- Dec 24, 2024
- 6 min read
Veradale United Church of Christ
An Open & Affirming Congregation
Worshiping God in Christ – Welcoming All – Working for Justice & Peace
“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey,
you are welcome here!”
7:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight, December 24, 2024
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Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Joe McSwain, Av and Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator
Henry Reinhardt, Scripture reader/Narrator
Hana Reinhardt, Candle lighter
Naomi Hanvey, Christ Candle Message
Gregg Glisson, Fellowship Set-Up
Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Land Acknowledgement
We worship on the unceded traditional territory of the Spokane, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Coeur d’Alene, and other tribes. We acknowledge the history of indigenous genocide, removal, and erasure that continues to this day. We recognize the role that Christian communities played in these injustices, and we recommit ourselves to seeking more peaceful, just, and neighborly ways of sharing this land with all who call it home.
Worship begins (Isaiah 9:2)
One: The people who walked in darkness
ALL: have seen a great light;
One: those who walked in the land of deep darkness –
ALL: on them light has shined."
*Welcoming the Light of Christ
*Hymn: “What Child Is This” From String-A-Ling Music
What Child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.Why lies He in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear: for sinners here, the silent Word is pleading. This, this is Christ the King whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh; Come peasant, king to own Him. The King of Kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Raise, raise, the song on high, the mother sings her lullaby: Joy, joy for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
Lighting of the Christ Candle
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of people. That light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5
Message from Naomi
Prayer at the Lighting of the Christ Candle
All: Tonight, we declare that God’s light, known to us in Christ, shines in our longest nights. Surrounding the light of Christ is Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. May the light of Christ be re-lit in us this night. May we find room in our hearts and our lives to welcome Emmanuel, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Community Prayer
“The First Noel” 139(NCH) verse 4
This star shone bright to the northwest, over Bethlehem it seemed to rest, and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in a manger, Emmanuel.
Prayers of Gratitude
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in a manger, Emmanuel.
Prayers of Concern
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in a manger, Emmanuel.
Silent Prayer
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in a manger, Emmanuel.
The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you or
Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Response: 812 (NCH)
Amen. Amen. Amen.
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
Offering of Talent
Marilyn Closson’s Story
Marvin Wilson Solo “Some People See Him”
Poinsettias dedications:
In memory of Parents, Brother, Grandparents, Son, Grandson, and three cherished pets given by Jerry Brines
In memory of Joe, Lola, and Rico given by Rocky and Sue Ferrozzo
In memory of Bill, Pat, and Jeff given by Sue and Rocky Ferrozzo
In memory of Sam and Marian Young by Don and Jan Young
In memory of Karl and Lola Masters given by Jan and Don Young
Offering Acclamation Hymn # 132 (NCH)v. 3
Christ rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of God’s righteousness and wonders of God’s love, and wonders of God’s love, and wonders, wonders of God’s love.
Dedication prayer:
Beloved Jesus, bless these offerings to the work of this congregation and the needs of our communities. May your light shine through us and may these gifts be multiplied to fulfill your vision of a just and peaceful world. Amen
Listening for God
The Gospel of Luke 2
Narrator
Mary and Joseph Enter
Meet inn keepers
ALL: Away in a manger verses 1 and 2 p. 6 Carol Booklet
Away in a manger no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the sky looked down where he lay. The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky and stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh.
Shepherds and Angels
ALL (a multitude of Angels): Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
ALL: Angels We Have Heard on High p. 5, Carol Booklet
1. Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o’er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain: Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be, which inspire your heav’nly song? Refrain:
3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Refrain:
Shepherds go to Bethlehem
ALL: “The First Noel” 139 (NCH) verses 1 and 2,
The first Noel the angels 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 in a manger Emmanuel.
They looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far: and to the earth it gave great light and so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel born in a manger Emmanuel.
Cast members take a bow and the church claps.
Reflections with Pastor Gen
Silence
Sharing the Light of Christ
Acolytes come forward
Prayer - Receiving the Light
(The unlit candle is turned to receive the flame from the lit candle. DO NOT turn the lit candle on its side as the wax will drip. FURTHER, if anyone at any time is acting in a way that makes their candle a danger, BLOW OUT the candle. It is easier to deal with tears of disappointment than it is with a serious burn.)
ALL and String-A-Lings: “Silent Night, Holy Night” Strings-A-Ling Music
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.
4. Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lead Thy light. With the angels let us sing Al-le-lu-ia to our King. Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!
Silence
Prayer
(CANDLES ARE BLOWN OUT)
Benediction
Community affirmation
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion.
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Please, Join us for our Cookie Potluck in Fellowship Hall
