Christ has Arrived

🎄 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Welcome & Opening Prayer

🕯️ Hope Candle

Candle Lighting

Leader:

“We light the Candle of Hope. God made a promise to send a Savior, and His people waited in hope, trusting that He would keep His word.”

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 9:2–7 — Lydia Sevits

Luke 2:25–32 — Harper Sthole

Hebrews 6:17 — Adalyn Sevits

Romans 15:13 — Adalyn Sevits

Lydia Sevits

Isaiah 9:2–7 ESV

2 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. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 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.

Harper Sthole

Luke 2:25–32 ESV

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Adalyn Sevits

Hebrews 6:17 ESV

17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,

Adalyn Sevits

Romans 15:13 ESV

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Song

O Little Town of Bethlehem (Little Town)

Homily (brief)

Hope is confident trust in God’s promise. Christmas reminds us that God keeps His word. The light promised long ago has come.

🕯️ Peace Candle

Candle Lighting

Leader:

“We light the Candle of Peace. True peace does not come from calm circumstances, but from trusting the God who reigns over them.”

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 26:3 — Shiloh Jacob

Luke 2:8–9 — Sawyer Kelsey

John 14:27 — Malachi Jorden

Philippians 4:6–9 — Linnea Jacob

Shiloh Jacob

Isaiah 26:3 ESV

3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Sawyer Kelsey

Luke 2:8–9 ESV

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.

Malachi Jorden

John 14:27 ESV

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Linnea Jacob

Philippians 4:6–9 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Song

What Child Is This

Homily (brief)

The shepherds were afraid, but peace entered the darkness when God spoke. Jesus gives a peace the world cannot give, guarding our hearts and minds.

🕯️ Joy Candle — 

Candle Lighting

Leader:

“We light the Candle of Joy. God’s good news brings joy that no hardship can extinguish.”

Scripture Readings

Psalm 19:8 — Cord Phillips

Luke 2:10–12 — Leah Phillips

John 15:10–11 — Joscelyn Phillips

Philippians 4:4 — Carissa Phillips

Cord Phillips

Psalm 19:8 ESV

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

Leah Phillips

Luke 2:10–12 ESV

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.”

Joscelyn Phillips

John 15:10–11 ESV

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Carissa Phillips

Philippians 4:4 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Song

Joy to the World

Homily (brief)

Joy is rooted not in circumstances, but in salvation. A Savior has come, and because He reigns, our joy can remain.

🕯️ Love Candle — 

Candle Lighting

Leader:

“We light the Candle of Love. God’s love is not distant or abstract—it is revealed in action.”

Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 31:3 — Scotland Long

Luke 2:13–14 — Catriona Jacob

Romans 5:8 — Bella McLaughlin

John 15:9–13 — Elias Jorden

Scotland Long

Jeremiah 31:3 ESV

3 the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Catriona Jacob

Luke 2:13–14 ESV

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!”

Bella McLaughlin

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Elias Jorden

John 15:9–13 ESV

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Song

Away in a Manger (Forever Amen)

Homily (brief)

God’s love is everlasting and demonstrated. He did not wait for us to come to Him—He came to us. Christmas declares that love has entered the world in Jesus Christ.

🕯️ Christ Candle — 

Candle Lighting

Leader:

“We light the Christ Candle. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. In Him, every promise is fulfilled.”

Scripture Readings

Luke 2:15–20 — Hezekiah Jorden

John 1:5 — Pastor Ben

John 1:14 — Pastor Ben

Hezekiah Jorden

Luke 2:15–20 ESV

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.

Pastor Ben

John 1:5 ESV

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

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Song (during congregational candle lighting)

A Thrill of Hope

(The light is passed throughout the congregation.)

Homily (brief)

Our hope has a name.

Our peace has a person.

Our joy has a source.

Our love has a Savior.

The Light has entered the darkness—and the darkness has not overcome it.

Benediction

“The Lord bless you and keep you…”

Numbers 6:24–26