Wk 52 Christmas Eve

Communion & Candlelight Service

GREETING/OPENING

[1:00]

SCRIPTURE

Luke 2:1–5 NLT

1. At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire… 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

[0:45]

SONG: O Little Town of Bethlehem

(Verse 1, 2) 🎶 F

[1:00]

SCRIPTURE

Luke 2:6–7 NLT

6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

[0:20]

SONG: O Little Town of Bethlehem

(Verse 3,4) 🎶 F

[1:00]

PREPARE TO LIGHT THE CHRIST CANDLE…

SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 9:6–7 NLT

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!

[0:35]

LIGHT THE CHRIST CANDLE…

As we light the Christ Candle this Advent Season, we are Saying…that Christ Jesus is the sum total of our Hope, our Love, our Joy, and our Peace.

Thus, Today we call Him, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Light the Candle

[0:40]

SONG: Silent Night

(Verse 1-3) 🎶 D

[1:30]

SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 11:1–5 NLT

1 Out of the stump of David’s family* will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. 4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. 5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

[1:00]

WORDS BY MICKEY

THE GOSPEL

IS MORE THAN … A story rooted in the land of Israel and more than a child we celebrate who became the Savior of the world.

THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE … but the Gospel is the POWER OF GOD unto Salvation.. it results in a RELATIONSHIP between Humanity and God — for all who call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

RESULTING IN THE ABILITY TO COMMUNE WITH GOD.

COMMUNION

IS MORE THAN… A religious ritual of Christians imitating the last supper of Jesus Christ and his disciples.

COMMUNION is also about a RELATIONSHIP!

Listen to this passage…

Luke 24:13–15 NLT

13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles* from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them.

Do you know the story?

That’s what they asked Jesus if he knew what was in the news about the miracle man getting crucified and their amazement of him supposedly raising from the dead.

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 

Jesus began to take them through the scripture to show them the prophetic words that they were not believing in!

They begged him to spend the night since it was getting late—and because their hearts were engaged and wanted to know more…

[2:15]

AND HERE IT IS…

Luke 24:30–32 NLT

30 As they sat down to eat,* he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! 32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

Tonight we take Communion NOT AS A RELIGIOUS ACT, but because our HEARTS YEARN and Burn to

know him,

love him,

be intimate about all of our joys and worries with Him.

(Pass out the Elements)

[2:00]

Communion

1 Corinthians 11:23–25 NLT

23b ... On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you.* Do this in remembrance of me.”

So, Father tonight we pray and we remember, that Jesus died for us — that his body was broken for us. That he took on our guilt and our shame so that we might have a clear conscience being forgiven of sin.

Just as these many pieces of bread symbolize one single loaf, may our hearts be united today honoring that we are one body of Jesus Christ — one body, one Lord, and one Savior.

Take and eat.

1 Corinthians 11:23–25 NLT

25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”

Father, we thank you for a new and living Way— a New Covenant of grace and Mercy, not just from You to us, but also from us to others.

Lord forgive us when we are selfish, when we hold on to the hurts of others. Let us forgive and live out this new covenant by the power of the Holy Spirit— amen.

Take and drink.

[2:00]

LIGHT INDIVIDUAL CANDLES…

We have the light of Christ in us— as reborn followers of Christ.

He as put His love in Us, His laws rules our hearts, and His holiness is our Holiness.

as we sing O Holy Night— YOU MAY LIGHT YOUR CANDLES FROM the candle of our attendants tonight.

They will hold their lit candles straight up and you will take your unlit candle sideways to light and stay gathered around the tables.

Light your candles and sing with me.

SONG: O Holy Night (Guitar)

(Verse 1-2) 🎶 F

[2:15]

CLOSING…

As we put the bow on our Caroles, communion and candle lighting tonight let’s end by turning to our friends nearby for prayer over each other and then I will lead you in this last carol, O Come Let Us Adore You!

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(PRAYER TOGETHER)

[2:00]

SONG: O Come Let Us Adore Him (two verses) 🎶 G

[1:00]

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄

[14:24]