Christmas Eve Worship Service

Little Falls United Methodist Church

December 24, 2025 +++ Christmas Eve Worship +++ 7 p.m.

Welcome to Little Falls UMC Online Christmas Eve Service!

Gathering and Praise

Welcome

⇞Opening Scripture Isaiah 60:1-2

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For darkness shall cover the earth,

and thick darkness the peoples;

but the Lord will arise upon you,

and his glory will appear over you.

⇞Call To Worship Lynn Wielinga

Leader: On this holy night, we gather in the quiet glow of candlelight, to welcome the Light of the world.

People: We come to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Leader: In the darkness of the world and the shadows of our lives, God’s light shines with hope and love.

People: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Leader: Tonight, heaven meets earth, and God comes near to us in a child.

People: We receive the gift of Christ with joy and gratitude.

All: Let us worship God, who sends us the true Light, Jesus Christ our Lord.

⇞Opening Songs Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)

1. What hope we hold this starlit night

A King is born in Bethlehem

Our journey long we seek the light

That leads to the hallowed manger ground

2. What fear we felt in the silent age

Four-hundred years can He be found

But broken by a baby's cry

Rejoice in the hallowed manger ground

Chorus

Emmanuel Emmanuel

God incarnate here to dwell

Emmanuel Emmanuel

Praise His name Emmanuel

(Praise His name Emmanuel)

3. The Son of God here born to bleed

A crown of thorns would pierce His brow

And we beheld this offering

Exalted now the King of kings

Praise God for the hallowed manger ground

O Come, All Ye Faithful UMH 234 vv. 1-3

1. 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;

[Refrain]

O come, let us adore Him. O come, let us adore Him.

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

2. True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,

Lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb;

Son of the Father, begotten, not created; [Refrain]

3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;

Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest; [Refrain]

Children’s Message

Lessons and Carols

Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7 Ken Griffin

2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Carol Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus UMH 196

1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.

2. Born thy people to deliver,

born a child and yet a King,

born to reign in us forever,

now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit

rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all sufficient merit,

raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Lesson Luke 2:1-7 Marilyn Downing

2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Carol O Little Town of Bethlehem UMH 230, verses. 1, 2, & 3

1. 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.

2. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,

while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth,

and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth!

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.

Lesson Luke 2:8-14 Melissa Downing

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Carol Angels We Have Heard on High UMH 238, verses 1-2

1. Angels we have heard on high

sweetly singing o'er the plains,

and the mountains in reply

echoing their joyous strains.

[Refrain]

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be

which inspire your heavenly song? [Refrain]

Lesson Matthew 2:1-11 Ayin Kim

2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Carol The First Noel UMH 245, verses 2, 3, & 5

2. They looked up and saw a star

shining in the east, beyond them far;

and to the earth it gave great light,

and so it continued both day and night.

[Refrain]

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

born is the King of Israel.

3. And by the light of that same star

three Wise Men came from country far;

to seek for a king was their intent,

and to follow the star wherever it went. [Refrain]

5. Then entered in those Wise Men three,

full reverently upon the knee,

and offered there, in His presence,

their gold and myrrh and frankincense. [Refrain]

⇞Lighting the Christ Candle John 1:1-5, 9-13

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

⇞Prayer of the Community

Pastor: Holy God, you have appeared in the flesh, bringing redemption to all. Your glory is made known in this newborn child, this living blessed hope.

All: Tonight we sing a new song – a song of justice, righteousness, and endless peace.

Pastor: Gift of God, beautiful Christ-child, we welcome you! Let love be born anew in our hearts on this joyous night. O Light of the World, we pause now before you in silence and adoration:

⇞Silent Prayer

⇞The 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; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Called by the Word

Message To Your Place Rev. Jin Kook Kim

2000 years ago, Jesus came to the world. It was a holy night and a joyful night for all people in the world. On that night, Mary and Joseph were happy for baby Jesus, although it was not an easy night because they had a long trip to get to Bethlehem; they couldn’t find a room for them; and Mary labored to birth Jesus, and Joseph helped and took care of her. On that night, the shepherds were happy to see baby Jesus, the Savior’s coming.

The night when Jesus was born is a holy and joyful night for us too because Jesus’ birth affects us and our lives, not only what Jesus has done for us till now but also what Jesus will do for us in our lives.

