Call to Worship: “While We Are Waiting Come”

Lighting the Candles

Reader: Good evening! On this Christmas Eve we are gathered as God’s people to celebrate what Christ’s birth means to the world. We join with Christians all over the world who are celebrating tonight, that holy presence, God With Us.

Tonight, we relight the four candles: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. We also light the Christ Candle and give thanks. Praise to Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Let us pray: We thank you, God, for your gift of Jesus Christ to the world. We thank you that Christ’s coming makes hope, peace, love, and joy possible for every person in every nation. Encourage us to do our part to bring goodwill and peace to our families, our churches, our neighborhoods, and the world. Now let your Spirit put us in touch with you, the living God, through the words and music we hear tonight. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Invitation to Communion

Words of Institution

Prayer for the Emblems

Sharing of Communion

Hymn: “Silent Night”

Benediction

1 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.

2 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!

4 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.