December 24, 2019 | 5:00pm

Christmas Eve Worship

Joy to the World

2720 S University Drive • Fort Worth, TX 76109 • 817-926-6631 • UniversityChristian.org

A Disciples of Christ Congregation

December 24, 2019 Christmas Eve

CHRISTMAS PROMISE

Narrator | John 1: 1-5, 9-14

Hymn 145 | Silent Night, Holy Night Hymn Tune: STILLE NACHT

Children’s Moment | Let Heaven and Nature Sing Rev. Dr. Russ Peterman

*Hymn 143 | Joy to the WorldHymn Tune: ANTIOCH

*Benediction

*Ringing of the Tower Bells

*Postlude | Joy to the World • arr. Michael Bedford

University Christian Church is a welcoming faith community, and we are so happy you chose to worship with us tonight. We wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and pray with hope that the New Year will bring more peace, love, and joy to our world.

Join us for our next Worship Series starting January 5

Who are you?

The New Year not only brings peace and joy from Christ’s birth, it also brings UCC’s 44th Annual Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival. Come celebrate the triumph of good over evil and the true meaning of Christmas the first weekend of January. The BHYLF is a wonderful way to celebrate Epiphany and ring in the New Year. Beautiful music, costumes and pageantry make the festival a unique experience you don’t want to miss!

January 4 and January 5

4:00pm | 6:00pm

44th Annual Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival

The beginning of a new calendar year is a time when we often reassess direction and ask questions yet again about who we are and where we are going in life. In this season of Epiphany, we’ll seek a renewed spirit and imagine what amazing transformation can happen when we live our best, most authentic lives.

Welcome to University Christian Church, we’re glad you’re here!

The information in these margins will help guide you through worship. If you have any questions, please ask a minister or anyone with a name tag.

Red text is read by the congregation.

Asterisks (*) indicate times when you are invited to stand. Feel free to remain seated if need be.

The Advent Wreath uses candles to symbolize the four weeks of Advent, the time of preparation for Christmas. Tonight as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we light the Christ candle in the center of the wreath.

The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. It asks God to help us be generous, thankful, and humble. We say this prayer together at the end of the Pastoral Prayer.

Faithful giving supports the ministries of our church and helps us develop generosity as a spiritual practice.

“A Carol Nativity” by Alfred V. Fedak, is a re-telling of the beloved Christmas Story as found in the gospel of Luke. Experience the joy of Christmas through scripture, carol singing, drama and organ music. Children of all ages enjoy seeing the story of Jesus’ birth come to life in this meaningful presentation.

Prelude

Variations on a French Bell Carol • Jerry Westenkuehler

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing • arr. Neil Harmon Janet Pummill and Dr. Amy Stewart, organ

Ringing of the Tower Bells

Welcome and Call to Worship Rev. Jessica Vacketta

Introit | Silent Night • arr. Michael Helman Whitechapel Handbell Choir and Mimi Rogers, director

*Processional Hymn 148 | O Come, All Ye Faithful Hymn Tune: ADESTE FIDELES

*Christmas Litany One: Your faithful have gathered, joyful and triumphant. All: We sing and rejoice with choirs of angels! One: We embrace God’s light of hope, peace, joy, and love. All: Let us adore the babe of Bethlehem!

Children’s Choir Anthem

Sing Noel • Natalie SleethChildren’s Choir and Mary Farmer, director

Lighting of the Advent Wreath and Christ Candle The Witherspoon Family

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s PrayerRev. Kera Watts

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

*Congregational Hymn 164 | Good Christian Friends, RejoiceHymn Tune: THE FIRST NOEL

Invitation to Offering and Receiving of Gifts

Away in a Manager • arr. Bob BurroughsUCC Bronze Handbell Choir and Eric Mullins, director

A CAROL NATIVITYRev. Renee Hoke, Narrator

ENTRANCE OF THE HOLY FAMILYLauren and Ben Witherspoon and Samantha Gayle Witherspoon

Narrator | Luke 2: 1-7

Organ Solo | O Little Town of Bethlehem • arr. Alfred Fedak

Hymn 147, stanzas 1 & 2 | Away in a MangerHymn Tune: AWAY IN A MANGER

ENTRANCE OF THE ANGELS

Narrator | Luke 2: 8-14

Organ Solo | Angels We Have Heard on High • arr. Alfred Fedak

Hymn 150, stanzas 1 & 3 | Hark! The Herald Angels SingHymn Tune: MENDELSSOHN

ENTRANCE OF THE SHEPHERDS

Narrator | Luke 2: 15-19

Organ Solo | Shepherd’s Pipes • arr. Alfred Fedak

Hymn 162, stanzas 1 & 2 | What Child Is ThisHymn Tune: GREENSLEEVES

Organ Solo | Recessional • arr. Alfred Fedak

December 24, 2019 Christmas Eve