Estes Park United Methodist Church

December 24, 2020

Christmas Eve

 

Order of Worship

 

 

Prelude – Peace

                                                                          

Greeting/Welcome

 

Lighting of the Christ Candle

              

Opening Hymn – O Come, O Come Emmanuel

 

Call to Worship

Leader:  The impossible is happening in a stable.  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

People:  Those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them has the light shined!

Leader:  This is the evening when creation stood still and held its breath, for God was doing the most unbelievable, dangerous thing.

People:  This is the evening when God embraced humanity from the inside, as one of us!

Leader:  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

People:  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth!

                             

Opening Prayer (Unison)

All:  God of us all, we come as your faithful to Bethlehem on this silent night. We come to gather around the manger and see for ourselves this wondrous thing of which we have heard. We come to worship the baby, born to be king. Make us worthy to receive your gift of  grace, O God. And let us go from this place a people renewed in our faith to give your gift of love and peace to each person we meet, as it was given to us so long ago. Come, let us worship the king! Amen.          

 

Hymn of Praise – O Come, All Ye Faithful

 

Scripture Reading – Luke 2:1-7

 

Christmas Carol – Away in a Manger (Verse 1)

 

Scripture Reading – Luke: 2:8-14

 

Special Music – O, Holy Night

 

Scripture Reading – Luke 2:15-20

 

Christmas Carol – Joy to the World (verse 1)

 

Christmas Message – Finding Jesus!

      

Closing Hymn – Silent Night, Holy Night (verses 1-3)

 

Service Participants:

Pastor: Rev. Ann Steiner Lantz

Liturgist: Cay Lacey

Director of Music: Jim Flanigan

Pianist: Nancy Gunter

Videographer: Jim Ecklund

Soloist: Carol Blanchard

Handbell Ringers: Cay Lacey & Barbara Bailey