Order of Service / Christmas Eve / December 24, 2025

*Indicates please stand, in body or in sprit

*Gathering Hymn The First Noel (#91 VU | vs. 1-4)

Welcome & Announcements

Christ Candle Lighting

We light the Christ candle this evening in celebration of the coming of the Light of the World. This is a new beginning for us, as it has been each time we celebrate Christ’s birth. May the light shine in all our hearts tonight and from this day forward.

*Sharon Winegarden. Gathering ACE 2022-2023, page 33.

Call to Worship

One: We seek a Christmas full of love,

  All: love close to home, a love shared with family or among friends.

One: We seek a Christmas full of love,

  All: love that is faithful, love that embraces us in faith community.

One: We seek a Christmas full of love,

  All: love that reaches out, love that welcomes everyone.

One: We seek a Christmas full of love,

  All: love that is compassionate, love that brings healing and hope.

One: We seek a Christmas full of love,

All: love that is practical, love that is shared by those who work over the holiday.

One: We seek a Christmas full of love,

  All: love that is personal, love that floods our hearts and enlivens our spirits.

One: Because we seek a Christmas full of love, we gather to worship the One who came to be God’s love for us.

*Daivd Sparks. Gathering ACE 2025-2026. Page 33.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High (#38 VU|vs.1-3)

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture Reading 1 Luke 2:1-7

Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem (#64 VU | vs. 1-3)

Scripture Reading 2 Luke 2:8-19

Anthem

Reflection

Hymn Away in a Manger (#69 VU)

Time for Offerings with Special Music - O Holy Night

*Offertory Hymn (#55 VU | v. 4, In the Bleak Midwinter)

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

if I were a wise man, I would do my part;

yet what I can I give him -- give my heart.

*Offertory Prayer

Loving God, you have given us everything we need. Indeed, you have shown us the way of humble self-giving through the birth of Jesus in a simple stable. Take what we offer as gifts of our hearts for Jesus’ mission among us. Weave our giving into your tapestry of hope, beautifying the world. Amen.

Congregational Candle-Lighting with Carol What Child Is This (#74 VU)

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

Hymn Silent Night (#67 VU)

*Commissioning

One: Go and share.

  All: We go to stop accumulating stuff, choosing to build relationships in Jesus’ name.

One: Go and listen.

  All: We go to listen to God’s voice in each other, building bridges of grace-filled understanding.

One: Go and act.

  All: We go to follow the Spirit’s challenge and leading, finding the path of communion and of community.

*Gord Dunbar. Gathering ACE 2025-2026, page 35.

*Closing Song Joy to the World (#59 VU)

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