Christmas Eve Church Service

6. Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains.

7. Glo—ri-a, In excelsis Deo! Glo—ri-a, In excelsis Deo!

8. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?

9. Glo—ri-a, In excelsis Deo! Glo—ri-a, In excelsis Deo!

10. Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

11. Glo—ri-a, In excelsis Deo! Glo—ri-a, In excelsis Deo!

12. See him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise.

13. Glo—ri-a, In excelsis Deo! Glo—ri-a, In excelsis Deo! WORDS: Traditional French carol; trans. Crown of Jesus, 1862, alt. MUSIC: French carol melody; arr. By Edward Shippen Barnes, 1937; Harmony by Austin C. Lovelace, 1964

22. Luke 2:1-18

23. 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 .

24. 3. 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. WORDS: Phillips Brooks, ca. 1868 -- MUSIC: Lewis H. Redner, 1868

27. Benevolence Fund First UMC

28. ……

32. As the light is passed to you, please tip your unlit candle toward the flame. Hold all lighted candles upright.

46. May the light of Christmas fill your hearts with joy and gladness. May the love of Christmas transform your hearts towards compassion and grace. And may the promise of Christ’s continuing presence fill your new year with courage, purpose, and hope. In the name of our living Savior Jesus Christ, go in peace.

47. You may extinguish your candle before leaving. Please leave the sanctuary in silence, placing extinguished candle in the baskets in the narthex. x