quartet
Ave Maria Schubert Charles Hoffman, Cello
A Welcome as We Gather to Worship Rev. Kent Gilbert
Dancing In the Light Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella Renaissance Carol
Dancers: Pam Chabora, Carla Gilbert, Sophie Gravel, Joy Gritton, Dorie Hubbard, Nan Naumer, Betty Sarafin
¨ Call to Worship adapted from Isaiah 9:2-7
One: 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: As it happened once upon a time, so we remember and rejoice. In lowly places is the newborn found. In every heart may Christ be born anew tonight!
Hymn #109 Red/Blue Once in Royal David’s City Irby
1 Once in royal David’s city Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her baby, In a manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
2 He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall; With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Savior holy.
3 Jesus is our childhood’s pattern, Day by day like us he grew; He was little, weak and helpless, Tears and smiles like us he knew: And he feeleth for our sadness, And he shareth in our gladness.
4 And our eyes at last shall see him,Through his own redeeming love; For that child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heav’n above, And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone.
Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38
Anthem The Story That Never Grows Old Cindi Ballard, Wayne Haun, Matthew Garinger
Union Church Choir; Debbonnaire Kovacs, soloist
Gospel Reading Matthew 1:18-25
Special Music Gesu Bambino Pietro A. Yon Steve Bolster, soloist
Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-14
Special Music I Wonder As I Wander John Jacob Niles Al, Alice and Ruth
Gospel Reading Luke 2:15-20 Special Music Still, Still Still Union Church Orchestra
Christmas Sermon Rev. Kent Gilbert
Special Music Wexford Carol Irish Trad. Al, Alice and Ruth
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: the poor, the helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; for refugees the world over seeking safety; for those who have survived fire and flood and calamity: may they and we 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)
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 all the promised Christ, the light of the world. Amen.
Special Music Christ Child’s Lullaby Kathy Mattea Aubrey Atwater & Elwood Donnelly
Offering
Tonight’s offering in its entirety will go to Room in the Inn 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.
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 verses indicated of hymns listed below as the plates are passed. Please sing from the RED or BLUE hymnal, “Hymns for the Living Church,” or watch the screens for the lyrics.
#103 O Come All Ye Faithful (v. 1 and 3)
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; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation! O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God, all glory in the highest; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
#105 What Child Is This? (v. 1)
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: This, this is Christ the King, the babe, the Son of Mary.
#106 Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (v. 1)
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King: Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; with th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”
#121 O Little Town of Bethlehem (v. 1)
O Little Town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
#120 Joy to the World (v. 1 &4)
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.
He rules the word with truth and grace, and makes the nation 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 Courtney & Matthew Parrish, Readers
One: Throughout the Advent Sundays leading to this night we have walked in darkness, but have been led by light. The candles of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love symbolize the gifts of a coming Christ and the fruits of promises rooted deep in God’s care for all people.
One: Tonight we remember that the promises are being fulfilled. From the minor to the magnificent, when we follow the light of these gifts we make the path more level and straight for the healing of the world. Tonight we light the Christ Candle as we pray that these gifts–placed in our hands through centuries of love and service– might be passed to others: now and in years to come. Let us pray:
Prayer from the Shadows
One: God of dark nights and long journeys, we are still led by the hope of your heart, the peace of your presence, the joy of your work, and the love of your people.
All: May these flames warm our way and illumine our path wherever we are called to go.
The Candles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love are Lit
One: The Word-Made-Flesh dwells among us. Emmanuel, “God with Us” is born this night for all.
All: Love is poured from heaven to earth and we kindle again the light of Christ.
The Light of the World John 1:1-14 Steve Gowler 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 Red/Blue 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
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¨ Please rise in body or spirit, as you choose
A Special Welcome To All Our Guests!
Union Church has been a place of worship, celebration and prayer for over 169 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; and for a Compline service on Sunday at 6:30 pm in Cowan Chapel.
We heartily welcome children in our services and we offer nursery care during our regular Sunday worship services. 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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