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Christmas Eve
December 24, 2025 9:00 p.m.
(Welcome! We are so glad you’re here. Bold responses are spoken by the congregation.
Note that an * indicates when all are invited to rise in body or in spirit.)
Prelude “Es Ist Ein Ros’ Entsprungen” Johannes Brahms
“”Pastorale-Sinfonia from Christmas Cantata” J. S. Bach
“Noel VI in G” Louis-Claude d’aQuin
Introit “Salvation is Created” Chesnekov
Greetings Rev. Gregg Neel
*Westminster Chimes
(Please rise in body or in spirit as the Chimes are played.)
*Call to Worship Rev. Gregg Neel
Christmas Eve is here
and we made it to Bethlehem!
There is singing in the stable
and we want desperately to hold on to it . . .
hold on to the Star!
How do we hold on
to the Christmas spirit?
Why can’t every day be Christmas?
Let us welcome Christ into our lives.
*Processional Hymn # 113 “Angels We Have Heard On High” gloria
Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavn’ly song? [Refrain]
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. [Refrain]
See him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise.
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise. [Refrain]
Lighting the Advent and Christ Candles Eliz, Ryan, Ada, and Charlie Roser
Tonight, on Christmas Eve, we pray for and with families all over the earth in God’s presence.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light,
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
As we have been invited by light, let us enlighten.
As we have been found, let us seek out the lost.
As we have been liberated, let us set the captives free.
For unto us a child is born.
(the candles are lit)
Let us worship God
Anthem “Wexford Carol” arr. Elaine Hageberg
Stan Stanford, clarinet
First Lesson ꟷ The Birth of Jesus Rev. Gregg Neel
Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
Second Lesson ꟷ The Prophecy Fulfilled Rev. Junha Kim
Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Isaiah 9:2-3
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
Isaiah 9:6-7
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Luke 1:46
And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
Anthem “The First Noel” arr. Dan Forrest
Third Lesson ꟷ The Response The Pastors
Luke 2:8-14
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
Luke 1:50-53
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
Christmas Meditation Rev. Junha Kim
Rev. Gregg Neel
A Moment for Silent Reflection
*Hymn #124 “Still, Still, Still” still, still, still
Christmas Eve Offering Rev. Eileen Parfrey
(The Christmas Eve Offering is an invitation to give and there are many ways to give. You can give the gift of time or the gift of one of your talents in the community you live in. You are also invited to give of your financial resources.)
Offertory “Sure on This Shining Night” Morten Lauridsen
The Christmas Prayer Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Sharing the Light of Christ Rev. Gregg Neel
(This year, we are using battery-operated candles. To turn the candle on, firmly twist the
flame top. Please remain seated while we sing “Silent Night.” We will raise our candles on
the last verse.)
*Hymn #122 “Silent Night, Holy Night!” stille nacht
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,
Heavenly 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 Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy 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.
The Light of the World John 1, selected verses (p. 91) Rev. Gregg Neel
*Hymn #134 “Joy to the World” antioch (As the hymn begins and lights come up, please rise.)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 heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world! The Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders of His love.
*Benediction Rev. Gregg Neel
*Postlude “Fantasia in G ꟷ Adeste Fideles” J.S. Bach; arr. MEB
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)
Those who purchased poinsettias are welcome to take them home after the 9 p.m. service ends.
Merry Christmas to all of you from all of us at Westminster!
Our vision:
Westminster will practice resurrection by following Jesus as we
offer hospitality, encourage spiritual growth, and serve others.