2017 Contributions deadlines All gifts intended for credit in 2017 must be dated December 2017 and received in the church office by Friday, December 29, 2017 at 3pm or dropped in the offering plate or the safe on December 31, 2017. Gifts mailed must be postmarked by December 31, 2017 and online gifts must be made by December 31, 2017. All gifts made at worship on Sunday, January 7, 2018 will be considered 2018 gifts.

Jack Pashby is made possible by your faithful giving to the general fund.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–—

Please join us on December 31 at 10:30am in the Sanctuary for one service of Lessons and Carols. —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–—

Office closed Monday—Wednesday, December 25-27 and Monday, January 1, 2018 Abbreviated Holiday Hours Thursday and Friday, December 28-29 Main Office Hours 9am-1pm Business Office Hours 9am-3pm

Servant hearts needed...Are you looking for a way to serve? The church office is looking for several more volunteers to help answer phones, greet our guests and members, and help with a variety of projects. All you need is a friendly smile and a heart for God’s people. The days and times needed are 1st and 3rd Mondays, 2-5pm; 1st Tuesdays, 2-5; 2nd Tuesday, 10-2pm; 3rd Tuesday, 2-5pm; 4th Tuesday, 12-5pm; Wednesdays, 2-5pm; and Thursdays, 125pm. —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–—

Read scripture aloud for Epiphany! Let's bathe the Sanctuary with God's Word on Friday, January 5, and Saturday, January 6, 2018, from 8:00am to 6:00pm. Sign up for 15-minute increments and read the Bible aloud in the Sanctuary beginning with the Gospel of Matthew. Any version of the Bible is fine, and any language is fine. If you need more information, contact [email protected].

Christmas Eve December 24, 2017 24 de diciembre 2017 Iglesia Metodista Unida

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–—



Prayer Concerns



Anna Avery, Anjalie Bhattacharyya, Carol Boykin, Maria del Carmen Burgos, Joyce “Boo Boo” Byrd, Roy Carawan, Glenda Darrell, Jack Farmer, Rob Frohlking, Tempie Furr, Carol Garland, Dylan Harrell, Eleanor Hennis, Hortencia Herlinda, Bob Hinshaw, Polly Hinshaw, Becky Humphrey, Fred Jetter, Pat Johnson, Phyllis Lang, Beth Laverty, Jim Laverty, Joe Long, Lucy Lowry, Ernie Miller, Jane Miller, Jim Morgan, Gary Parker, Joe Perkins, Lorraine Perkinson, Amy Pethick, Don Remley, Ginny Sapp, Harlyn Van Sloten, Tracey Walden, Eloise Walker, Elaine Zisek, and those serving in the Armed Forces

White Plains United Methodist Church www.wpumc.com (919) 467-9394 [email protected]

The Offertory Gesu Bambino

Christmas Eve, 7pm and 11pm Welcome and Announcements Prelude Christmas Praise

Arr. Don Philips

*Choral Call to Worship We Shall Light a Thousand Candles Chancel Choir and Credo

*Dedication of Gifts—The Doxology UMH #95 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

David Rasbach

*Hymn of Praise O Come, All Ye Faithful Lighting of the Advent Candle

Pietro Yon

The Great Thanksgiving

UMH #234 #Melissa and Mark Edwards +Susan and Chuck McCullen

Throughout this advent season we have waited and remembered the hope, peace, joy and love of God found in Christ. Tonight we light the Christ candle to announce the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May the One born in the stable this night inspire us to be the light that brings hope, peace, joy and love into the darkness of our world. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed a time when those who walked in darkness would see a great light. This light is Christ, the Word made flesh who came to live among us. Christ is the true light whose love overcame darkness and whose love is our light, now and forever. Let us pray: Gracious God, may the light of your love shine in our hearts tonight. Bring us to the manger with wonder at the generosity of the gift that came to us on this holy night. May the light of Jesus Christ illuminate our lives, guiding, healing, leading us closer to you and to each other. Amen.

UMH #17 & 18

Communion will be served by intinction. Ushers will direct the congregation. We offer a station for communion that is gluten-free, vegan, and "top 8" allergen-free.

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. Breaking of the Bread and Giving the Bread and Cup

UMH #239

*Dismissal with Blessing

Prayer for Illumination God of Light, send your Spirit to this place to bless the reading of your word, that it may be a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path. Amen. Scripture Anthem

Luke 2:8-14

Christmas Message The Tree #Rev. Ray Warren +Rev. Rob Phillips

GF Handel

*Congregation standing #7pm and +11pm

NT #54

The First Noel Molly James Chancel Choir, Credo, and Jack Pashby—violin

Angels We Have Heard on High Lighting of the Advent Candle C. J. and Norma Loomis, Connor and Nicholas We Three Kings What Child Is This? Mary, Did You Know? - Rob Phillips It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Offertory Prayer and Offering—Cindy Pike

Children 3 years-2nd grade are invited to room C203 during the Message and will re-enter the service after the Message.

Holy communion

Invitation, Confession, Pardon and Peace Postlude Hallelujah Chorus Bert Fox—piano, Mac Pannill—organ

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

Message The Tree Rev. Ray Warren

Prayer After Receiving Communion *Closing Hymn Silent Night

Christmas Eve, 5pm

Communion will be served by intinction. Ushers will direct the congregation. We offer a station for communion that is gluten-free, vegan, and "top 8" allergen-free. Candles for adults and glow sticks for children will be passed out during communion and lit during “Silent Night”.

Final Remarks—Rev. Ray Warren Silent Night Please silence your cell phone before the service of worship begins. Devices are available near the entrance of the Sanctuary for those needing assistance with hearing the service.

CCLI#967142