Order of Service
Christmas Eve Service – NATIVITY
5:00 pm
Led by Rev. Eric Cherry and Rev. DL Helfer

 An Intergenerational Participatory Re-Living
Led by Rev. Eric Cherry and Rev. DL Helfer

Prelude:  The First Noel English Carol; by William Sandy

Call to Worship and Chalice Lighting

Blessing Our Youngest Ones

Singing Together:  #1061 For So the Children Come by Sophia Lyon Fahs; Jason Shelton

Call for the Offering: The offering tonight will be given to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund, used primarily to provide financial assistance to those in need within Westminster and the surrounding community. Please include “MDF” in the memo field, if you are writing a check to the fund. To donate go to: http://34.197.179.157/donate/

Offertory:   Angels, From The Realms of Glory by Henry Smart, arranged by M. Kogut

Nativity:  An Intergenerational Participatory Re-Living Original script by Rev. Jory Agate (adapted many times over many years)

Carol Away in a Manger by William J. Kirkpatrick and James R. Murray

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

Carol: Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Charles Wesley

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 th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!

Carol: Once in Royal David’s City by Cecil F. Alexander and Henry Gauntlett

1. Once in Royal David’s City
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed;
so may we when life turns hard
find in love our stay and guard.

2. Shepherds came to see this wonder,
and to kneel in holy awe
at that lowly stable manger
where the infant lay on straw;
so may we this happy morn
honor every child that’s born.

3. From a far three magi journeyed
to that stable rude and bare,
to pay homage to the infant
offering gifts both rich and rare;
so may we our gifts bestow
whether we be high or low.

4. In that happy Christmas spirit,
hear the angels from on high
sing their ancient salutations:
joy’s a gift you cannot buy.
So may we, with heart that sings,
share the truth this season brings.

 Prayer

Carol:  Silent Night by Franz S. Gruber and Joseph F.  Mohr

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.

Benediction by Howard Thurman

Singing Together: We Wish you a Merry Christmas

1.  We wish you a Merry Christmas, (3 times)and a Happy New Year	2. Good tidings we bring to you and your kin A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
3. We wish you a Merry Christmas, (3 times)and a Happy New Year

Postlude