Christmas Eve 2014

2014 Christmas Eve Service

To complete the anticipation of the Advent season, the annual Peoples United Methodist Church Christmas Eve service was held at 7 PM in the sanctuary. Tradition reigns on Christmas Eve for many families to come and witness the true meaning of the season, the birth of Jesus Christ who was and is the gift of God to all people on this earth.

The Crèche which resides on the top of the piano is completed first with a child bringing forth the Christ child and manger and placing it in the Crèche. This was followed by the singing of hymns, “Good Christian Friends Rejoice” and “What Child is this”. The Call to Worship calls us to Bethlehem and then the Christ Candle as well as the other four Advent Theme Candles are lit.

 

 

 

 

 

The Bell Choir plays its anthem beautifully in the surroundings of Poinsettias and greens.

 

 

Pastor Tom calls forward the children where a puppet presentation by Harry and Humphrey tells the story of the meaning of Christmas. Children are engrossed as are the adult listeners and watchers in the congregation.

Luke 2: 1-20 is the scripture upon which the message will be given. Pastor Tom used a clip of the movie, “Elf” to set the stage for what he would say, in linking that with the Christian meaning of Christmas.

A candle lighting ceremony led by the pastor and carried to all who were present shed an ever widening light in the light-dimmed sanctuary.

“Away in a Manger”, “Silent Night” and “Joy To the World” were carols that added to the meaning of the evening.

When the service was nearly over all who had brought a bell with them rang the bells as the church bell pealed for all those folks that might pass the church on the sidewalk or street.

We hope that the meaning of the service, the gathering of the people, and the memories of the message help us in our quest to do what the Lord would have us do in helping him be the continuing light of the world.