Merry Christmas! - Gurley United Methodist Church

Announcements
Rev. Dale on vacation next Sunday;
Rev. Amanda will be preaching.
December 24, 2012
GURLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
5th Sunday—December 30
Bring soups or salads to share.
Wednesday tutoring begins again
on January 9th at 3:00 pm.
Merry Christmas!
WWW.GURLEYUMC.COM
121 College St.
Gurley, AL 35748
256-776-4984
WWW.GURLEYUMC.COM
ORDER OF WORSHIP OF ALMIGHTY GOD
A Sign in the Sky
Offertory (Offertory Music)
*Doxology
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
December 24, 2012-7:00PM
Christmas Eve Service
THE GATHERING OF GOD’S COMMUNITY
Eunice Traylor
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Greetings and Announcements
It is right, and a good and joyful thing…
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Leader: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given!
People: God has brought light into every darkness.
Leader: The promises of God are fulfilled! Wonderful Counselor! Mighty God! Everlasting
Father! Prince of Peace!
People: We hear, even today, a choir of angels bringing good news of great joy to all
people.
Leader: We light the Christ Candle as a light witness to the Savior who is Christ the Lord.
People: Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He
favors!
We praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of
your Glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name
of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
*Songs of Celebration
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” # 230
“Away in a Manger” # 217
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ…
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer
ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with
Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here…
*Passing of the Peace
(Welcome one another by saving: “Peace of Christ be with you”)
Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor
and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercessions (...Pause for silent prayers)
Holy God…
Especially we pray for those who have not heard your good news…
For the sick and suffering…
For those who know no laughter, only tears…
For those who govern and rule…
For prisoners of addiction or abuse…
For the church as a refuge for the needy…
All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Giving the Bread and Cup
(All who desire Christ are welcome to partake at God’s table. Afterwards, prayer in
unison)
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have
given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of
your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
EMBRACING FOR GOD’S SERVICE
ENCOUNTERING THE LIVING WORD
Gospel Reading
Matthew 2:1-12
(The Word of God, for the people of God, thanks be to God)
Rev. Dale
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
GURLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Prelude
Message
Liturgist
*The Blessing of the Light
*Benediction Blessing
*Congregation standing, if able
“Silent Night, Holy Night # 239 v 1-4