Christmas Eve Worship Program
- Pastor Gary
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Welcome to Worship!
We’re so glad you’re here tonight as we gather on this holy evening to celebrate the birth of Christ. Whether this is your first time worshiping with us, or this place feels like home, we pray you experience the peace, hope, and nearness of God as we remember the miracle of Christmas.
Tonight we come to the manger—to Bethlehem—the place where God broke through in the most unexpected way. Bethlehem was not a place of ease or comfort. It was marked by exhaustion, inconvenience, and unmet expectations. And yet, it was there that God chose to enter our world. The manger reminds us that God does not wait for perfect conditions. He meets us right where we are and brings His light into our darkness.
Christmas Eve invites us to slow down, to look again at a story we know so well, and to see it with fresh eyes. As we hear the Scriptures, sing familiar carols, and share in Holy Communion, may we remember that the same Christ born in Bethlehem still comes to us today—offering forgiveness, hope, and new life.
We’re grateful you’ve chosen to spend part of this sacred night with us. If you have questions, need prayer, or would like to learn more about our church, I’d love to connect with you. You can reach me at 410-639-2144, or simply speak with one of us following the service.
May the light of Christ shine brightly in your heart and home this Christmas, and may you leave tonight reminded that even in a broken world, God still breaks through.
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Gary
Order of Worship
Advent Reading | |
Welcome | |
Prayer of Adoration | |
Opening Worship | |
Prayer of Confession | |
Prayer of Intercession | |
Message | God Breaks Through the Darkness John 1:1-14 Pastor Gary Priddy |
Holy Communion | |
Next Steps | |
What you can do for a “next step” of faith. | |
Prayer of Thanksgiving | |
Benediction |
Life is much more than an accident. Wherever I go, I believe God needs me there. Wherever I am, I trust God has put me there. He has a purpose for me being there - Christ, alive in me, wants to do something through me, no matter where I am. I believe this and go in His grace and His love and His power.
Songs for Worship
Wesley Chape 197 Away in a Manger 200 O Holy Night 162 O Come, O Come Emmanuel 199 Silent Night | Rock Hall Church It’s Christmas Midnight Clear Noel Silent Night |
Sermon Outline
A Season So Familiar We Stop Seeing It
The Breakthrough:
God Breaks Into Darkness With His Light
Luke 2:8–9 “8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”
Isaiah 60:1–2 “1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
God Breaks Into Separation With His Presence
John 1:14 “14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Colossians 1:19–20 “19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
God Breaks Into Fear With Good News
Luke 2:10–11 “10 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. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Christmas is an invitation to receive, not perform.
Christmas Prayer:
Lord Jesus, this Christmas we come to You just as we are. Quiet our striving hearts and free us from the pressure to perform. Help us lay down our expectations and receive the gift of Your presence. Open our eyes to Your grace in the ordinary moments of our lives, and fill us with wonder, gratitude, and peace as You come near. Amen.
TAKE IT HOME:
TAKE IT HOME
John 1:1-14 — Seeing the Light in Familiar Places
Where might familiarity have caused you to stop noticing God’s work in your life? What parts of the Christmas story — or your own story — have become so familiar that you no longer expect God to meet you there? Ask God to help you see His light breaking through in ordinary places this week.
Luke 2:8–12 — Receiving Good News in Fear and Uncertainty
What fears, worries, or uncertainties are you carrying into this season? How does the angel’s message — “Do not be afraid… I bring you good news of great joy” — speak into those places? What would it look like to receive God’s good news rather than trying to manage your fear on your own?
Colossians 1:19–20 — God Near, Not Far Away
Where do you need to be reminded that God has come near to you — not after things are fixed, but right where you are? How does Jesus’ presence change the way you view brokenness, disappointment, or waiting? As you move through this week, where can you pause and invite Christ’s peace to meet you again?ness open space for His power to be revealed this week?
This Week's Announcements:
Daily Devotional Reading:
Wake-Up Call provides a daily encouragement to shake off the slumber of our busy lives and turn our eyes toward Jesus. Each morning our community gathers around a Scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and a few short questions, inviting us to reorient our lives around the love of Jesus who transforms our hearts, homes, churches, and cities.
SIGN UP HERE: https://seedbed.com/wakeupcall
Prayer Request Policy Change In order to maintain a more current prayer list, we provide a copy of this past week’s prayer requests. Submit prayer requests using the prayer request cards in the pews or the digital prayer request form on our website: pray.yourrhc.com Please make sure you have permission to share other’s information.
Current Prayer Requests
Our children and youth ministries
Caregivers and first responders
Our nation’s leaders
Healing of our nation
People battling addictions
Single parents and their kids
Pastor Gary and family
Dickie & Bettie Porter
Hubbard & Sharon Kendall
Joan & Mike Melvin
Joanne Carson
Audra Ashley
Emelia Pohl
Diane McIntyre
Elma (Sis) Myers
Wilkins Hubbard
Joe Holliday
JJ Foote
Pam & Tom Glenn
Lisa Stottlemyer
Edna Cox
Don & Shirley Spagnolo
Rick & Mary Etta Reedy
Elmer & Marsha Gustafson
Susan Medley
Janie Comegys
David Black
Sam Kuma
Grant Stoop
Sherrie Jacobs
Family of Jeff Hill
Active Military & their families including:
Trevion Hopkins
Kyle Schauber
Brock Willey
Makenzie Williams
Steve McCarthy
Geoffrey Andersen
Jonathan Conner
Dante Spagnolo
This week's prayer focus:
Join us in focused and specific prayer for our church, our community, and our world. Be prepared to see God do great things as we collectively turn to Him in prayer.
Sunday – Our Worship
Jesus, clear our vision as we gather to worship. Break through our routines and help us see You clearly, so our praise flows from grateful, attentive hearts. Luke 2:30–32
Monday – Our Community
Lord, open our eyes to see You at work in Rock Hall. Help us notice needs, extend compassion, and reflect Your love in ordinary, everyday moments. Matthew 5:14–16
Tuesday – Our Holiness
Holy Spirit, shape our hearts as we wait on You. Make us teachable, obedient, and responsive as You form Christlike character within us. Psalm 25:4–5
Wednesday – Our Family
God, be present in our homes this week. Strengthen relationships, calm anxious hearts, and help us see Your grace at work within our families. Philippians 4:7
Thursday – Christians Around the World
Lord, give believers everywhere eyes to see Your promises and courage to follow You faithfully—whether in freedom or hardship. Joshua 1:9
Friday – Our Nation
God, guide our nation with wisdom and humility. Help us seek justice, love mercy, and walk faithfully before You in every season. Micah 6:8
Saturday – Our Calling
Jesus, prepare us for the work You have placed before us. Open our eyes to the opportunities You provide and give us faith to walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
This week’s events:
Sunday:
10:30 am - Combined Worship Service @WCMC
WC - Wesley Chapel
RHC - Rock Hall Church
RHCCC - Rock Hall Church Community Center
