Gathering Music
Il Est Né, arr. D. Bish Gabriel Evans
How Great Our Joy, arr. Bill Ingram Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Wexford Carol, trad. The White Family
I Wonder As I Wander, arr. Cathy Moklebust Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Masters In This Hall, arr. M. Hayes Gabriel Evans
Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow, arr. Lloyd Larson Union Church Handbell Ensemble
The Guiding Star, R. McClain The White Family
Welcome
Bringing In the Light Hymne Gout
Dancers: Abigale Embry, Carla Gilbert, Kate Grigg, Dorie Hubbard, Teri Mehler, Whitney Owens Park, Lisa Vaughn, Della Walters, Stephanie Woodie
• Call to Worship
One: Tonight, ancient dreams are cherished and new dreams come to life. The promises are being fulfilled.
All: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth hope reigns.
One: Hope strengthens us, gives us the courage to act in mercy, love kindness, and walk humbly with a child born in a stall.
All: Peace for the Earth! Peace for all people!
One: Joy is our proclamation, joy is our prayer this night!
All: “Gloria!” we shout, and with the angels, rejoice!
One: The light of love has come at last, God come alive in human flesh within and among us.
All: Come and Sing, all people; Let us worship and adore!
• Opening Hymn #103 Red/Blue O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES
Hebrew Scripture Reading Isaiah 9:2-7
Choir Anthem My Lord What a Morning Robert Benson Union Church Choir
Refrain: My Lord, what a morning! O my Lord, what a morning! When the stars begin to fall.
1. You’ll hear the trumpet sound, to wake the nations underground, looking to my God’s right hand, when the stars begin to fall.
2. You’ll hear the sinner cry…
3. You’ll hear the Christian shout…
Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38
Choir Anthem Celtic Advent Carol M. Barrett
Union Church Choir
Be not afraid, I bring you good news. The Savior is coming in glory to you. He shall be called “God’s Holy one.” Will you be ready for Him when He comes? Light the candle, Jesus is coming. Open your hearts, prepare ye the way.
Sleepers awake, for soon is the dawning. He will turn night into glorious day. Be of good cheer and put away fear, the light is now coming to dry every tear. Love now with us, God’s perfect Son.
Veni, Emmanuel. Captivum solve Israel. Jesus is coming. Could He be coming today?
Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-7
Special Music Mary Did You Know? Bruce Greer
Emma White, Soloist
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with His hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby you kissed the face of God?
Mary, did you know? The blind will see. The deaf will hear. The dead will live again. The lame will leap. The dumb will speak The praises of The Lamb.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb? The sleeping Child you’re holding is the Great, I Am.
Gospel Reading Luke 2:8-14
• Hymn #110 Red/Blue Angels From the Realms of Glory REGENT SQUARE
Gospel Reading Luke 2:15-20
Special Music I Wonder as I Wander John Jacob Niles
Gina Chamberlain, Soloist; Deborah Payne, fiddle
I wonder as I wander out under the sky how Jesus the Savior did come for to die for poor on’ry people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander out under the sky.
When Mary birthed Jesus ’twas in a cow’s stall with wise men and farmers and shepherds and all, but high from God’s heaven, a star’s light did fall and the promise of ages it then did recall.
If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing: a star in the sky or a bird on the wing or all of God’s angels in heaven to sing, He surely could have it, ’cause he was the King.
Christmas Sermon Rev. Kent Gilbert
Handbell Anthem Sing We Now of Christmas Kevin McChesney
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Ringing of the Peace Bell
Prayers of the People
One: We pray for the great cloud of witnesses of all times and places whose hope is in the Word made flesh, and whose home is with you forever. We remember absent friends and family this holy night.
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 churches and between all of every faith who earnestly seek your peace; 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 as a weapon, wounding others. Heal us of our poor judgement and 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 the poor, the helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; for refugees the world over, seeking safety and a place to call home; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and all seeking love.
All: Hear us, O God, as we seek your strength for them and for ourselves.
Offering
All of tonight’s offering will benefit 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 to 859-448-3403 and designate BFCO.
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.”
#105 What Child is This? (verse 1)
#109 Once in Royal David’s City (verses 1 & 2)
#113 Angels We Have Heard On High (verse 1)
#120 Joy to the World (1 & 4)
Lighting the Christ Candle The Pross Family
One: Hope, peace, joy, and love. Four candles, four promises continually offered to us by God, and all of them manifest in this one we light tonight: the Christ candle. In Christ we find the hope of transformation, the peace that follows justice, the joy of self-fulfillment in community, and the love that encompasses us in all our diversity, all of which empower us to make our own unique contribution to this world. In Christ we find light and life, and the courage to walk in Jesus’ way in our own time.
One: With this light, we rejoice in God’s steadfast presence in our lives, and in God’s unique presence in the life of Jesus of Nazareth— born of Mary, growing through childhood into an adult; manifesting the peace, love, and justice of God; his voice undimmed by the centuries of followers and failings, of changing times and new challenges. Christ’s light is as clear to us as it was to his disciples so long ago.
All: Come to us, Lord Jesus, be born in us this night, in our hearts, our minds, our lives. May the light of your life be kindled in us, and lead us to the shining truth of God with us, God for us, God in us. Amen.
The Light of the World John 1:1-14 Jean Boyce, Past Moderator of the 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. You are invited to carry your lit candle home from tonight’s service to spread the light into the world. If you plan to carry your lit candle into the night, you may wish to put your coat on at this time.
• Benediction
Postlude Joy to the World D. Hustad
_____________________________
• Please rise in body or spirit, as you are able
Leave a Reply