DECEMBER 24, 2024
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Order of Service
WELCOME & OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN (Sung by all) ..................................................................................................... Joy to the World
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Sing to the Lord a new song.
People: Dance before the Lord, all the earth.
Leader: Declare God’s glory among the nations
People: Proclaim God’s salvation to the people.
Leader: For great is the Lord, People: and greatly to be praised.
Leader: Come! Let us worship
*LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
*MEDITATION
FIRST READING ................................................................................................................
Luke 2:1-7
*HYMN (Sung by all) ...................................................... O Little Town of Bethlehem/Away in a Manger
SECOND READING .......................................................................................................... Luke 2:8-12
*HYMN (Sung by all) ..................................... Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Go Tell It on the Mountain
THIRD READING ........................................................................................................... Luke 2:13-17
ANTHEM (Preschool, Elementary, and Junior Choirs) ................................................... 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!
FOURTH READING ....................................................................................................... Luke 2:18-20
ANTHEM (The Well Band) ................................................................................... Mary Did You Know HOMILY ............................................................................................................... Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan
Meaning in the Madness
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Leader: God our Father, you sent your Son full of grace and truth: forgive our failure to receive him Lord, have mercy
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: Jesus our Savior, you were born in poverty and laid in a manger: forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. Christ, have mercy.
People: Christ, have mercy.
Leader: Spirit of Love, your servant Mary responded joyfully to your call: forgive the hardness of our hearts. Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: 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.
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
All: Glory to God. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth
The pastor gives thanks appropriate to the occasion, remembering God’s acts of salvation, and concludes:
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Leader: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ, whom you sent in the fullness of time to be a light to the nations
The pastor continues the thanksgiving The institution of the Lord’s Supper is recalled. The pastor concludes:
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
People: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Leader: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forever. Amen.
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.
*RECEIVING OF THE BREAD AND CUP
You will come forward to one of the stations with your hands cupped to receive a piece of bread in the same way we receive God’s gift of salvation. When presented with the cup, dip your piece of bread into the juice and receive both elements. You may return to your seat prayerfully. If you wish to receive the elements at your seat, please let an usher know. Please let the server know if you desire gluten-free or pre-sealed.
ANTHEM DURING COMMUNION ............................................................................ O Holy Night
*BLESSING
*HYMN & CANDLE LIGHTING (Sung by all) ................................................................. Silent Night
The pastor will light her candle from the altar candles; the communion servers will then light the candles of the worshiper in each row nearest to the altar. Caution! Dip only the unlit candle when lighting your candle from that of your neighbor.
*SENDING FORTH
Leader: Walk in darkness no longer.
People: We will walk in the light of Christ.
Leader: Sing of Christ’s birth with the choirs of angels.
People: We will sing with the heavenly host.
Leader: Go and proclaim the good news
People: Jesus Christ is born.
Please extinguish your candle and place it in one of the collection receptacles as you exit
Assisting with Worship
Clergy Rev. Dr Ann Kovan
Worship Director of The Well ............................................................................................. Lance Hatchell
Director of Children’s Choirs ...................................................................................... Dr. Jaime Martinez
Director of Preschool Choir ........................................................................................... Kristen Hardaway
Piano Accompanist ............................................................................................................ Dr. Lynn Clary
The Well Band Campbell Bridgeman, Danny Brown, Warren Coker, Nathan Gause, Kristen Hardaway, Mattie Priester
Christmas Story Readers ...... Willa Burdette, Rick Clowney, Emily & Billy Griffin, Weston & Ian Powers
Communion Servers ................................................................. Maggie Gause, Ian Powers, Susan Powers
Advent Candle Lighters .............................................................................................. The Burdette Family
Junior & Elementary Choirs
Preschool Choir
Special thanks to The Well Design Team for their planning, organizing, and setting up for this service!