Christmas Eve at Union Church

Christmas Eve at Union Church

December 24, 2019

 
Rev. Kent Gilbert,   Pastor
Pearl Marshall, Handbell Director
Dr. Bernardo Scarambone, Director of Music
Iris Bailey, Opal Bailey, Kim Kobersmith, & Paul Smithson, Readers
 

Sounds of the Season  Prelude: 5pm

Prepare the Royal Highway (arr. C. Moklebust)     Union Church Handbell Ensemble,                                                      Kim Kobersmith, flute
Sherbourne     Berea Shape Note Singers
A Christmas Duo: He is Born & From Heaven (arr. R. Haan) Larry Brandenburg, Organ
A Child Is Born in Bethlehem (Danish Trad) Debbonnaire Kovacs, Susie Ritchie, Robert Rorrer, Paul Smithson
Cold December Flies Away (arr. C. Moklebust) Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Cherry Tree Carol Al White, Alice White & Ruth McLain Smith
Greensleeves (arr. C. Moklebust) Pearl Marshall, Handbell Solo
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem Emma White, Soloist
A Welcome as We Gather to Worship                     Rev. Kent Gilbert
Dancing In the Light                      Al White, Musician
Dancers:  Jennifer Elam, Carla Gilbert, Dorie Hubbard, Maggie Park, Alvera Perman, Cadence Perman  
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 Sing We Now of Christmas          arr. K. McChesney
Union Church Choir and Handbell Ensemble
Gospel Reading Matthew 1:18-25
Special Music Rise Up, Joseph, and Go                     Ruth McLain Smith
Al, Alice & Ruth
Gospel Reading  Luke 2:1-14
Special Music Chariots John Kirkpatrick
Union Church Choir

1. O shepherd, O shepherd, leave off your piping, come listen, come learn, come hear what I say, for now is the time that has long been forespoken, for now is the time there’ll be new times to play. For soon there comes one who brings a new music of sweetness and clarity none can compare, so open your heart, for heavenly harmony here on this hill will be filling the air.

Chorus: With chariots of cherubim chanting, and seraphim singing hosanna, and a choir of archangels a-caroling come: Hallelujah, Hallelu! All the angels a-trumpeting glory in praise of the Prince of Peace.

2. See on yon stable the starlight is shimmering And glimmering and glistening and glowing with glee In Bethlehem blest this baby of bliss will be Born here before you as bold as can be
   And you’ll be the first to hear the new symphony Songs full of gladness and glory and light
   So learn your tunes well and play your pipes proudly For the Prince of Paradise plays here tonight. (Chorus)
3. Bring your sheep bleating to this happy meeting To hear how the lamb with the lion shall lie
   It’s mooing and braying you’ll hear the song saying The humble and lowly will be the most high
   Let the horn of the herdsman be heard up in heaven For the gates are flung open for all who come near And the simplest of souls shall sing to infinity Lift up and listen and you shall hear. (Chorus)
4. The warmonger’s charger will thunder for freedom The gun-maker’s furnace will dwindle and die And muskets and sabers and swords shall be sundered Surrendered to the sound that is sweeping the sky And the shoes of the mighty shall dance to new measures And the jackboots of generals shall jangle no more
   As sister and brother and father and mother Agree with each other the end to all war. (Chorus)
5. As a candle can conquer the demons of darkness, As a flame can keep frost from the deepest of cold, So a song can give hope in the depths of all danger And a line of pure melody soar in your soul. So sing your songs well, and sing your songs sweetly And swear that your singing it never shall cease, ‘Til the clatter of battle and drums of disaster be drowned in the sound of the pipes of peace. (Chorus)

Gospel Reading Luke 2:15-20
Special Music                                      Two Manger Carols arr. M.L. Thompson
Union Church Handbell Ensemble; Larry Brandenburg, Organ
Christmas Sermon Rev. Kent Gilbert
Ringing of the Peace Bell
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, 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.
Offering
Tonight’s offering in its entirety will go to  Berea Faith Community Outreach, which provides such vital programs as Bereans United for Utility and Rent Relief (BUURR), the Berea Food Bank, and the Frank Gailey Transient Aid Fund. 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.”
#104 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear (v. 1)
#110 Angels from the Realm of Glory (v. 1)
#112 Away In A Manger (v. 1)
#120 Joy to the World (v. 1 & 4)
Lighting the Christ Candle Transforming Edge to Center Jennifer Melton
Lorilyn Howie-Kipphut, Reader
The Light of the World                    John 1:1-14               Paul Smithson                                         Moderator of Union Church
¨  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           Good Christian Friends, Rejoice arr. Jan Sanborn
_____________________________
¨  Please rise in body or spirit, as you choose
All Are Invited to A Finger-Food 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 also is 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 166 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 am.
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.