Merry Christmas
Today’s service will be held indoors in the sanctuary as an in-person service and also live streamed at this link. Join us!
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Gathering Music Polly Dunford
Special Music “Silent Night” Adrienne Lee Words by Joseph Mohr; Music by Franz Gruber
Christmas Eve Litany (light the four candles) Lin Hagen
Katie Hagen
Leader: The Light of Christ is born anew this night in your heart.
Assembly: And also in yours.
Leader: In the beginning, Light shines in the darkness.
(Lighting the Christ Candle)
Loving, Beautiful, Good –
giving birth to all creation,
the center, the heart, of unfolding life.
The Light graces all creation as God’s presence.
Assembly: The Light is Christ.
Leader: The Light is the child of Mary and Joseph.
Assembly: The Light is Love.
Leader: The Light is a Jewish mystic, sage, and prophet.
Assembly: The Light is Beautiful.
Leader: The Light is life in the midst of death.
Assembly: The Light is Good.
Leader: May Christ, the Light, reveal to all who would see
the wisdom and wonder of God’s boundless love.
All: Amen.
Opening Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Hymnal # 133
1) O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant;
O come ye; O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold him, born the King of angels!
Refrain: O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
2) True God from true God, Light from light eternal,
born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
very God, begotten, not created! Refrain
3) Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest! Refrain
4) Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! Refrain
Anthem “African Alleluia"
Words by Benjamin Harlan; based on a Kenyan Folk Melody
Arranged by Benjamin Harlan
Percussion: Kyle Bruenning, Laurie Gentry
Piano: Polly Dunford
Scripture Luke 2: 1-21
Sermon “I Wonder if Anyone Notices” Dr. Keith Ray
Special Music “Joseph’s Song” Vocals: Dave Johnson
Words and Music by Jim Strathdee
Flute: Laurie Gentry
Piano: Polly Dunford
Sharing the Light of Christ
As the light is passed from one candle to the next, tip the unlit candle into the flame of the lit candle. Join in singing “Silent Night”.
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.
Silent Meditation
Benediction
Shalom (meaning - “May you be well and whole and in communion with all creation.”)
Shalom, my friends, Shalom, my friends, Shalom, Shalom.
Till we meet again, Till we meet again, Shalom, Shalom.
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Calendar of Service -
December 28 - Lessons and Carols
January 4 - Epiphany Stars
1st Sunday Potluck meal
January 11 - Rev. Tricia Lytle
January 18 - TBD
January 25- TBD
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Dear Friends,
In December 1995 when “He’d Come Here” was published in The Christian Century magazine, I could never have imagined that Tom and I would experience it come alive 30 years later—and in the perfect setting, NAACP. What a gift you have given me. I am deeply grateful to each person—seen and unseen--who made it happen, and especially to Diane Lee, who re-created the story and Tim Ensworth’s script (written for his congregation in Waterloo, Iowa). Diane’s imagination, hard work, and amazing talents found a way to bridge three decades and also the centuries between Bethlehem and Ray’s Diner. A special thank you to Ann Miller, who was the voice of the story from beginning to end. Take a bow everyone.
With love and a grateful heart,
Harriett Richie
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From Cynthia —
I learned several years ago that no one form of invitation works for everyone. Joanne and I will host a Christmas Brunch at her house at mid-day (~11:45 to 2:30) on Sunday 28 December. We have “issued" other forms of this invitation and now this email form will arrive in your inbox. If you are interested/available to join us, we would love to have you.
We will begin about 11:45 AM and continue until all our guests have departed. We hope you will “drop by" even if you have other events on your calendar for that day. No reservations needed. No need to bring anything but yourself. We will have plenty of food available. We hope to see you “at mid-day” at 609 S Mechanic Street in Pendleton on 28 December!
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