Service Recording: December 24, 2019
December 24, 2019 ~ 10:00pm
Christmas Eve
Liturgists
The People of Peace Church
Jim Pospisil, Music Director
Wendy Durrwachter, pianist
Nathan Holst, Faith Formation Minister
Rev. Kathryn Nelson
Prelude Voluntary in C Major by Purcell – Earl Salemink & Tom Pfotenhauer, trumpet
God is Revealed as We Gather
Words of Welcome and Ringing of our Peace Bells
The Lighting of Our Advent Candles: “The Candle of Christ”
Readers: Laurie and Mariah Berner
Song: “Awake! Awake…” (#107 black hymnal, vs 4)
Call to Worship
Let us go, just as we are, to see what has happened. Let us go with the shepherds:
let us go and find the One of whom the angels sang.
Let us go with those who are wise:
let us go and find the One who brings God’s truth to us.
Let us go with the poor in spirit, and in flesh; let us go with those who are humbled by life:
let us find the Glory of God born in a stable and placed in a manger.
Let us go with our friends and family, let us go with our neighbors and with strangers, let us go with all the children of God:
let us go to find the One who comes to lead us home to God.
O come, let us go to the Babe of Bethlehem; O come, let us adore him!
Christ our Lord!
*Opening Hymn “O Come All Ye Faithful” (#89 red hymnal) Frost Bowen-Bailey, horn; Dale Shimmin, trombone
A Christmas Poem: “Census” by Dr. Gary Boelhower
Duet: “Traveling to be Counted” by Wendy Durrwachter, Melanie Sever, flute
The Birth of Jesus Christ in Word and Song
The Story of the Birth: Luke 2:1–7 Reader: Ellie Hoffman
Hymn: “Away in a Manger” (#93 red hymnal)
Anthem: “See Amid the Winter Snow”
The Story of the Shepherds: Luke 2:8–12 Reader: Seth Hoffman
Hymn: “The First Nowell” (#100 red hymnal, vs 1 & 2)
Anthem: Gaudete (Christ is Born of the Virgin Mary, Rejoice!) – Cathy Ameel, soloist
The Story of the Angels: Luke 2:13–20 Reader: Kai Hoffman
Hymn: “Angels We Have Heard On High” (#90 red hymnal)
Anthem: “Still, Still, Still” (Austrian Carol)
Thoughts Upon Christmas Eve
Duet: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Tim & Maddie Carpenter
We Respond to God’s Word
Pastoral Prayer by Nathan Holst, the Lord’s Prayer (with debts), Choral Amen
Sharing Our Offerings
The Offertory “Lully Lullay” Mary Pat Renaud & Jennifer Boyle
*The Thanksgiving (Old Hundredth)
Praise God whose dawn transfigures night,
Whose daystar shines for us on high,
Whose Spirit brings into our sight,
The hope to which our world draws nigh. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
Lighting of Candles
Closing Hymn “Silent Night” (#95 red hymnal) – Melanie Sever, flute; Nathan Holst, guitar
Benediction and Postlude