Dec. 24, 2024

December 23, 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.