Centenary United Methodist Church
Children’s Christmas Eve Worship DECEMBER 24, 2020
Although we gather today virtually from places far and wide we are grateful for the technology that allows us to connect with one another. If you did not request and pick up a Christmas Eve box you can access and print some of the resources HERE.
WELCOME & GREETING LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH OPENING HYMN
O Come, All Ye Faithful — ADESTE FIDELES 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; 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; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
A Scavenger Hunt The Holy Family HYMN
Away in a Manger — AWAY IN A MANGER 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 Innkeeper HYMN
O Little Town of Bethlehem — ST. LOUIS O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark street shineth the everlasting light; the hope and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
The Shepherds HYMN
The First Noel — THE FIRST NOEL The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as 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.
HYMN
The Wisemen
We Three Kings — THE FIRST NOEL We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light. Myrhh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb. O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
The Whole Story: Your Place at the Man ger SCRIPTURE 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. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” 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 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.
INVITATION TO OFFERING OFFERTORY
Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow — arr. Mark Hayes There’s a star in the East on Christmas morn. It will lead to the place where the Savior’s born. Leave your ewes and leave your rams. Leave your sheep and leave your lambs. Follow, follow, rise up, shepherd, and follow. Follow the star to Bethlehem. Rise up, shepherd, and follow. If you take good heed to the angel’s word, you’ll forget your flock and forget your herd.
Sharing the Light: We Can Follow the Star HYMN
Silent Night — STILLE NACHT 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, 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!
CHRISTMAS PRAYER HYMN
Joy to the World — ANTIOCH 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. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let all 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
Merry Christmas to all and may the Peace of Christ and His birth bring you everlasting joy and comfort.
Participating in Worship Liturgists The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III The Reverend Kate May Scripture Readers Children’s Ministry Class Parents and Small Group Leaders
Musicians Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Kristin Schweke, soprano Jeff Maggs, tenor
Centenary United Methodist Church • 646 W. Fifth St. • Winston-Salem, NC • 336-724-6311 • www.centenary-ws.org