7 PM Christmas Eve Service Bulletin
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
December 24, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.
Prelude: “Fantasy on Two Well-Known Christmas Carols” (“The First Nowell” and “Good King Wenceslas”), John E. West (1863–1929) - Jack Rain, organ
Welcome - Rev. Robert Galloway
Chiming of the Hour
Call to Worship adapted from Isaiah 9 - Robert Galloway
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
upon those who live in the land of the shadow of death, a light has shined.”
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.”
“And his name will be Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
“Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne forever
and will establish his kingdom with judgment and justice forever.”
*Processional Hymn #133: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” ADESTE FIDELES
Lighting of the Christ Candle - Starkweather/Wilson family
God is the hope of ages past and for the generations to come.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
God’s house is a house of peace.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come. This is good news for all people.
Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
Perfect love casts out fear.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
The salvation we needed has been accomplished on our behalf.
All of creation gives glory to God.
We are made in God’s image and God’s Christ has come as one of us.
All of creation gives glory to God.
In Emmanuel, God with us, our story is known and felt by God.
The incarnation is a sign of God’s great love for God’s children.
All of creation gives glory to God.
Hymn #123: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” vv. 1 and 5 CAROL
Prayer for Illumination - Ann Murray
First Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-9 - Ann Murray
Hymn #140: “Once in Royal David’s City” v. 1 IRBY
Second Lesson: Luke 1:26-38 - Sally Horrell
Carol: “The Rose,” Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978) - Chancel Choir
Third Lesson: Luke 2:1-14 - Ann Murray
Hymn #143: “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” v. 1 REGENT SQUARE
Fourth Lesson: Luke 2:15-20 - Sally Horrell
Carol: “Away in a Manger” from The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite 2, arr. Robert Shaw and Robert Russell Bennett - Chancel Choir
Meditation - Robert Galloway
*Hymn #145: “What Child Is This” GREENSLEEVES
Christmas Offering - Mike Hurtubise
Prayer of Dedication - Mike Hurtubise
Offertory Anthem: “The First Noël,” Dan Forrest (b. 1978) - Chancel Choir
*The Light of Christ
*Hymn #122: “Silent Night, Holy Night” STILLE NACHT
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,
Heavenly 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 Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy 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!
*The Lord’s Prayer (sung by congregation)
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. In earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
*Benediction - Robert Galloway
*Hymn #134: “Joy to the World” ANTIOCH
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let Earth receive her king;
let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found,
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love
Postlude: “Toccata on Adeste Fideles,” Sondra, K. Tucker (b. 1957) - Jack Rain, organ