Tag: Oh Come Emmanuel!

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2019, 5:30 P.M.

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Lighting of the Advent Candles and the Christ Candle

Pastor: We light these candles as symbols of Christ.

People: Christ our hope,

Pastor: Christ our way in the world,

People: Christ our joy,

Pastor: The Prince of Peace. May the visitation of your Holy Spirit, O God, make us ready for the coming of Jesus.

All: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Hymn It Came upon the Midnight Clear #131

Children’s Time (Pastor and Children)

Hymn Away in a Manger #124

Opening Prayer (Pastor)

God of all people and all nations, God of pilgrimage and our true home, God of merciful love, light in darkness, hope in every moment; come among us this night, through your Holy Spirit, and help us find our way to Bethlehem, to the manger, to you. Amen.

Call to Worship

Pastor: Praise be to God!

People: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has visited and redeemed the people.

Pastor: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

People: Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Hymn: O Come, All You Faithful – # 135

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20

Sermon “The Tears of Christmas” Mike Lyle

Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem – # 133

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Hymn Silent Night – #134

Closing Prayer and Blessing (Pastor)

Most holy and loving God, be our light in the darkness, our strength for the journey, our one true home – tonight and always. Amen.

Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Worship ————————————————————–

Next Sunday, Dec. 29^th, 11am – Lay-led worship offering spiritual renewal for the new year.

Sunday, Jan. 5^th, 11am – Communion Worship led by Rev. Dr. Michael Lyle

12:15pm – First Sunday Congregational Brunch – Please join in for pot luck in the Fellowship Hall.

Gather ——————————————————————–

Wednesday mornings 10:30am, Fellowship Hall. Free. Mindfulness Meditation. All welcome; beginners encouraged!

Friday evenings 6:30 – 7:30pm, Fellowship Hall: Stretch It Out! at the end of your week. Starting January 10^th, Come take care of yourself, bring a yoga mat, and feel good with stretching and strengthening for all ages. $10. First class free.

Saturday mornings 8:30 -10:30am, Fellowship Hall. Free. English Language Classes for adults. Led by a certified ELL teacher. Childcare provided. Please pass the word. Classes resume Sat., Jan. 11^th. Volunteers needed.

Give ———————————————————————–

The Christmas Eve offerings collected tonight will be donated to Mobile Hope, a non-profit that serves homeless teens and children in Loudoun County. See MobileHopeLoudoun.org/

Sharing Tree through December. It’s not too late to give or take something warm or fun in front of St. James! Any toys and warm clothes not taken by Jan. 5^th, will be donated to Mobile Hope.

Lovettsville Food Bank: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. See sign and box in Fellowship Hall.

Statement of Faith: We gather as an open and affirming community to worship God, however known. We welcome everyone, no exceptions. Together we seek spiritual comfort and challenge, learn from ancient and modern texts, and seek new dimensions of truth. We practice following the way of Jesus. We dare to demonstrate God’s love by working for justice and peace among all people.