Click right here Friday shortly before 5:00 PM to join our online service.
We will celebrate with special music, words, and silence to honor this time of year. Our circle of light will connect us all in community and we will return to our sanctuary for the first time! **This will be our First Service where we can return to our sanctuary and be together in person! Our service will also be on zoom so that folks who are unable to attend, or living far away can be present. [In these times of Covid, guidelines will be in place and if cases rise and it is not healthy or safe for us to gather, we will hold a virtual service.] Luminary dedications are listed below the Order of Service.
Christmas Eve Service
“Our Circle of Light”
Friday, December 24, 2021
Click right here Friday shortly before 5:00 PM to join our online service.
Words of Welcome Rev. Telos Whitfield
Prelude: “The Wexford Carol” from Ireland, 15th century
arranged for violin and performed by Hilary Menegaz Weitzner
Chalice Lighting: Jamie Gibson
“We kindle this flame to bring
Light in a time of darkness,
Love in a time of fear, and
Hope in a time of uncertainty.
We light this flame to honor our common light.”
Call to Worship Rev. Telos Whitfield
Carol #244: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
Edmund Sears; Richard Willis
Christina Gibbons, soprano; Eva Greene, piano
Readings: Luke 2:1-7 “A Humble Birth”
Read by Ed Burke
The Moment of Magic by Victoria E. Safford – Part 1
Carol #255: “There’s a Star in the East” trad. spiritual
sung by Bob Wyckoff and Steve Squires
arranged and produced by Bob Wyckoff
Readings: Luke 2:8-14 “News of Peace and Joy”
Read by Cathie Creed
The Moment of Magic by Victoria E. Safford – Part 2
Anthem: “I Saw a Light” words anon. (c. 1500)
music © 2009 by Jeremy Rawson, with permission
All Souls Choir, Tom Baehr, Director
Readings: Luke 2:15-20 “Shepherds Make the Journey”
Read by Beth McKinney
The Moment of Magic by Victoria E. Safford – Part 3
Reflection: “Our Circle of Light” Rev. Telos Whitfield
Inviting the Offering Rev. Telos Whitfield
Offertory: Cantique du berger David
from Le Roi David, by Arthur Honneger
Robert Wyckoff, cornet; Catie Berg, soprano; Eva Greene, piano
“The Eternal is my shepherd, I am but his lamb.
He leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23)
Carol #245: “Joy to the World”
G.F. Handel; Isaac Watts (alt.)
Marie Gorst, soprano
Blessing of the Candles and Candlelighting
Extinguishing the Chalice Jamie Gibson
“Though we extinguish our chalice, our light lives on.
Let us offer the best of ourselves to the work
that is so needed, the work of justice and care,
transformation and healing.
In this season of lights, may we spread our light far and wide.”
Benediction “The Work of Christmas” by Howard Thurman
Rev. Telos Whitfield
Processional Outdoors for our Circle of Light
Closing Carol #251: “Silent Night, Holy Night”
Franz Gruber; Joseph Mohr (alt.)
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
Silent night, holy night,
shepherds quake at the sight,
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia”
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night,
child of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.
LUMINARIA DEDICATIONS
IN MEMORY OF
From Ruth Lane for Eugene Lane
From Beverly Miller for Nic Mattingley
From Mara Berkley for Justin Michael Berkley Straus
From Karen Tyler for Bonnie Ray
From Joan Wesolowski for:
Genevieve Kacmarczyk
Gladys Wesolowski
Sigmund Wesolowski
IN CELEBRATION OF
From Peter and Christina Gibbons for:
Avah Gbbons
Lydia Gibbons
Owen Gibbons
Kellan Gibbons
IN HONOR OF
From Mary and Charles Henderson for The Caring Circle
THINKING OF
From Leslie Kinney and Michael Landis for Noel and Diane Landis
From Joan Wesolowski for:
Meri Myles
Friends and family in cancer treatment