Christmas Eve, 2020, at Union Church

Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2020 6:00 and 11:00 pm

As the Berea community responds to the governor’s suggestion to avoid gathering in large groups, we worship online to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19. We’re delighted to welcome you into this virtual circle of God’s healing love and light.

For communion, you’ll need bread and a cup with wine or juice, or whatever you have on hand; and a candle. During the service, Rev. Kent will give direction on how to participate.

Music of the Season

Carol of the Bells trad. LaRee Jacobs, piano

Of the Father’s Love Begotten arr. Wilbur Held Larry Brandenburg, organ

In the Bleak Midwinter Christina Rossetti Carlie Geyer, violin; Caroline Geyer, cello; Bernardo Scarambone, piano

O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles Maria Hartz, singer

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; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels; Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God, Glory in the highest…

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning: Jesus, to thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing…

Adeste Fideles laeti triumphantes, Venite, venite in Bethlehem. Natum videte, Regem Angelorum; Venite adoremus Dominum.

Wintergrace Jean Ritchie Al & Alice White, Ruth McLain Smith, Daxson Lewis, singers

It is the time so well we love, the time of all the year; when winter calls with chilling breath for fireside and good cheer. A time for man and beast to stand and feel the season turn; to watch the stars for secret signs, and God’s true lessons learn.

For the time when the corn is all into the barn, the old cow’s breath’s a frosty wine, when the morn along the fallow field doth silver shine.

And when cold morning’s radiant stars shines over hill and plain; we know anew that little babe is born to us again.

And man and beast and bird in tree, each one in his own place; we bow our hearts and thank our God for winter rest and grace.

Welcome Rev. Kent Gilbert

Dancing in the Light Carla Gilbert, dancer

Hymn One in Royal David’s City Irby Steve Bolster, singer

1. Once in Royal Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her Baby in a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child.

2. He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all, and His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall; with the poor, and meek, and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.

3. Jesus is our childhood’s pattern, day by day like us he grew, he was little, weak and helpless, tears and smiles like us he knew. And he feeleth for our sadness and he shareth in our gladness.

4. And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love; for that Child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above, and He leads His children on to the place where He is gone.

Hebrew Scripture Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 Rev. Gilbert, Reader

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. 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. 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. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 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 onwards and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Musical Meditation Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming trad. Larry Brandenburg, organ

Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38 Eva Sutherland, Reader

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

Musical Meditation God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen arr. Scarambone

Carlie Geyer, violin; Caroline Geyer, cello; Bernardo Scarambone, piano

Gospel Reading Luke 1:39-56 Don Cardwell, Reader

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.

Musical Meditation Glora Hodie arr. Turner/McChesney Handbell Ensemble

Gospel Reading Luke: 2:1-7 Ella Sutherland, Reader

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 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.

Musical Meditation Gloria Vivaldi

This piece is performed by a group of singers from Brazil, whose relationship with Union has been facilitated by Bernardo Scarambone, our Music Director

Gospel Reading Luke 2:8-20 Rhonda Cardwell, Reader

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Musical Meditation Star of Peace Ruth McLain Smith Al & Alice White, Ruth McLain Smith, Daxson Lewis, singers

Sermon The Journey to Bethlehem Rev. Kent Gilbert

A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union

All offerings made today (or marked Christmas Eve on a check) will be donated to local agencies helping meet the needs that love demands. Your generosity makes possible support of food bank, rental and utility relief, and other support for families in need.
Secure donations can be made using: easytithe.com/union on your phone or computer.

You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier. You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)

Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!

Offertory He Is Born arr. Robert J. Powell Larry Brandenburg, organist

Christmas Prayers Jennifer Melton Jennifer Melton, Reader

Candlelight Communion

For communion, you’ll need bread and a cup with wine or juice, or whatever you have on hand; and a candle. Rev. Kent will give direction on how to participate.

Communion Music I Wonder as I Wander Pearl Marshall, handell soloist; Rina Tanaka, chimes; Bernardo Scarambone, piano

Lighting the Christ Candle

The Light of the World John 1:1-14 Dr. Paul Smithson, Moderator of Union Church

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Singing Together Silent Night Maria Hartz, singer

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.

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.

Silent night, holy night! Son of God, Love’s pure light; radiant beams from thy holy face; with the dawn of redeeming grace. Christ the savior is born, Christ the savior is born.

Benediction Rev. Kent Gilbert

Postlude Joy to the World arr. Wilbur Held Larry Brandenburg, organist

OUR FELLOWSHIP PRINCIPLES:

“Union Church welcomes all followers of Christ and works with all who work with Him; respecting each person’s conscience; working by love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”

Come to a time of Fellowship after the 6:00 pm service! Let’s visit a bit!! Use this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761

Union Church is an intentionally ecumenical Christian congregation welcoming all since 1853. Worship, bible study, fellowship, meditation and prayer opportunities are all available online and can be found at union-church.org.
Many thanks to the musicians and readers who contributed to our worship tonight. Special thanks to our many volunteer technicians, editors, and videographers for their loving service. We wish you all a very merry Christmas.
Readers: Ella Sutherland, Don Cardwell, Eva Sutherland, Rhonda Cardwell
Moderator: Paul Smithson

Pastor: Rev. Kent Gilbert

Director of Music: Dr. Bernardo Scarambone

Handbell Director: Pearl Marshall

Office Administrator: Joan English

Church Administrator: Dave Kobersmith
Videographers: Jeff Hutton, Don Cardwell, Marty Hensley
Sound: Sayer Kobersmith, Rina Tanaka
Editors: Rina Tanaka, Bernardo Scarambone
Broadcast Technician: Marty Hensley