New Richmond United Methodist Church
December 23, 2025 - Pastor Harry Zurasky
Christmas Eve, Eve
Choir Prelude: Everyone Comin' to Bethlehem Town
Welcome
*Call to Worship
Leader: Beloved, on this night, we gather to enliven the story once again of God who come to dwell among us as a vulnerable baby.
People: We rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits.
Leader: We remember the stable, the animals, and the manger that witnessed the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us.
People: We rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits.
Leader: We recall the angel who announced the Messiah's birth to the shepherds, those most unlikely witnesses of God's glory.
People: We rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits.
Leader: in our remembering and enlivening , we gather today as people of God's promise, witnesses to God's glorious presence among us in the vulnerable, forgotten, and tucked away places of the world.
People: We gather to rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits, the day that has already come and will yet be. Thanks be to God! Amen.
*Opening Prayer (unison)
We have waited for a long time for your hope, your joy, your love to shine in the darkness of this world, Almighty God. Even now, in our gathering here, we await you. In our hearts, we still hope that your light will blaze forth, banishing the shadows of this world and guiding all the people back to you. Amen
*HYMN: "Away in the Manger" Pg. 217
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Congregation: We gather to once again bask in the glory that visited a stable and a manger, shepherds watching their flocks, and a young couple cradling the newborn Messiah.
First Scripture Reading: Luke 1:1-7
Hymn: "O Little Town of Bethlehem" Pg. 230
Second Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-15
Hymn: "Angles We Have Heard on High" Pg. 238
Third Scripture Reading: Luke 2:16-20
Anthem: Calypso Lullaby
Forth Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
Christmas Eve Message: "Go and Make Disciples"
*Hymn: "Silent Night" Pg. 238
Benediction:
People of the promise, go now to carry the story and the glory of all you have witnessed, that the world might know that good news has come to dwell among us now and forever. Amen.
*Indicates to stand if possible
As is my Christmas tradition I write an open letter to those in attendance of our Christmas Eve services. This year for the whole of Advent my theme is to put Christ back in Christian. It is not enough to profess our faith and trust in God's love. We need to put that love and faith into action.
Over the coming year I am challenging all of us to live by the "red letters" of the Bible. Let's work towards loving our neighbor as ourselves. This includes those that are different from us. Find empathy and grace for all humanity - seeing the good in which God created them.
Our current society is divided up into groups that are then taught that the other is to be feared, hated and scapegoated. That if we could just eliminate that group our lives would be better. None of which is based in Christian principles. Just look at the parpable of the Good Samaritan and the story of the Woman at he Well just to mention two.
Let us find time to reread the Gospels. To listen and take to heart the words and teaching of Jesus. And then learn to put that love of all others into action within our lives.
Pastor
Harry Zurasky
New Richmond United Methodist Church
29776 PA-77
Guys Mills, PA. 16327
