Christmas Eve 2023

Welcome to Sunnyside First Baptist Church

-Cookies and Treats

-Communion Information

-Candle Lighting

(Jeff)

= Welcome to First Baptist Church.

= My name is Pastor Jeff Pagel,

=Welcome to our Christmas Candlelight service.

=A few housekeeping things

= Please join us immediately at the end of the service for cookies and treats in the well.

= We will have candy bags with a special treat in them for those who would like.

=Communion info

=Tonight we are going to have communion together

= If you have committed to following Jesus in your life… you are welcome at our table.

= We are going to be be doing it a bit different than you might expect

= We have two stations set-up on on each side of the podium to receive the elements

= We will be coming forward down the center isle… taking the cracker, then dipping in the juice and returning to your seat along the outside isle.

= Candle Lighting

= At the end of the service we will black out the church, sing Silent Night , as we pass the lighted candles in the church.

= Tip your unlit candle towards the lit candle and repeat to the person next to you.

= Candle wax is hot and it can burn the skin

= Be careful as you handle the hot candles

= Mom’s and Dad’s watch out for your little ones as they handle their candles.

Our Christmas Celebration

(Jeff)

=The final moments of Christmas preparation are ticking away.

= Perhaps the ticking of a clock makes you think of all the things you didn’t get done for Christmas, Because… you just ran out of time.

= Perhaps the ticking of that clock calls you to the many things you want to achieve in the days to come. In other words, time left to fill.

=Tonight, through the reading of scripture, the singing of carols, and the praying of heartfelt prayers, we invite you to experience time in an entirely new way.

CHRISTMAS “TIME”

A time to wait, watch, wonder, witness, and worship.

=We now light the white candle

= This is the Christ Candle

=which symbolizes the Light – along with the hope, love, joy, and peace

=that Christ brought into the world. Please pray with me as we open our time together.

=Let’s pray as we continue our celebration.

(Jeff)

= Thank you God for today.

= God, we gather tonight here at church and in our homes to celebrate, once again the coming of the Christ child.

= Be with us here tonight as we remember in words and song what happened some 2000 years ago in a town called Bethlehem.

= Introduction

(Jill)

= Do you remember what it was like as a child to wait for Christmas morning to arrive?

= Do you recall that sense of anticipation that would begin in early November when you opened up that crisp, glossy, Sears Christmas Wishbook catalogue?

=Do you remember pouring over the toy section, excitedly showing your parents what it was you wanted Santa to leave under the tree on Christmas morning?

=As children, our Christmas experience depended largely on the adults around us.

=Perhaps you can call to mind memories of Christmases long ago, of moms and dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles, working really hard to make your Christmas memorable.

=Maybe the smell of gingerbread cookies, or the sparkle of a Christmas tree brings back a memory from those earlier Christmas celebrations?

=Now, as adults, we are the ones working hard to make sure that our children or grandchildren have a memorable Christmas experience.

= I wonder though if in the busyness of preparations, we’ve forgotten the excitement of waiting.

=Do we regard Christmas as just one more thing in our busy lives to “get through”?

=Tonight, let us slow the ticking of the clock, if only for a moment, and take time to wait.

= I pray that as we observe this Holy Night, this Christmas eve, that our attention will be drawn away from the decorating, shopping, cooking, overeating and endless images of Santa.

=I pray that our attention would be drawn to the one who made that Holy night truly divine.

Song: Oh, Holy Night

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

Chorus Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming; With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand: So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wise men from Orient land, The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our friend;

Chorus He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger! Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King! your King! before him bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is Love and His gospel is Peace; Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, And in his name all oppression shall cease, Sweet hymns of joy in grateful Chorus raise we; Let all within us praise his Holy name!

Chorus Christ is the Lord, then ever! ever praise we! His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim! His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!

Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7 (Jim Slinker)

(Jim Slinker)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them has light shone.

