Tinney Chapel Today

"TINNEY CHAPEL'S CHRIST CANDLE for 2004 is the one we focus on tonight," declared Senior Pastor Rev. Duncan Graham, as he brought light to the big center candle at the church's 2004 Candlelight Worship Service on Christmas Eve. "We've already lighted the four Advent Candles of Peace, Faith, Love and Hope over the past four weeks." Our 2004 Tinney Chapel Christmas Tree decorates the background of this photo. Photo by David Stanton.

6:00 P.M. WORSHIP SERVICE 12-24-04

Sanctuary Decorations: Mollie Stanton, Peggy Boyd, David Stanton.

The True Light: Candlelighting Service

“The True Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” – John 1:9 NRSV

Tonight’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, conducted by Tinney Chapel Senior Pastor Rev. Duncan Graham, with assistance from Associate Pastor Rev. Gene Miller, was a “call and response” exercise between Pastors and congregation, based on the Abingdon’s Christmas Recitations, compiled by Evelyn Minshull, copyright 1985 by Abingdon Press and the reading, “Living Christmas,” by Andrew T. Roy.

Prelude

Hymn: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice.

Call To Worship: Luke 2:10b-11 NRSV.

2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:

2:11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

Reading: Come! Experience Christmas.

The Promise: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7.

9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who lived in a land of deep darkness--on them light has shined.

9:6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

9:7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Hymn: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.

The Announcement & The Adoration: Luke 2:8-20.

2:8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

2:9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:

2:11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

2:12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."

2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

2:14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."

2:16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

2:17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child;

2:18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

2:19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Hymn: Away In A Manger.

Lighting of the Christ Candle (photo at top of page).

Response to the Lighting of the Christ Candle.

Prayer For Illunination.

Hymn: O Little Town Of Bethlehem.

The Incarnation: John 1:1-14.

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
1:3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being
1:4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
1:6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
1:7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
1:8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
1:10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.
1:11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.
1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,
1:13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
1:14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

Hymn: Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne.

Silent Prayer.

Pastoral Prayer by Senior Pastor Duncan Graham.

“We come to you in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your only begotten Son, born in the world that those who believe in Him shall not perish, but have Everlasting Life. He came not to judge, but that the world might be saved: That His Salvation might prevail in this world and His Name be exalted and glorified. Bless and keep our troops who are in harm’s way, guide and protect them. Give wisdom to our leaders. We long so for Peace that comes only through Jesus Christ, our Hope and our Glory. That He will come again soon. That all in the world will have food, shelter, love for friends and family. That You comfort all for the loss of loved ones, for sorrow, for troubles, and that Your Presence will manifest itself in this life, as we justly celebrate tonight and worship in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

Anthem: Interpretation & ASL signing by Micah Brown.

Sound Technician: Stephen Graham.

MESSAGE: Senior Pastor Duncan Graham:

The Pastor highlighted a recent e-mail message which spoke to him through words, pictures and animation: “I will take a bit of ecclesiastical license with it tonight,” he said. “The message begins with four lighted candles against a black background, and the candles actually speak:

“The Peace Candle says the world is so full of anger and fighting, there seems no point in staying lighted. So the Peace Candle’s flame dies.

“The Faith Candle says that people don’t seem to need faith anymore; they pay little attention to faith, and the Faith Candle’s flame also dies.

“The Love Candle says that people have no time for love anymore, don’t show love to others and often neglect those closest to them. The Love Candle’s flame dies.

“Just then a little child enters the room, and asks why the candles are not burning. Then the child begins to cry.

“The fourth candle speaks: Don’t cry. I am the Hope Candle. As long as I burn, we can light the other candles with my flame."

The child re-lights the other candles with the flame of the Hope Candle.

Service of Candle Lighting by Pastor Graham:

“The candle we focus on tonight is the Christ Candle,” explained Pastor Graham. “The Gift of Hope came down 2,000 years ago, bringing Hope to the entire world for all eternity. We have received the greatest Gift of Hope: A Child born in a manger, Who has grown to have the greatest effect of any king, president or wise man who ever lived. We celebrate the Hope of Eternal Salvation, available to all who accept Him as Lord and Savior. Without Him, that Blessed Child, we would have no hope, no future.

"As we light these candles, we expect the return, whether near or afar, of our Blessed Messiah, our Hope. As you go among family and friends, take time to remember the reality of Hope that came down from Heaven, and lives in the hearts of believers of all the world, through all the centuries, and will continue to do so until we all gather in The City of Light: The New Jerusalem. Tonight, we pass the common flame from the Christ Candle. We are all part of the Holy Family. The Light we share is Christ, and we want to share that Light. Maranatha.”

Ushers David Stanton & Danny Lake.

As Silent Night was sung, and lights were dimmed, the Pastor lighted the four Advent Candles, the Christ Candle and the candles of the ushers, who then lighted the candles of lead worshipers in each pew. Those lead worshipers then began the lighting chain down each pew.

Hymn: Silent Night.

Reading: Living Christmas.

Hymn: Joy To The World.

Benediction.