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DECEMBER 24, 2024 - CHRISTMAS EVE
REV. KENDRA BALLIET
ORGANIST JIM ROSS
MUSICAL OFFERINGS - Clark Barnes - Flute & Saxophone / Donald Olah - Guitar
 
EXPANSION OF OUR HEARTS
Prelude –      Madrigal – P.H. Gaulbert (Flute – Clark Barnes)
                     Romance – Robert Schumann (Saxophone – Clark Barnes)

Welcome
 
*Call to Worship
These are our “glad tidings of great joy” that we bring to you this night and we are deeply joyful that you are here. I invite you to join with all of heaven and nature!
Sing a new song to the Lord. Lift your hearts with gratitudeand Joy, Incarnate Joy!Your steadfast love and faithfulnessis ever present in our liveswith Joy,Incarnate Joy!
Let the voices of all people blend in harmony, in unison let the people magnify the Beloved!
Hear how all creation sings from Psalm 96:
 
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy!
 
Advent Wreath
Let us pray: 
Holy God, we give you thanks that you became Joy-Made-Flesh in Jesus Christso that your hope, love, joy and peace could be multiplied in all of heaven and earth. Help us to remember that this is our true natureand that simply being the humans you have created us to be—including our moments of struggle and sadness—is what you want us to do fully,hopefully,lovingly,unabashedly,peacefully.
 
Together we proclaim that:
The Lord has come to our hearts this day.
The Lord has come to our church this day.
The Lord has come to the world this day!
We sing “Joy to the World” - Heaven and nature singwith joy,Incarnate joy! Amen.
 
*Praise Hymn –“Joy to the World”-  #246
 
RECEPTION OF GOD’S WORD
The Coming of Jesus Is Announced to Mary and Joseph -
Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25
 
The Preparations for the Birth of Jesus - Luke 2:1-5
 
 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” - #230
 
Jesus is Born - Luke 2:6-7
 
 “Away in a Manger”- #217
 
Jesus’s Birth Announced to the Shepherds - Luke 2:8-18
 
 “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” - #218
“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” - #236 vs. 1-3
 
The Wise Men Bring Their Gifts - Matthew 2:1-11
 
 “The First Noel”- #245 vs. 2-5
 
Pastoral Scripture – Isaiah 52: 7-10 (CEB)
Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God
 
Series: “Heaven and Nature Sing Joy to the World”
Message – “Focusing on Incarnate Joy”
TRANSFORMATION OF OUR LIVES
Our Offering in Gratitude for God’s Love and Blessings
Offertory - Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising-Raymond Hann
*Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow  #95
 
*Communion Hymn – O Come All Ye Faithful - #234
Pastoral Prayer 
 
Communion See Insert
 
*Candlelight Hymn – Silent Night - Don Olah, Guitarist
(Please allow our guitar soloist to play a verse 
by himself as candles are lit.)
 
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,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
 
4. Silent Night! Holy night! 
Wondrous Star lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
 
*Blessing and Benediction
*Postlude - Unto Us A Boy is Born-Richard Warner

The poinsettias on the altar for today's service are given in loving honor and memory of loved ones of Stone UMC members.

Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org