Christmas Eve Child-led Service 
5pm | December 24, 2024

PREDULE

Up on the Housetop | Benjamin Hanby
Arabesque | Claude Debussy
Cecelia Gomez, piano

Public Domain

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas | James R. Murry
We Wish You a Merry Christmas | Traditional English Carol
Christopher Gomez, piano

Public Domain

Oh Come, Little Children | Johann Schultz
Away in a Manger | James Murry
Diego and Lucas Uchiyama, violin

Public Domain

Judas Maccabaeus | G.F. Handel
Lucas Uchiyama, violin

Public Domain

WELCOME | Pastors Monique McBride, Cathy Johns, Peytyn Tobin & Doug Jones 

WAYS TO CONNECT | christchurchfl.org/ways2connect

* CALL TO WORSHIP | Mia Kate Letourneau & Leighton Stone
Tonight, our hopes are set high. 
Hoping for peace and joy to fill our hearts
Kids hoping for presents under the tree
Parents hoping for early bedtimes
All of us hoping for Christmas memories to be made, and a special night 
to share together
This Christmas, we come to worship you, putting all our hope your goodness and love for us and for the world. Amen. 

* OPENING SONG

O Come, All Ye Faithful | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 234 (verses 1,3,6) 

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)

(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)

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,

Jesus, to thee be all glory given.

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;  (refrain)

C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade | © words & music: public domain | CCLI License # 487103

MUSIC MINISTRY
O Come O Come Emmanuel 
Lucas Uchiyama, violin; Zaria Modeste, piano

© music: public domain

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE | introduced by Pastor Monique McBride
Dancers Brianna Hepson, Lincoln Lesnock, Avery Leebow, Lyanna Castillo & Mary Allyn Campbell

The Christ candle will be lighted by Debra Hennecart & family

reader 1  For weeks now, we’ve been preparing for tonight. 

reader 2  Preparing our hearts with hope, peace, joy, and love.           

reader 1  And now we’re here, celebrating the night of your birth.   

reading 2  Our hopes are set high for all you continue to do for us and for the world.                                                                   

all As we light the Christ Candle tonight, we say Happy Birthday and give thanks for the hope, peace, joy, and love you give.  

CAROLS
Go, tell it on the Mountain | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 251 (verses 1,2)
(refrain) Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; 
go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.  (refrain)

The shepherds feared and trembled, when lo! Above the earth,
rang out the angel chorus that hailed the Savior’s birth.  (refrain)

John W. Work, Jr. | © words & music: public domain | CCLI License # 487103

Away in a Manger | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 217 (verses 1,2)
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 sky
and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

James Ramsey Murray | © words & music: public domain | CCLI License # 487103

SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 9:2-3, 6-7 | read by Colin Letourneau

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.
3 You have made the nation great;
you have increased its joy.
They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest,
as those who divide plunder rejoice.

… 6 A child is born to us, a son is given to us,
and authority will be on his shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be vast authority and endless peace
for David’s throne and for his kingdom,

establishing and sustaining it
with justice and righteousness
now and forever.

The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.

Luke 2:1-20 | read by Mackenzie Burton, Caleb Casanova-Hickman & Ryland Burton

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.

⁸ Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,^[c] praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, ¹⁹ and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

These are the words of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

MUSIC MINISTRY
Hope Set High | Amy Grant
Mackenzie Burton, Olivia Matak & Zaria Modeste, vocalists

Amy Grant | © 1991 Age to Age Music, Inc.; Riverstone Music, Inc.

MESSAGE

Hope Set High | Pastor Monique McBride

OFFERING | Pastor Peytyn Tobin
worshiping through the offering of our lives and gifts.

·     Place offerings in the basket or wooden box

·     Go to christchurchfl.org/give

·     Text GIVE to 954.880.3885

·     Mail a check to Christ Church, 4845 NE 25th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Christ Church is a congregationally supported ministry. We thank you for your faithfulness, which allows us to reflect the love, hope and joy of Jesus to our community.

Connect Cards may be placed with your offering.

