Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24, 2020 6:00 PM

God’s People Gather for Worship

“By God’s grace alone and to his glory alone, we exist to worship God in his greatness and his holiness with Gospel-driven passion and integrity…” (excerpted from FPC Rome Mission Statement)

Prelude

Welcome and Gathering Prayer

ALL: O God, on this night of expectant wonder, we again walk the path to Bethlehem and to the child whose birth was heralded by prophets, proclaimed by angels, and welcomed by shepherds. Open our eyes this night to see in that infant your loving purposes, and stir within us adoring praise. Amen.

Call to Worship

The Lighting of the Christ Candle The Cochran Family

Leader: The season of Advent, a season of waiting, is designed to cultivate our awareness of God's actions - past, present, and future. In Advent we hear the prophecies of the Messiah's coming as addressed to us - people who wait for the second coming of Jesus. In Advent we heighten our anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of all Old Testament promises, when the wolf will lie down with the lamb, death will be swallowed up, and every tear will be wiped away. In this way Advent highlights for us the larger story of God's redemption plan.

Hear these words from the Gospel of Matthew as we reflect on the Christ who came and is coming again:

“1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over

the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”

Matthew 2:1-6, 9-12

Let us worship God.

Hymn “Joy to the World” ANTIOCH

Verses 1, 3, and 4

Joy to the world! the Lord is come; let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

No more let sin and sorrow 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.

The Christmas Story in Scripture and Song

Leader: Beloved sisters and brothers, on this eve of our Lord’s birth let us hear again from the Gospel of Luke the account of the miraculous birth of our Lord Jesus, and in our hearts and minds be transported to that holy night in Bethlehem, marveling at this thing which is come to pass. Overjoyed and overwhelmed once again by the unsurpassable gift of this Babe, our Savior lying in a manger, let us fill this place with our carols of wonder and praise.

Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” ST. LOUIS

Verses 1, 2, and 3

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 wond’ring love.

O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth;

And praises sing to God, the King, And Peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently The wondrous Gift is giv’n!

So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heav’n.

No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in.

Scripture Reading ~ Luke 2:1-7

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 side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.

Scripture Reading ~ Luke 2:8-20

Hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High” GLORIA

Verses 1, 3, and 4

Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains

And the mountains in reply, Echo back their joyous strains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem, and see Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo.

See within a manger laid Jesus, Lord of heav’n and earth!

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, With us sing our Savior’s birth.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Message

Scripture Reading Eccesiastes 12:9-14

Sermon “The Words and Works of Our Great Shepherd” Rev. Bill Pardue

The Candle Lighting Service “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, 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, 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!

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.

Sending Prayer and Benediction

ALL: Dear Lord, on a wondrous night you sent your son to take on frail human flesh in order that all who believe in him might be saved. You sent angels to herald his birth in Bethlehem and a star to proclaim it to the ends of the earth. Send us now as messengers of your good news and proclaimers of your peace. In that Savior’s name we pray. Amen.

Postlude

Join us again Sunday morning in King Hall for a combined service at 10:00 am.

God’s People Scatter to Live as Faithful, Fruitful Followers of Jesus Christ

Today’s Scripture

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 ESV

9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying

and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight,

and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings;

they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many

books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is

the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing,

whether good or evil.