Scripture: Isaiah 9

Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

=Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the new-born king Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled" Joyful all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With angelic host proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the new-born king"

=Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings Risen with healing in His wings Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the new-born king"

=Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the new-born king Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled" Joyful all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With angelic host proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! The herald angels sing

=“Glory to the new-born king" =“Glory to the new-born king"

The Christmas Story - Kris Schilperoort

Luke 2:1–20 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Hymn: Away in a Manger (2:40)

Away in a manger No crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus Lay down His sweet head The stars in the sky Look down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing The poor baby wakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky And stay by my side 'Til morning is nigh Be near me, Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care And take us to heaven To live with Thee there Take us to heaven To live with Thee there

Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem (2:30)

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 thy holy birth And praises sing to God the King And peace to men on earth

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

Message: “Christmas time is a Time for Wonder” [Pastor Jeff Pagel]

(Jeff)

=Remember hearing “T’was the Night Before Christmas?”

=It’s hard to read that and not feel a sense of wonder.

=Likewise, we feel a sense of wonder when we plug in our family Christmas tree and see the beautiful lights transform our living room. And we thank the Lord that all of the lights actually light… Maybe even on the first try. :)

=Or if we are lucky enough, a snowfall on Christmas that transforms our world into a winter wonderland.

= We experience wonder, shock and awe, surprise when an unexpected friend or family member comes through the door at Christmas time.

= This may be a family member that you see just once a year, yet that instant connection is still there. The memories do not fade even though you are separated by time and distance.

=We could pass the evening sharing the many wonders of Christmas.

=But in truth, all of these wonders pale in comparison to the wonder that is the birth of Jesus Christ.

=The wisemen followed the star for 2 years… until it stopped over the place where the child lay.

=Matthew tells us that when they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

=These wise men, probably princes in their homeland were advisors to the king.

=They left lives of wealth and abundance, chasing after star.

=the chase made perfect sense, they realized upon entering the cattle pen that the child before them was the King of kings.

=They were filled with joy! They were filled with wonder!

=Why? Because they now understood that God’s promise of redemption included them!

=Presenting their gold, their frankincense and mirth to a poor peasant family would have seemed out-of-place to anyone else, but to the magi, their gifts were a pale reflection of the true wonder that lay before them.

=In the arms of Mary, was the Wonder of wonders - the redemption of the world, the hope of salvation for both Jew and Gentile: It was…

=Jesus, the Savior!!

=Do you feel the wonder of God including you in his plan of salvation?

=Do you feel the wonder of Jesus Christ, dying for your sins?

=Do you feel the wonder of his grace, a grace that reaches out and meets people where they are?

=This Christmas, STOP and take time to wonder.

=Bethany Gallo is going to come and sing… listen to this wonderful message.

Song/Special Music: Bethany

(turn off main lights, leave stage nights)

Communion

(Joe playing in background)

= Tonight along with our celebration of the birth of Jesus

= We are going to be celebrating His life, death, his burial, his resurrection.

=We do that as we celebrate communion together.

= We celebrate “open communion” here at First Baptist.

= If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you are welcome at our table.

= We will serve from the center isle.

=As you come forward. Take a cracker, we do have gluten free available, and then move along and dip it in the juice and take.

= You will return to your seat along the outsides of the sanctuary.

= If you are unable to come forward, please raise your hand and we will bring the elements to you

=The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest and betrayal took bread, and after giving thanks to God, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you.

=Do this in remembrance of me.

=In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

=Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.

=Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord, until he comes.

=On this most holy night, long ago in the city of Bethlehem, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born.

=Jesus brought life, and the life was the light of all people.

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

=As we close our celebration tonight…Let’s sing Silent Night.

=Candles will be lit from the center isle, as your candle is lit, let your neighbor light their’s from your candle and then pass on the gift of His light.

Song: Silent Night O Holy Night (3:50)

[Verse 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 [Verse 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 [Verse 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

Closing:

(Jeff)

Our prayer for you this Christmas Eve is that you will use the time you have, be it short or long, to grow closer to God.

=Remember Christmas “time?” Take time to… Wait, Watch, Wonder ,Witness, Worship.

“And to ALL a Merry, Merry Christmas!”

-Join us in “The Well” (at the back of the church)

-For some cookies and sugar treats

-Kiddos (Young and Old) Do take a bag of candy home with you to enjoy!