Christmas Eve, 2021, at Union Church

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

Christmas Eve December 24, 2021 7:00 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. 

Prelude Two Manger Carols (Whence Comes This Rush of Wings Afar & The Sleep of the Child Jesus), arr. M.L. Thompson

Union Church Handbell Ensemble; Kim Kobersmith, flute; Rina Tanaka, clarinet

Welcome Rev. Kent Gilbert

Dancing in the Light Still, Still, Still                     Carla Gilbert, Dorie Hubbard and Christie Hubbard dancers

Hymn         Oh Come, All Ye Faithful Steve Bolster,  singer

1.    Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, Born the King of angels;

Chorus: Oh, come, let us adore him; Oh, come, let us adore him; Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.

2.  Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above! Glory to God, Glory in the highest! Chorus

3.  Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. Chorus

Hebrew Scripture Reading Isaiah 9:2-7

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 Counselor, 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

On Christmas Night All Christians Sing; Whence is That Lovely Fragrance Flowing, arr. L. Sue

Pearl Marshall and Susan Stephens, handbells

Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38

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 Angels We Have Heard on High

1. Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, and the mountains in reply echo back their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be, which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo.
3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-7

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 ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, arr. C. Moklebust Union Church Handbell Ensemble; Rina Tanaka, percussion

Gospel Reading Luke 2:8-20

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 Light of the Stable Al & Alice White, Ruth McLain Smith, Daxson Lewis

Sermon                         Open All Night Rev. Kent Gilbert

Offertory Bells Are Ringing Al & Alice White, Ruth McLain Smith, Daxson Lewis

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!

Christmas Prayer Make of My Heart a Stable Amanda Udis-Kessler

Please join in singing:

Make of my heart a stable, a house for the holy, a warm and sturdy place for Hope to live and grow.

One: In this moment we open the doors of our hearts to honesty before God about what we’ve done and left undone that created less hope in a hurting world. Let us breathe out this regret and breathe in the life-giving, for-giving Spirit of God and out again with the Hope of Christ.

Make of my life a stable, a house for the holy, a warm and sturdy place for Peace to live and grow.

One: In this moment we open the doors of our lives to the call of the Spirit, inviting us to become more than we can ask or imagine. Let us breathe out our fear and breathe in the courage of the Spirit of God and out again, with the Peace of Christ

Make of our church a stable, a house for the holy, a warm and sturdy place for Joy to live and grow.

One: In this moment we open the doors of this church, filling it with the compassion of Christ for all those who are struggling.

We remember and pray for…

… those who are suffering economic hardship, and insecurity in basic needs; may abundance be shared.

… for those who are suffering mentally, finding it difficult to cope; may paths open and hope return.

… for those who are suffering illness or injury; may healing abound.

…. for those who are suffering loneliness and isolation; may companionship and solace arrive.

… for those who are suffering discrimination, fear and violence; may they know respect, respite, and safety.

May the Advent of Compassion be born in us, reside within us, move outward from us, to meet the needs of the world,

Make of our world a stable, a house for the holy, a warm and sturdy place for Love to live and grow.

Let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Maker, our Mother, and 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 sins as we forgive those who sin 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.

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 Love Comes to Us at Christmas Amanda Udis-Kessler

1. Hope waits for us at Advent, hope waits for us to trust. Hope waits for our commitment to a land that’s kind and just. In this time of preparation, for the work of co-creation, For the birthing of a world that heals the ones in pain, Hope is born in us again.

2. Peace waits for us at Advent, hope waits for us to rest. Peace waits for our acceptance of the truth that we are blessed. In this time of preparation, for the work of co-creation, For the birthing of a world of gentleness and play, Peace is born in us each day.

3. Joy waits for us at Advent, Joy waits for us to sing. Joy waits for our amazement at the grace in everything.’ In this time of preparation, for the work of co-creation, For the birthing of a world where wonder is restored, Joy is born in us once more.

4. Love waits for us at Advent, Love waits for us to care. Love waits for our compassion, freely offered, fully shared. In this time of preparation, for the work of co-creation, For the birthing of a world where faith shapes all we do, Love is born in us a anew.

Lighting the Christ Candle      

One: All through the season of Advent as we prepared for Christmas, we’ve been exploring how we as a church can “make more room in the inn,” becoming more hospitable to the needs of our community. On this Christmas Eve, we declare that The Inn is open for the business of compassion with room enough for all! The long-awaited Messiah has been born and on him the light shines. We have only to open the doors of our lives and say “welcome.” Our Advent journey has led us to this moment when the light shining through the closed doors of life becomes an open door to new possibilities, new relationships. What a poignant moment for us this year as the light–the hope, peace, joy and love–multiplies from one illuminated heart and hand to another.

[Sung] Love comes to us at Christmas. Love comes to heal our souls. Love brings an invitation that our hearts might be made whole. As we gather at the stable, in the darkness, glad and grateful for the sacred in our midst, for wonder and delight, Christ is born in us this night!

One: Tonight we offer the Lights of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love  to illumine the open door of God’s heart.  And we add the brightest light of all… the Light of the Newborn Jesus.  It shines bright like the star that rose over Bethlehem. Join us as we pray together:

All: May this light also shine in our hearts, in our lives, in this church, and throughout a beloved community. May our Hearts be “Open All Night,” and be a living house for all that is holy.”

One: There IS room in the inn, and all people shall see it together! The Light of the World and dwells among us.

Singing Together

Love comes to us at Christmas. Love comes to heal our souls. Love brings an invitation that our hearts might be made whole. As we gather at the stable, in the darkness, glad and grateful for the sacred in our midst, for wonder and delight, Christ is born in us this night!

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

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. Christ the savior is born, Christ the savior is born.

Benediction Rev. Kent Gilbert

Postlude Joy to the World Steve Bolster, singer

1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let ev’ry heart prepare him room and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, 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 ….

4. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love…