Rembrandt, Adoration of the Shepherds, 1646

First Congregational Church of Evanston

United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Church
Founded 1869
Friday, December 24, 2021 | 5 o’clock in the evening, Christmas Eve
 ORDER OF WORSHIP

Prelude In Dulci Jubilo J. S. Bach

Marcel Dupré

Welcome Rev. Timothy Stevens

*Hymn 133 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

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;
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,

Jesus to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

*Gathering Prayer

*Prayer of Confession
Holy God, you have come among us in Jesus Christ, hallowing our
humanity and embodying love. We confess that we have turned
from the path Jesus has marked, failing to claim all you intend for us,
withholding love from our neighbors and ourselves. Forgive us. Be
born anew in us, that our lives might reflect Christ’s radiant light.

(Moment of silence and reflection)

*Words of Grace and Mercy
Peace on earth, mercy mild.
God and sinners reconciled.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

*Prayer Response (Hymn 113, refrain)

Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Children’s Message Messy Christmas Sarah Petersen

Scripture Isaiah 9:2-7 Wayne MacPherson

Anthem "O Holy Night" Adophe Adam

Scripture Luke 1:26-38 Lindsey Hammond

Anthem “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came” arr. Pettman and Wickham

Scripture Luke 2:1-20 Sheran Fiedler

Anthem “Angels’ Carol” John Rutter

Sermon Why Shepherds? Rev. Timothy S. Stevens

*Lighting of the Christ Candle

“Good news of great joy,” the angel said,
“for to you a savior is born.”
“Peace on earth,” the choir sang,
“for God reigns in the highest.”
“Follow me,” the star beckoned,
“For Hope was born in Bethlehem.”
As we light the Christ candle,
we watch for the Christmas story around us.
Emmanuel has come and is coming.
Come, all ye faithful, and worship God.
*Hymn 122 “Silent Night, Holy Night”

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; Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.”

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.

Christmas Prayer and Prayer of Our Savior

Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Invitation to Offering
We are grateful for your generosity to the ministries of First Congregational
Church. Please place your offering in the plate in the narthex as you exit the
service, or you may give online at www.firstchurchevanston.org. Use the
“donate” button to give electronically. Thank you for your faithful support.
You are making a difference in the lives of those in need.

Offering Prayer
Thank you, God of Love, for the promise of this season. We are grateful
for the generosity aroused in us by Christ’s coming into the world. May
these gifts represent a new spirit of joyous sharing among us, for the
sake of all your children everywhere. Amen.
*Closing Hymn 127 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased in flesh with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by, born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

*Benediction

*Benediction Response “God's Love Made Visible” Dave Brubeck

Postlude Toccata (from Symphony V) Charles-Marie Widor

Welcome Children & Families!

We are so glad you are here today! Children enrich our community & add vibrancy to our
congregation. Please don't fret about coos or cries during the service. All ages are
welcome here. Review these special COVID guidelines to help keep you & all little ones
safe at FCCE:

• Babies, toddlers & children are always welcome to stay with their families
during worship.
• Children older than 2 are asked to wear a masks.
• Families with children aged 3 and under can reserve a spot in the indoor
nursery by emailing spetersen@firstchurchevanston.org before 9 am, or on the
signup sheet in the narthex. Due to COVID-19 protocols, only 2 infants/toddlers
are allowed in the nursery at a time. Overflow nursery care is available tonight in
the Fellowship Hall. Our Nursery Supervisor and assistants are vaccinated and
wear a masks. Little ones are also welcome to stay in the sanctuary with their
families and make use of our books in the rocking chair area at the entrance to
the sanctuary.
Please ask a deacon if you need help finding the nursery or have
questions.

← Scan the QR code to be taken directly to our

DONATE page!

Are you our next new member?

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. If you
are interested in joining the caring community of First Congregational Church of
Evanston, please let Rev. Tim know at tstevens@firstchurchevanston.org.

Reminder about cold and flu season during a pandemic.

One of the ways we show love to one another is to stay home when we are feeling sick.
As the flu and cold season begins, please remember to stay home if you are not feeling
well. We invite you to participate in our weekly worship service by viewing it on YouTube.
 Mission Statement
We express God’s love in action, compassion, and justice.

Open and Affirming Statement

As an inclusive congregation, we welcome all faith experiences and family types; we are
an open and affirming community of faith who welcome and celebrate differences of age,
ability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and national origin.

Immigrant Welcoming Statement

We commit to take actions consistent with the values and resources of our community to
oppose xenophobia and to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation and the
hardships such deportation will cause them and their families.

First Congregational Church of Evanston, UCC

Sanctuary: 1445 Hinman Avenue (at Grove Street)
Mailing address: 1417 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847-864-8332 | Email: info@firstchurchevanston.org
Website: www.firstchurchevanston.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/firstcongregationalchurchofevanston/
Instagram: @fcce.ucc

Church Staff and Officers

Rev. Dr. Timothy S. Stevens, Interim Minister tstevens@firstchurchevanston.org | ext.21
David Lornson, Director of Music dlornson@firstchurchevanston.org | ext. 23
Sarah B. Petersen, Director of Learning & Outreach
spetersen@firstchurchevanston.org |ext. 24
Mahdia Lynn-Greene, Church Administrator mahdia@firstchurchevanston.org | ext. 22
Maureen Fogerty, Nursery Supervisor
Lindsey Hammond, Moderator | Lindsey Siemens, Vice Moderator

Chancel Choir Quartet

Cindy Senneke, soprano | Hannah Busch, alto
Mark Nienow, tenor | Joseph Roberts, baritone