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!”
December 24, 2022 • 7p.m.
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6:50pm Prelude and gathering
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Naomi Hanvey, Facebook Monitor
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Diane Smith, Scripture Reader
Scott Robertson, Candle Lighter and Advent Candle Message
Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor
7:00pm Worship begins
"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, Diane Smith, Reader
Welcoming the Light of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love
And nativity figures move to Bethlehem
*Hymn: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” verses 1 and 2
1. Oh, come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, Born the King of angels
[Chorus] Oh, come, let us adore him; Oh, come, let us adore him; Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.
2. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above! Glory to God, Glory in the highest; (Chorus)
Lighting of the Christ Candle
“A child has been born to us, a son given to us; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:2
Message about Christ from Scott Robertson
Prayer at the lighting of the Christ Candle:
All: Emmanuel, we give thanks and praise for your light shining in the darkness. Bless us to know and feel your presence especially when our way seems hard and no light seems to shine. Move us ever closer to your heart. Amen.
Community Prayer
Our Community in Prayer
Sharing Prayers of Gratitude & Celebration
All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH) Public Domain
first stanza
Sharing Prayers of Concern
All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH)
first stanza
Sharing Prayers Which Take Us Beyond Words Into Silence
All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH)
first stanza
The Lord’s Prayer
In the spirit of diversity, you are invited to
use the words most familiar to you.
Response: All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH) Public Domain
A Time of Offering
Invitation to share
Response: Joy to the World v 3
Christ 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.
Dedication prayer
Loving God, bless these gifts and offerings. Be born anew in each one of us that we may fulfill your vision for our for our lives, the world, and this community. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Listening for God in Word and Music
Message With Young Hearts
Placing the Jesus figure in the manager
A Christmas Eve Play based on Luke 2:1-20
Narrator: Naomi Hanvey
Shepherd 1: Don Young
Shepherd 2: Cherall Anne St. James
Shepherd 3: Marvin Wilson
Head Angel 1: Jan Young
Head Angel 2: Noah
Joseph: Sky Young
Mary: Ashley
Baby Jesus: Karl
Act 1 Shepherds
Act 2 Angels
All sing "Angels We have Heard on High” verse 1
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Act 3 In Bethlehem
All sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem “
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
Act 4 At the Manger
All: Silent Night verse 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.
Narrator: Joseph lovingly cradled the tiny baby in his arms. When the shepherds saw him, they saw a poor child of a poor family. He was just like them. As they left, one shepherd wondered aloud…
Isaiah 11:6-10 Diane Smith, Reader
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
9 They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
Message: The Earth shall be Full of the Knowledge of God
Sharing the Light of Christ
Prayer at the kindling of the Christ Light
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.
Silence
Prayer – Light sent into the world
Benediction and Silent Reflection
Postlude