Christmas Eve Worship Service

Little Falls United Methodist Church

December 24, 2022 +++ Christmas Eve Worship +++ 7 p.m.

Welcome to Little Falls UMC Online Christmas Eve Service!

Gathering and Praise

Prelude Music

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: Glory to God in the highest!
All: And hope to every discouraged heart.
Leader: Glory to God in the highest!
All: And peace to every conflicted soul.
Leader: Glory to God in the highest!
All: And joy to every downcast spirit.
Leader: Glory to God in the highest!
All: And love to everyone.
Leader: Let us sing praises to our God.
All: Let us offer this light against the darkness.

⇞Opening Songs Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)

Verse 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

Verse 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)

Verse 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 v 1-3

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, Christ the Lord.

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

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

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

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.

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

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, verses. 1, 2, & 3 UMH 230

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.

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!

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

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, verses 1-2 UMH 238

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!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be

which inspire your heavenly song?

Refrain

Matthew 2:1-11

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, verses 2, 3, & 5 UMH 245

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.

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

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 Rev. Jin Kook Kim

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. Ame.

Called by the Word

Message The Heart That Grew Three Sizes Rev. Jin Kook Kim

Good evening, Church family! I hope you had a blessed week in Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of God last week. During the Advent Season, I have shared with you the messages based on the book, The Hearts That Grew Three Sizes. Last Sunday, we considered Mary’s Magnificat. She praised God aloud for God’s grace through the baby Jesus. Her joy for the baby Jesus that was God’s work in her and God’s grace to the world, was expressed through her song and praise. Let us praise God for the baby Jesus. Let us praise God aloud for God’s gifts, hope, peace, joy, and love, as all Whos in Whoville sang together on Christmas day although they didn’t have any Christmas gifts, decorations, and Christmas trees.

As you know, the Grinch was shocked because Whos in Whoville sang together and that meant Christmas came without any gifts or Christmas trees. All Who had joy and the Grinch failed to stop Christmas. The story could be ended there because that ending would be a happy ending also. However, the story doesn't end there, but another interesting part begins there.

When The Grinch heard the joyful singing, he puzzled and puzzled and said, “How could it be so?” He couldn’t understand how all Whos could sing although they didn’t have anything about Christmas. They didn’t have gifts, packages, cookies, ribbons, and socks, but they still celebrated Christmas and had joy in them. Their singing made the Grinch consider Christmas, the meaning of Christmas, deeply. Their celebration of Christmas made the Grinch reconsider Christmas. As we know, the Grinch hated Christmas and wanted to stop Christmas. However, Whos’ singing triggered the Grinch to have time to consider Christmas and he reached to the mind, “Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little more” then, his heart grew three sizes. After that moment, he changed. He brought back what he stole, toys, food and everything. Also, he himself celebrated Christmas by having a Christmas feast.

Little Falls Church Family, when we sing for Christmas, people near us will consider the meaning of Christmas. When we praise God for the baby Jesus, people will have curiosity on Christmas. When we sing for God’s love and salvation, people will consider the meaning of God’s love and salvation.

We can see in the Bible, many people came to Jesus wherever Jesus was. It was because the people who Jesus healed, went out and spread the words that Jesus healed them. When Jesus resurrected a girl, the news was spread through all of that district (Matthew 9:23-26). When Jesus healed the blind so that they could see, they spread the news about Jesus through all that district although Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone about that. (Matthew 9:27-31) Jesus wanted them not to tell anyone about the healing. However, they were not able to follow the order, but they went away and spread the news, what happened to them and how Jesus healed them. They praised Jesus for healing which was salvation for them. That was their singing for Jesus. That was their praise for Jesus. That was their joy for Jesus. And nothing could stop them from spreading the news and singing for salvation. And their song, their singing, made people come to Jesus. The people who heard the news about Jesus and the cured, wanted to see Jesus with their eyes and be healed by Jesus, and experience salvation.

Little Falls Church family, we are celebrating Christmas. The Advent season and the Christmas season are for us to celebrate Christmas. We are celebrating Christmas because Christmas means Jesus’ birth. Christmas means God’s love and grace through the baby Jesus. Christmas reminds us of Emmanuel, God is with us all the time, through the baby Jesus. Christmas means God gives us forgiveness and salvation through the birth of Jesus. Christmas means that we have hope, peace, joy, and love because God gives us them through the birth of Jesus.

Christmas is not a mere holiday to us. It would be a mere holiday for the people who don’t have faith in God but not for us. For them, Christmas would be a joyful day for their own reasons. However, Christmas is a joyful day for us because we know the meaning of Christmas. Like the people who were healed by Jesus, we sing and celebrate Christmas. Although we don’t have anything else, we celebrate Christmas itself for the birth of Jesus because we have Jesus, Christmas itself, as Whos in Whoville sang with joy on Christmas day although they didn’t have anything.

And one of the wonders of Christmas is people will have curiosity about Jesus when we celebrate Christmas. People will consider the meaning of Christmas when we sing. People will come to Jesus when we praise God for the birth of Jesus. Our singing is not only singing a song. Our singing is sharing God’s love and grace using our resources. Our singing is to give people hope, peace, joy, and love by giving a Christmas card, a gift that is a token of our love toward them. Our singing is to share our profession that God has changed our lives. Our singing is to show people how we keep the faith in God although we face difficulties in our lives. Our singing is to live out our lives in faith with hope, peace, joy, and love in God.

Little Falls Church family,

Let us sing aloud. Let us sing aloud with our lives. Let us sing aloud with our joy. Let us praise God for Christmas, the birth of Jesus. We will see that people hear our singing and they puzzle, and their hearts will grow three sizes, and they will celebrate Christmas with us. Let us sing aloud together! Amen.

Called to Share and Witness

Response to Our Generous God

⇞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.

⇞ Dedication of Offerings

All: There are so many things to be thankful for tonight, God. Receive these tokens of our gratitude for your love incarnate in the babe of Bethlehem. May they become God-with-us for all the world. May they breathe magic back into a world that needs a sense of wonder and joy. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. 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

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.

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.

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.

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

⇞All who are able, please stand.

20221224 Christmas Eve Service.pdf

LITTLE FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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