Prelude Music Portuguese Hymn Sacred Harp
Berea Shapenote Singers
Still, Still, Still Austrian Carol
Union Church Orchestra
In the Bleak Midwinter Christina Rossetti
Al, Alice & Ruth; Emma White, soloist
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Robert Powell
Kim Kobersmith, flute
O Holy Night Cappeau, Adam
Whitney McKnight, soloist
You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch Geisel, Hague
Bernardo Scarambone
A Welcome as We Gather to Worship Rev. Kent Gilbert
Dancing In the Light Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella Renaissance Carol
Dancers: Barbara Anspach, Teresa Dickson, Jennifer Elam, Carla Gilbert, Joy Gritton, Grace McKenzie, Betty Sarafin
¨ Call to Worship
One: God shines, shepherds follow, angels sing, and Christ is born!
All: Music plays, hearts settle, minds ease, and God’s people gather.
One: On this holy night we light our way with all that God has taught:
All: In the beginning, hope. Lessons of peace from the past; the joy of presence; the loving future of God’s vision for all creation.
One: Come, those who seek and those who have found long ago. Come, those with hearts aglow and those whose hearts are broken. Come to the place of God’s coming to us.
All: Come, let us tell the story of the light of the world.
¨ Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles
- 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 Isaiah 9:2-7
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.
Anthem The Hills Are Bare in Bethlehem Scherf, arr. Johnson
Union Church Choir
Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-7
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 What Child Is This?/ Child of the Poor trad., Scott Soper
Holly Creek Harmony
Gospel Reading Luke 2:8-14
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!”
Special Music Rise Up, Shepherd trad. Spiritual
Union Church Choir
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 Wexford Carol traditional carol Al, Alice & Ruth
Christmas Sermon What’s in a Name? Rev. Kent Gilbert
Special Music Light of the Stable Ruth McLain Smith Al, Alice & 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: Blessed are you, gracious God, Creator of light, Giver of all life, Source of love. We bless you for all your gifts and pray that light and warmth may spread to us and through us because of them.
All: In calm still nights, and in the frenzy of living, your light shines for all.
One: We thank you for those who, like Mary, have the strength and courage to give birth to your love in the world; for those who, like the shepherds, dare to seek out the Child of Bethlehem.
All: In womb and tomb, in cradle and cross, in tenderness and compassion your everlasting light is shown to us.
One: Prepare us to hear the song of angels, and to go in heart and in mind to Bethlehem and to find the child born for us this night. We open ourselves to your saving grace as we pray for the needs of the whole world: We remember especially those whose lives are disrupted by forces beyond their control . . . .
All: May love give them firm footing for where they must walk.
One: We pray for peace and goodwill among the nations . . . .
All: May the Prince of Peace turn swords to plowshares and welcome all to the feast of plenty.
One: Let us pray for the earth, as it longs for the promise of God’s new creation . . . .
All: May none hurt or destroy that which is holy and sustain the lives you have given us to steward.
One: Let us remember before God all who are poor, hungry or cold . . .
All: For Christ’s sake, help us tend one another.
One: All who are oppressed by circumstance or by other people . . .
All: For Christ’s sake, may the lions learn to lie down with the lambs.
One: All who are sick or dying . . .
All: For Christ’s sake, may healing comfort every soul.
One: all who are lonely or frightened and all for whom Christmas is a time of sadness . . . .
All: For Christ’s sake, may angels whisper “Fear Not” for strength and courage.
One: Lastly, let us remember before God those who have gone before us, whose company and voices we miss, but who, in the grace and goodness of God, still share space in our hearts this Christmas. Life beyond life is the gift of this child and we name now in our hearts those we hold dear:
(a brief silence holds our prayer)
One: With them, and with the multitude of angels and God’s faithful of every time and place, we celebrate the hope and the mystery that Jesus Christ is born.
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 as the plates are passed. Please watch the screens for the lyrics.
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
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 all
From heaven’s all-gracious King” –
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born 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 hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
With angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”
The First Noel, The Angel Did Say
The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.
Away In A Manger
Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus;
Laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay.
Joy To the World
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 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
One: Throughout the Advent Sundays leading to this night we have walked in darkness, but have been led by light from prophets and ancient stories.
One: But here, now, in a weary and worn world, how do we find our way to Bethlehem in this time?
How do we, like the shepherds and the wise of old, walk the walk?
All: We start with hope. We step toward peace. We share every joy. We follow the love.
One: The flames 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 light the Christ candle to signal God’s goodwill to all on earth. As we do, let us remember all who yearn for a word from God, and all who gaze into the night sky in longing and in hope, listening for an angel song. May the flame of God’s eternal light find a welcome in every spirit this night. Let us pray:
All: Softly we come, Lord, to the cradle of your coming. Make straight the path, and prepare the way! Pour your love into the world through us as we kindle the light of Christ in our hearts. Emmanuel, “God is with us!”
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 being in 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 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.
1. Silent night! holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin, mother and Child,
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
2. Silent night! holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.
3. Silent night! holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light,
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
¨ Benediction
Postlude Joy to the World Isaac Watts
Olivia Puckett, trumpet
_____________________________
¨ Please rise in body or spirit, as you choose
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