Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Welcome!

Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, 10pm
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Hybrid Worship
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Thank you to Sharon Maeda for providing today’s flowers!

Order of Worship

Prelude
In Silence We Wait
By John Parker, Lloyd Larson
Kathy Onishi

Words of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Karen Yokota Love

Congregational Hymn
O Come, All Ye Faithful UMH #234, verses 1-5
Kathy Onishi

Opening Prayer
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park

Lighting of the Christ Candle
The Rev. Cruz Santos Family

Special Music
What Shall I Give Him
By Gustav Holst, Howard Helvey
Blaine Memorial Choir

Introduction to Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols
Rev. Karen Yokota Love

First Lesson
Genesis 22:15-18
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park

First Carol
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
UMH #218, all verses
Yuki Sofronas

Second Lesson
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Dale Watanabe

Second Carol
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
UMH #211 Verses 1-3, 6-7
Yuki Sofronas

Third Lesson
Isaiah 11: 1-3a; 4a; 6-9
Michelle Vaughan

Third Carol
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
UMH #216, all verses
Kathy Onishi

Fourth Lesson
Luke 1: 26-35; 38
Shig Nishida

Fourth Carol
The First Noel
UMH 245, verses 1-2, 4-5
Yuki Sofronas

Fifth Lesson
Luke 2:1-7
Mariko Ronan

Fifth Carol
Away in the Manger
UMH #217, all Verses
Kathy Onishi

Sixth Lesson
Luke 2: 8-12
Edwin Santos

Sixth Carol
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
UMH #240, all verses
Yuki Sofronas

Seventh Lesson
Luke 2:15-20
Sharon Maeda

Seventh Carol
O Little Town of Bethlehem
UMH #230, all verses
Yuki Sofronas

Offertory Invitation
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park

Offertory Music
Kathy Onishi

Prayer of Dedication
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park

Eighth Lesson
Matthew 2:1-12
Joshua Santos

Eighth Carol
We Three Kings
UMH #254, all verses
Kathy Onishi

Ninth Lesson
John 1:1-14
Barbara Nagaoka

Christmas Eve Meditation
The Light Within Us
Rev. Karen Yokota Love

Ninth Carol
Silent Night, Holy Night
UMH #239, all verses
Kathy Onishi

Benediction
Rev. Karen Yokota Love

Postlude
Joy to the World
UMH #246, all verses
Kathy Onishi

All Bible scriptures are from the NRSV interpretation

Sermon Questions

1. What is your Christmas story?

2. What does the manger of your life hold?

3. Who might be sitting there in darkness? Are there those who are facing Christmas for the first time since losing their beloved spouse, or partner, or parent, or child? Are there those who are separated from their families because of divorce, or deployment, or illness, or unresolved conflict?

Daily Lectionary Readings

Sun. Dec. 24, 2023: Fourth Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

Sun. Dec. 24 & 25, 2023: Nativity of the Lord – Proper I
Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Sun. Dec. 24 & 25, 2023: Nativity of the Lord – Proper II
Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20

Sun. Dec. 24 & 25, 2023: Nativity of the Lord – Proper III
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); John 1:1-14

Tues. Dec. 26, 2023:
Luke 1:46b-55; 1 Samuel 1:19-28; Hebrews 8:1-13

Weds. December 27, 2023:
Luke 1:46b-55; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Mark 11:1-11

Thurs. Dec. 28, 2023:
Psalm 148; Jeremiah 31:15-17; Matthew 2:13-18

Fri. Dec. 29, 2023:
Psalm 148; Isaiah 49:5-15; Matthew 12:46-50

Sat. Dec. 30, 2023:
Psalm 148; Proverbs 9:1-12; 2 Peter 3:8-13

Announcements

Holiday Office and Campus Closure

The Blaine Memorial UMC Church Office and the ENTIRE CAMPUS will be CLOSED from December 25-30, 2023 and January 1-2, 2024.

We will have worship on December 31, 2023. The Church Office and Campus will open on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. All groups may resume activities on Wednesday, January 3. This time away gives our pastoral and church staff the opportunity to spend Christmas and the New Year with their families. Thank you for your understanding and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Wednesday Prayer and Coffee • Canceled, Dec. 27, 2023

We will resume the Wednesday Prayer and Coffee Hour on Wednesday, January 3, 2024! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

**A beautiful landscape view of green plants on hills and Volcan de Fuego mountains on the horizon in Antigua, Guatemala**

Guatemala Mission Trip Info Meeting • January 21, 2024

Are you interested in going on a mission trip this coming August? Do you have a desire to serve others in an underdeveloped country? Are you not sure about going, but want to learn more?

Blaine will again partner with Mission Guatemala and send a mission team to San Andrés Semetebaj, Guatemala. Please join us for a short informational meeting Sunday, January 21 in the Webb Room at 12:00. If you have any questions, please contact Bob or Donna Sekijima.