December 24 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Merry Christmas to all from Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ!

Please join the livestream at 10 a.m. Sunday on our YouTube channel. This page will be updated with a link to the recorded service later in the day.

PRELUDE – God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Sue Wilson
One: It’s Christmas Eve! Let’s rejoice!
All: God Emmanuel is coming.
One: Soon it will be the night of our Dear Savior’s birth.
All: God will appear in an astonishing way!
One: God will come to earth as a newborn baby.
All: Christ will come to life as a human being – Jesus, born of Mary.
One: The Holy Child is God’s Promised Messiah.
All: Glory to God in the highest!
One: Peace on earth.
All: Christ is born.

*HYMN – It Came Upon the Midnight Clear – #199

It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE BIRTH OF CHRIST (in unison)
God Emmanuel, candlelight is an ideal symbol of your love. You are reliable as a steadily burning candle flame. Your light overcomes darkness, God. As a candle gives light in the darkness, you offer light to all people. You are the Savior of the whole world! You do this by becoming a human being, Jesus of Nazareth. People all over the world rejoice at Christmas, celebrating your birth as the Christ Child. For generations, people have marveled over this miracle, and your human birth will amaze people forever. We worship you, Christ Jesus. Amen.

RESPONSE – Infant Holy, Infant Lowly – #211

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, noels ringing, tidings bringing;
Christ the Babe is Lord of all, Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigils till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of the gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, great the morrow:
Christ the Babe was born for you, Christ the Babe was born for you.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

*HYMN – Away in a Manger – #213

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.

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 take us to heaven to live with Thee there.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

READINGS

SPECIAL MUSIC – All Is Well (arr. Larson) – Valerie Waterman, Soloist

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We rejoice to celebrate Open Communion as the United Church of Christ!
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome.
Cups in the outer ring on each communion tray contain grape juice. Other cups contain wine.

The Breaking of the Bread and the Pouring of the Cup

The Sharing of the Bread and the Cup

*The Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
God Emmanuel, you are the One whom our very souls adore. Thank you, Christ Jesus, for bringing us together to celebrate your birth. You became a human being in order to get through to us, and we are astounded by your ingenuity. Jesus, we are grateful to you for welcoming us as guests at your table. Each time we accept your invitation, we are blessed. Receiving the bread and the cup from you fills us with hope eternal.
Christ Jesus, may our lives freely and joyously offer to all the world the grace which we receive from you. Amen.

*SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

*HYMN – Silent Night – #189

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,
Heav’nly 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.

*POSTLUDE – What Child Is This?