Where is the Joy?

December 24, 2023
Sue Ostrom

Mill Plain UMC
Sunday December 24, 2023
Where is the Joy
Scripture

Isaiah 9:2-7
Luke 2: 1-20

Music

O Come All Ye Faithful
Special Music
Joy to the World
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen(Gentlefolk)
Silent Night

Give at MillplainUmc.org

Mill Plain UMC

December 24, 2023

7 p.m.

Greeting

Call to Worship

Lighting of Advent Candle

Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

People: In the darkest night and the brightest noontide, the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Leader: For a child has been born for us w ho is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

People: The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Leader: Tonight, we light all four Advent Candles and the Christ Candle, for truly Christ has come and the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Three blue, one pink, and one white candle are lit as the congregation sings The Joy of the Lord is My Strength.

Opening Prayer

Beloved in Christ, this Christmas Eve it is our duty and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the prophets and to go in heart and mind to Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.

But first, because this of all things would rejoice Jesus’ heart, let us pray to him for the needs of the whole world, and all his people;

For peace upon the earth he came to save, including Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Gaza, and all other nations where there is war;

For love and unity within the one Church he did build;

For goodwill among all peoples.

And particularly at this time let us remember the poor, the cold, the hungry, the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.

Lastly let us remember all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we forevermore are one.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words that Christ himself has taught us.

Lord’s Prayer

Carol O Come, All Ye Faithful #234, stanzas 1-3

Special Music Melody TBD

Offertory

Presentation of Offerings

Doxology

Scripture

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, 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 onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Luke 2:1-20

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 favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.