11pm Christmas Eve Worship, 12-24-23

Prelude 

Welcome & Greeting

Lighting of the Christ Candle (Unison)Tonight, we light the Christ candle.  We remember and honor the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, through the act of worship in re-telling that story of old, of singing carols that give voice to the joy of our spirits.  And in reflecting on that solemn night when The Son of God would enter into this broken and sinful world to offer it hope, joy, peace, and the way of love, that we may find in him Eternal life.  Thanks be to God.

Response UMH #219What Child Is This?

Opening Prayer (Unison) – Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light.  May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in your words and deeds.  May the hope, the peace, the joy and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem this night fill our lives and become part of all that we say and do.  May we share the divine life of your son Jesus Christ, even as he humbled himself to share our humanity.  Amen.

Hymn UMH #234 (vs 1 & 3) O Come, All Ye Faithful

First Reading – Job 19:25-27 (NRSV) 

Second Reading – Isaiah 44:6-8 (NRSV)

MessageThe Main Character (Part 3) – “Redeemer” – Rev. Jason Elmore

Holy Communion

Hymn UMH #238 (vs 1 & 4)Angels We Have Heard on High

Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer

Hymn UMH #217 (vs 1 & 3) Away in a Manger

OfferingSpecial Video (O Holy Night)

Doxology UMH #95

Lighting of Individual Candles

Hymn Silent Night