성탄전야예배 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

By Hyok In Kwon

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN

With accompaniment (organ, piano, etc.), the worship leader and the candlelighter enter. Once the candle is lit and the worship leader stands at the pulpit, everyone may be seated.

WELCOME

Welcome to our Christmas Eve service! I extend God’s love to all of you in this worship. Let us celebrate the birth of Jesus with our joyful hearts lifted up to God. Please rise in body or spirit and join in the responsive call to worship.

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Alleluia! Rejoice on this day of Jesus’ birth!

People: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Leader: Christ comes to us as hope, peace, joy, and love!

People: We give thanks to God for the birth of Jesus Christ!

All: We worship with our hearts joyfully lifted to God!

*OPENING HYMN

“O Come, All Ye Faithful,” (United Methodist Hymnal, 234

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

Reader 1: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Reader 2: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

Reader 3: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:

Reader 4: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

All: Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 7:12)

The white Christ candle in the Advent Wreath is lit.

RESPONSE SONG

“Light the Advent Candle,” (The Faith We Sing, 2090 verse 5)

ANTHEM OR SPECIAL MUSIC

*SCRIPTURE READING

Isaiah 9:2-7

Psalm 96

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Leader: The gospel of our Lord!

People: Thanks be to God!

SERMON

*HYMN OF RESPONSE

“Angels We Have Heard on High,” (United Methodist Hymnal, 238

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God of love and grace,

We thank You for sending Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to this earth, bringing true light and hope to a shadowed world. We celebrate the birth of baby Jesus and offer our worship and praise to You. Just as You announced the good news to the shepherds watching over their flocks through the angels, proclaim the gospel to us as we await the coming of Christ. Let us confess, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

We especially ask for the same grace upon those suffering from poverty, disease, war, and persecution. Shine the light of life into every corner of the world through the birth of baby Jesus, so that Your love and justice may be present for all. May the church and believers on this earth become instruments to spread the joyous news to the hidden corners of the world, following Christ who came as the light. We give thanks and glory for Your boundless grace toward us and pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came as the light of the world. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

After the Christmas prayer, the pastor invites all to join in the Lord’s Prayer.

OFFERING

During the offering, anthem or instrumental music expressing the joy of Christmas may be offered.

LIGHTING OF CHRISTMAS CANDLES

Before the benediction, continue with the candlelight service. Candles should be distributed before the service begins. The pastor or worship leader will light a candle from the Christ candle in the Advent wreath. This will then be passed to others in the congregation. As the light is being shared, the congregation will sing Christmas carols.

*BENEDICTION

Proclaim the birth of baby Jesus, who came as the light of the world. Be disciples of Christ who bring His peace and justice to this earth, which groans under poverty, conflict, oppression, and alienation. Let small changes begin in your daily lives.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forevermore. Amen.

All extinguish the candles. The sanctuary lights are turned back on.

*HYMN OF SENDING FORTH

“Joy to the World,” (United Methodist Hymnal, 246)

The * mark indicates an invitation to all worshipers to rise in body or spirit.

Rev. Hyok In Kwon wrote this order of Christmas Eve Candlelight Service for a bilingual Korean-English congregation. This service can be used when the Korean-speaking and the English-speaking members worship together, and it can also be used when each worships separately.

Rev. Hyok In Kwon is currently serving as the senior pastor at Korean United Methodist Church of Santa Clara Valley in San Jose, California. He completed his doctoral coursework in sociology, taught sociology and ethics at colleges, and worked as a visiting researcher at the Korean Broadcasting Institute. He has also served as a campus pastor at the Pacific School of Religion at Berkeley, California.