Christmas Eve DECEMBER 24, 2025 FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Order of Service GATHERING
ORGAN VOLUNTARY .................................................................................................................... Denis Bédard
Variations on “In dulci jubilo”
*CHIMING OF THE HOUR *GREETING Leader: Beloved, on this night, we gather to enliven the story once again of God who came to dwell among us as a vulnerable baby. People: We rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits. Leader: We remember the stable, the animals, and the manger that witnessed the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us. People: We rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits. Leader: We recall the angels who announced the Messiah’s birth to the shepherds, those most unlikely witnesses of God’s glory. People: We rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits. Leader: In our remembering and enlivening, we gather today as people of God’s promise, witnesses to God’s glorious presence among us in the vulnerable, forgotten, and tucked away places of the world. People: We gather to rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits, the day that has already come and will yet be. Thanks be to God! Amen. *HYMN IN PROCESSION 234 ................................................................................................... ADESTE FIDELIS *LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE *RESPONSE (sung by all)
O Come, All Ye Faithful
COLLECT Light of life, you came in the flesh, born into human pain and joy, and gave us the power to be your children. Grant us faith, O Christ, to see your presence among us, so that all of creation may sing new songs of gladness and walk in the way of peace. Amen. ANTHEM (4:00) ..................................................................................................................................Terry Taylor
Angel Song On this night a King is born in a cattle shed. Swaddling clothes will keep him warm in his manger bed. Shepherds, watching flocks by night in the fields nearby, see an angel in great light! Glory fills the sky! What a wonder, what a story, what a joyful sight! Can this be another ordinary Bethlehem night? Hear the angel share the news, tidings of great joy: "Now a Savior comes to you, in this baby boy." What a wonder, what a story, what a joyful sight! Love is come, our God is with us, on this Bethlehem night. PROCLAMATION
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON ............................................................................................................... Isaiah 9:2-7 Leader: The Word of the Lord! People: Thanks be to God! *HYMN 218 .................................................................................................................................................. CAROL
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
EPISTLE LESSON ............................................................................................................................. Titus 2:11-14 Leader: The Word of the Lord! People: Thanks be to God!
ANTHEM ................................................................................................................... Paul Manz/David Cherwien
On Christmas Night On Christmas night all Christians sing, to hear the news the angels bring; on Christmas night all Christians sing, to hear the news the angels bring, news of great joy, news of great mirth, news of our merciful King’s birth. Then why should we on earth be sad, since our Redeemer made us glad; then why should we on earth be sad, since our Redeemer made us glad, when from our sin he set us free, all for to gain our liberty? All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night; all out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night: “Glory to God in highest heav’n; peace on earth and good will.” Amen.
*GOSPEL LESSON .................................................................................................................................. Luke 2:1-20 Leader: The Word of the Lord! People: Thanks be to God! HOMILY ................................................................................................................................... Rev. Thomas Smith
RESPONSE
All Earth is Waiting | Signs & Glory
OFFERTORY DUET ......................................................................................... Adolphe Adam/Stephen Decesare
O Holy Night Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining, it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born, Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night Divine. Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; and in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we. His power and glory evermore proclaim. His power and glory evermore proclaim.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE OF PARDON God our Father, you sent your Son full of grace and truth: forgive our failure to receive him. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Jesus our Savior, you were born in poverty and laid in a manger: forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Spirit of Love, your servant Mary responded joyfully to your call: forgive the hardness of our hearts. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Hear the good news. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God. Amen. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING 17 THE LORD’S PRAYER And now, with the confidence of children of God, let us pray... 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. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP
Christ invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin, and who seek to live in peace with one another. Please follow the ushers’ directions to one of the Communion stations. There, open your hands to receive the bread, which you may lightly dip into the cup to receive both elements. If you need gluten-free elements, please indicate this to the servers. If you wish to be served in your seat, please inform an usher. We encourage you to join in the singing of the hymns as others receive Communion. HYMNS DURING COMMUNION (Sung by all)
230 ........................................................................................................................................................ ST. LOUIS
O Little Town of Bethlehem
219 ............................................................................................................................................. GREENSLEEVES
What Child Is This
229 .............................................................................................................................................. W ZLOBIE LEZY
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
238 ........................................................................................................................................................... GLORIA
Angels We Have Heard on High
POST COMMUNION PRAYER Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SERVICE OF CANDLELIGHTING
The pastors will light their candles from the altar candles; the ushers and acolytes will light their candles from the pastors’ candles; the ushers will then light the candles of the worshipers in each pew nearest to the aisle. Caution! Dip only the unlit candle when lighting your candle from that of your neighbor. While lighting candles, the congregation will sing the following hymn:
*HYMN 239 ..................................................................................................................................... STILLE NACHT
SENDING FORTH
Silent Night, Holy Night
*BENEDICTION *HYMN 246 ............................................................................................................................................... ANTIOCH
Joy to the World ATTENTION: Please extinguish your candles as the lights come on.
*CLOSING VOLUNTARY .............................................................................................................. Keith Chapman
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Assisting in Worship Clergy ................................................ Rev. Thomas Wesley Smith, Rev. Ronald “Rusty” Crimm, Rev. Meg Bryce Jiunnies Director of Music/Organist .......................................................................................................................... Dr. Donald Grice Organist/Choir Accompanist ................................................................................................................... Beverly Hazelwood Duet ....................................................................................................................................... Dianna Wilson & Ashlei Jones Director of Cherub Choir (4:00) ................................................................................................................ Kristen Hardaway Director of Junior Choir (4:00) ................................................................................................................ Dr. Jaime Martinez Children’s Choir Accompanist (4:00) ............................................................................................................ Dr. Lynn Clary Acolytes ........................................................................... Elizabeth England-Plisiewicz (4:00), Sarah Helen Dawson (6:00) Banner Bearers .................................................................................................. Billy Hardaway (4:00), Aylett Moore (6:00) Crucifers ........................................................................................................ Owen Hardaway (4:00), Eleanor Moore (6:00) Candlelighters (4:00) ................................................................................................................................. The Lucius Family Candlelighters (6:00) ............................................................. Julie, Alexander, and Mary Hodges Knight, Deborah Sharpe Communion Servers (4:00) .................................................................................................................. Beth & Stewart Jones Communion Servers (6:00) .......................................................................................................................... Kari & Ben King Cherub Choir (4:00) Junior Choir (4:00) Chancel Choir Music text reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-732051. All rights reserved.
Advent Greenery One of the white poinsettias is given to the glory of God and in hope of a cure for Alzheimer’s by Susie and Kathy Brown. One of the white poinsettias is given to the glory of God and in memory of Nancy Player by Carroll Player, Nell DeVore, and Keith and Devin Player.