DECEMBER 24, 2024
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Order of Service
GATHERING
ORGAN VOLUNTARY ...............................................................................................................................
Toccata on “He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child”
Denis Bédard
*CHIMING OF THE HOUR
*GREETING
Leader: On this night, Christ is born!
People: Now the Savior has appeared!
Leader: On this night, the heavenly chorus resounds!
All: Glory to God in the highest! Alleluia!
*HYMN IN PROCESSION 234 ..............................................................................................................
ADESTE FIDELIS
O Come, All Ye Faithful
*LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
*RESPONSE (sung by all)
COLLECT
Light of life, you came in the flesh, born into human pain and joy, and gave us the power to be your children. Grant us faith, O Christ, to see your presence among us, so that all of creation may sing new songs of gladness and walk in the way of peace. Amen.
ANTHEM (4:00) ..........................................................................................................................................
Jeremy
Russell Angel Song
Gloria, gloria, glory to God in the highest! Gloria, gloria, glory to God on high! Angels sing a song of joy: "Glory to God in the highest!" Tidings of a baby boy, glory to God on high! Gloria, gloria, glory to God in the highest! Gloria, gloria, glory to God on high! Shepherds hear the joyful news, glory to God in the highest: "Christ the Lord is born for you! Glory to God on high!" Gloria, gloria, glory to God in the highest! Gloria, gloria, glory to God on high!
SOLO (6:00) ...................................................................................................... Appalachian Carol, arr. John Jacob Niles
I Wonder as I Wander
I wonder as I wander out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die for poor on'ry people like you and like I... I wonder as I wander out under the sky. When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow ' s stall, with wise men and farmers and shepherds and all. But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall, and the promise of ages it then did recall. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing, a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing, or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing, he surely could have it, ' cause he was the King PROCLAMATION
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON .......................................................................................................................... Isaiah 9:2-7
Leader: The Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
*HYMN
.........................................................................................................................................
Leader: The Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
ANTHEM ..........................................................................................................................................................
Dan Forrest
The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the pris’ner, To rebuild the nations; to bring peace among brothers, To make music from the heart.
*GOSPEL LESSON ............................................................................................................................................. Luke 2:1-20
Leader: The Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
HOMILY ..............................................................................................................................................
Rev. Thomas Smith
Salvation from the Margins RESPONSE
OFFERTORY SOLO .....................................................................................................................................
Donald Fraser
This Christmastide
Green and silver, red and gold, and a story born of old. Truth and love and hope abide, this Christmastide, this Christmastide. Holly, ivy, mistletoe, and the gently falling snow. From a simple ox ' s stall came the greatest gift of all. Children sing of hope and joy at the birth of one small boy. Let the bells ring loud and clear, ring out now for all to hear. Trumpets sound and voices raise in an endless stream of praise. Green and silver, red and gold and a story born of old: peace and love and hope abide this Christmastide, this Christmastide.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE OF PARDON
God our Father, you sent your Son full of grace and truth: forgive our failure to receive him.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus our Savior, you were born in poverty and laid in a manger: forgive our greed and rejection of your ways Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Spirit of Love, your servant Mary responded joyfully to your call: forgive the hardness of our hearts. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Hear the good news. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
Glory to God. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING 17 THE LORD’S PRAYER
And now, with the confidence of children of God, let us pray...
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP
Christ invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin, and who seek to live in peace with one another Please follow the ushers’ directions to one of the Communion stations Please open your hands to receive the bread, which you may lightly dip into the cup to receive both elements Those who need gluten-free elements should indicate this to the servers After you are served, you may pray at the chancel rail and return to your seat when you are ready Those who wish to be served in their seats should contact an usher. We encourage you to join the singing of the hymns as others receive Communion.
228 ................................................................................................................................................................
He Is Born
229 ....................................................................................................................................................
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
238 .................................................................................................................................................................
Angels We Have Heard on High POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SERVICE OF CANDLE-LIGHTING
The pastors will light their candles from the altar candles; the ushers and acolytes will light their candles from the pastors’ candles; the ushers will then light the candles of the worshipers in each pew nearest to the aisle. Caution! Dip only the unlit candle when lighting your candle from that of your neighbor. While lighting candles, the congregation will sing the following hymn:
*HYMN 239 ................................................................................................................................................ STILLE NACHT Silent Night
ATTENTION: Please extinguish your candles as the lights come on.
SENDING FORTH
*BENEDICTION
*HYMN 246 ......................................................................................................................................................... ANTIOCH
Joy to the World
*CLOSING VOLUNTARY ............................................................................................................................
Aaron Shows God Rest You Merry
Assisting in Worship
Clergy ............................................ Rev. Thomas Wesley Smith, Rev. Dr. Ann DeRosset Kovan, Rev. Meg Bryce Jiunnies
Director of Music/Organist ...................................................................................................................... Dr. Donald J. Grice
Organist/Choir Accompanist ............................................................................................................... Beverly S. Hazelwood
Soloist ................................................................................................................................................................. Hanna Ward
Director of Preschool Choir (4:00) ............................................................................................................. Kristen Hardaway
Director of Elementary/Junior Choirs (4:00) Dr Jaime Martinez
Children’s Choir Accompanist (4:00) ............................................................................................................ Dr. Lynn Clary
Acolytes ........................................................................................................ Luke Arthur (4:00), Thomas Grantham (6:00)
Banner Bearers Hugh Granger (4:00), Wayne Grantham (6:00)
Crucifers ..................................................................................................... Brett Granger (4:00), Andrew Grantham (6:00)
Candlelighters (4:00) .........................…………………………………........... Ed, Martina, Andrew, Henry & Jacob Love
Candlelighters (6:00) ................................................... Cameron, Emily, Jac & Carmon Coker, William & Henry Blayton
Communion Servers (4:00) ............................................................................................................... Beth and Stewart Jones
Communion Servers (6:00) ...................................................................................... Jay Jiunnies, Andy Kovan, Ellen Smith
Preschool Choir (4:00)
Elementary/Junior Choirs (4:00) Chancel Choir
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Copies of the carol The Work of Christmas were given by The Reverend Tom Pietila in honor of Lindy Pietila.