Pastor: David Range
December 24, 2025
Miramar United Methodist Church
in the heart of Miramar, a place for gathering, healing, and sending out friends, helping to create a sense of family to find new life in Christ.
Part of the United Methodist family where we make disciples for the
Transformation of the world.
Order of Worship for December 24, 2025
Christmas Eve service, A Service of Lessons and Carols
7:30 p.m.
You are invited to have a bell ready to ring on the chorus of “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” and also get a candle for every member of the household so that the light may be spread throughout the land as we sing “Silent Night” at the end.
Please see the end of the bulletin for some additional important information
CALL TO WORSHIP
ADVENT4 Candle Lighting
Here, with us. Fulfilling the Lord’s message through the prophet, Isaiah, Matthew proclaims: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1.23)
We light this candle as a sign of Christ coming to dwell with us, to live in the neighborhood of vulnerable humanity as a vulnerable child. May the light of Christ warm our hearts and light our way as we share the joy of God’s salvation wherever we go.
*Opening Hymn 234 O Come All Ye Faithful+
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the king of angels.
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
2 True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, he shuns shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
O Come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord
3 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above:
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
4 See how the shepherds, Summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord
5 Child, for us sinners Poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, Loving us so dearly?
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord
6 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord
WORDS: John F. Wade, ca 1743; trans. By Frederick Oakeley, 1841 and others MUSIC: John F. Wade ca. 1743; from Collections of Motetts or Antiphons, 1792
First Lesson--The Prophets Promise the Savior, Numbers 24:16-17; Isaiah 7:14;
Jeremiah 23:5-6; Micah 5:2, 4; Isaiah 9:6
Hymn 203 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed+
1. Hail to the Lord's Anointed, great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free;
to take away transgression, and rule in equity.
2. He comes with succor speedy to those who suffer wrong;
to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying, are precious in his sight.
3. He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth;
love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth.
Before him on the mountains, shall peace, the herald, go,
and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.
4. To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never his covenant remove;
his name shall stand forever; that name to us is love.
WORDS: James Montgomery, 1821 MUSIC: Gesangbuch der H. W. k. Hofkapelle, 1784, alt; adapt. and harm. by W. H. Monk, 1868
Second Lesson--Mary hears the news, Luke 1:26-38
Hymn 215 To a Maid Engaged to Joseph+
1 To a maid engaged to Joseph, the angel Gabriel came.
“Fear not,” the angel told her, “I come to bring good news,
Good news I come to tell you, good news, I say, good news.
2 “For you are highly favored by God the Lord of all,
Who even now is with you. You are on earth most blest,
You are most blest, most blessèd, God chose you, you are blest!”
3 But Mary was most troubled to hear the angel’s word.
What was the angel saying? It troubled her to hear,
To hear the angel’s message, it troubled her to hear.
4 “Fear not, for God is with you, and you shall bear a child.
His name shall be called Jesus, God’s offspring from on high.
And he shall reign forever, forever reign on high.”
5 “How shall this be?” said Mary, “I am not yet a wife.”
The angel answered quickly, “the power of the Most High
Will come upon you shortly, your child will be God’s child.”
6 As Mary heard the angel, she wondered at his words.
“Behold, I am your handmaid,” she said unto her God.
“So be it; I am ready according to your word.”
WORDS: Gracia Grindal, 1983 MUSIC: Rusty Edwards, 1983
Third Lesson--Mary visits Elizabeth, Luke 1:39-55
Hymn 242 Love Came Down at Christmas+
1 Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
2 Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine;
worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?
3 Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine;
love to God and all neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.
WORDS: Christina G. Rossetti, 1885 MUSIC: Trad. Irish melody; harm. by David Evans, 1927; alt.
Fourth Lesson--Joseph learns the truth, Matthew 1:18-25
Hymn 217 Away in a Manger+
1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2 The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
3 Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
WORDS: Anon. MUSIC: James R. Murray, 1887
Fifth Lesson--Jesus is born and the angels announce the birth, Luke 2:1-14
Sixth Lesson--The shepherds find the baby, Luke 2:15-20
Hymn 220 Angels from the Realms of Glory+
1 Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
ye who sang creation's story, now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King.
2 Shepherds, in the field abiding,
watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King.
3 Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of nations; ye have seen his natal star:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
4 Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending, in his temple shall appear:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
WORDS: James Montgomery, 1816 MUSIC: Henry T. Smart, 1867
Tithes and Offerings in aid of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home
now called Residing Hope.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise him all creatures here below,
praise him above, ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Seventh Lesson--The wise men follow the star, Matthew 2:1-11
Hymn 249 There’s a Song in the Air+
1 There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky!
There's a mother's deep prayer and a baby's low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
2 There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth,
for the virgin's sweet boy is the Lord of the earth.
Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
3 In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;
and that song from afar has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing
in the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!
4 We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song
that comes down through the night from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,
and we greet in his cradle our Savior and King!
WORDS: Josiah G. Holland, 1874 MUSIC: Karl P. Harrington, 1904 ccli # 242496
Eighth Lesson--The family returns from Egypt and Simeon recognizes the Messiah, Matthew 2:19-23, Luke 2:25-32
Hymn 230 O Little Town of Bethlehem+
1 O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
2 For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth!
3 How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him still the dear Christ enters in.
4 O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray,
cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell.
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
WORDS: Phillips Brooks, ca. 1868 MUSIC: Lewis H. Bedner, 1868
Ninth Lesson-- The apostles explain the meaning, John 1:1, 3, and 14;
Colossians 1:15, 17; Hebrews 1:1-3, Second Corinthians 4:6, 8:9;
Philippians 2:6-7; John 1:11-12
Hymn 219 What Child Is This?+
1 What child is this who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the son of Mary.
2 Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the son of Mary.
3 So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
come, peasant, king, to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the son of Mary.
WORDS: William C. Dix, 1865 MUSIC: 16th cent. English melody
SERMON Hope for the world Pastor David Range
Hymn 240 Hark the Herald Angels Sing+
(please ring your bell on the chorus only)
1 Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”
2 Christ, by highest heaven adored: Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; hail, th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”
3 Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”
WORDS: Charles Wesley, 1739; alt. By George Whitefield, 1753, and others MUSIC: Felix Mendelssohn, 1840: arr. by William H. Cummings, 1856
Sharing candle light, in your home please light a candle to symbolize the love and joy the birth of Jesus brought to the world as we sing the last song.
Hymn 239 Silent Night+
1 Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
2 Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake, at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
3 Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light;
Radiant beams from thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
4 Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
WORDS: Joseph Mohr, 1818, alt.; sts. 1, 2, 3 trans. by John F. Young; st. 4 trans. anon
BENEDICTION
All music under ccli #24249
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! You are invited to join us in person or online in worship at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. every Sunday except 8 times a year when we will have one joint service at 10:00 a.m.
On Dec. 31 we will have a special Watch Night Service starting at 11:00 pm. and ending at midnight with the singing of “We shall overcome”. On Sunday, January 4 our Sunday services at 8:30 and 11:00 will feature the Wesley Covenant Service first conducted by the founder of the Methodist Movement, the Rev. John Wesley.
Blessings on you and yours for the Christmas season!
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We are always happy (and look forward) to have you join us in the sanctuary, but for those who would like to continue to participate from home, we will continue to live stream the services on youtube.com.
To join us on youtube.com simply type Miramar UMC in the search bar and then you should see the service live streamed. If you subscribe to our service through youtube.com you can set up reminders for the day before or 15 minutes before, whatever you like.
Please email your prayer requests for uplifting on Sundays by sending them to miramarpastor@gmail.com. It is best if you send them by Saturday NOON if possible.
Our church prayer meeting is online on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. and you may contact Marvia Aitken or Vinessa Edwards for the link.
WAYS to give:
1. Online giving is available through our website
www.MiramarUMC.org. On the home page the ‘Donate’ icon (a hand with a dollar sign above it) is located at the top left corner and on the right under “Contact Us” you will see the same icon along with “Donate Online.” Click on either location for instructions. If you need help call the church office at 954-989-4711. Thanks to all who have signed up for this. The regular tithes and offerings of the church are a great source of blessing.
2. You can also mail a check to Miramar United Methodist Church. If you have your offering envelopes you will see that the address of the church is printed for mailing purposes and your offering can be mailed in this envelope when you apply a stamp. You may also use a regular envelope and address it to: MUMC, 2507 Utopia Drive, Miramar FL 33023. Just put your check inside, mark which funds you would like to support, put a stamp on and let the United States Postal Service do the rest! Or bring it by after the Sunday services, someone will be in the church for one hour after the worship finishes as well as Mon-Thurs 1-5 pm. We trust God will keep us strong.
3. Also, we have the option of giving by text! Use 833-931-1791 to GivePlusText and when you text any amount, by putting that number in the message, you will be prompted to register, then fill out the details of your name, address and means of payment, and the contribution will go in! If you enter an email address you will get an immediate receipt. It is easy! If you have an Apple phone you may also get Vanco’s GivePlusMobile by downloading the app from the App Store. You may also look up YouTube videos to show how all this is done.
Thank you for your prayers! Grace and peace, Pastor David
