713-622-5710 | StLukesMethodist.org 713-622-5710 | StLukesMethodist.orgDr. Tom Pace, Senior Pastor 713-622-5710 | StLukesMethodist.org 713-622-5710 | StLukesMethodist.orgDr. Tom Pace, Senior Pastor

Christmas Eve2019

6, 8, and 11 p.m.

Welcome to Christmas Eve at St. Luke’s church. I pray that just as Jesus broke into our world so many years ago, he will break into your life in a new and fresh way

this very day. In the words of poet Giles Fletcher (1586-1623), put to music by Howard Goodall,

“He is a path, if any be misled. He is a robe, if any naked be. If any chance to hun-ger, He is bread. If any be a bondman, He is free. If any be but weak, how strong is He. To dead men life He is, to sick men health. To blind men sight, and to the needy wealth…”

The Child born today is our savior, and I pray that whatever be your need this year, he will show up for you to save.

Tom Pace, Sr. Pastor

There’s still time to make a year-end gift!

As you plan your year-end giving, please consider remembering St. Luke’s with a gift. There are several options which will ensure that your giving qualifies as a 2019 donation with the IRS. To learn more visit My.StLukesMethodist.org/give. The Finance Office will be open until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 to receive donations. You may put your donation in the offering plate on Sunday, December 29 or drop your envelope in the church mail slot located outside the church office door before midnight on December 31.

Please contact Crystal Fleming at 713-402-5026 or cfleming@stlukesmethodist.org should you need additional information about year-end giving.

Worship Times

8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. Traditional Worship | Sanctuary8:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship | Fellowship Hall

8:20 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Nurseries for ages 2 months–Pre K9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

9:50–10:45 a.m. Student Ministries Worship11 a.m. Children’s Church* for Kindergarten-3rd grade

Children’s Sunday School will not meet on December 29. Join us for Traditional or Contemporary worship.

Candle Lighting At the conclusion of Holy Communion we will join in sharing the light of Christ. As we sing Silent Night, we will spread candlelight throughout the sanctuary, just as we will share the light of Christ throughout the world as we leave this place. Tilt your unlit candle into the flame, then hold your lit candle upright to share the light with your neighbor. As you leave you may place your extinguished candle in one of the baskets at the exits.

*Carol 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!

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.

Benediction

Postlude 6:00 & 11:00 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Edward Broughton8:00 Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella Chapman

At places marked * those who are able may stand

St. Luke's Friends of MusicToday's guest musicians were made possible in part through the generosity of St. Luke's Friends of Music. If you would like to contribute or become a

member of The Friends of Music, please contact Grace Roman: groman@stlukesmethodist.org

Leading in Worship today: Dr. Tom Pace; Rev. Bill Denham; Rev. Thomas Harper, Rev. David Horton; Rev. Michelle Manuel; Rev. Katie Montgomery Mears; Rev. Ann Arnett; Dr. Kay Towns; Dr. Kelton Ro-Trock; Dr. Floyd Jennings; Madison Garcia.

Musicians: 6:00 St. Cecilia, under the direction of Randy Murrow, Associate Director of Fine Arts; 8:00 Pure Sound, under the direction of Sid Davis, Director of Music and Fine Arts; Barbara Bamberg, accompanist; 11:00 Chancel Choir, under the direction of Sid Davis; Rob Landes, Organist and Artist-in-Residence; James J. Roman, Associate Organist.

Acolytes: 6:00 Mary Katherine King, Lauren Patton. 8:00 Mackenzie Rice, Kai Greer, . 11:00 Henry Quillin, Wyatt Quillin

Prelude 6:00 & 11:00 Greensleeves arr. Purvis8:00 Prelude on “God Rest, Ye Merry Gentlemen” John Rutter

Greeting Dr. Tom Pace

Call to Worship6:00 How Great Our Joy! arr. Courtney

Denise Tarrant and Kana Kimura, violin Whitney Bullock, viola Barry Sills, cello Craig Hauschildt, percussion

8:00 Cuncti simus ed. Soto Tessa Throckmorton-Kahn and Javier Diaz, soloists11:00 O Holy Night! arr. Wilberg Jennifer Johnson, soloist

*Hymn of Praise O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES

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.Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!Glory to God, all glory in the highest; Refrain

See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle, Leaving their flocks draw nigh to gaze;We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; Refrain

Lighting the Christ Candle6:00 Tommy & Susan Stone

8:00 Fogal, Eckert, and Tiemann Families11:00 Ty, Trish, Rylan, & Walker Whitcomb

Leader: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son,

All: And shall call him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”Leader: But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain God.All: Yes! And we shall call him Emmanuel, which means

“God is with us.”Leader: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.All: We shall call him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”Leader: And the word of God was made flesh, and dwelt among us.All: Hallelujah! The Christ child is born! Leader: We shall call him Emmanuel. God is with us. We are not alone.

Thanks be to God!

Song of Response UMH #211 VENI EMMANUEL

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel

Christmas Story Luke 2:1-20 kjv 6:00 Madison Garcia 8:00 Rev. David Horton 11:00 Rev. Katie Montgomery Mears

…the pastor continuesAnd so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

…the pastor continuesAnd so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

…the pastor continuesAll honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Sharing the Bread and Cup We all are guests at Christ’s table which is open to everyone. Receive the bread in your hands, and the server will say, “The body of Christ, given for you,” and your response could be, “Amen.” Then dip the bread into the juice and you will hear, “The blood of Christ, given for you,” and again you may respond, “Amen.”Gluten-free wafers are available at the four stations at the front. Please indicate your need to your server.

Music During CommunionCarol UMH 238 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIACarol UMH 219 What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES

6:00 St. Cecilia Sleep, Little Baby, Sleep Robert S. Cohen 8:00 Pure Sound The Word Was God Rosephayne Powell Breath of Heaven arr. Courtney Lauren Zieske, soloist

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Mark A. Miller11:00 Chancel Choir It Came upon the Midnight Clear Howard Goodall Stella, quam viderant magi Howard Goodall Sure on This Shining Night Morten Lauridsen

Prayer After Communion in unison Rev. Bill Denham Loving and Eternal God,We have just feasted on a sacred meal. Just as You have blessed us in this holy mystery, You call us now to give ourselves away in Christian love to others. In this moment, we stand on tiptoe, looking over the shoulders of the shepherds. Focus our gaze on the manger, knowing that Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, is our salvation and is, and forever will be, the savior of our broken world. Amen.

Scripture ResponseThe Word of God for the people of God.Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer 6:00 Rev. Michelle Manuel 8:00 Rev. Thomas Harper 11:00 Rev. Michelle Manuel

Sermon With Dr. Tom Pace

*Carol Away in a Manger AWAY IN A MANGER

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes;I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the skyAnd stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stayClose by me forever, and love me, I pray;Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Offertory6:00 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence arr. Courtney8:00 Gentle, Mary Gary Matheny 11:00 Romance of the Epiphany Howard GoodallThe Christmas Offering will support Amazing Place. If you prefer that your offering go to the operating budget, please specify “Operating” on your check or envelope.

Invitation to Holy Communion 6:00 Rev. Thomas Harper 8:00 & 11:00 Dr. Tom Pace

Prayer of Confession God of grace and truth,In Jesus Christ you come among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have closed our eyes to your glory in our midst, and closed our ears to your messengers of good news. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.

Words of Assurance and Pardon May almighty God, who caused light to shine out of darkness, shine in our hearts, and restore to us the light of Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving The Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give our thanks and praise.