Rev. Kent Gilbert, Pastor; Dr. Bernardo Scarambone, Director of Music; Pearl Marshall, Handbell Director; Larry Brandenburg, Organist; Iris Bailey, Opal Bailey, Chip & Diane Bailey, Jean Boyce, Sylvia From, Debbonnaire Kovacs, Readers
Prelude Music From Heaven Above to Earth I Come F. Zachau
He Is Born (French Carol) Raymond Haan
What Is This Lovely Fragrance? (Old French Carol) Paul Manz
Gentle Mary Laid Her Child P. Manz
Of the Father’s Love Begotten Wilbur Held
A Welcome as We Gather to Worship Rev. Kent Gilbert
Dancing In the Light Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella Renaissance Carol
Dancers: Sylvia From, Carla Gilbert, Dorie Hubbard
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: Come all who have waited and wondered! Come and behold!
¨ Opening Hymn #103 Red/Blue Oh Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles
Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38
Special Music A Stable Lamp Is Lighted Richard Wilbur
Union Church Choir
1. A stable lamp is lighted whose glow shall wake the sky; the stars shall bend their voices and every stone shall cry, and straw like gold shall shine; a barn shall harbor heaven, a stall become a shrine.
2. This Child through David’s city shall ride in triumph by; the palm shall strew its branches and every stone shall cry, though heavy, dull, and dumb, and lie within the roadway to pave His kingdom come.
3. Yet He shall be forsaken, and yielded up to die; the sky shall groan and darken, and every stone shall cry, for hearts made hard by sin: God’s blood upon the spearhead, God’s love refused again.
4. But now, as at the ending, the low is lifted high; the stars shall bend their voices, and every stone shall cry, in praises of the child by whose descent among us the worlds are reconciled.
Gospel Reading Matthew 1:18-25
Special Music Rise Up, Joseph Ruth McLain Smith Al, Alice and Ruth
Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-14
Special Music O, Holy Night trad. Union Church Choir
1. 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, til 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!
2. Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led the 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.
3. 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!
Gospel Reading Luke 2:15-20
Special Music Mary, Did You Know? Lowry, Greene Al, Alice and Ruth
Christmas Sermon Do Not Walk, RUN! Rev. Kent Gilbert
Special Music Advent Carol Alfred Fedak 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: 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 In the Bleak Midwinter arr. J. Krug Union Church Handbell Ensemble
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.
#104 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear (v. 1)
#109 Once in Royal David’s City (v. 1)
#113 Angels We Have Heard on High (v. 1)
#120 Joy to the World (v. 1 &4)
Lighting the Christ Candle Chip and Diane Bailey, Readers
This Advent, we have waited.
We have waited for family to arrive.
We have waited, singing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
We have waited for the casseroles to bake.
We have waited for snow to fall.
We have waited in department store lines.
We have waited by fireplaces and around dinner tables.
We have waited to raise our candles.
We have waited to sing “Silent Night.”
We have waited for the magic of this night.
And now the wait is over. It is Christmas, which means God is here and you are loved.
May that truth change you. May it inspire you, challenge you, and burn in you like the light from these candles.
For tonight we light the candles of hope, peace, love, and joy to remind us of our journey to this space. And to those lights we add the Christ candle, for the wait is over.
Love is here. Thanks be to God. Amen.
The Light of the World John 1:1-14 Jean Boyce 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 Joy to the World
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¨ Please rise in body or spirit, as you choose
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