Herndon United Methodist Church
Merry Christmas! This traditional service brings together carols, communion and candlelight. Music is offered by Herndon UMC's handbell and vocal choirs. There is brass accompaniment to music. This is usually a very well attended service, so come early to get a seat.
Welcome
Thank you so much for sharing in Christmas Eve worship at Herndon UMC. This night is filled with wonder, hope, light, and love. Your presence here amplifies the joy of this time and is a blessing to all in this community. We're praying together for the love of Christ, whether it comes in loud carols, quiet coos, or somewhere in between, to fill your heart this Christmas Eve.
It would be great to see you again for a stand-alone worship service happening this Sunday, December 29 at 10am. The only worship service this weekend, this will be a time to sing the carols of the season and share the stories behind the songs.
If you find yourself looking for a community of love and acceptance, for the light of God's love in your life, or for a place to know and be known, please know Herndon UMC would love to share in that with you. We're all on a path in this life, but we find the best journeys tend to be ones that are taken together.
May you and yours be blessed this Christmas.
Prelude
A Christmas Medley
Wagner/Shakley
*Call to Worship
written by Rev. Thom Shuman
(*Please stand as you are able)
Leader: On this holiest of nights,
People: we come, joining the shepherds
who are stunned by wonder.
Leader: On this most silent night,
People: we come, our hopes and dreams
joining those of Mary and Joseph.
Leader: On this night of carols and candlelight,
People: we come, our glad songs joining
with the choirs of angels over us.
*Opening Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful (UMH #234, vss. 1, 3 & 6)
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
*Opening Prayer
God of the stars,
we come tonight with breathless wonder
to see the baby who will change our lives.
We hear the names “Wonderful Counselor,”
“Mighty God,” “Prince of Peace,”
and we are in awe.
You have touched the earth this night
with your unconditional love.
Touch us—
touch our hearts and minds and souls.
May we never tire of this story.
May we never take it for granted.
Make this night full of your presence once more. Amen.
*We Pass the Peace of Christ
God's Love is Real
God's Love is Active
God's Love is for Everyone
Lighting of the Christ Candle
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was
life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-14
The light has gathered. We celebrate in Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace, which are all central characteristics of Emmanuel, God with us, whose light shines in the Christ candle this Christmas
Light is a central image for God’s presence throughout Scripture. “A pillar of fire…to give them light.” “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” And now “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus will declare with his own lips, “I am the light of the world,” and we celebrate tonight his birth — the one who is the light. We know that he comes precisely because the people are walking in darkness. We don’t need a flashlight at noon on a sunny day, but once the sun goes down, we need streetlights, headlights and any other light we can muster. In Jesus, everyone and everything is illuminated. The “light of all mankind,” comes to dispel all our darkness, and he shines everywhere because there is darkness everywhere and in each one of us. Jesus is the one who finally reveals the world and all its inhabitants for what they truly are. And with deep love and compassion, Jesus Christ, the light of the world, sees our every gift and every flaw, and chooses to wrap us all in his warm light. This is the very foundation of the good news.
Let’s pray
God of all light, we come before you in many ways bruised, broken and cracked apart. Thank you for shining your light into these cracks, bringing your healing presence to our deepest need. We know that in our lives and in this world, there is still great darkness. Help us to see the darkness for what it is, that we might not fall under its seductive sway. Send us into places of great need with the godly virtues of your kingdom, that we might live as lanterns for your light. And may we be reminded that the light of the world is first revealed in the humble simplicity of a little child, who we are now compelled to receive in childlike faith. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Anthem --
Unto Us A Son is Born
arr. Forrest
Wesley Choir,
Christy Sullivan, flute,
Ken Sullivan, trumpet,
Jacob Reeves, percussion
Luke 2:1-20 CEB
A Christmas Message
Rev. Jonathan Page
Special Music
Little Drummer Boy
Gerrit van Veuren
Wesley Choir and Chancel Ringers
Patrick Tugwell, Jacob Reeves, and Shannon Wise
*Doxology (UMH #94)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Service of Communion
Christmas Fantasia
arr. Jason King
Chancel Ringers
O Holy Night
Adolphe Adam
The Wise Family
*Candlelight Carol Silent Night (UMH #239)
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, 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.
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
*Postlude Joy to the World (UMH #246)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
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, and wonders of his love.