wk 52a - Christmas Eve Candlelight Ser

(30-45 minutes, preferably just before or after dinner)

Helpful Elements:

Christmas hymnbook

Table with black covering

Communion Elements

Individual candles (one for each person) and Lighter

Instrumental Christmas music

Advent Wreath and candles x5

Nativity scene (separate table)

Welcome: MICKEY

I want to welcome all of you to our worship service this Christmas Eve, a holy night to celebrate Christ’s birth. My name is Mickey Baldwin, and I’ll be leading us in worship tonight with the help of Pastor Edwin and Debbie Valladares from the Angelus Foursquare Hispanic Church here in Okmulgee and our CF Band along with Jason and Kristin Arnold, our kids from Texas.

Thank you all for coming tonight and we are thankful to be streaming LIVE on Facebook.

Lighting the Advent Candles: MICKEY

Now is the time to light the Advent Candles.

This past Sunday was the final Sunday of Advent, and we lit four candles:

· the candle of Hope (purple),

· the candle of Love (purple),

· the candle of Joy (pink), and

· the candle of Peace (purple).

Tonight, Christmas Eve, we now light the white candle, the Christ candle, which symbolizes the Light – along with the hope, love, joy, and peace – that Christ brought into the world.

there’s one candle left on the wreath, and that is the center candle, also called the Christ candle. The Christ candle is saved for last and lit on either Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. And so this being Christmas Eve we have lit all four outside candles as well as the center candle in celebration of Christmas.

The Christ candle is in the center because the Christ candle reminds us that Jesus is the center of Christmas. The four outer candles are all important, but they only make sense with Jesus at the center. Yes, Christmas is a time of hope, peace, joy and love, but once again, this is only because of Jesus. And so tonight I want us to look at Jesus as the center of Christmas, and how we only have real hope, peace, joy and love in our lives because of him.

I. There is no real hope without Christ

So, let’s talk about hope first. Jesus is the center of Christmas because there is no real hope without Christ.

II. There is no real peace without Christ

III. There is no real joy without Christ

IV. There is no real love without Christ

So, as you watch the Christ candle burning this evening in the center of all the other candles, remember that Christ is central.

The world is standing in front of a Fireplace that isn’t burning expecting a fire, expecting crackling, expecting heat Likewise,

Expecting hope, peace, joy and love without Jesus is foolish

He is the reason for Christmas. He is the one who brings true hope, peace, joy and love for us all. And so let us draw near to him to worship, to praise, to follow and believe. O come let us adore Him! O Come Let Us Adore Him! O COME LET US ADORE HIM! HE IS CHRIST THE LORD!!!

Please pray with me as we open our time together.

Opening Prayer: MICKEY

Almighty God, we thank you for the birth of the Christ child in Bethlehem, as announced by the angels on this holy night so many years ago—may the mystery of the Word made flesh fill our souls with wonder and yearning.

Change our hearts from a busy inn to a quiet chamber for your glory. May we who are gathered here join in song with the angels, share the delight of the shepherds, and adore him with the wise men. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Carol: Joy to the World

Led by DEBBIE V.

Isaiah 9:2–7 NLT

2  The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. 4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. 5 The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

Devo & Communion: EDWIN

10-12 Minutes—personal thoughts

Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful

Led by DEBBIE V.

John 1:1–5 (NLT)

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.

The Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 He existed in the beginning with God.

3 God created everything through him,

and nothing was created except through him.

4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,

and his life brought light to everyone.

5 The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Passing Out Candles: MICKEY

We have candles here to hand out to everyone to remind us of Christ’s light that spread through all creation and touched each of us. Please keep your candle upright after it has been lit.

Light Candles and Prayer: MICKEY

Coach everyone through the Lighting of the individual candles and prayer!

Carol: Silent Night

Led by JASON A.

Exit Encouragement & Prayer: EDWIN

Merry Christmas!