* SONG OF WORSHIP
Joy unto the World | Dan Ostebo, Ethan Hulse, Jordan Mohilowski, Joshua Havens & Matt Fuqua
Mackenzie Burton, Olivia Matak & Zaria Modeste, vocalists; Matt McBride, drums; David Landiver, guitar

© Be Essential Songs | EGH Music Publishing | Demo Love | Miracle In My Hand Music | Simply Perfect Tunes | Songs from the Indigo Room | The Secret Parade | CCLI License # 487103

PRAYER | Manny Fernandez & Merritt Stone

THE LORD’S PRAYER   | Kennedy Stone & Blair Vella 
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, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES

* CAROL OF PEACE 

Silent Night, Holy Night | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 239

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.

Please raise candles on final stanza.

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!

Please extinguish your candles before leaving your seat.

Please deposit plastic holders, with candles if you like, in the designated boxes as you leave

Franz Xaver Gruber, John Freeman Young & Joseph Mohr | © words & music: public domain | CCLI License # 487103

* SENDING FORTH  

*CLOSING SONG
Joy to the World | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 246 (verses 1,2)
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 world, 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.

George Frideric Handel | Isaac Watts | © words & music: public domain | CCLI License # 487103

* please stand in body or spirit.

WAYS TO CONNECT | christchurchfl.org/ways2connect

Join us Sunday for worship at 9am and 11am, with the message Simeon’s Song of Hope, based on Luke 2:21-33.

WAYS TO CONNECT  | christchurchfl.org/ways2connect

HOLY GROUNDS COFFEE TIME Every Sunday, coffee and snacks are available before the 9am and 11am services. Join your friends outside the kitchen window in the gym lobby for coffee and conversation. 

CONNECT CARDS We want to connect with you. Please fill out a Connect Card and tell us how we can pray with you and help you be part of the ministries you’re called to. We’d love to hear your ideas also. You’ll find paper Connect Cards in the worship space and digital cards at   christchurchfl.org/connectcard.      

GROW       

AT THE TABLE sunday | 10:05am | fellowship halls 1-3 At the Table is a time to explore the scripture of the day and meet new people as you do. Invite friends and newcomers to join you. Plan to stay after the 9am service or come early for the 11am service; you don’t need to hear the day's message to participate in the conversation. Holy Grounds is open, so grab a cup of coffee and a snack and join us.

MORNING PRAYERS This Facebook morning devotional is taking a break during the holidays. Resuming Monday, January 6, begin your weekdays praying with your church family at 7:30am on the Christ Church Facebook page, @christchurchfl. If you can’t be online at 7:30, a recording of morning prayers is available on Facebook. Morning prayers take a break on church and federal holidays.   

HEALING       

FAITH CARING GROUP mondays | 1pm The Faith Caring Group reflects and addresses the need for caring and assistance as well as grief support. The group meets on Zoom every Monday of the month, except the second Monday when members have lunch at the Fort Lauderdale Olive Garden. For more information, send an email to info@christchurchfl.org with your contact information. A Faith Caring Group leader will get back to you.   

SERVE   

MARCH IN FORT LAUDERDALE’S MLK DAY PARADE monday | january 20 Join the Anti-Racism Task Force to show our love for all by walking in the 2025 King Holiday Parade, which concludes at the Multicultural Unity Festival at Joseph C. Carter Park. Stay tuned for details and to sign up. For now, save the date and plan to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by walking in the parade.

YEAR-END CONTRIBUTIONS Thank you for your commitment to Christ Church – whether fulfilling your 2024 pledge or taking a step of extravagant generosity by giving more. The IRS required donations be postmarked by December 31, to be eligible for 2024 tax deductions. Year-end donations can be made several ways: Place the offering plate in worship; mail your donation and be sure to have it postmarked by 12/31; bring your donation to the office, which closes at 5pm weekdays. You may also text-to-give, 954.880.3885. If you have questions, please call the church business office, 954.771.7300.

