4 PM Christmas Eve Service
Order of Worship
Christmas Eve for Families and Children
December 24, 2025, 4:00 PM
Prelude: “The First Nowell” - FPC Praise Band
Welcome - Rev. Robert Galloway
Call to Worship - 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.”
Special Music: “Welcome the Babe” - Joyful Noise Music Makers
Lighting of the Christ Candle - The Morrow Family
The Advent wreath helps us mark the time of preparation and waiting for Jesus Christ’s birth.
The first candle is the candle of hope.
Hope is trusting in God’s promise of the Messiah, our Savior Jesus Christ.
We hope for our Lord Jesus Christ, our gift from God.
The second candle is the candle of peace.
Peace is the wolf lying down with the lamb and a gift we can give one another.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with us!
The third candle is the candle of Joy.
Joy is contagious and comes from knowing that we are God’s children.
God’s joy fills the world. God finds joy in all the people.
The fourth candle is the candle of Love. Love is God’s message to us.
God’s love is shown in the birth of Jesus, born in a manger on this evening.
God loves all of creation and all the people in it.
Tonight, we light the Christ Candle. (the Christ candle is lit)
The Christ Candle tell us that the light shines in the darkness
and the darkness does not overcome it. It is the light for all people.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all God’s people on earth!
*Hymn: “O Come All Ye Faithful” vv. 1&3 - FPC Praise Band
Prayer of Adoration - Will Doeringer
Sung Response: “Go Tell It on the Mountain” chorus - FPC Praise Band
The Christmas Story Told by Angels - Luke 2 - Michelle Heinsimer and Robert Galloway
In those days, Emperor Caesar Augustus made a law. It required that a list be made of everyone in the land so they would be counted. Everyone went to their hometowns to be listed.
Do not be afraid!
Joseph had to go to the town where his family was from. He went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea. That is where Bethlehem, the town of King David, was. Joseph went there because he belonged to the family line of King David.
Wow!
He went there with Mary to be listed. Mary was engaged to him. She was expecting a baby. While Joseph and Mary were there, the time came for the child to be born. She gave birth to her first baby. It was a boy.
Glory to God in the Highest!
She wrapped him in large strips of cloth. Then she placed him in a manger. That’s because there was no room in the inn.
Wow!
There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby. It was night, and they were taking care of their sheep. An angel of the Lord appeared to them. And the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.
Do not be afraid
We bring you good news of great joy!
The angel continued, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. Here is how you will know I am telling you the truth. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
Glory to God in the highest!
Suddenly a large group of angels from heaven also appeared. They were praising God. They said...
Glory to God in the highest!
and on earth peace among those whom God favors. The angels left and went into heaven. Then the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem. Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Wow!
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby. The baby was lying in the manger. After the shepherds had seen him, they told everyone.
We bring you good news of great joy!
They reported what the angel had said about this child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over. The shepherds returned. They gave glory and praise to God. Everything they had seen and heard was just as they had been told.
We bring you good news of great joy!
Glory to God in the Highest!
Wow!
Amen. Amen. Amen!
*Hymn: “Away in a Manger” - FPC Praise Band
Meditation - Robert Galloway
*Hymn: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” vv.1&3 - FPC Praise Band
Call for the Offering - Bennett Schilling
Offertory: “Christmas Time Is Here” - FPC Praise Band
Prayer of Dedication and Lord’s Prayer - Maya Sereda
…We pray all these things using the words that your son taught us to pray, saying….
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on 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.
*The Light of Christ - Ava Heinsimer, Maxine Delcamp, Adelynn Naff, and Robert Galloway
*Hymn 122: “Silent Night” vv. 1,3,&4 - FPC Praise Band
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!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!
*Benediction - Robert Galloway
*Closing Hymn: “Joy to the World” vv. 1 & 4 - FPC Praise Band
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.
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