Christmas Eve 4 pm Princeton UMC

Christmas Eve December 24, 2021 4:00 pm

“Ordinary Glory” by Lauren Wright Pittman © A Sanctified Art

Pre-Service Music

“Christ Was Born on Christmas Day”

arr. Kelley

Words of Welcome Call to Worship Tonight is the meeting place of heaven and earth.

Light looked down and saw darkness.

“I WILL GO THERE” said Light.

Peace looked down and saw war.

“I WILL GO THERE” said Peace.

Love looked down and saw hatred.

“I WILL GO THERE” said Love.

So he, the Lord of Light, the Prince of Peace, the King of Love, came down and crept in beside us.

Alleluia! Amen! {by John Bell} Hymn “O Come All Ye Faithful” O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold him, born the King of angels;

UMH #234

Refrain: O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest; {Refrain} Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; {Refrain} Lighting of the Christ Candle Response Emmanuel, Emmanuel. His name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us. His name is called Emmanuel.

{adapted by Joanna on Spacious Faith}

Scripture Reading “Luke 2:1-20” In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 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.

It was a night like any other. The shepherds sat in the darkness, watching over their sheep. The quiet darkness reminded them that the rest of the world was sleeping.

People (in a whisper): Jesus is born.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

People (loudly): Jesus is born!

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Group 1: His name is Jesus!

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Group 2: Jesus is born - God and human in one!

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying. . .

People: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all on whom his favor rests."

(All Sing) "Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!" When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told to them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

This is the Word of Life.

Thanks be to God. Music Ministry Christmas Message

“Away in a Manger” “Who Built the Stable?”

Ashley Bryan, Author & Illustrator

Murray Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

Sign-in and Connect! Card Let us know you are here, and connect with ways to Feed and Be Fed through PUMC: • Use the Connect! card, text “4pm” to 609-542-2192, or scan the top QR code.

Invitation to Offering We provide lots of options to give electronically: • Give on our church website, scan the lower QR code, text 844-908-2593, or give via PayPal. Offertory

“What Child Is This”

Christmas Doxology What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

arr. Shelton

Prayer of thanksgiving Christmas Prayer The Lord’s Prayer 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, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Candle Lighting “Silent Night” UMH #239 As the sanctuary lights slowly dim, we will sit in darkness to remind us how dark this world would be without the light of Christ. The Acolytes will begin the candle-lighting, taking a light from the Christ Candle. As we pass the light to each other, let us remember this light symbolizes the presence of Jesus given, not only to our world, but also in our hearts.

Please remember to hold the lit candle upright at all times and tilt unlit candles.

The first verse of “Silent Night” will be sung by Anna Griffiths.

The congregation is invited to sing thereafter.

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight; glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

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.

Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light; with the angels let us sing.

Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

Affirmation of Light The light we hold in our hands this night, the light that illumines our faces, the light that warms our hearts: this light is a message to all that the Light of the World is here! He is right here among us, in the midst of our darkness, in the middle of our mess, right here with us, one of us.

Jesus is the true light who lights up everyone’s life. He has come into this world!

What came into being in Jesus was life and this life is the light of all people.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will never put it out. Thanks be to God! Hymn “Joy to the World” Joy to the world! the Lord is come: Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

UMH #246

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.

Benediction Postlude

“Fum, Fum, Fum”

Catalan Carol arr. Kelley

Chancel Wreath Doug Fullman.………………………...To the Glory of God, and in memory of Margaret “Peggy” Grow Fullman

Outdoor Wreaths Pam & Gene Nugent…………....…………….……………...In Memory of Beloved Parents, Sarah and Milt Dickson Pam & Gene Nugent…………………..……………………...In Memory of Beloved Parents, Helen and Don Nugent Pam & Gene Nugent………………………..………………………...In Memory of Beloved Great Aunt, Helen Kichline Pam & Gene Nugent…………………………...In Memory of Beloved Grandparents, Beatrice and John Fawcett

Indoor Wreaths Iona Harding…….……...………………………………….……………...In Loving Memory of My Mother, Edith Woodruff Emelia Timpo…………...……………………...……….…………………………...………………In Remembrance of Loved Ones

Poinsettias Ed Sproles…..……………..…….…….…………………………………………………………….In Memory of Family and Friends Mikaela Langdon…………..……….…..To the People of Princeton United Methodist Church at Christmastime Jenny Smith Walz……………..…………………………………………………………...….…..In Honor of the People of PUMC Jenny Smith Walz………………………...………………………………………………..………….…..In Honor of the PUMC Staff Jenny Smith Walz……………………..………………………………………………..…………….…..In Honor of Bobby and Elliot Lori Pantaleo….…………...………...…………………………………………….…In Honor of My Mother, Lorraine Pantaleo Lori Pantaleo……………...…….…....…………………………………………………In Memory of My Father, Louis Pantaleo John Warren Powell……….……………………..….In Loving Memory of Josephine and John Powell by Their Son Yvonne Macdonald…………………………………….….In Loving Memory of Joan, Geoffrey Baker, and Leslie Mills Yvonne Macdonald…………………………..……………………….….In Loving Memory of John and Isobel Macdonald Susan Davelman………………….……………………………….….In Loving Memory of Nicholas and AnnaMae Liguori Susan Davelman………………….…………………..…………….….In Loving Memory of Margaret and Sam Davelman Beth Perinne & Anne Fikaris…………………………………………..……….….In Loving Memory of Beverly Burdwood Beth Perinne……………….……………………………………………………………..….….In Loving Memory of Bill Farrington Evangeline Burgers…….…………………………………………………………………..….….In Honor of Henry’s 4th Birthday Poinsettias may be taken after the last (7:00 pm) service on Christmas Eve. All others will be left in the church until Epiphany.

Then they shall be donated to congregants who are infirmed.

Sharing in Our Worship Today Worship Leader: Liturgist: Readers: Prayer Movement: Acolytes: Advent Wreath:

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz Anna Griffiths Hazel and Liam Cheng Victoria Offer, Kate & Edie Potts Julia & Kate Potts Mae Potts, Raphael Aryeetey, Lena Hamilton

Musicians:

Sound & Video: Ushers:

Paul Manulik, Julia Potts, Anna Griffiths, William Ponder, Julia Hanna, Leanne Griffiths, Ryan Babler Stephen Offer, Bill Gardner, Jae Hong Ida Cahill, Lula Crawford