Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service (ONLINE)
Updated: Jun 22, 2022
UJCC Christmas Eve Worship Service
December 24, 2020
Prelude O Come O Come Emmanuel Marissa Honda
Welcome Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner
Opening Carol "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" Becky Messer
Call To Worship
L: On this holiest of nights,
P: we come, joining the shepherds who are stunned by wonder.
L: On this most silent night,
P: we come, our hopes and dreams joining those of Mary and Joseph.
L: On this nights of carols and candlelight,
P: we come, our glad songs joining with the choirs of angels over us. (ts)
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Reader One: Advent hope moves us; Advent love leads us; Advent joy stirs us; Advent peace stills us, that we might affirm our King Jesus.
Reader Two: It is time we set flame to this Advent affirmation by lighting the Christ Candle. [light five candles.]
Reader Three: We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea. He was the long-awaited Messiah whose coming was prophesied. The same Jesus lives today in our hearts. He deserves our highest loyalty and total commitment. In Jesus Christ our hope is fulfilled; our love is consummated; our joy is complete; and our peace is sealed.
Rejoice, a Savior is born.
A savior is born, indeed. Joy to the world!
We Humbly Adore and Receive
Reflection Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner
Hearing the Good News Luke 2:1-14 Halle Sembritzki
Reflection Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner
Special Music "This Time Around" Akiko Miyake-Stoner & Rae Kim
Reflection Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner
Special Music "O Holy Night"
- Halle Sembritzki, Evan Hamada, Rae Kim, & Garrett Masterson
We Embody and Embrace
Christmas Pastoral Prayer & Lord's Prayer
Special Music "We Are The Reason"
We Go Forth Blessing and Serving
Passing The Light of Christ
Closing Carol "Silent Night" Becky Messer
Benediction
Rev. Akiko: God comes to us now…comes to embrace us
Rev. Rae: Emmanuel, God who is with us.
Rev. Akiko: For this Child is Peace beyond all peace,
Rev. Rae: Love beyond all loves,
Light of light,
Song of songs,
God Almighty!
Rev. Akiko: Follow this Child who is Grace beyond all grace,
Rev. Rae: A Gift beyond all gifts,
Joy of joys,
God made flesh,
God Almighty!
Rev. Akiko: Go in joy and love to serve your newborn King!
Both: Thanks be to God! Amen! (lf)
You are invited to continue your spiritual practice of giving to the church. Please either mail your offering to the church (136 N. Villa Ave., Clovis, CA 93612) or try our online giving option (LINK HERE). Thank you!
Go Now in Peace Becky Messer
Worship Resources: (dw) Derek Weber adapted https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/advent-candle-lighting-liturgy-2020; (lf) Lisa Frenz,
slightly adapted from Christmas Eve: In the Beginning was the Word © Lisa Frenz. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Luke 2:1-14
1.In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be
registered. 2.This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3. All went to their own towns to be registered. 4.Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11. to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”