CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE
COME LET US ADORE HIM
PRELUDE “Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head” Appalachian Carol/arr. Cathy Moklebust
WELCOME Rev. Trip Porch
*HYMN No. 140 “Once in Royal David’s City” IRBY
Verse one solo, Verse two choir, Verses three & four everyone
CANDLE LIGHTING Annabelle Brown
One: How does a weary world hold onto hope, practice peace, spread joy, or know love?
All: How does a weary world combat cruelty?
One: How does a weary world shine a light into our bleakest night?
All: We do all these things with God’s help. For tonight, a child is born in Bethlehem.
One: Tonight, Christ draws near.
All: Tonight, we light the Christ Candle.
One: Tonight, we are not alone.
All: God is near. Love has drawn close.
Rejoice! For God loves this weary world.
Amen.
*THE BIDDING PRAYER written by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy
One: We have waited for a long time
for your hope, your peace, your joy, your love
to shine in the darkness of this world, Almighty God.
Even now, in our gathering here, we await you.
In our hearts, we still hope that your light will blaze forth,
banishing the shadows of this world
and guiding all the people closer to you.
All: Yet you did not come into this world
in a show of power and glory.
You did not shine forth for all of creation to behold at once.
You came as a tiny spark –
a newborn baby,
visible to parents and curious animals.
A host of angels –
away from the populated areas,
singing to migrant workers.
A sparkling star – guiding foreigners to see what neighbors could not.
One: Open our hearts, merciful God,
to the sparks of your presence still in this world.
Open our eyes,
that we might behold your presence in the least likely of places,
and among the least likely of people
All: God with us,
Ignite your spirit within us, that together
we may shine forth your light into the shadows of this world,
we might proclaim through our life your Christmas miracle:
God, Emmanuel, is with us in this world, now and evermore.
One: Magnify your love within our hearts, gracious God,
that we might speak anew your word in these words,
And have this ancient story retold afresh this night. Amen.
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE #113 “Angels We Have Heard on High” (refrain only) GLORIA
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
THE FIRST LESSON Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 Kayden Tullis
CHOIR CAROL “Ding Dong! Merrily On High” arr. Charles Wood
THE SECOND LESSON Luke 1:26–35 Peter Maurath
CHILDREN’S CHOIR ANTHEM “A Stable” Ann F. Price
WORD WITH CHILDREN Rev. Trip Porch
THE THIRD LESSON Luke 2:1–20 Jessica Riviere
*CAROL # 119 “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” MENDELSSOHN
MEDITATION Rev. Trip Porch
*HYMN # 133 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (verses 1, 3, 4) ADESTE FIDELES
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY “O Holy Night” Adolf Adam
Soloist: Betsy Tullis, soprano
THE FOURTH LESSON John 1:1–14 Susan Warrener Smith
SHARING THE LIGHT
As you receive the light, please tip the unlit candle to receive the light from the lit candle.
*CAROL # 122 “Silent Night” STILLE NACHT
Soloist Sophia Haws will sing verse 1 in German; all are invited to sing as indicated.
1 (All) Silent night, holy night! 2 (High voices) Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright, Shepherds quake at the sight
Round yon virgin mother and Child! Glories stream from heaven afar,
Holy infant, so tender and mild, Heavenly hosts sing: “Alleluia;
Sleep in heavenly peace, Christ the Savior is born,
Sleep in heavenly peace. Christ the Savior is born.”
3 (Low voices) 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.
4 (All) 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.
BENEDICTION
Leader: May the Christ, who, by his incarnation, gathered into one the things of heaven and earth, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.
People: Alleluia!
Leader: Go forth in peace and joy.
People: Thanks be to God! Amen.
CHORAL RESPONSE “Away in a Manger” CRADLE SONG The IPC Children’s Choir
We invite you to extinguish your candles using the communion cups provided.
CLOSING CAROL #133 “Go Tell It on the Mountain” GO TELL IT
POSTLUDE
Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452