Please join us this Sunday, December 27 at 11am

for our One Unified Service in the Sanctuary.

We will resume having our three services on January 3, 2016.

8:30am – Informal Worship in Wasser Chapel

10:30am – Peniel Worship (Contemporary) in Wasser Chapel

11:00am – Traditional Worship in Sanctuary

Our staff wishes you a joyous Christmas! University Park United Methodist Church 2180 S. University Blvd. Denver, CO 80210 Phone: 303/722-5736 upark@universityparkumc.org www.UniversityParkUMC.org

Evanston Center for Spiritual Healing and Wholeness

2122 S. Lafayette St. Denver, CO 80210 Phone: 303/722-7212   evanstoncenter@gmail.com www.evanstoncenter.org 

Christmas Eve Service

7pm Lessons & Carols

Christmas Eve 2015 ‐ Lessons and Carols  7:00 p.m.  

PRELUDE When the Savior Jesus Christ Jean Francis Dandrieu *THE ENTRANCE HYMN 250 Once in David’s Royal City Christmas Song

Verse One is sung by the soloist; congregation please rise at the sound of the organ and sing verses 2, 3 and 4.

Marie Brown, Soloist *INVITATION TO WORSHIP Rev. Dale Beck

One: Beloved in Christ, we are gathered together on this Eve of Christmas to prepare our hearts for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ; to meditate upon the mystery of that Incarnation by which our nature is redeemed, and to receive with joy the message of our salvation.

ALL: Drop down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, and let them bring forth justice and grace. Isaiah 45:8

INVOCATION AND WORDS OF WELCOME

I. AT THE MANGER: MARY *CAROL 234 (verses 1, 2, 6) O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fidelis THE STORY OF MARY: St. Luke 1:26-35 Marie Brown *CAROL 219 (verses 1, 2) What Child Is This? Rocking PRAYER: Rev. Debby Lawrence

Almighty God, in choosing Mary to be the mother of your Son, you made known your gracious regard for the poor and lowly. Grant us grace to receive your Word in humility, and so to be made one with your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

II. AT THE MANGER: JOSEPH

SOLO Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine German Carol/ Kelly Sowell, Soprano R .Vaughn Williams THE STORY OF JOSEPH: St. Matthew 1:18-21 Nathan Daylie

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, Heav'nly 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 your holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord, at your birth. Silent Night, Holy Night! Wondrous star, lend thy

light; With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

PRAYER: O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

III. AT THE MANGER: THE STAR

ANTHEM For Us A Child Is Born J. S. Bach THE STORY OF THE STAR: St. Matthew 2:1-2, 7-10 Josh Gonnella RESPONSIVE PRAYER AND LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT & CHRIST CANDLES The Salomonsson Family

One: Arise, shine, for your light has come. ALL: And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. One: For darkness shall cover the earth, ALL: And thick darkness the peoples. One: But the Lord will arise upon you, ALL: And his glory will appear over you. Isaiah 60:1-2

*CAROL 238 Angels We Have Heard On High Gloria

IV. AT THE MANGER: ANGELS THE STORY OF THE ANGELS: St. Luke 2:8-14 Matthew Green ANTHEM Glory to God In the Highest Randall Thompson PRAYER:

Almighty God, you have made yourself known in your Son, Jesus, redeemer of the world. We pray that his birth as a human child will set us free from the old slavery of our sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

V. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

THE STORY OF JESUS’ BIRTH: St. Luke 2:1-7 Liza Stoltz-Hanson *CAROL 246 (Verses 1, 2) Joy to the World Antioch CHILDREN’S MOMENT and BLESSING OF THE CRECHE Duane Buys

THE OFFERING The Christmas Eve Offering will be shared equally between these ministries:

Urban Peak – residential shelter for at-risk youth Warren Village – residential program for single parent families Loaves and Fishes – local Habitat for Humanity coalition Sierra Leone - NarSarah Health Clinic, against Ebola epidemic

Members who wish to designate their gift for their annual giving may mark their check or envelope “Church.”

OFFERTORY Candlelight Carol John Rutter UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER:

Lord of Christmas, we are mindful of the supreme gift that you gave us in a manger at Bethlehem. Humbly we offer our gifts of service and possessions in joyful thanksgiving for the love you have shown us. Accept these gifts for the sake of your Son who was born to us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

VI. THE LIGHT OF CHRIST FILLS OUR HEARTS LESSON OF LIGHT: St. John 1:1-14 Duane Buys SOLO O Holy Night Adolphe Adam

Kelly Sowell, Soprano A LITANY FOR CANDLELIGHTING

One: Now the light has come into the world, the light that is peace and hope for all humanity. ALL: With eager and expectant hearts, we greet the light of Christ. One: To receive the Christ-light, tilt your candle. After you have received the Christ-light, hold your candle straight up to pass the light on to others. ALL: Holy is the night and holy is the one who has come into the world. Amen

*CAROL (see next page) Silent Night Stille Nacht *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE Joy to the World Handel/Tedd Smith

Assisting in Worship Director of Music/Organist: JoAnn Gudvangen-Brown; Organist/Pianist: Renae Gudvangen; Chancel Choir

Greeters: Marcia Williams, Jim Fleet, Liz & Michael Beindorff; Acolyte: Alyssa Salomonsson Ushers: David Rankin, Phil Laramore, Carole Rollins, Marilyn Meredith,

Jonathan Nahil, Jeff Flynn, Daren Matthews, Larry Fagan Nursery Care is provided in our nursery. Please see an usher for assistance.