christmas eve, december 24, 2019, 5:45 p.m. · us to remember jesus christ’s com-ing into our...
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Welcome and Merry Christmas! Thank you for joining us for our celebration of Jesus’ birth. Please take special note of the following:
Please pick up candles/glowsticks from foyer prior to worship.
Hearing devices are available in the foyer.
The nursery is available as a cry room or changing room if needed.
Please sign the friendship pads located at the end of each pew.
The Christ Candle in the Advent Wreath. The Advent wreath helps us to remember Jesus Christ’s com-ing into our world in terms of the biblical theme of light. When Jesus came, he entered a world of dark-ness - full of sin, ignorance, hate and pride. His light penetrated that darkness bringing joy, hope, peace, and love. As Scripture tells us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) So we lit the candles each week of Advent in remem-brance of the coming of the Christ child who brought these gifts in him-self. Tonight, with them all aflame, we light the Christ Candle. This white candle symbolizes the purity of Je-sus and celebrates the fullness of he who referred to himself as “the light of the world” (John 8:12)
GATHERING MUSIC “Christmas Chimes” Chimes Ensemble / Orchestra
Music: David Luna © 2019 DNL Music Publishers
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP “Christmas is Coming”
Choir / Orchestra / Chimes Ensemble Lyrics and Music: Joel Raney
© 2002, 2005, 2007, 2018 Hope Publishing Company
*WELCOME Shelley Kral *CALL TO WORSHIP & LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Chad, Liz, Elijah, Lydia and Levi Johnson
Leaders: Rejoice, the Lord is come! We light this candle because Jesus, the light of the world came into the world.
People: Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
*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.
Women: 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.
Men: 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.
All: 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.
Lyrics: Isaac Watts Tune: ANTIOCH © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain
CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER 24, 2019, 5:45 P.M.
Christmas Carols: Though there is disagreement regarding when the first Christmas carol was written, they are firmly embedded as part of the way Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus and what he means to our world. One of the most inspiring examples of this comes from December 1914 in a battle-ground of World War 1” as both German and English soldiers stopped fighting to exchange festive memories and play football with each other. It was through the power of carols that this happened. The British were told to watch the Germans closely as they were putting up candles and lights in their trenches, and it wasn’t until the Germans sang their first carol that the British let down their guard. In retalia-tion the British sang ‘The first Noel’, which was consequently followed by a string of carols to-ing and fro-ing be-tween the front lines. Then the British started to sing one of the oldest carols in existence – ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’. To their surprise the Germans joined in by singing the same tune to the Latin words ‘Adeste Fideles’. It was after this extraordinary moment that both armies ignored their horrendous surroundings and hatred for one another and wished each other a Merry Christmas.” (https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/a-history-of-christmas-carols/)
The First Noel
Refrain: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel
The first Noel the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter's night that was so deep. [Refrain]
They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east, beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night. [Refrain]
This star drew nigh to the northwest, O'er Bethlehem it took its rest; And there it did both stop and stay, Right over the place where Jesus lay. [Refrain]
Author: Anonymous (1833) Tune: THE FIRST NOWELL
MINISTRY OF MUSIC “Light of Hope” Children’s Ensemble / Orchestra
Lyrics and Music: Mark Patterson © 2011 Choristers Guild
CHRISTMAS PRAYER Josiah Hubbard
CHILDREN’S LESSON Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-21
Away in a Manger (Mueller)
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed; The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay; The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes. But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.
Words and Music: James Ramsey Murray, John Thomas McFarland, Martin Luther © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain
SERMON LESSON Luke 2:1-7 Doug Ashley
SERMON “The Son of Man: God With Us”
MINISTRY OF MUSIC “Were You There on That Christmas Night?”
Chancel Choir / Orchestra
Lyrics and Music: Natalie Sleeth © 1976 Hope Publishing
CANDLELIGHTING
*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. 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.
Words and Music: John Freeman Young and Joseph Mohr © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE Holiday Chimes Orchestra
*Please stand as able
Lyrics used by permission. CCLI License # 11081661
Candles on Christmas Eve. Lighting candles on Christmas Eve, also known as “Heilige Nact” (Holy Night) is an ancient Christian tradition. It helps remind each generation that Jesus contin-ues to be the light of the world. They also remind us that we, his people, are blessed not only to share in his light but to be sharers of his light in a world that continues to struggle in darkness.
Longview Evangelical Presbyterian Church Worship 9:30 • Sunday Classes 10:45
3800 Judson Road Longview, TX 75605
[email protected] longviewepc.org Phone: 903-234-0032
Guest Wi-Fi: EPCGuest Password: Guestttt Facebook: Longview EPC
STAFF
Rev. Doug Ashley — Pastor / [email protected] Rev. Shelley Kral — Associate Pastor / [email protected]
Jason Hubbard — Director of Youth Ministry / [email protected] David Luna — Music Director / [email protected]
Carrie Northcutt -- Interim Children’s Dir. / [email protected] Suzi White — Administrator / [email protected]
Marti Samples—Administrative Assistant / [email protected] Katya Schmidt—Children’s Ministry Intern / [email protected]
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RULING ELDERS Gena Bunn ‘19 Michael McMahon ‘19 Matt Yost ‘19 Kerri Daugbjerg ‘20 Eric Skoog ‘20 Buck Birdsong ‘21 Kathy Diamond ‘21 Lisca Van Zyl ‘21
Chancel Choir: Sopranos: Becky Birdsong, Shawn Frazier, Karen Harding, Susan Mosley Altos: Julie Lynn Ashley, Gena Bunn, Sheri Burlingame, Edith Certain, Diana McMahon, Barbara Rowley, Lisca Van Zyl Tenors: Gordon Northcutt, Nathanael Wendel Basses: Dick Carlberg, Charles Mosley, Eric Skoog Praise Team: Ellen Adams, Gena Bunn, Colin Gipner, Wayne Major, Cody Parks, Melissa Swallow, Leonard Wiley Bell Chimes: Becky Birdsong, Cindy Brelsford, Dick Carlberg, Diana McMahon, Tammy Moyes, Barbara Rowley, Susan Shea Orchestra: 1st Violin - Diana Canenquez 2nd Violin - Ryan Reid Viola - Shannon Roberts Cello—Sam Pistone Audio/Visual: Bertu Van Zyl, Olivia Ferguson, Anna Floyd, Jason Hubbard, Jason Hubbard II Children’s Ensemble: Josiah Hubbard Lauren Hunt Kaidin Minor
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE TONIGHT AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR:
Merry Christmas!