Jesus’ birth shows us that God fulfills God’s promise. God had promised the Israelites God’s salvation through the Messiah since Israel was defeated by another country. God kept the promise by sending Jesus to the world. Likewise, God has promised us God’s salvation. God’s promise and fulfillment of the promise are not one-time events but ongoing events in our lives. God has kept God’s promise in our lives and will faithfully keep God’s words in our life journey. Jesus already came to us and saved us. Jesus is with us and saving us. Jesus will come to us again and complete God’s salvation work in our lives. Church family, let us trust in God and have hope, joy, peace, and love in our hearts all the time.

On that night, Jesus was born in a stable. Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, and the king of kings, but God chose a stable in a small town in Israel as the place where Jesus came into the world, and baby Jesus was laid in a manger. This shows us that when Jesus comes into our lives, he comes to our usual and ordinary places—not only to special or holy places. Shepherds came to Jesus and saw Jesus in the stable when they heard the good news from the angel. That means that when Jesus comes to our lives, Jesus comes to our usual and normal places where we can access anytime.

Church family, Jesus comes to our usual places where we can access him without any limits. Jesus comes not only to a special place, a fancy place, or a place for a certain people can access, but every place in each one’s life to save us. Jesus comes to hospital rooms, where fear and uncertainty fill the air— to hospital beds where diagnoses are heavy and prayers feel fragile. Jesus comes not only to heal the body, but to bring peace, strength, and hope to weary hearts. Jesus comes into our homes into broken relationships between spouses, parents, and children, into friendships strained by misunderstanding, hurt, or silence. Jesus is born right there, in the mess of our emotions, to restore love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Jesus comes into our communities where we are struggling in division, loneliness, injustice, or despair. Just as he was born among ordinary people, he comes to walk with us who feel unseen or unheard. Jesus comes to our workplaces where we have a hard situation, especially when a layoff notice arrives, when anxiety about the future keeps us awake at night, when our sense of worth feels shaken. In those moments, Jesus reminds us that our identity is not defined by our job, but by God’s love for us. Jesus comes into our financial struggles, when bills pile up, savings run low, and worry presses on our hearts. He does not stand far away; he sits beside us, offering wisdom, provision, and trust. And Jesus comes to all the quiet, hidden places, the places of grief, exhaustion, doubt, and fear, the places no one else sees. Just as he was laid in a manger, Jesus meets us in the ordinary, the vulnerable, and the overlooked.

As we read the Gospel of John, Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus’ coming is light shining to the world. Just as the sun shines everywhere, for everyone, without exception, Jesus comes to all of us without exception. Church family, whenever you doubt God’s salvation, remember Christmas as the fulfillment of God’s promise, remember the stable and the manger where Jesus came to and was laid down, the normal, usual, and accessible places for everyone, remember God’s light, Jesus, that shines on everyone including you and me!

As you leave today, I want you to look at your 'usual' places with new eyes. When you walk into your home, when you sit in your car, or when you start your computer at work—remind yourself: 'This is a place where Jesus meets me.' I invite you to pick one 'ordinary' room in your house this week and designate it as your 'Bethlehem'—a place where you will intentionally stop for one minute each day to thank God for keeping His promises

Church family, Jesus comes to your place to fulfill God’s promise in your life. I pray we trust in God, having hope, peace, joy, and love in our lives. Also, I pray that all of us have a Merry Christmas every day.

Called to Share and Witness

Response to Our Generous God

Offering Song Happy Birthday Jesus

Happy birthday, Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
And the presents are nice
But the real gift is You

Happy birthday, Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the carols and bells
Make the holiday swell
And it's all about You

Happy birthday, Jesus
Jesus I love You

⇞Doxology Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95

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.

⇞ Prayer of Dedication

All: Holy God, on this night you chose not power or wealth, but a child, a manger, and a humble beginning. As we offer our gifts, teach us to give with humility, generosity, and joy. Bless these offerings, that through them your love may be made known, your light may reach the darkness, and your peace may dwell among your people. We give in response to your love, revealed in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

⇞Service of Candlelight

Silent Night UMH 239

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!

3. 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.

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!

⇞Prayer Rev. Jin Kook Kim

Called to the World

⇞Closing Hymn Joy to the World UMH 246

1. 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 heaven, and nature sing.

2. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

4. 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, wonders, of His love.

⇞Benediction Rev. Jin Kook Kim

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” “The grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you!”

⇞Postlude

Merry Christmas to All!

LITTLE FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

A Welcoming Community of Faith, Hope, Mission & Outreach, Sharing Christ's Love