December 24, 2025 Christmas Eve

Prelude (Colin Bonneau) Call to Worship 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!” Opening Hymn VU 48 Hark the Herald Call to Worship It is finally the Season of Christmas! We have received the Good News and Christ has been born! Let us respond to the Love God places in the manger. We come to worship God made known in Jesus Christ! Advent Candle lighting including the Christ Candle Advent Candle lighting Hymn First Reading The Birth of Jesus In those days a decree went out from Caesar 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 in the guest room. Hymn: VU 35 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice SOLO Second Reading The Shepherds and the Angels Now in that same 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!” Hymn: VU 37 Gloria Third Reading 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, and 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, just as it had been told them. SOLO Connection Time Five little shepherds at the stable door, one got hungry, and then there were four. Four little shepherds, as happy as could be, one began to dance, and then there were three. Three little shepherds were startled by a “moo!” One ran off, and then there were two. Two little shepherds sat waiting for the Son, one fell asleep and then there was one. One little shepherd on Christmas morn, to welcome the baby who’d just been born. Hymn VU 69 Away in the Manger TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE …. Hymn: VU 38 Angels We Have Heard On High Offering Invitation It is finally the Season of Christmas! We have received the Good News and Christ has been born! Let us respond to the Love God places in the Manger Our offerings to God will now be received. Doxology VU 55 In the Bleak Midwinter Verse 2 AND 4 Offering Prayer God of Christmas, may the generosity of the season last the whole new year, for Jesus sake, Amen. Lord’s Prayer Traditional spoken Closing Hymns VU 59 Joy to the World Commissioning It is finally the Season of Christmas! We have received the Good News and Christ has been born! Let us respond to the Love God places in the Manger We go out to serve the world in the name of the Prince of Peace! Closing Hymn: VU 67 Silent Night Postlude (Colin Bonneau) Tonight we are grateful for the writings of Heather Ferrier and Lindsay Keisman that inspired this service.