Christmas Eve at Central

Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas

December 24, 2020
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GREETING Dr. Jan Davis

OPENING MUSIC God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen arr. Judith P. York

Frode Gundersen, piano & Scott Montgomery, organ

The Coventry Carol arr. Mark Hayes

Andrew Baker, oboe

O Holy Night Adolph Adam

Ethan Godfrey, tenor

CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Greg Gibson

Pastor: Do not be afraid: for see—
I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
All: to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior,
who is the Messiah, the Lord.
Pastor: On Christmas Eve we light the Christ candle,
for the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
All: For unto us a child has been born, unto us a son given;
and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

OPENING HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful arr. David Willcocks

Brass Quintet & Scott Montgomery, organ

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

MUSICAL RESPONSE Joy to the World Traditional French Carol

CALL TO PRAYER
Today we celebrate that Jesus, our Lord, came to earth as a human,
just like us but without sin. He came so that we who sin may be freed from sin.
With the peace that comes from knowing this, let us go to our Lord in prayer .
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O God our Father, you have brought us again to this glad season
when we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grant that his Spirit may be born anew in our hearts this day,
and that we may joyfully welcome him to reign over us.
Open our ears that we may hear again the angelic chorus of old.
Open our lips that we, too, may sing with uplifted hearts.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PASTORAL PRAYER

SOLO Gesú Bambino Pietro Yon

Dennese Adkins, soprano

SCRIPTURE READING John 1:1-14

This is the Word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

SERMON Christmas Quest: Dr. Jan Davis

DWELL

ANTHEM Lo, How a Rose / The Rose arr. Craig Hella Johnson
Gloria Deveraux, soloist

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Dr. Jan Davis

At this time we encourage you to light your candles at home, and sing along.

CLOSING HYMN Silent Night STILLE NACHT

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!

CLOSING VOLUNTARY Hark! the Herald Angels Sing arr. David Willcocks
Brass Quintet

Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella arr. Keith Chapman

Scott Montgomery, organ
 SENIOR PASTOR
Dr. Jan Davis, Senior Pastor

ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Rev. Greg Gibson

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & WORSHIP

Dr. Frode Gundersen

ORGANIST & ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

Scott Montgomery

BRASS QUINTET
Richard Rulli & Tlaloc Perales, trumpet
Cory Mixdorf & Nolan Miller, trombone
Jason Hausback, bass trombone

SOLOISTS
Dennese Adkins, Gloria Deveraux, Staceé Lyles & Ethan Godfrey

OBOE
Andrew Baker

AUDIO/VISUAL
David Lee & Lawson Templeton