Christmas Eve Worship Service

Little Falls United Methodist Church

December 24, 2024 +++ 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

Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
All: Celebrate the coming of the Light.
Leader: O sing to the Lord a new song, God’s salvation is at hand.
All: Celebrate the coming of Salvation.
Leader: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us.
All: Celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace.
Leader: I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.
All: Celebrate the coming of Christ!

⇞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 Pete Dewes

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 Renee Niccollai

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 Xavier Williams

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 Paul Ossou

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 Incarnation Rev. Jin Kook Kim

Good evening, everyone! What a joyful and wonderful night tonight! We have been waiting for Christmas and now we have the night before Christmas. Christmas is the time to celebrate God’s great gift to us. The gift is Jesus Christ.

As we considered during the Advent Season, Jesus’ coming means the coming of salvation. Before the first Christmas came, the Israelites were in a hard situation due to their loss of their country. God’s words of promise to send the savior gave them hope, peace, joy, and love. The first Christmas was the day when God’s promise was accomplished and when the hope, peace, joy, and love of God came to them fully and became real in their lives fully. Likewise, Christmas is a wonderful time for us. Christmas reminds us God’s promise of salvation will be fully accomplished when God’s time comes. God has provided what we need in our lives. God has always cared for us in God’s ways. God has saved us in our life journey. Christmas reminds us that God continues to give us God’s gift of salvation, provision, care, hope, love, peace, and grace and finally, we will fully be in God’s kingdom on the day that Jesus will come on the earth again. God is good. God is wonderful. God is great. God is caring. And, God is sweet. God showed us who God is through Jesus Christ, God’s gift to us. Let us praise God and give thanks to God for Jesus Christ, God’s best gift to us.

When God gave us God’s gift, Jesus Christ, it had a deeper meaning. It was not just sending a person to us. It was that God, Godself, came to us and we call it ‘Incarnation.’ God came to us by taking on Human form. God in the form of God didn’t have any limitations. However, God gave up the advantage of the form of God and took human form which has a lot of limitations. He chose to come to us in the form of humans to give us God’s love and grace and to show us God is with us as people could see the visible God. There is a description of Jesus’ coming to the world in Philippians chapter 2 as it is written, Jesus Christ “who, though he existed in the form of God, …… emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human.” Do you remember Jesus’ other name? It is Emmanuel. The only reason that God chose to become human is God’s love for us. God came to us to love us. Jesus came to us to care for us. Jesus came to us to give us love, grace, salvation, and everything.

I want to share a story that I read in the book of the daily devotional, The Upper Room, on December 4, 2024. Debbi had a serious health problem that prevented her from taking care of herself upon discharge from the hospital, so she needed a person who could care for her. Her aunt moved in with her and gave her help. She thought she needed her aunt’s help for a couple of months, but her prediction was long. Over a year later, she still needs her help. And she realized that her aunt had truly shown her love by laying down her life for her. By moving in with her to take care of her, her aunt has left behind her home of over 50 years, her friends, her favorite restaurants, her doctors, her bank, her familiar stores, and her neighbors. Her aunt has continued to care for her even as her aunt deals with her own cancer diagnosis and treatment.

On the first Christmas day, God came to the world giving up the privileges of God in the form of God. On the first Christmas day, Jesus came to the world to give us himself as the gift to us and the gift contains every blessing that God can give us in our lives such as love, care, grace, salvation, provision, and strength.

Church family, we are celebrating tonight getting together in the sanctuary for Jesus’ birth, Jesus coming to us on earth. Let us celebrate God’s coming in the form of human giving up privileges that God had. Let us worship God for Jesus’ coming to the world as a baby. Let us praise God for God’s endless and steadfast love for all of us. Let us give thanks to God for God’s best gift, Jesus Christ, Godself, who contains every blessing in our lives. Amen.

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: Blessed Lord, you have given us your greatest gift—your very Word come to earth, to live with us and through us; you have filled us with your grace and truth— your holy child sent to free us from our bonds. How can we repay such divine generosity? Receive our thanks and praise. As you have given to us, so now we share your gifts and your grace with a world in need. May this offering help bring your light and love to those who still wander in darkness. 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!

20221224 Christmas Eve Service.pdf

LITTLE FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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