There are two choices ways for us to gather in community: attending in person or joining via live stream at 10am. To learn more about these choices, please visit mpcfamily.org/celebrate .
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In celebration this week:
It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow! We hope to see you for one of 3 Celebrations, whether online or in person in the sanctuary! 4pm will be in the courtyard, masked and socially distanced. 5:30pm will be in the sanctuary, with masks and vaccine checks. This service will be live streamed, so if you want to stay out of the weather, the livestream starts at 5:30pm. There will also be a 9pm service, indoors with proof of vaccine and masking. We will be inside for two of the three services, but we have upgraded the furnace’s filtration system so will not need to have the windows open. Also, one side of the sanctuary will have the blue tape removed so people can sit with friends as they feel comfortable. The other side will remain socially distanced seating for those who prefer to remain socially distanced. If joining us in person isn’t possible or comfortable for you, plan to join us on zoom. As we return to the sanctuary, please see the note below the service information about vaccination status.
- Kim will play a prelude, and
- As we prepare to light the Advent Wreath, we will sing the processional song, “O Come, All Ye Faithful”.
- Next is the responsive reading as the advent wreath is lit, led by the Jackson family.
- Talitha will welcome us to Celebration,
- The opening carol is, “Once in Royal David’s City”,
- Next, Talitha will lead us in a scripture lesson, Luke 1:26-55,
- Followed by another carol, “Still, Still, Still”, as Mary and the Angel figures are brought forward.
- The next scripture lesson is from Matthew 1:18-25,
- followed by the carol “Love Has Come”, sung while Joseph and the baby figures are brought forward.
- Ben will lead us in another scripture lesson from Luke: Luke 2:1-20.
- The next carol is “Angels We Have Heard on High”, and the shepherds and sheep figures will come forward.
- Talitha will offer the next scripture lesson, from Matthew 2:1-12
- We will sing “What Child is This”, as the Magi figures are brought forward.
- Ben will offer a Christmas Eve sermon, “Christmas Journey”
- We will sing “Joy to the World”, following the sermon.
- Offering,
- Talitha will lead us in prayer,
- The MPC Choir will sing “Sussex Carol”, words by Luke Wadding, music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, led by Kim.
- We will light candles and
- We will hear the final scripture lesson from John 1:1-5,14.
- We will then move to the courtyard to sing “Silent Night” together.
- Talitha will offer a benediction.
The Charge (say together) Go out into the world in peace. Have courage; hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, and help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Celebration live stream recordings
Every week, we post a live stream recording to YouTube. You can view information about those live stream recordings and access a link to the playlist on our Celebration Recordings page.