A Whole Congregation Christmas Pageant

Christmas Eve — 5:00 PM Edwards Church, United Church of Christ

Preparation of the Christmas pageant has been an opportunity for the entire church school to re-tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Tonight's pageant includes all church school children and youth who wish to participate. We invite any children and adults who are present this evening to participate as well. That includes neighbors, cousins and friends. We have enough costumes for all, and no prior rehearsing is expected or needed. Come join with us. An invitation will be extended again during the introduction of the pageant. Musical Prelude Rick Seaholm

Welcome and Announcements Shane Montoya

Hymn of Praise: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (verse 1 and refrain)

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel; That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Lighting of the Advent Candles The Cichowlas-Muhs Family

Leader: I will light candles this Christmas. People: Candles of joy, despite all sadness. Leader: Candles of hope where despair keeps watch. People: Candles of courage for fears ever present, Leader: Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days, People: Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens, Leader: Candles of love to inspire all my living, People: Candles that will burn all the yearlong.

Introduction to the Pageant

Costuming of the Congregation

The Story of Jesus’s Birth

Hymn: “O Come All Ye Faithful” (verses 1 & 3)

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n; Come and behold him, born the king of angels; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord! O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!

Scripture readings: Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25

Hymn: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (verse 1)

O little town of Bethlehem, Yet in the dark streets shineth How still we see thee lie! The everlasting Light; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The hopes and fears of all the years The silent stars go by; Are met in thee tonight.

Scripture reading: Luke 2:1-7 Hymn: “Silent Night” (2 verses)

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, Sleep in heavenly peace.

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.

Jesus is Born

Hymn: “Away in a Manger” (verses 1 & 2)

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus, Look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

The Shepherds Hear the News

Hymn: “The First Noel” (two verses)

The first Noel, the angel did say, They looked Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; up and saw a In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, star On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Shining in the east, beyond them far, Noel, Noel, Noel, And to the earth it gave great light, Born is the King of Israel. And so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

Following the hymn, we invite all the child angels to come forward, along with any adult angels (or parents) who would like to come.

The Shepherds Visit

Hymn: “Angels from the Realms of Glory” (verses one and two)

During the singing of the hymn, we invite all child shepherds and sheep to come forward to the manger, along with any adults who would like to come. Angels from the realms of glory, Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Watching o’er your flocks by night, Ye who sang creation’s story, God among us now residing, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Yonder shines the infant light: Come and worship, come and worship, Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King. Worship Christ, the new-born King. The Magi Bring Their Gifts

Hymn: “We Three Kings”

During the singing of the hymn, we invite all child magi to come forward to the manger, along with any adults who would like to come.

We three kings of Orient are, Guide us to thy perfect light.Glorious now Bearing gifts we traverse afar behold him arise, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, King and God and Sacrifice; Following yonder star. Alleluia, alleluia! Sounds through the earth and skies O star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright, O star of wonder, star of night Westward leading, still proceeding, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Share the Good News — Jesus Christ is Born!

Hymn: “Joy to the World”

Joy to the world! the Lord is come; He rules the world with truth and grace, Let earth receive her king; And makes the nations prove Let every heart prepare him room, The glories of his righteousness, And heav’n and nature sing, And wonders of his love, And heav’n and nature sing, And wonders of his love, And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing. And wonders, wonders of his love.

Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

Benediction Shane Montoya

Postlude Rick Seaholm

Please join us in Susan P. Dickerman Hall for cookies and punch. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to each of you! Debbie Clark, Pastor, Shane Montoya, Associate Pastor of Faith Formation & Outreach

Board of Christian Education: Terry Carl, Stephany Duplessis, Laura Litman, Amy Plackowski, Victoria Sorensen, Matt Walker, Church School Teachers: Rob DeLossa, Heather Gray, Jill Murphy, Myrna Phelps