Day: December 9, 2020

Scriptures

Luke 2:1-20 Common English Bible

Jesus’ birth

In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. While they were there, the time
came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.

Announcement to shepherds

Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.

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Song Sheet

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Order of Worship

As we seek to celebrate Christmas Eve with our community in new ways, one way that you can participate is by hosting a Driveway Candlelight service on December 23rd or 24th. Learn more about this opportunity below!

If you are called to serve, email Michael LeBlanc at michaell@fumcwp.org before December 18th.

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Host Resposiblities:

1. Have a hospitality mindset– a desire to have folks come to your front yard and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Also, be willing to have your address advertised through church communication. It would probably help if your neighbors are alright with folks singing in your front yard.
2. Be safety-minded– these gatherings are happening because we love Jesus and we want to help keep people safe. The right person would be willing to enforce safety protocols given by church leadership, which will include everyone wearing masks over the nose and mouth, not entering the host home, and remaining 12 feet apart.
3. Having a faith worth sharing– these gatherings could be a gathering of just your closest friends, but Christmas is worth sharing! The right person would be excited about sharing this event with people outside of their inner circle of friends and neighbors. They would also be willing to utilize registration forms/sites in order to ensure the church knows who decided to come.
4. Be easy to reach– the right person will be able to coordinate with one of the pastors. The goal is for all of our pastors to be going all over town at different services and more than likely they will need some guidance with finding the best place to park, etc.
5. Be willing to get an answer– church staff will be providing support, but if you don’t know something, it might be because church staff doesn’t know that you don’t know. Help us help you by emailing questions to Michael LeBlanc.

Things you will not have to do:

• Preach – We will work with you to recruit lay leaders for preaching.
• Provide candles – We’ve got you covered!
• Provide snacks & hot cocoa – For the safety of all guests, gatherings will not include food or drinks.
• Be a hymn leader – Again, we have got you covered, or we will work with you to recruit lay leaders.