UNIVERSITY PARK

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Christmas Eve 2016

7:00pm

INCLUSIVE INTERNATIONAL INTERGENERATIONAL INTERFAITH

7:00 PM Christmas Eve December 24, 2016

Sanctuary

Lessons and Carols PRELUDE Carol Medley Trad.

*ENTRANCE CAROL 234 O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fidelis

Verse One is sung by the soloist; congregation please rise at the sound

of the organ and sing verses 1-6.

Heidi Frazier, Soloist

*INVITATION TO WORSHIP Rev. Valerie Jackson

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 221 (verses 1, 2, 4) In The Bleak Midwinter Cranham

THE STORY OF MARY: Luke 1:26-35 Abby Dolce

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

ANTHEM What Child Is This? Howard Helvey

THE STORY OF JOSEPH: Matthew 1:18-21 Lawson Green

PRAYER: Rev. Lawrence

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 Baby Boy Robert Penn

THE STORY OF THE STAR: Matthew 2:1-2, 7-10 Matthew Frazier

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT & CHRIST CANDLES The Bowsher/Leisegang Families 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: Luke 2:8-14 Rohan Dawson

ANTHEM Light Our Darkness Lloyd Larson

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: Luke 2:1-7 Brett O’Connor

*CAROL 246 (verses 1, 2) Joy to the World Antioch

CHILDREN’S MOMENT Duane Buys

OFFERTORY Once in Royal David’s City Henry J. Gauntlett

Peniel Band

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 annual giving may mark their check or envelope “Church”

UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER Kevin Garman

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: John 1:1-14 Rev. Jackson

SOLO O Holy Night Adolphe Adam

Kelly Sowell, Soprano

LITANY FOR CANDLELIGHTING Brittaney Nelson

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 Rev. Jackson

POSTLUDE Joy to the World Handel/Tedd Smith

Assisting in Worship

Director of Music: Robert Penn; Organist/Pianist: Renae Gudvangen

Greeters: Richard & Janet Nelson, Cal & Mary Neptune

Ushers: Jeff Flynn, Nate Eckloff, Kelsey Forsyth, Daren Matthews, Michael Cox,

Les Law, Ruth Rohs, Larry Fagan, Embra Daylie, Nathan Daylie

Acolytes: Bronte Bedin, Sean Flynn

Peniel Band: Kevin Garman, Jessica Carmer, Denton Hanson

Flowers for our December 18 services were donated by Lola Ozman

in memory of Dale and in honor of her family.

Nursery Care is provided in our nursery. Please see an usher for assistance.

*Please stand when able

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!

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE

Wear your pajamas!

We will have one informal service on December 25th

at 10:00am in Wasser Chapel.

We will sing carols until 10:45am,

followed by the assembly of Car Care Kits to hand out to those

without homes that we might see on street corners.

We are collecting the following items for the kits:

Men’s white tube socks

Water bottles

Granola bars

Fruit cups

Disposable hand warmers

Gallon size Ziploc bags

Cracker snack packs

Travel size toiletries

Please join us Sunday, January 1st at 11am

for one unified Service in the Sanctuary.

We will resume having our three services on January 8, 2017.

8:30am – Informal Worship in Wasser Chapel

10:30am – Peniel Worship in Wasser Chapel

11:00am – Traditional Worship in Sanctuary

HOLIDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE

Poinsettias

If you ordered a poinsettia, it is available to be taken home

with you after the this service. Thank you!

Mary Erculiani

Nancy Gwin

Susan Lyday

The Long Family

The Bedin Family

The Bedin Family

Phyllis Ward

Linda Schuyler

The Green Family

The Green Family

The Rollins Family

The Rollins Family

Debby Lawrence

Jeanette McIntosh

George K Gramer Jr.

Tanda Peña

Leon & Marilyn Meredith

Dolores Hernandez

The Rohs Family

The Rohs Family

The Rohs Family

Lois Anderson

Andriette Jordan-Fields

Rev. Valerie L. Jackson

Rev. Valerie L. Jackson

Rev. Valerie L. Jackson

In memory of Charlotte & Ed Estlow

In memory of Charlotte & Ed Estlow

In memory of Charlotte & Ed Estlow

In honor of Bill & Jan Wilson

In memory of Frank Madren

In honor of Linda & Tony Bedin

In memory of Ruth, Philip, & John Perdew

In memory of my parents

In memory of Rebecca Ricker

In memory of Loved Ones

In memory of Marge & Dick O’Brien

In memory of Sherrie de los Reyes

In honor of Visitation Ministries

In memory of Loved Ones passed

In memory of my parents

In memory of Effie Hyson & Joyce VanCamp

In honor of Adam, Jennifer, & Makena:

our greatest gifts

In honor of Barry, Darlene, & Abebe

In memory of Papa Bill & Grandma

In honor of Mimi & Grandpa

In honor of JoAnn

In memory and honor of family and friends

In memory of Alwena Sample

In memory of Mary & John Lomax

In memory of Desi & Edward Grant

In memory of Deacon Lula L. Axson,

Jacquelyn Noelle, & Lovell Barnes

University Park United Methodist Church 2180 S. University Blvd

Denver, CO 80210 (303) 722-5736

upark@universityparkumc.org www.universityparkumc.org

Evanston Center for Spiritual Wholeness and Healing

2122 S. Lafayette St Denver CO 80210

(303) 722-7217 evanstoncenter@gmail.com

www.evanstoncenter.com

Vision: A community of Disciple leaders who practice stewardship and hospitality as we engage each other and the world around us.

Core Values: Inclusive, Intergenerational, Interfaith, International

Reverend Dr. Valerie Jackson

Reverend Debby Lawrence

Duane Buys

Hannah Westra

Liza Stoltz Hanson

Liza Stoltz Hanson & Denton Hanson

Kevin Garman

JoAnn Gudvangen-Brown

Renae Gudvangen

Jessica Carmer

Marilyn Stranske

Sandy Schumm

Josh Rousis

Bethany Hader

Jenna Clark

Larry Grauberger

Jo and Jim Morgan

MaryAnn Buys

Senior Pastor

Associate Pastor of Congregational Care

Director of Christian Education

Assistant to Christian Education

Director of Foundation Campus Ministry

Peniel Leaders

Program Director of Evanston Center/Peniel Band

Director of Music/Organist

Assistant Organist/Pianist

UPark UMC Administrative Assistant

Evanston Center Administrative Assistant

Bookkeeper

Custodian/Resident Caretaker

Youth Assistant

Interim Chorister Director

Lay Leaders

Lay Leaders

Wedding Coordinator

STAFF