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Friday, May 09, 2008 ..:: Christmas Eve, December 24, 2007 ::.. Register  Login

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve

 
Rev. Nancy Graham Ogne
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 Due to the sensitive nature of prayer requests, our prayer list below is available to members only.
 A Note from the Associate Pastor Minimize

  And a wondrous Christmas Eve to you!

     Are you ready? Can you feel it? Something powerful is in the air! God has penetrated the “ordinary” by sending His Son as a tiny, vulnerable infant – sent from the Father to be one of us …

Throughout this day we pause to reflect on that powerful truth … re-telling the ancient Story and celebrating God’s initiating goodness, showered lavishly on humanity. This reality speaks hope into our circumstances – and punctuates God’s gracious plan for all of God’s children. Something powerful is in the air!

The members, elders and staff of Community Presbyterian Church welcome all of you who are our guests this evening. If you’ve been in the desert places – wandering far from God or feeling cut off from God’s love … If you’re traveling tonight and missing home or loved ones … If you’ve relocated to south Orlando and are looking for a place to grow in faith with real people like you – flawed and frail but eager to know Christ … If you’ve been yearning for a deeper relationship with the Holy … then you’ve found a spiritual home here.

We’ve included in this booklet a list of some of the ministries provided at Community Pres – a smattering of ways we connect with other Christ-followers, grow in relationship with God and serve others as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

By God’s grace, this church family has been privileged to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ throughout Orlando … to the destitute in New Orleans … to the working poor in Juarez, Mexico … and to villages along the Amazon River. Each week, hundreds of young people learn about the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ through our children’s and youth ministries. Adults from their late teens to their 90s engage scripture and experience new life. Whatever our life-stage or history, we’re on the road together.

We’re delighted that you’re with us to share this celebration – and we hope that, as God directs, you will feel inspired to journey with us in the days and months ahead. Please let us know how we may encourage you as you seek to become all God dreams you to be …

Are you ready? Can you feel it? Something powerful is in the air! Let’s listen for what God will do this night!

From our hearts to yours, Merry Christmas!

You are loved, 

Nancy Graham Ogne

 
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 Order of Worship December 24, 2007 Minimize
Christmas Eve 2007
The beginning of the prelude is a call to personal preparation for the worship of God. Please turn off all cell phones and pagers before worship begins. Thank you.Greg Schroeder
Prelude                                                                              

 News of the Family                                                                     Dana Silva

Chiming of the Hour

 Call to Worship                                                           Nancy Graham Ogne

 ▲Processional No. 278                                Angels We Have Heard on HighShaun Hartsell

The Lighting of the Advent Candle                                   

 The Christ Candle

Leader: Dear God, we have made our way these last four weeks getting ready for this night. We have paused to reflect on our relationship with you and with those around us.

 

People:  And the Angels of heaven shout for joy!

 

Leader: We have lit the candle of hope, which causes us to remember that we are not left alone; indeed, you remain our constant companion!
People: And the Angels of heaven shout for joy!

 

Leader: We have lit the candle of peace, asking you to bring forth your peaceful Spirit upon this world and us. Help us to remember that peace is not only how we feel, it marks the way we live our lives with you and others.

 

People: And the Angels of heaven shout for joy!
Leader: We have also lit the candles of joy and love. These candles remind us of your deep love for us and the joy we experience as a result of that love.

 

People: And the Angels of heaven shout for joy!
Leader: Tonight we light the Christ candle. Tonight we remember that you are here with us. Tonight we remember that you humbled yourself to become a person just like us. In the humiliation, you identified with us and our condition that we might have life abundant.

 

People: And the Angels of heaven shout for joy!
Leader: As we light this Christ candle, light the flame in our hearts through the power of your Spirit. Tonight, may we take the hope, peace, love and joy that you share with us in the Baby Jesus and carry it to the people in the world where we live.

 

People: And the Angels of heaven shout for joy!

 

 
Prayer of Praise and Invocation                                                 Shaun Hartsell

 The Hope of Israel       Isaiah 9.2-7; Micah 5.2-5                Nancy Graham Ogne

 ▲ Opening Carol No. 249                                               O Come, All Ye FaithfulLuke 1.26-38                           Shaun Hartsell

The Annunciation to Mary             

 Special Music                                      Magnificat                              by Haas    

Pastoral Prayer                                                                                 Shaun Hartsell

 Our Father, 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever! Amen.

 The Ritual of Friendship

 The Offering - Giving Back to God as God Has Given to Us

Offertory

 5:00 pm                              The Gift Goes On                          Hannah Swanson, soloist

                                           Happy Birthday, Jesus                  Kortney VanDyke, soloist

                                        CommPres KidsKhoirCommPres Handbell Choir

 
7:30 pm                    How Great Our Joy                by Wagner  

  CommPres Evening Worship Band

11:00 pm          We Three Kings        arr by Binion & Kelley     

▲ Doxology No. 815

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

 Praise Him, all creatures here below.

 Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.

 Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

▲ Prayer of Dedication                                                     Nancy Graham Ogne

The Birth of Jesus                      Luke 2.1-7                           Nancy Graham Ogne
Special Music

 5:00 pm                        Night of Silence/Silent Night                            by Haas                                Jean & Kelley Ryan, Vocalists

 7:30 pm                    Christ Came to Bethlehem                             by Johnson

                                CommPres Vocal Choir

 11:00 pm                                         Light a Candle                                        by Lindsay                Kristin Tucker, Marcy Kraft, Kim Hawk           , Vocalists       

 
The Adoration of the Christ Child    Luke 2.8-20                Shaun HartsellO Little Town of Bethlehem                                                        Nancy Graham Ogne
Carol No. 250                                                          
Christmas Meditation

 A Place for the King

 Luke 2.1-20

 Page 725 in the pew Bible

  Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

11:00 pm                                                    

 This is the Lord’s Table; it is not a Presbyterian table. This meal is prepared for all those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and are baptized. If you wish to participate, please come forward when invited. Take a piece of bread, dip it into the chalice and partake of the meal at that time.

 5:00, 7:30 & 11:00 pm                                 The Service of Candlelighting

 An usher will come to light the candle of the first person in your row. The first person should tip the unlit candle toward the usher’s lit candle, then repeat the process down the row. Please do not tip a lighted candle to light another candle. Following the service there will be boxes at the doors where you may place your used candles.

 

Musical Anthem                      O Holy Night                                     by Gruber                    

 ▲ Carol No. 253                                                                               Silent Night

▲  Invitation and Benediction                                     Nancy Graham Ogne

▲ Departing in Celebration! No. 270, v. 1                     Joy to the World

 Joy to the world! The Lord is come;

 Let earth receive her king.

 Let every heart prepare him room,

 and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,

 and heaven, and heav’n and nature sing.

 

Go now and be the hands and feet of Jesus!

 

All reprinted music appears in compliance with CCLI License 1678057
 Leading Tonight’s Celebration:
Rev. Nancy Graham Ogne, Associate Pastor and Teaching Elder

 Mr. Shaun Hartsell, Director of Youth Ministry

 Mrs. Marcy Kraft, Director of Worship

 Mrs. Susan McDowell, KidsKhoir Director

 Mr. Gregory Schroeder, Organist & Instrumental Music Coordinator

  
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