Open and Affirming of ALL God’s Children
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2022
This service will be in the Sanctuary and on Facebook Live at 7:00 p.m.
Silent Prayer
Living God, on this holy night we gather—to stand with shepherds, amazed at your glory;
to sing with angels, rejoicing in your work; to wait with Joseph, trusting in your promise;
to sit with Mary, cradling your love. May the good news of this night inspire us to tell the world of our great joy: for to us is born a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
Glory and praise to you forever! Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude What Star Is This Praetorius/ Ritter
Welcome
*Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem R. #151
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 streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth! And praises sing to God the King and peace to us on earth.
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.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray, cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
*Call to Worship & Christ Candle Lighting
Reader One: Because injustice and despair threaten to overwhelm us, we pray for hope… (Light the first candle in your Advent wreath.)
All: Because so many swords have not yet been remade into ploughshares, we pray for peace… (Light the second candle in your Advent wreath.)
Reader Two: Because grief and loss weigh so heavily, we pray for joy... (Light the third candle in your Advent wreath.)
Reader One: Because hatred is still so strong, and because people all over the world are suffering, we pray for love. (Light the fourth candle in your Advent wreath.)
All: God has come to us as a child, to dwell with us, and to walk with us. (Light the Christ Candle in your Advent wreath.)
Reader Two: May the light from these candles overwhelm the world.
All: May the light and the fire from these candles burn away whatever would prevent the God of hope and peace and joy and love from being born among us.
Reader One: Friends, be not afraid, even now — even now — the light of Christ is illuminating the world, on earth as it is in heaven!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) “How the Light Comes” – Jan Richardson
*Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful R. #132
Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
Oh, come ye, oh 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,
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!
Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
we would embrace thee with love and awe;
who would not love thee, loving us so dearly?
O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Eternal, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
Loving God, by the gift of your Spirit, teach us, like Mary, to treasure your words
and ponder them in our hearts; through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh. Amen
Children’s Message
Hymn Joy to the World! the Lord is Come R. #134
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 earth her songs employ; let fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
Christ 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.
New Testament Readings Luke 2:1-14 and John 1:1-5
Special Music The Sleep of the Infant Jesus French Carol/ Martin
Message Rev. TJ MackHymn Hark! the Herald Angels Sing R. #137
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 the angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold him come, offspring of the virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased on earth with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun 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 all souls on earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns
Lead me Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way plain before my face.
For it is thou Lord, thou Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.
Invitation to Offering – For the sake of those in need, for the care of the church in proclaiming Christ’s birth, and for all that God calls us to do, let us gather our tithes and offerings.
Offertory He Is Born French Carol/ Christopher
*The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen
*Prayer of Dedication (spoken in unison)
We give you thanks, Holy One, for the world of wonder you have made—forest and field,
sea and sky, and for the gift of grace that you have given—a little child, lying in a manger.
Receive these gifts of tenderness and love, of gratitude and praise, and use them for your glory; in the name of Jesus Christ, the child of Bethlehem, we pray. Amen
*Hymn Silent Night, Holy Night R. #142
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.
Go with us, Lord, throughout this Christmastide: be our protector, brother, friend, and guide.
Give us your peace and keep us in your care: help us your love and grace with all to share.
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
Many thanks to those who helped make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Everett Espling, Vicky Espling, & Robin Long
Liturgist – Doug Kimmel
Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
(Mike Summerer is happy to teach others this simple task. Please inquire…)
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Support our Church Financially
Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our webpage www.hancockucc.org
or visit this link to our PayPal account: paypal.me/hancockucc
or mail offerings to:
Union Congregational Church, PO Box 443, Hancock, ME 04640 (Attention: Treasurer)
Contact Us
hancockmaineucc@gamil.com treasurer@hancockucc.com revtjmack@hancockucc.com
207.422.3100 207.323.6743
Resources
enfleshed: liturgies that matter and Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
and Gifts in Open Hands: More Worship Resources for the Global Community
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.”
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Words and Music - ©2019 Stephen DeCesare / Exultet Music
Contributors: Phillip Brooks, Stephen DeCesare
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Words and Music - ©1711 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: John Wade, Frederick Oakeley, Unknown Traditional
Joy To The World
Words and Music - ©1674 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: Isaac Watts, George Handel
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Words and Music - ©2020 Stephen DeCesare / Exultet Music
Contributors: Charles Wesley, Felix Mendelssohn, Stephen DeCesare
Silent Night
Words and Music - ©2018 Hal Leonard Corporation (select catalogs)
Contributors: Joseph Mohr, John F. Young, Franz X. Gruber
To view the service on Facebook after it has been uploaded
(type this into your web browserà) Hancock UCC Maine @ Facebook or click below
You may also click on this link to find the service on our YouTube page.
2022 Christmas Poinsettias Presented by:
Jack Candy in loving memory of Charlie Lewis
Jack Candy in loving memory of Newell Lowe
Jack Candy in loving memory of Fran Trefts
Jack Candy in loving memory of Gertrude Wildes
Ruth Dietze in loving memory of my mother
Ruth Dietze in loving memory of Fran Trefts
Everett & Vicky Espling in loving memory of Loved Ones
Bob & Jean Foss in loving memory of Maynard & Bee Foss
Gertrude Haskins in loving memory of Betty, Edith, and all Loved Ones
TJ Mack and Pat Shannon in loving memory of Brian Edward Mack
Barbara Reeve in loving memory of Bill Reeve
Jenifer Remick in loving memory of Emmy Lou
Jenifer Remick in loving memory of Mom and Dad
Jeff Springer in loving memory of Mom and Dad
Wildes/Wood Family in loving memory of Loved Ones
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