First United Methodist Church Orange Texas - Christmas Candlelight Service

First United Methodist Church
502 Sixth Street; Orange, TX 77630

Christmas Candlelight Service

“I am the light of the world.”

Candlelight Service

December 23, 2007

7:00 PM

Pictures from 2007 Service

THE PRELUDE “A Nativity Celebration” The Chancel Ringers

THE CALL TO WORSHIP “O Come All Ye Faithful” The Creche**

*THE OPENING HYMN ADESTE FIDELIS

“O Come All Ye Faithful”

(The Chancel Choir will sing the first verse in the original Latin. The congregation will

stand with the minister and sing verses 2, 3, and 4, then remain standing for the choral conclusion.)

2. 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.

3. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, 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.

4. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O 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.

*THE RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP

Pastor: Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all people.

Congregation: For to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the

Lord.

Pastor: Come let us worship the Lord who has established a new covenant through His Son,

Jesus Christ.

Congregation: We come in spirit and in truth.

MARY AND JOSEPH GO TO BETHLEHEM

THE SCRIPTURE Luke 2:1-5

THE HYMN ST. LOUIS

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

THE BIRTH IN THE MANGER

THE SCRIPTURE Luke 2:6-7

THE HYMN ANTIOCH

“Joy to the World” vs. 1 & 2

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, of his love.

THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

(The white color signifies the pure life of Christ; the flame is a symbol of Christ, the Light of the World.)

THE PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION (UNISON)

Almighty and everlasting God, who brought the Gentiles to thy light, and made known to them Him who is the true light and bright and shining morning star: fill us, we ask thee, with thy glory and bring the radiance of thy light unto all nations, through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

THE SPECIAL MUSIC The Children of First UMC

THE ANGELS’ SONG

THE SCRIPTURE Luke 2:8-14

THE 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!

See him in a manger laid, whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise, Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

THE HYMN MENDELSSOHN

“Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”

“Hark!” the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” “Hark!” the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

THE WISE MEN FROM AFAR

THE SCRIPTURE Matthew 2:1-2; 7-12

THE SERMON “Journey in Search of a Soul” Rob Fisher

THE HYMN KINGS OF ORIENT

“We Three Kings”

We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. O star of wonder, start of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading,

still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

OUR RESPONSE TO THE CHRISTMAS STORY

THE CHRISTMAS PRAYER

THE OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS

THE OFFERTORY “O Holy Night” The Chancel Choir

*THE SERVICE OF CANDLE LIGHTING

As “Silent Night” is being sung, the lights will be dimmed, and the minister will light a candle from the Christ Candle. The minister will then light the candles of the ushers, who will light the candles of the first worshiper in each row. Light will then be passed from worshiper to worshiper. Remember that the lighted candle remains upright, and the unlighted candle is tipped to the lighted one.

“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 thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

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!

*THE PRAYER OF SUPPLICATION

In this season of light, enlighten our lives, O Lord. Every time we see a star in the sky, cause us to rejoice in your coming to break the monotony of darkness. Every time we see colored Christmas lights on a tree, remind us of the glory of your coming. Every time we see a candle lighted in this season bring to our remembrance how you are the light of the world. Amen.

*THE DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING (PRAYED RESPONSIVELY)

Pastor: May the Christ who by his incarnation gathered into One things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.

Congregation: Amen!

Pastor: Go forth in peace and joy!

Congregation: Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

*THE POSTLUDE

** A Memorial Gift in memory of Christopher Sanford

® The Cross and Flame is a registered trademark and the use is supervised by the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church. Permission to use the Cross and Flame must be obtained from the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church: Legal Department; GCFA; Post Office Box 340029; Nashville, TN 37203-0029; Phone: 615-369-2334; Fax: 615-369-2330

For the safety of our children, all adults that work with children or youth are Safe Sanctuary trained and must pass a background check For more information about the many other opportunities we offer, contact our Youth Director at your convenience.