O God our Father, you have brought us again to the glad season when we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant that his Spirit may be born anew in our hearts this day and that we may joyfully welcome him to reign over us.
Open our ears that we may hear again the angelic chorus of old. Open our lips that we, too, may sing with uplifted hearts. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward all; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(The Book of Worship 1944, alt.)
PARTICIPATING IN WORSHIP
PREACHING
The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III
LITURGISTS
The Reverend R. Craig Ford
The Reverend Kate May The Reverend Meg Peters The Reverend Susannah Pittman Tamara M. Pollock
MUSIC
Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries The Chancel Choir
CRUCIFER
Libby Holden
MUSIC
Joanna Holden Lilly Zaks
Merry Christmas to all and peace on Earth.
The anthem texts are printed with permission. Perform Music - 8508
By entering the Sanctuary, you grant to Centenary United Methodist Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church.
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PRELUDE RINGING OF CHRISTMAS BELL INVOCATION JOHN 1:1-5 INTROIT
CALL TO WORSHIP
Christmas Eve • 11:00 pm • December 24, 2022
WE GATHER AS GOD'S PEOPLE
You are invited to be in a spirit of prayer and meditation. Please silence all mobile communication devices.
†HYMN
The ringing of the Christmas bell signifies the beginning of our worship. May we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (RSV)
O Holy Night — Adolphe Adam
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; On those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, And the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, Establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from That time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
#234 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; 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; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven 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 given. Word of the father, now in flesh appearing: (Refrain)
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.
HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirin'ius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (RSV)
#240 Hark! the Herald Angels
Sing — MENDELSSOHN
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
SERMON
Christ by highest heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th'incarnate Deity, pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
"The
Perfect Gift"
INVITATION TO OFFERING
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION INVITATION TO COMMUNION
AND PARDON
Our offering this evening will support Centenary’s Loaves and Fishes Ministry which helps fight hunger and poverty in our community.
See, Amid the Winter's Snow — Dan Forrest Alleluia. Alleluia. See, amid the winter's snow, born for us on earth below, see the tender Lamb appears, promised from eternal years. Hail, thou ever blessed morn, Hail redemption's happy dawn, sing through all Jerusalem: "Christ is born in Bethlehem." Lo, within a manger lies He who built the lofty skies. He, who, throned in light sublime, sits amid the cherubim. Sacred infant, all divine, tender love was Thine. Thus to come from highest bliss, down to such a world as this.
#221 In the Bleak Midwinter — CRANHAM
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.
Light of love, fill the world with the hope of your salvation. As we offer you our deepest gratitude for the birth of your Son, we bring you the gift of our very lives. Join our hearts to the joy of the angels and shepherds, as we send our offering out into the world, that others may share the joy of this holy night.
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT WE CELEBRATE HOLY COMMUNION
Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess before God and one another.
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God's love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The pastor gives thanks appropriate for the occasion, remembering God's acts of salvation, and concludes:
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The pastor continues the thanksgiving. The institution of the Lord's Supper is recalled. The pastor concludes:
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
The pastor invokes the present work of the Holy Spirit and then praises the Trinity, concluding:
All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. 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.
RECEIVING OF ELEMENTS RESPONSE
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly — arr. Mack Wilberg
Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging, angels singing, nowells ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the Babe was born for you.
CLOSING PRAYER
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SHARING THE LIGHT
WE CARRY THE LIGHT INTO THE WORLD
#239 Silent Night — STILLE NACHT (On the final stanza, we will raise our candles in celebration of the birth of Christ.)
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! #246 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.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.
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.
In dulci jubilo, BWV 729 — J. S. Bach
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST AND HIS BIRTH BRING YOU EVERLASTING JOY AND COMFORT.
PO Box 658 • Winston-Salem. NC 27102 www.centenary-ws.org
