St. Paul United Church of Christ, Taylor, Michigan
Christmas Eve/ December 24, 2024, 7 p.m.
Ringing of the Bell
Announcements/ Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Prelude Shirley Lande, pianist
Advent Reading Kaitlyn Isaacs, reader
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Hymn No. 128 “One Candle Is Lit” (all verses)
*Hymn No. 148 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
*Prayer of Welcome Rev. Linda Anderson
Miraculous God, We know this story so well. All the characters are familiar. Most all the words are known by heart. All the songs have been sung so many times. We love this story and its comfortable, comforting familiarity.
We praise You for the miracles which come to us in the familiar.
At the center of this story is a God Who reveals Godself to men and women. A God Who works miracles through ordinary people who say, “Yes” to God. A God Who enters every willing soul to birth new life.
We praise You for the miracle of Your life within us.
Miraculous God, May we see You, know You and be united with You again this Christmastime. May our lives be changed by Your miraculous love, and may we become part of Your miraculous salvation. Now and always. Amen.
Christmas Memory
Isaiah 11:1-6
Carol No. 144 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Luke 1:26-33
Christmas Memory
Luke 1:39-56
*Carol No. 155 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Matthew 1:18-25
Choir Anthem “Away in the Manger”
Christmas Memory
Luke 2:1-7
*Carol No. 151 “The First Noel”
Luke 2:8-20
*Carol No. 143 “Joy to the World”
Presentation of Tithes and Offerings
*Doxology
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures
here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host; praise Father,
Son, and Holy ghost. Amen.
Titus 3:4-7
Holy Communion (see insert)
Invitation
Hymn No. 404 “A Hymn of Joy We Sing”
Time of Confession
Sung Response: One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless. And we, though many through out the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.
Receiving of the Bread and Cup
A Time of Prayer/ Lord’s Prayer
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. 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, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Sharing the Light of Christ
*Hymn No. 145 “Silent Night, Holy Night”
*Dismissal with Blessing
Postlude/ Recessional: Please remain in your pews as the Light of Christ leads the way into the world at the close of service. *Congregation standing as you are able.
Confession Christmas Eve 2024
Call to Confession
This is the night we are reminded that God loves to be with us. Yet all too often – by our choices, our words, our silence – we choose not to be with God. Join me as we pray on this holy night to the One who was born to gift us with mercy and hope.
Unison Prayer of Confession
This was going to be the year, God of silent nights, when we were going to give away more than we spent, but we didn’t. This was going to be the season when we spent more time with others, but we filled our calendars with meetings. This was going to be the Christmas when we wrote personal letters to friends and family, but spent too much energy filling out our to-do lists. This was going to be a truly holy season, but it just got to harried and hurried.
Forgive us, Love Gifter, and draw us closer to the Baby born not into wealth and power, but into poverty and weakness; to the One who loves unconditionally and welcomes all; to the Child who gathers other children to him, to bless them and serve them; to the One who drew near to us, so we might be drawn to your heart – Jesus Christ, our Brother, our Lord.
Silence Confession
Assurance of Pardon
God passes the heirloom of mercy down from generation to generation, always loving, always forgiving, always calling us to new life.
As we open our hearts to God, we are filled with the joy that was sung at the Birth, with the Hope that walked among us, with the Grace which is always with us. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
WELCOME TO ALL SHARING TODAY’S WORSHIP SERVICE IN PERSON AND FACEBOOK LIVESTREAMING You must have a Facebook account to view our Worship Services. An email address is required. It is possible to have a Facebook account not connected to social media. Please contact Dan Case, Gary Peters, or Michael Isaacs for more information.
COMMUNION IS OFFERED THIS EVENING. We observe an “open communion.” Member-ship is not required to partake of the Lord’s Supper. We simply ask that all receiving Communion seek to know our Lord more completely.
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS must be received in the church office by Sunday, December 29 to be recorded for 2024 tax purposes.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND FELLOWSHIP
Calendar Week December 24 – December 29
Tuesday Worship Service 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Merry Christmas!/ Office Closed
Thursday Office Closed
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. – Rev. Dr. Itty Mathews
No Sunday School/ Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m.
ST. PAUL BUILDING & GROUNDS MINISTRY is hosting its Annual Wild Game Dinner Saturday, February 1, 2025. Tickets are $45/each and can be purchased at the KIOSK during Coffee Hour, by calling the Church office, or by calling James Poet, Gary Staffeld, or Dan Case. Donations for raffle items or door prizes are needed.
NO BIBLE STUDY Tuesday, December 31. We will resume January 7, 2025, 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Come and enjoy lively discussion and fellowship.
NO EXERCISE CLASS Wednesday, December 25 or January 1, 2025. Class will resume Wednesday, January 8, 10:30 a.m. in the West Room. A $3 - $5 donation is appreciated.
“MISSION SUNDAY” St. Paul’s mission for December is collecting hats, gloves, scarves, and undergarments on behalf of the Salvation Army assisting families in need. All donations should be dropped off in the box in the Narthex.
OUR CHANCEL AREA IS BANKED with fresh poinsettias. The names of those honored are included in the Bulletin and posted online throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas. You may take any Poinsettias you have purchased after worship. Please see an Usher for assistance.
THE CHIRSTMAS FUND OFFERING for Retired UCC Clergy and Lay Persons will be received any Sunday in December. Your offering provides direct financial assistance. On behalf of the Stewardship of St. Paul, Merry Christmas and Thank you. For more information, please contact Dan Case, Treasurer.
FELLOWSHIP OF CONCERN: Jack Burchard, William Stears, Jr., Debbie Case, Lori Kuhn, Everett Hard, Roger Staten, Dave Schmoekel, Pam Jones, Rosemarie Laslo, John Smith, Barbara Brewer, Julius Enesey, Justine Kimbler, Sandi Rose, Carol Wioncek, Sally Sigman, Joan Smarr, Barbara Gish, Vicki Simon, Steve Newberry, Cindy Twilliger, Blain Tayler, Nora Cousino, Andrea Matney, Kelly Potter, Tes Richardson, Freeman Floyd, Anna Thomson, F. Scott Miller, Susan & Dennis Bennett, Tony Koths, Alicia Hagen, Ailani Flores, Sue Milatz, Linda Tank, Rachel Tank, Jennifer Lee, Kyle Hard, Bill Pattenaude, Randy Snelson, Ted Butkin, Kevin Siemers, Rhonda Wioncek Berndt, Jeff MacZink.