Dec. 24, 2024
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
First Mennonite Church
Sugarcreek, Ohio
December 24, 2024
6pm
The First Christmas Journey
PRELUDE OF CAROLS
There’s a Song in the Air – arr. Pepper Choplin
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear – arr. Mark Hayes
Angels from the Realms of Glory – arr. Mark Hayes
The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy – arr. Lloyd Larson
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly – arr. Lloyd Larson
O Come, All Ye Faithful – arr. Laura E. Wasson
Call to Worship & Candle Lighting
Special Music: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – arr. Laura E. Wasson
Christmas Greetings & Prayer
Carol: HWB 212 O Come, All Ye Faithful v1, 3, 4
THE MESSAGE OF THE ANGELS
To Mary: Luke 1:26-38
To Joseph: Matthew 1:18-25
Carol: HWB 197 Angels We Have Heard on High v1, 4
THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Luke 2:1-7
Carols: HWB 191 O Little Town of Bethlehem v1, 2
HWB 194 Away in a Manger v1, 3
THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGEL
Luke 2:8-16
Carol: HWB 199 The First Noel, the Angel Did Say v1, 2
SPECIAL MUSIC: O Holy Night – arr. Mark Hayes
(the offering is brought forward)
White Gift Offering Prayer
THE ESCAPE TO EGYPT
Matthew 2:13-14
CAROL: HWB 215 What Child Is This
THE RETURN TO NAZARETH
Matthew 2:19-23
Carol: HWB 201 Hark! The herald angels sing
SPECIAL MUSIC: Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)
-written by Chris Tomlin, performed by Mike Gehman and April Shupe
Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7,
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who lived in a land of deep darkness-
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;
They rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given;
And the government will be upon his shoulder,
and his name will be called,
“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.”
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace for the
throne of David and his kingdom,
He will establish and uphold it with justice
and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
[LIGHTS ARE DIMMED]
PASSING OF THE LIGHT
Carol: Silent Night
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.
Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight,
glories stream from heaven afar,
heav’nly hosts sing, “Alleluia!”
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.
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.
Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light.
With the angels let us sing
“Alleluia” to our King,
“Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.”
Special Music: Silent Night – arr. Anna Laura Page
[LIGHTS COME UP]
Sending Words
Carol: Joy to the World
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king;
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room, and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and heav’n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.
He 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.
POSTLUDE MUSIC
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing – arr. Lloyd Larson
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – arr. Mark Hayes
Thank you to our readers today:
Hannah Gehman, Jaden Murphy, Kristy and Mike Keim,
Nancy Yoder, Reno Stevanus, Tabby Murphy and Brad Shupe.
Worship Leader: Bruce Stauffer
Song Leader: April Shupe
Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer
Candlelighter: Tyler Murphy