PREPARE BREAKFAST FOR PARKWAY The Parkway community breakfast is prepared in the Fort Lauderdale kitchen early Sunday morning. This is a great opportunity for families to serve together, wrapping and heating breakfast sandwiches. Students can earn service hours. Contact Pastor Peytyn Tobin if you, your family or group can help: ptobin@christchurchfl.org

HEAT DINNERS FOR PARKWAY On Wednesdays, we’re preparing Christ Church’s famous and tasty meatloaf and side dishes in the Fort Lauderdale kitchen for our guests on the Parkway Campus. Flex volunteer time 2-4pm. This is a great opportunity for families to serve together after school. Students can earn service hours. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Peytyn Tobin, ptobin@christchurchfl.org

BLESSINGS FOOD PANTRY NEEDS TRUCK DRIVERS  The Blessings Food Pantry, a Christ Church ministry, needs volunteer truck drivers on Monday and Wednesday mornings. The volunteer drives a church truck to two Publix stores within 10 miles of the Parkway Campus. The route starts at 7am and lasts until about 10am. Volunteers for this role need to pass a church background check, provide a current driver's license, and pass a short driving test with Mike Gartland, facilities director. If you are interested in serving in this way, please contact Mike Gartland, mgartland@christchurchfl.org.   

JOIN THE WELCOME TEAM Do you enjoy greeting your church family and welcoming guests? The Welcome Team would be a great place for you to serve. Welcome Team members also help serve communion and collect the offering. Some welcome team members serve as ushers and greeters for memorial services and other special events. Linda Bajkowsky coordinates the team and would love your help. Serving with the Welcome Team is a great way to get to know your church family. Sign up at christchurchfl.org/serve 

BE PART OF THE WORSHIP TECH TEAM Put your tech skills to work for God. If you would like to be part of the team that helps run the cameras and visuals for worship, send an email to info@christchurchfl.org

CONNECT       

ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE sunday | january 5 | 12:15pm | fellowship halls 1-3 One of Christ Church’s most active ministries will set its course for 2025 at its first meeting of the year, and you’re invited to join the conversation. The Anti-Racism Task Force meets the first Sunday of each month, after the 11am worship service. Christ Church, and other churches in the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, is on a journey to confront the sin of racism and work towards a church community that reflects the beautiful diversity of God’s Kingdom.

MORE THAN CONQUERORS PRAYER GROUP sunday | january 5 | 11am Bring joys and concerns of your life, our community and our world to the feet of Jesus with others who are devoted to intercessory prayer. All are invited to attend to receive or share in prayer. The group gathers in Fellowship Hall 4 at 11am on the first Sunday of each month to pray for our collective joys and concerns. For more information, send an email to info@christchurchfl.org 

JOY GROUP wednesday | january 8 | 11am Women 55 and over, here’s your chance to get to know and encourage one another. The Joy Group – Jesus, Others, You – meets the first Wednesdays of each month. Their mission is to share what Christ has done in their lives and to support one another. RSVP if you plan to attend; lunch will be provided. The group will dive into the 23rd Psalm and discuss the book “A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm.” If you need a ride or have questions, contact Lynn Harrison at LHTLC@aol.com

SHARED MEALS You are invited to share a meal and community twice each week on the Parkway Campus. On Wednesday at 4:30pm, dinner is served to all who come. On Sunday at 9am, breakfast is shared. This is a great way to build community with our neighbors. The Parkway Campus is located at 100 NE 44th Street, Deerfield Beach. Just a note: there will be no Wednesday dinners on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Wednesday dinners will resume January 8, 2025.

CHRIST CHURCH AT TRIVIA NIGHT mondays | 7:30pm | Funky Buddha Brewery Join us as we play trivia. It’s an informal gathering of folks who have fun trying to answer the questions and catching up on one another’s lives. Look for the Christ Church team at the Funky Buddha, 1201 NE 38th Street, Oakland Park, on Monday nights.  

CHURCH HOLIDAYS HOURS The Christ Church office will close Tuesday, December 24, at 4pm and remain closed until 12noon Thursday, December 26, for the Christmas holiday. The office will be closed Wednesday, January 1, 2025, for the New Year's holiday. Regular hours these weeks are 8:30am-5pm, Monday-Friday. The Parkway Campus, including the Blessings Food Pantry and shared meals, will be closed Christmas and New Year's days.