Celebration Service December 24 , 2024 – 8 pm

Prelude “O Little Town of Bethlehem”     John Duro

 

Introit “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light” Schop/Bach               

 

Words of Welcome 

 

The Lighting of the Christ Candle        The DeRienzo Family   

 

Leader: We wait with hope for the justice and righteousness of God.

All: We wait with peace for God’s shalom to fill the world.

Leader: We wait with joy, celebrating all that God has done for us and our world.

All: We wait with love, humbled by the love that God shows to all people.

Leader: Tonight we light this candle to celebrate the energy that God has sent into the world through the love and life of Jesus.

All: O God of hope, and peace, and joy, and love, from that stable so long ago your light shines into every corner of the world. Help us to sing with the angels at the joy of your coming. Help us to live by your light not only today, but throughout the whole year, so that tidings of peace and good will to all will truly renew the whole creation. 

 

Hymn* “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

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Unison Prayer

O God, on this night when heaven reaches down to embrace creation with healing, we join the angel choirs who sang your glory. We join your people in every time and place, caroling the good news that is ours. Amen.

 

Anthem “Carol of the Angels” John Jacob Niles

Barbara Stotsenburg, soloist

 

Scripture Lesson Luke 2:1-7 Kathe Rhinesmith

 

Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

 

Scripture Lesson Luke 2:8-14

   

Anthem “Candlelight Carol”       John Rutter

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Scripture Lesson Luke 2:15-20

 

Anthem “In Bethlehem” Leo M. Tellep

 

Message “The hopes and fears”          Rev. Dan Haugh

 

Hymn* “Angels We Have Heard on High”

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Offertory “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” Manz

 

Offertory Prayer

Click here to make an online donation. - THANK YOU!                                  

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Hymn* “Silent Night, Holy Night”

(As we sing, “Silent Night” receive the light for your candle from the aisle

and pass it down your pew, dipping the unlit candle into the flame.)

 

Benediction*

Closing “Nowell, Nowell”

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Postlude “Silent Night”     Peter Pindar Sterns

“Little Jesus, Sweetly Sleep”  from Nativity Suite

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Our church experienced tremendous growth in 2024!   To fund this
growth,  we ask that you prayerfully consider making a one-time end-of-
year gift to enable us to finish 2024 strong and begin 2025 with healthy
finances. Place your donations in the offering plate, visit our website or
scan the QR code that is in the bulletin.
Beverages are allowed in the sanctuary however, please do not put your
cup on the hymnals, bibles, or pew cushions. Place them on the
floor by your feet. Thank you.

If you, or someone you know, would like prayers for comfort or healing,
the members of the Prayer Team are ready to support you. Please fill
out the prayer request form in the pew and put it in the offering plate or
hand it to an usher to deliver to the office.

The staff of Stowe Community Church wishes you and your family
a peaceful and joyous Christmas!

Reflections:
“The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it
always is young, the heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair, and its soul
full of music breaks the air, when the song of angels is sung.”.- Phillips
Brooks (author of O Little Town of Bethlehem)
"Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the
genial flame of charity in the heart." —Washington Irving
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything
is softer and more beautiful." —Norman Vincent Peale

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2024 Poinsettias given by

In memory of Alan & Becky

Matt & Leslie Anderson in memory of Jack Turner, our loving parents, and Michelle LaBow and Lynn Baumrind

Anne Bongiorno in memory of Priscilla Watson and Ruth Lewenthal Bongiorno

Cilla Bouchard in memory of Howard, Gwendolen, Ken, and Bob Young

Ben Brayton in memory of Rev. Dou and Eliner Brayton

Bob and Marlene Davison in memory of our son, Robbie

Annie-Vera D. Frye in memory of Pierre A. Frye, parents Arnold & Suzanne Frye, Roald & Fera Dysthe, Jean Roald Dysthe

Judith Grosvenor in memory of Florence, John, Peter and John G. 

Carollynne & Bob Kirch in memory of our parents

Bob & Amy Marshall in memory of the Beres and Marshall family

Karen Monsen in memory of Peter Monsen

Greg Morrill in memory of George and Ruth Morrill

Greg Morrill and Meg Scotti in memory of Adrienne Chamberlin

Dave and Nan Myers in memory of The Myers family and the Ayers family

Laura Nichols in memory of Alice Kruidenier

Sandy and Scott Noble in memory of Phyllis and Jack Knittle and Kathryn and Joe Noble

Walter & Dorothy Pesaresi in memory of Doug Schoning

Steve & Kathe Rhinesmith in memory of our parents

David and Ruth Roy in memory of our parents and broth-in-law, in honor of our children and grandchildren

Meg Scotti in memory of Frank and Joan Scotti

Nancy Small and Roger Keller in memory of Christine Houghtaling

Travis and Rebecca Spaulding in memory of Jerry and Mary McDermott, Gerry Spaulding and William Robidoux

Elizabeth Teffner in memory of Ted Teffner

Lynne von Trapp in honor of my family

Dian Williams in memory of Martha Chesson & Reynold Spruill, my parents

Jessie and Jacob Winters in memory of Alice Kruidenier

Bernadette & Lori Wyman in memory of Bill Wyman and Dick & Marcia Johannesen

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