Christmas Eve 2015

THANK YOU FOR SERVING IN THE LORD’S HOUSE THIS EVENING!

Philip Eyrich Linda and Palmer Long

Beth and Ed Paxton Kathi and Lindy Hustedt

Mary Ann Roelse

Children may pick up a gift from under the Christmas tree in the narthex as they depart!

Everyone at Lighthouse United Methodist Church wishes you and yours a Blessed Christmas!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Thank God, thank God, we do believe, Thank God that this is Christmas Eve.

Even as we kneel upon this day, Even so, the ancient legends say Nearly two thousand years ago

The stalled ox knelt, and even so The ass knelt full of praise, which they Could not express, while we can pray.

Thank God, thank God, for Christ was born Ages ago, as on this morn:

In the snow-season undefiled God came to earth a little Child;

He put His ancient glory by To live for us, and then to die.

How shall we thank God? How shall we Thank Him and praise Him worthily? What will He have Who loved us thus? What presents will He take from us? Will He take gold, or precious heap

Of gems? or shall we rather steep The air with incense, or bring myrrh?

What man will be our messenger To go to Him and ask His will?

Which having learned we will fulfil Though He choose all we most prefer: –

What man will be our messenger? Thank God, thank God, the Man is found,

Sure-footed, knowing well the ground. He knows the road, for this the way

He travelled once, as on this day. He is our Messenger beside,

He is our door, and path, and Guide; He also is our Offering,

He is the gift that we must bring. Let us kneel down with one accord And render thanks unto the Lord:

For unto us a Child is born Upon this happy Christmas morn;

For unto us a Son is given, Firstborn of God and Heir of Heaven.

Christina Georgina Rossetti, 1904

Audrey Penty Swisher

+GLORY TO GOD Gloria Gloria! In excelsis Deo! Gloria! In excelsis Deo! +PASSING OF THE PEACE Leader: The Peace of the Lord be with you People: And also with you +HYMN OF PEACE #246 Joy to the World Antioch

THE GOSPEL IN WORD AND SONG The Angel Gabriel Visits Mary Luke 1:26-33 Hymn #196: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (vs. 1,2) Mary and Joseph Go to Bethlehem Luke 2: 1-5 Hymn #230 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (vs. 1) The Birth in the Manger Luke 2: 6-7 Hymn #249 “There’s a Song in the Air” (vs. 1,2) The Angel’s Song Luke 2: 8-14 Hymn #240 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (vs. 1,3) The Shepherd’s Response Luke 2: 15-20 Hymn #224 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” (vs. 1,2) HOMILY “The Light Has Come” Reverend Matthew M. Williams

HYMN OF RESPONSE #252 “Go Tell It On the Mountain” Go Tell It On the Mountain OFFERTORY PRAYER Reverend Matthew M. Williams OFFERTORY

The Christmas Eve offering is designated for the final building stages of our sister church in Preston, Cuba

+HYMN #239 “Silent Night” Stille Nacht Ross Witschonke, Guitar Ben Williams, Mandolin

+CANDLELIGHTING

As Silent Night is being sung, the lights will be dimmed, and the minister will light a candle from the Christ Candle. The minister will then light the candles of the ushers who will light the candle of the first worshipper in each pew. The Light will be passed along the pew. Remember to hold the lighted candle up-right, and the unlighted candle is tipped to be lighted. Before leaving the pew, worshippers are requested to extinguish their candles. There is a box in the Nar-thex in which to place your candle. +BENEDICTION Reverend Matthew M. Williams +POSTLUDE “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 5:00 PM

PRELUDE Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Traditional Polish Carol

Arr. Tom Fettke

WORDS OF WELCOME

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE Reverend Matthew & Joy Williams

+HYMN OF CELEBRATION #245 The First Noel The First Noel

+AFFIRMATION OF FAITH A Christmas Affirmation

ALL: I believe in Jesus Christ and the beauty that began in Bethlehem.

I believe in Him whose spirit glorified a little town; of whose coming only the shepherds saw the signs, and for whom the crowded inn could find no room. I believe in Him whom the kings of earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose paths were among the common people, whose welcome came from people of hungry hearts. I believe in Him who proclaimed the love of God to invincible: whose cradle was a mother’s arms, whose home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth, who looked at men and women and made them see what His love saw in them; who by his love brought sinners back to purity, and lighted human weakness up to meet the strength of God. I confess my everlasting need for God: the need for forgiveness for my greed and selfishness, the need of life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold. I acknowledge the glory of all that is like Christ: the steadfastness of friends, the blessedness of homes, the beauty of compassion, the miracle of hearts made kind at Christmas, the courage of those who dare to resist all passion, hate and war. I believe that only by love expressed shall the earth at last be purified. And I pray that redemption might begin in me. Amen.