Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Christmas Eve Service at 5PM this Today will be in-person and streamed on YouTube to view at home.
This service will also be available to view afterwards on the church YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/NewburghPresby.
The YouTube broadcast will begin at 4:55 pm.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Union Church, Newburgh NY
December 24, 2021 5:00 pm
CHRISTMAS EVE
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE “Chorale Prelude” on Greensleeves arr. by Richard Purvis
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE Merle Hennessey and family
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: The people who once lived in darkness have been given a great light!
PEOPLE: Praise be to God who has heard our cries.
Leader: Our souls sing out God’s praise!
PEOPLE: God has brought us a light of Hope and Peace.
Leader: Tonight, in this place, the Light of God’s Love is given to us!
PEOPLE: And we shall see that light and let it shine through our lives. AMEN.
INVOCATION
Gracious LORD, be the God of our Christmas celebration. We rejoice with the shepherds over the good news of Jesus' birth. We join in the praises of the angelic choir, saying: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among men.” May peace and joy ring in our hearts and reverberate through our communities tonight in the name of Jesus the new-born King. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL RED # 173
A Christmas Musing from the Shepherds’ Point of View by John Redman
SOLO O Holy Night Mary Lee Farris, soprano
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
COMMUNION HYMN O Little Town of Bethlehem RED #155
HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation to the Table
Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer
Leader: The Lord be with you. PEOPLE: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts. PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Leader: Lord, we greet you this happy night,
for you have been at work in our world throughout all time.
You made all things and called them good. You claimed your people Israel, freed them from the bondage of Egypt, and journeyed with them through the wilderness to the promised land. You sent prophets to call your people back to you.
Then in the fullness of time you sent your Son Jesus, your Word in flesh appearing.
He was one of us and lived with us, giving up all his glory for our sake to make us whole. Show us your presence in this bread and this cup,
By the power of your Holy Spirit, unite us with Christ and all who share this feast,
just as you send us out to be his presence in and for your world and ours.
And let us pray together as Jesus taught us, saying:
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Words of Institution
Prayer after Communion
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
CLOSING MEDITATION John Redman, CRE
BENEDICTION
On this most special night of nights, may we all join in the hope, peace, love, and joy of this season and bring it into our lives throughout the coming days and months and in each of our lives together. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night Emma Pickard, violin
Emma will play the first two verses as everyone lights their candles one from another.
As all the candles are lit, the lights will dim, and all we will sing the first verse of Silent Night. We will sing the second verse as we exit. Please extinguish your candles and deposit them in the receptacle in the foyer.
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
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