Dec 24-Come to Us, Abide with US

Christmas Eve Worship- 5pm

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC.
If you can’t make it to Ivy Chapel in person for worship, we invite to join us online every week on our YouTube channel.

WORDS OF WELCOME      Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRELUDE       O Holy Night     Adolphe Adam
Valerie Waterman, vocalist

*CALL TO WORSHIP       John Weiland
One: On this holiest of nights,
All: We come, joining the shepherds who are stunned by wonder.
One:  On this most silent night,
All:  We come, our hopes and dreams joining those of Mary and Joseph.
One:  On this nights of carols and candlelight,
All:  We come, our glad songs joining with the choirs of angels over us.

*HYMN  O Little Town of Bethlehem     #200              

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION      John Weiland           

Magnificent God, at one time the world wondered whether your marvelous promise of a Messiah could be believed.  Now we know.Holy and Astonishing God; by your design, you came to life as a human being.  You chose to be born of flesh to help us be born of Spirit.

On this night of your birth, Jesus, we celebrate that you do live among us.  Tonight, and always, you are here.  You have high hopes and expectations for us as your people.  Fill us with your Spirit.  Lead us to continue growing as your disciples.  We are grateful for your continuing gifts, God Emmanuel.  May we respond by faithfully serving you!  Amen.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH
John Weiland: Tonight, we gather to remember with the prophet Isaiah:
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this (Isaiah 9:6-7).
All: We gather to once again bask in the glory that visited a stable and a manger, shepherds watching their flocks, and a young couple cradling the newborn Messiah.
Linda Lowry: We light the Christ candle as a sign of the glory that came among us in unexpected places and to unexpected people, that we may be people who seek and follow the glory of the Christ child here and now.
(Light the center candle of the Advent wreath.)

*RESPONSE     O Come, O Come, Emmanuel       #186
                              (All Verses)                               

THE FIRST LESSON    Isaiah 52:7-10

A CHRISTMAS CAROL    It Came Upon The Midnight Clear      #199

THE SECOND LESSON   Psalm 98
              
A CHRISTMAS CAROL        Good Christian Men, Rejoice      #214

THE THIRD LESSON     Hebrews 1:1-4

SPECIAL MUSIC       Wexford Carol
                       Tara Lowry, violin
                     
THE GOSPEL LESSON   John 1:1-14

HOMILY    “Emmanuel: God with Us”     Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
               “Amazing Peace”, by Dr. Maya Angelou
               The Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors)

COMMUNION HYMN      What Child Is This?       #202

PRAYER OF PREPARATION     Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

INVITATION AND DISTRIBUTION
(Instructions given to congregants – All people who wish to participate in communion are invited to come forward and gather in a large circle from the front pews to the altar. Pastor will serve those on the altar area and ushers will serve those on the floor level.)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
(Instructions given to congregants – Pastor light candle from Christ candle and will move down the center aisle to light candle of person closest to aisle; congregants pass the light to each other; congregants will stand when we begin to sing Silent Night. On the last verse of Silent Night we will raise our candles.)

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Hark the Herald Angels Sing #191 (Verse 1)
Away in a Manger #213 (Verse 1)
*Silent Night, Holy Night #189 (All Verses)
*BLESSING         Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*Please rise in body or spirit.

Christmas Eve Livestream

Merry Christmas from Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ!

In almost every way, Christmas 2020 looks and feels very different. We may be separated from family and friends and the traditions that make this time of year so special. While we are not together in this building, however, we are still united by God’s love, a love so strong He sent His Son to save us. A Son who arrived on this day.

We hope you find comfort in this familiar story.

A special Christmas prelude, by our Minister of Music, Anna DiVesta:

https://fb.watch/2APF_1s39Y/

Here’s today’s order for worship:
Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: It’s Christmas Eve. Let’s rejoice!
All: Emmanuel is with us.
One: Tonight is the night of our Dear Savior’s birth.
All: God appears in an astonishing way!
One: God comes to earth as a baby.
All: Christ comes to life as a human being – Jesus, born of Mary.
One: This Child is God’s Promised Messiah.
All: Glory to God in the highest!
One: Peace on earth.
All: Christ is born.

Hymn – “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – #200

1. 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.
2. 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 men on earth.
3. How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given!
   So God imparts to human hearst 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.
4. O holy Child of Bethlehem! descend to us, we pray,
   Cast out or 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.

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: Tonight, we marvel over you, God Emmanuel. Life has been especially uncertain and frightening the past several months. Yet, above this world’s fears, the songs of your angels still resound. Above this world’s frenzy, the night sky remains tranquil. Your stars serenely shine. Your gifts continue to astonish the world. This time it’s a newborn child. While we tend to focus on flashiness, you appear in out-of-the-way places among ordinary people. Just as you calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee, you are the One who calms any and all turmoil in our lives. God Emmanuel, help us not to be afraid.
O God, so tender and mild; two thousand years ago, you gave yourself to the world by coming to life as a human being – Jesus, our brother, kind and good. What a touching act of holy love! O Lord Emmanuel, you are True Light. We pray in response to your call, seeking to follow you and to walk in your love, Christ Jesus. Amen.

Lighting the Advent Wreath – Pastor Dan
The Christ Candle

Christmas Prayer of Thanksgiving – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God Emmanuel, candlelight is an ideal symbol of your love. You are as 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 this night, celebrating your birth as the Christ Child. For generations, people have marveled at this miracle, and your birth always will continue to amaze people. We give you thanks, Christ Jesus, for coming to life and for bringing joy to all on earth. Amen.

Praise Response – “When God Is a Child” – p. 95, worship booklet

1. Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.

REFRAIN
When God is a child there’s join in our Song. The last shall be first
and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

2. Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth.

REFRAIN

3. Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, telling the world that the Savior is born

REFRAIN

4. Love is a flame that burns in our heart. Jesus has come and will never depart.

REFRAIN

Prophecies

Enhanced Expectations

Gabriel’s Visits

Holy Childbirth

Gifts of God Eternal

Special Music – “O Holy Night” – Valerie Waterman, Vocalist

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to receive these gifts of God.

The Breaking of the Bread and the Pouring of the Cup

The Sharing of the Bread and the Cup

Prayer of Thanksgiving for Holy Communion
God Emmanuel, you are the One whom our souls adore. Thank you, Christ Jesus, for the gift of this worship 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 inviting us to be guests at your table. Receiving the bread and the cup from you fills us with hope eternal.
Christ Jesus, may our lives freely and joyously offer to everyone the grace which we receive from you. Amen.

SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

HYMN – “Silent Night” – #189

1. Silent night! holy night! Al 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.
2. 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.
3. 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. Peace on Earth