Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Christmas Eve 2024 Worship Service

                                          Elkton United Methodist Church
                                        Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
                                               Sunday, December 24, 2024
                                                       7:00 p.m. † 9:00 p.m.



PRELUDE/INTROIT............................... “JOY TO THE WORLD”1.............................. BRIAN WILLMORE,
                                                                                                                CAROL NICKLE & CHANCEL CHOIR

RINGING OF THE CHIMES

GREETING AND WELCOME

LESSON FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES, ISAIAH 9:2-7

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

**HYMN #240 (UMH)......................................................................... “HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING”

**CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:       For you who are filled to the brim with happiness,

People:       Jesus Christ, the joy of the world, is born.

Leader:       For you who are mourning the loss of family and friends,

People:       Jesus Christ, the great comforter, is born.

Leader:       For you who feel like you are tripping about in darkness,

People:       Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is born.

Leader:       For you who rest in gratitude and contentment,

People:       Jesus Christ, the one who brings peace to the world, is born.

Leader:       For you who feel the ache of loneliness,

People:       Jesus Christ, God who draws near to us, is born.

Leader:       For you who are surrounded by loving companionship,

People:       Jesus Christ, uniter of the nations, is born.

Leader:       Come, let us worship the birth of such a Savior!

All:             Come, let us worship God who came to dwell among us! AMEN.


PRAYER (IN UNISON)

Open our hearts, merciful God, to the sparks of your presence still in this world, that 

we might behold your presence in the least likely of places, and among the least likely 

of people. Kindle your spark within us, that together we may shine forth your light, 

we might banish the shadows of this world, we might be the continuation of the 

Christmas miracle: Emmanuel is in this world, God is with us, now and forevermore.

AMEN.


MUSICAL OFFERING................... “THE HERALD ANGELS SING”1...................... HANDBELL CHOIR &
                                                                                                                                               BRIAN WILLMORE

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON, TITUS 2:11-14 (PAGE 215)
Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God!

MUSICAL OFFERING............. “AMEN, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN”1.................... CHANCEL CHOIR

**GOSPEL LESSON, LUKE 2:1-20 (PAGE 58)
Leader:  This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People:  Thanks be to God!

**RESPONSE #2071 (TFWS)................................................................. “JESUS, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES”

Jesus, name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord. Emmanuel, God is with 

us, blessed Redeemer, living Word.

SERMON.................................... “HE MEETS US AT THE MARGINS”...................... REV. ERIC WARNER

**RESPONSE #246 (UMH)............................................................................................. “JOY TO THE WORLD

CHRISTMAS PRAYER

THE LORD'S PRAYER (IN UNISON)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be 

done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our

trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. 

AMEN.


RESPONSE #217 (UMH) .................................................................... “AWAY IN A MANGER” (STANZA 3)

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 fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

CALL TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY....................... “GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN”1................... MEN’S ENSEMBLE

**DOXOLOGY #95 (UMH)..................................... “PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

**OFFERTORY PRAYER

SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

The ushers will bring the light from the Christ candle to those in the congregation.  When the 

light comes to you, let the person with the unlighted candle reach over to receive the light.  

Please do not tip the lighted candles. When all have received the light, the congregation will 

sing.


HYMN #239 (UMH)............................................................................................................... “SILENT NIGHT”

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

Beloved, may you go in the blessing of Emmanuel, God-with-us, the joy of the world, and 

may you carry this gift of joy everywhere you go, working for peace, unity, justice, and mercy 

for all people. AMEN.


**RESPONSE #238 (UMH)........................................... ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH (REFRAIN)

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!           

POSTLUDE.................................................. “HALLELUJAH JOY!”1..................... ARR. BY MARK HAYES

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**Indicates the congregation should stand if able

UMH: United Methodist Hymnal (red cover)
TFWS: The Faith We Sing (black cover)
W&S:  Worship & Song (green cover)

1Public Music performance provided for and reported to CCLI Licensing
Copyright License:  #1824650/Recording License:  CSPL148932

 


 

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