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O' Holy Night
Performed by Chloe Maness
Music by Madelyn Musser
Music by Madelyn Musser
Christmas Program
December 24, 2017
Christmas Eve: The Christ Candle
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Candle Lighting: Relight the three purple candles, and then light the pink candle in the center of the wreath; as you are lighting the candles say:
*On this most holy day we light all four candles in our Advent wreath, and we are reminded of the Expectation, Preparation, Proclamation, and Revelation of His coming. Now we light the Christ Candle, we rejoice that the promise of God has been fulfilled in the coming of the Baby born in a manger.
Prayer: Gracious and Mighty King, we celebrate your goodness to us as we join the triumph and joy of Christmas. As your love has been reveled in all of its fullness, we pray that love may abound in our hearts during this special day. Grant us the spirit of Christ that we may live in the fullness of his character every day. In His name we pray. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Candle Lighting: Relight the three purple candles, and then light the pink candle in the center of the wreath; as you are lighting the candles say:
*On this most holy day we light all four candles in our Advent wreath, and we are reminded of the Expectation, Preparation, Proclamation, and Revelation of His coming. Now we light the Christ Candle, we rejoice that the promise of God has been fulfilled in the coming of the Baby born in a manger.
Prayer: Gracious and Mighty King, we celebrate your goodness to us as we join the triumph and joy of Christmas. As your love has been reveled in all of its fullness, we pray that love may abound in our hearts during this special day. Grant us the spirit of Christ that we may live in the fullness of his character every day. In His name we pray. Amen.
December 17, 2017
Third Sunday of Advent: Proclamation and Joy
Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Candle Lighting:
Relight the first and second candle (both are blue). Then light the pink candle; as you are lighting the candles say:
We relight the candle of hope and expectation, recalling God’s promise to send a Savior.
As we relight the candle of preparation and peace, remember the voice crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”
Now we relight the candle of Proclamation and Joy. May our hearts be forever filled with the joy of His coming.
Prayer:
Father, we are filled with joy because we have hope and peace that you have sent your son for all that believe. Help us to be the voices that proclaim grace and truth. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
-Garner Family
Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Candle Lighting:
Relight the first and second candle (both are blue). Then light the pink candle; as you are lighting the candles say:
We relight the candle of hope and expectation, recalling God’s promise to send a Savior.
As we relight the candle of preparation and peace, remember the voice crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”
Now we relight the candle of Proclamation and Joy. May our hearts be forever filled with the joy of His coming.
Prayer:
Father, we are filled with joy because we have hope and peace that you have sent your son for all that believe. Help us to be the voices that proclaim grace and truth. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
-Garner Family
December 10, 2017
Second Sunday of Advent: Preparation of Peace
Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5
“In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Candle Lighting: Relight the first Advent candle. Then light the second candle (both are blue); as you are lighting the candles say:
Today we relight the candle of Hope and Expectation. Let this candle remind us of the great hope we have in Christ the Messiah and in God’s promises. As we light the candle of preparation and peace let it remind us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
Prayer: Father, guide us in confession of our sins. We know that in the greatness of your love, you have promised to forgive us. Cleanse us as we prepare our lives for the coming of Jesus again. This we ask in His name. Amen.
-Pruitt Family
Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5
“In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Candle Lighting: Relight the first Advent candle. Then light the second candle (both are blue); as you are lighting the candles say:
Today we relight the candle of Hope and Expectation. Let this candle remind us of the great hope we have in Christ the Messiah and in God’s promises. As we light the candle of preparation and peace let it remind us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
Prayer: Father, guide us in confession of our sins. We know that in the greatness of your love, you have promised to forgive us. Cleanse us as we prepare our lives for the coming of Jesus again. This we ask in His name. Amen.
-Pruitt Family
December 3, 2017
First Sunday of Advent: Expectation of Hope
Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16 “The days are coming, ’declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety.This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.’”
Candle Lighting: Light a blue Advent candle; as you are lighting the candle say: Today, we light the candle of expectation and hope. May it remind each and everyone one of us of God’s great promise to us. He is our hope, He is our Redeemer, and He is Savior.
Prayer: Father, during the Advent season may we be reminded of your promises to us and your fulfillment of them. Help us to prepare our lives for His Advent within us. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
-Maness Family
Mt. Bethel UMC
Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16 “The days are coming, ’declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety.This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.’”
Candle Lighting: Light a blue Advent candle; as you are lighting the candle say: Today, we light the candle of expectation and hope. May it remind each and everyone one of us of God’s great promise to us. He is our hope, He is our Redeemer, and He is Savior.
Prayer: Father, during the Advent season may we be reminded of your promises to us and your fulfillment of them. Help us to prepare our lives for His Advent within us. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
-Maness Family
Mt. Bethel UMC
November 19, 2017
November 12, 2017
Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I would like to offer this to a dear lady that Zoe and I have known since we were four. Ms. Denise Woods was our preschool teacher. She prepared us for success in elementary school. Then God brought us back to her in the sixth grade as she was a teacher at our school and has been with us since then. However, recently she suffered some complications to her health and was in critical condition. We found out Friday that she is now on life support. We can not know what God's plan is for her. However, I feel certain that when He calls her home, she will have a place by his side. Please add her to the prayer list and keep this sweet lady in your prayers.
-Chloe
-Chloe
November 5, 2017
The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of the pain, thanking Him during the trials, trusting Him when He seems so distant and far away. At my lowest, God is my light. At my weakest, God is my strength. At my saddest, God is my comforter.
-Chloe
-Chloe
October 29, 2017
We have been talking a great deal about what we can do in the church to make it more appealing to others. I think if we learn how to be the best things about our church, all the time and everywhere, others will be drawn to what we are all about.
-Zoe
-Zoe