December 24, 2021

Starling Avenue Baptist Church Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion December 24, 2021 ╬ 5:30 p.m.

Interim Pastor: Dr. Joe Bryant Pianist/Organist: Fern Kanode Hymn Leader & Soloist: Jeff Stegall Duet: Jeff Stegall & Shirley Stegall Greeters: Becky Nance & Patsy Roach Please pick up a candle as you enter. Candles will be turned on only during Silent Night at the end of service

The Worship of God Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion December 24, 2021 ╬ 5:30 p.m.

The color of Advent is blue. The deep, dark blue is the color of the predawn sky, the color that covers us in the dark, cold hours before the sunrise. Thus, the blue of Advent gives us a hint of expectation and anticipation of the dawn of Christ. We have been keeping watch for the promised Light, and this night the Light has come! The color of Christmas Eve is white.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and Ransom Captive Israel Prelude

O, Come All Ye Faithful

Welcome

Fern Kanode Dr. Joe Bryant

Lighting of the Advent Candle: Christ Candle Tommy & Donna Wells Will you come to our world, God? Will you come with hope?

For we have too many good intentions, not enough hopes realized; too many questions, too little assurance; too many longings, too few prayers.

O come, O come, Emmanuel. When you come, bring hope.

Will you come to our world, God? Will you come with peace?

For we have too much brokenness, not enough wholeness; too much frantic activity, not enough calm; too many worries, not enough dreams.

O come, O come, Emmanuel. When you come, bring peace.

Will you come to our world, God? Will you come with joy?

For we have too much seriousness, not enough laughter;

too many expectations, not enough celebration; too many words, too little singing.

O come, O come, Emmanuel. When you come, bring joy.

Will you come to our world, God? Will you come with love?

For we have too much loneliness, not enough friendship; too many rules, not enough gospel; too much getting, not enough caring.

O come, O come, Emmanuel. When you come, bring love.

Come, Bringer of Hope.

Come, Prince of Peace.

Come, Giver of Joy. Come, Lover of All People. Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Advent Hymn #83

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Solo

Mary Did You Know

Fern Kanode Jeff Stegall

That Mourns in Lonely Exile Here Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7 KJV

Dr. Joe Bryant

For the Word of God in Scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us.

Thanks be to God. Carol #139

Infant, Holy, Infant Lowly

Gospel Lesson: John 1:1-5 KJV

Fern Kanode Dr. Joe Bryant

For the Word of God in Scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us.

Thanks be to God.

Until the Son of God Appear Carol #124

The First Noel

Fern Kanode

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

Dr. Joe Bryant

The Great Thanksgiving The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up in joy and peace.

Let us give thanks to God. It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Lord, we greet you this happy night, for you have been at work in our world throughout all time….

And so with the faithful of all the ages, we sing the praise and glory of your name:

And so, O God, come among us tonight….

Let us pray as your son, who we welcome again this night, taught us to pray, saying: 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.

Sharing the Bread and Cup Duet

Dr. Joe Bryant Christmas Amazing Grace

Jeff & Shirley Stegall

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall Come to Thee, O Israel!

Gospel Lesson: John 8:12 KJV Candle Lighting Carol

Dr. Joe Bryant

(Twist the bulb to the left to light)

Silent Night!

Jeff Stegall, Guitarist

On the last stanza, we invite you to hold your candle aloft, celebrating that the light of the world has come, a light that overcomes all darkness and brings us hope and life!

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.

Silent Night! Holy Night!

Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glory streams from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia, 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.

-Raise candlesSilent Night! Holy Night!

Wondrous Star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born.

Benediction Postlude

Dr. Joe Bryant Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Please twist bulb to the right to turn candle off.

Be sure candle is off and return it to the basket as you leave.

Fern Kanode