Christmas Eve 2020

Instrumental

Christmas Carol: “The First Noel” : The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. They looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. And by the light of that same star three Wise Men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. This star drew nigh to the northwest, o’er Bethlehem it took its rest; and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. Then entered in those Wise Men three, full reverently upon the knee, and offered there, in his presence, their gold and and . Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.

Advent Reading: “Adoration” John 1:14

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. This is the word of God, for the people of God.

Lighting of the Christ Candle: Advent Response: “Light the Advent Candle” : Light the Christmas candles, now: Sing of donkey, sheep, and cow; birthday candles for the King, let the alleluias ring. Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night; candle, candle, burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

Greeting & Announcements Prayers for the People

The Apostles Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;* the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Christmas Carol: “Angels We Have Heard on High”: Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o’er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Glo - - - - - ri – a, in excelsis Deo! Glo - - - - - ri – a, in excelsis Deo! Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song? Glo - - - - - ri – a, in excelsis Deo! Glo - - - - - ri – a, in excelsis Deo! Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Glo - - - - - ri – a, in excelsis Deo! Glo - - - - - ri – a, in excelsis Deo! See him in a manger laid, whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise. Glo - - - - - ri – a, in excelsis Deo! Glo - - - - - ri – a, in excelsis Deo!

Scripture reading: :1-20: The Birth of Jesus

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven— praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Sermon: “The Gift of the Christ Child”

Holy Communion Christmas Carol: “Silent Night”: 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, 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!

Benediction

If you wish to contribute to our Christmas Eve offering, please place your offering in the basket of one of our Ministry team members as you exit the parking lot.

Our Ministry Team This Evening:

Rev. John Hornberger: Preacher

Alfonso Arevalo: Musician

David Swarthout: Sound & Media Tech

Mika Blackburn: Social Media Tech

Our ministry leaders are incredibly grateful to our Worship & Trustee Committees, led by Lisa Lavender & Ken Knapp, for all of their hard work and dedication to make our Christmas Eve Worship Service so wonderful!

We are complying with the Stay at Home Advisory issued by Governor Carney through January 11th. Our Services on Sunday December 27th, January 3 and January 10th will be virtual services only. On those Sundays, you'll find us on Bethesda's Facebook and YouTube pages at 9:30am. Our staff will be working remotely while also being at church when necessary as ministry needs dictate (we are still celebrating weddings and funerals on a regular basis, so we are mindful about the need to both be available to minister to our community but also be as safe as possible while doing so). During this time, we will be conserving heat and electricity in the building to hopefully cut some costs while we can. To stay as up to date as possible, please be sure you are on our email list!

Thank you to all of our special Santa’s from our congregation who provided gifts for everyone on our Christmas wishlist. Thanks to you, our Helping Hands team provided:

23 gifts for foster children were delivered to Elizabeth Murphey School

28 gifts for two local families were delivered to Neighborhood House

50 grocery gift cards and snack filled gift bags were delivered to Neighborhood House.

Additionally, we were a liaison for three other churches to provide 33 grocery gift cards. The grocery gift cards will enable 83 families to shop for Christmas dinner. A huge thank you to Nancy and Pete Cheney for leading and organizing the project!