Celebration Service December 24, 2024 – 11 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE 2024
Prelude “O Little Town of Bethlehem” John Duro
Words Of Welcome
The Lighting of the Christ Candle
Leader: We wait with hope for the justice and righteousness of God.
All: We wait with peace for God’s shalom to fill the world.
Leader: We wait with joy, celebrating all that God has done for us and our world.
All: We wait with love, humbled by the love that God shows to all people.
Leader: Tonight we light this candle to celebrate the energy that God has sent into the world through the love and life of Jesus.
All: O God of hope, and peace, and joy, and love, from that stable so long ago your light shines into every corner of the world. Help us to sing with the angels at the joy of your coming. Help us to live by your light not only today, but throughout the whole year, so that tidings of peace and good will to all will truly renew the whole creation.
Hymn* “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Unison Prayer
O God, on this night when heaven reaches down to embrace creation with healing, we join the angel choirs who sang your glory. We join your people in every time and place, caroling the good news that is ours. Amen.
Words of Introduction
Anthem “Christ Child, Christ Child” Marian Chaplin
Mort Butler and Valerie Wise
Scripture Lesson Luke 2:1-5
Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Scripture Lesson Luke 2:6-7
Hymn “What Child Is This”
Scripture Lesson Luke 2:8-14
Hymn* “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Scripture Lesson Luke 2:15-16
Anthem “Mary, Did you Know?” Lowry/Green arr. Fred Bock
Mort Butler, Greg Morrill, Frank Springer and Val Wise
Scripture Lesson Luke 2:17-20
Anthem “All Is Well” Smith/Kirkpatrick arr. Lloyd Larson
Greg Morrill, soloist
Offertory “Shepherds came, their praises bringing” Walcha
Christmas Poem “A Christmas Carol” by Christina Rossetti
Offertory Prayer
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Offertory Prayer
Hymn* “Silent Night, Holy Night”
(As we sing, “Silent Night” receive the light for your candle from the aisle
and pass it down your pew, dipping the unlit candle into the flame.)
Benediction*
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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Our church experienced tremendous growth in 2024! To fund this
growth, we ask that you prayerfully consider making a one-time end-of-
year gift to enable us to finish 2024 strong and begin 2025 with healthy
finances. Place your donations in the offering plate, visit our website or
scan the QR code that is in the bulletin.
Beverages are allowed in the sanctuary however, please do not put your
cup on the hymnals, bibles, or pew cushions. Place them on the
floor by your feet. Thank you.
If you, or someone you know, would like prayers for comfort or healing,
the members of the Prayer Team are ready to support you. Please fill
out the prayer request form in the pew and put it in the offering plate or
hand it to an usher to deliver to the office.
The staff of Stowe Community Church wishes you and your family
a peaceful and joyous Christmas!
Reflections:
“The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it
always is young, the heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair, and its soul
full of music breaks the air, when the song of angels is sung.”- Phillips
Brooks (author of O Little Town of Bethlehem)
"Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the
genial flame of charity in the heart." —Washington Irving
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything
is softer and more beautiful." —Norman Vincent Peale
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2024 Poinsettias given by
In memory of Alan & Becky
Matt & Leslie Anderson in memory of Jack Turner, our loving parents, and Michelle LaBow and Lynn Baumrind
Anne Bongiorno in memory of Priscilla Watson and Ruth Lewenthal Bongiorno
Cilla Bouchard in memory of Howard, Gwendolen, Ken, and Bob Young
Ben Brayton in memory of Rev. Dou and Eliner Brayton
Bob and Marlene Davison in memory of our son, Robbie
Annie-Vera D. Frye in memory of Pierre A. Frye, parents Arnold & Suzanne Frye, Roald & Fera Dysthe, Jean Roald Dysthe
Judith Grosvenor in memory of Florence, John, Peter and John G.
Carollynne & Bob Kirch in memory of our parents
Bob & Amy Marshall in memory of the Beres and Marshall family
Karen Monsen in memory of Peter Monsen
Greg Morrill in memory of George and Ruth Morrill
Greg Morrill and Meg Scotti in memory of Adrienne Chamberlin
Dave and Nan Myers in memory of The Myers family and the Ayers family
Laura Nichols in memory of Alice Kruidenier
Sandy and Scott Noble in memory of Phyllis and Jack Knittle and Kathryn and Joe Noble
Walter & Dorothy Pesaresi in memory of Doug Schoning
Steve & Kathe Rhinesmith in memory of our parents
David and Ruth Roy in memory of our parents and broth-in-law, in honor of our children and grandchildren
Meg Scotti in memory of Frank and Joan Scotti
Nancy Small and Roger Keller in memory of Christine Houghtaling
Travis and Rebecca Spaulding in memory of Jerry and Mary McDermott, Gerry Spaulding and William Robidoux
Elizabeth Teffner in memory of Ted Teffner
Lynne von Trapp in honor of my family
Dian Williams in memory of Martha Chesson & Reynold Spruill, my parents
Jessie and Jacob Winters in memory of Alice Kruidenier
Bernadette & Lori Wyman in memory of Bill Wyman and Dick & Marcia Johannesen
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Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
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 heaven 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!
Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly?
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 for our salvation,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
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!
Hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Come to Bethlehem and see Christ, who comes in lowly birth.
Come adore on bended knee Jesus, joy of heav’n and earth.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
See within a manger laid, Christ, whom choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Hymn “Silent Night, Holy 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.
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