Christmas Eve services can sometimes feel like the Super Bowl of ministry life. But how can we make them memorable while also staying true to our budgets, church traditions, and the real reason for the season? Here are 5 ways to make your Christmas Eve Service Memorable for families: Keep kids in mind. Many families […]
We’ve decided to put all our musical eggs in the Christmas Eve basket because it’s THE service of the year (along with Easter Sunday).
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Every few years (six or seven, to be exact), Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. This is one of those years. It makes for a long weekend for those of us involved in worship planning and leadership (especially if you have an 11 p.m. service on Christmas Eve!), but what a privilege to gather
Below is the script for a family friendly Christmas Eve service that was both beautifully stately and a more than a little bit noisy due...
Copyright Robert W. Dickinson. Unauthorized use of this image without my express permission is a violation of copyright law. Canon 60D and Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS lens. ISO 1600, some noise reduction added, tungsten white balance.
Let me highlight some key considerations for your team to wrestle with to help you pick the right Christmas Eve 2018 service times.
Pastors and Worship Leaders: Are you looking for a script that really works for a one hour Christmas Eve Service(s)? Here's one that I developed and have used successfully. If you like this script and are planning to use it this Christmas.. May I suggest that you support this blog with a small gift ($2-$5) via this PayPal account.. I've also added links to the songs and media. Apple Cider in the foyer (with Christmas music playing) (In auditorium) Christmas Music Playing with Video loop: ‘Christmas Tree Snow Loop’ (5 min. before) Christmas Around the World Video count-down or Glitter Countdown (5 minute) Screen Background Bethlehem small star: (Stage lights up) Worship Leader: Greeting and welcome (House lights down) 3 Singers: 6 Piece Band: 2 Narrators (Stage Left): Congregational Song: Hark The Herald Angels Sing Congregational Song: Joy The World/Unspeakable Joy Video: A Baby Is Coming (Narrator 1 standing with music stand & light w/spotlight) Narrator 1: Scripture readings: The Birth Of Jesus (all scripture readings are on the screen: Bethlehem small star background) (While this is read: Mary & Joseph & baby (played by kids) come to the manger or you can use graphics on a screen to reenact the story) (Luke 2:1-7) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Congregational Song: O Holy Night Narrator 2 reading: The Shepherds and the Angels (While this is read: 2-3 shepherds & an angel (played by kids) come to the manger) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Instrumental or Vocal Solo: Mary Did You Know? Narrator 1: reading: (While this is read: Angels (played by kids) come to the manger) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ”Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” Congregational Song: Angels We Have Heard On High Narrator 2 reading: (shepherds go to the manger) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Congregational Song: O Come All Ye Faithful Narrator 1 reading: (While this is read: 3 Wisemen (played by kids) come to the manger) (The Visit of the Magi: Matt 2:1-11) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem … Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed. Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the Child. As soon as you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Video: Seek Offering Announcement: (with emphasis on giving to the widows & homeless) Announcement Video (promo for New Year Sermon Series) Solo: Noel Christmas Thoughts: Pastor 's message (15-20 min) Congregational Song: Silent Night (the candles are lit) Closing Song (2x chorus only): “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” If you like this script and are planning to use it this Christmas.. May I suggest that you support this blog with a small gift ($1-$5) via this PayPal account. (You can also use a credit card). Thanks! Also... Check out my new book.. “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’ available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life. Comment from Facebook: Chris Barrigar: For us Anglicans this format is the old Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. In our culturally diverse urban congregation we also read a portion of each reading in one or two the languages of our congregation members. Each year we typically have 15 to 20 languages represented - a very moving symbolism of the Christmas Good News being for all nations.
Saturday, December 24, 2011 6:00 PM All of the community is invited for a special, heartwarming tribute to the birth of our King Jesus, filled with carols, prayers and a special Christmas message from Dr. Ben Sheppard. "Arise, shine, for thy light has come."
In Florida (pictured), around 150 surfing Santas, elves, snowmen and other Christmas characters took to the water in Cocoa Beach.
Christmas Service Ideas: 5 ways to creatively source your Christmas service (and 20 resources to help you implement them).
Green and Gold Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Flyer - Church Christmas Flyer - Christmas Eve Service Invitation A beautiful Christmas Eve Service invitation you can use for your Christmas outreach and Christmas celebrations. This is a 8.5 X 11 Flyer, which is editable through CANVA. No need for a Canva Pro account. ✦✦IMPORTANT NOTE✦✦ This listing is for a digital file only. No physical items will be printed, mailed, or emailed to you. This is NOT AN EDITABLE file. No personalization is included. If you are interested in personalization or customization.
This is an interactive Christmas Eve service that I adapted. I found the original at the Young Clergy Women Project. It includes space for an offering, Communion, and ends with glow-stick Silent Ni…
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD! I recently updated the Candlelight Service! You can find the new post HERE, but I have changed out the links in the post to the new download in case you land
Invite families to worship with you at this “Good News of Great Joy” Christmas Eve Service that includes a script, suggested worship songs, and interactive activities to make Christmas Eve a family-friendly service.
How does your church celebrate Christmas Eve? Does your church have family Christmas Eve service ideas. Discover possible ideas
We had some great ideas for how to make your Christmas Eve services an effective outreach for your community.
