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 

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