Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols
December 24, 2023 | 4:00pm
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.” | Ebenezer Scrooge, in Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
GATHERING
Prelude Once in Royal David’s City | Jordan
Welcome & Introduction to the Evening
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Darkness is all around,
but great things happen in the dark.
Seeds planted in the dark bloom into flowers.
Humans formed in the dark are born.
From within the night we see a great light.
That light is the presence of God.
We greet a child, Emmanuel, God with us.
Let us live in the light of the coming of Christ.
Let us worship God!
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
THE WORD OF GOD
Carol O Come All Ye Faithful
First Lesson Genesis 3:8-15
Anthem How Sweet Was the Garden | Edwards
Second Lesson Genesis 22:15-18
Poem Hush by Lucinda Hynett
Carol Angels From the Realms of Glory
Third Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7
Poem Into the Darkest Hour by Madeleine L’Engle
Anthem E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come Manz
Fourth Lesson Isaiah 11:1-9
Carol Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming
Fifth Lesson Luke: 1:26-38
Anthem Ave Maria | Keating
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen.
Poem The Weight of Wings by Christine Woolgar
Sixth Lesson Luke 2:1-7
Carol What Child is This?
Poem The Prince of Prayer by Christine Woolgar
Seventh Lesson Luke 2:8-16
Carol Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Eighth Lesson Matthew 2:1-11
Carol As With Gladness Men of Old
Poem Che Jesus by Anonymous
Carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Ninth Lesson John 1:1-14
Presentation of the Christ Candle
Meditation
Passing of the Light
Carol Silent Night
Verse One Verse Three
Silent Night, holy night! Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright, Son of God, love’s pure light
Round yon virgin mother and child! Radiant beams from thy holy face,
Holy infant, so tender and mild, With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Sleep in heavenly peace, Jesus Lord, at thy birth,
Sleep in heavenly peace. Jesus Lord, at thy birth.
Verse Two Verse Four
Silent night, holy night! Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight, Wondrous star, lend thy light;
Glories stream from heaven afar, With the angels, let us sing,
Heavenly hosts sing: Alleluia, Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born. Christ the Savior is born.
Prayer for Light
SENDING
Benediction and Merry Christmas!
Benediction
Carol Go, Tell It on the Mountain
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, December 17 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, December 31 - eggs
Sunday, January 7 - gallon(s) whole milk
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED