Lightstreet United Methodist Church

Christmas - Celebrating the light 2022

Gathering Song – Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing A sleighing song tonight!

Refrain: Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way. Oh! What fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way
Oh! What fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh

Now the ground is white Go it while you're young Take the girls tonight
And sing this sleighing song. Just get a bobtailed bay Two forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh And crack! You'll take the lead. Refrain.

Morning prayer- O Almighty God, by the birth of Your Holy Child Jesus You gave us a great light to dawn on our darkness. Grant that in His light we may see light. Bestow upon us that most excellent Christmas gift of love to all people, so that the likeness of Your Son may be formed in us, and that we may have the ever brightening hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (UM BOW 277)

Praise song- Star Child

Star-Child, earth-Child, go-between of God, love Child, Christ Child,

heaven's lightning rod,

Refrain: This year, this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone,

everyone alive!

Street child, beat child, no place left to go, hurt child, used child

no one wants to know. Refrain

Grown child, old child, mem'ry full of years, sad child, lost child,

story told in tears. Refrain

Spared child, spoiled child, having, wanting more, wise child, faith child,

knowing joy in store. Refrain

Hope-for-peace Child, God's stupendous sign, down-to-earth Child,

Star of stars that shine. Refrain

Scripture reading- John 1:1-9

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

Praise song- O Come All Ye Faithful

1. O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

Refrain: O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

2. True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, lo, He shuns not the Virgin's womb;

Son of the Father, begotten not created; (Refrain)

3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest; (Refrain)

4. See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle, leaving their flocks,

draw nigh to gaze; we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; (Refrain)

5. Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, we would embrace Thee

with love and awe. Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly? (Refrain)

6. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory given.

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: (Refrain)

Children’s time- John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

Song – This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won’t let satan (blow) it out. I’m gonna let it shine.

Won’t let satan (blow) it out. I’m gonna let it shine.

Won’t let satan (blow) it out. I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine for Lightstreet Church. I’m gonna let it shine.

Let it shine for Lightstreet Church. I’m gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Praises and joys

Birthdays: Casey Mills, Matthew Chamberlain, Kyle Temple, Claire Woodward, Tom Gensemer

Offering spotlight – On such a cold morning, remember that a portion of Missions funding is set aside for emergent needs in our community. If you know someone who is experiencing hardship because of extreme cold or for other reasons, Lightstreet UMC stands ready to be the love and comfort of Jesus to hurting neighbors.

Offering prayer – Great God, our Redeemer, we sing Your praises. Your glorious love shines in the face of Jesus, born a Babe in this dark world. We marvel that He generously humbled Himself to bring salvation. How precious is Your gift of love! Let the light in our sanctuary and our songs of praise spill through the windows to neighbors dwelling in darkness. May our gifts and offerings reflect the light of Christ and, as beacons in the night, draw people far and near closer to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. (Discipleship Ministries)

Concerns and call to action

Pastoral prayer, ending together in the Lord’s prayer

Scripture- 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Praise song – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let your heart be light.
From now on Our troubles will be out of sight.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Make the yuletide gay.
From now on our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days, Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us, once more.

Through the years We all will be together If the fates allow.
Hang a shining star Upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas right now.

Here we are as in olden days, Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us, once more.

Through the years We all will be together If the fates allow.
Hang a shining star Upon the highest bough
And have yourself merry little Christmas now.

Dismissal with blessing