510 E. BROADWAY   |   MEDFORD, WISCONSIN 

WORSHIP WITH US

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE  | December 24, 2025

Christmas Eve| "Good News in the Dark"| Pastor Tamara

JOIN THE RECORDED SERVICE

READ THE SCRIPTURE

Luke 2: 1-20

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

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. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 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.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

 

SING ALONG WITH THE HYMNS

Hymn 182

O Come All Ye Faithful

 

1 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!

 

Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!

 

2 God of God, Light of Light,
lo, He abhors not the virgin's womb;
very God, begotten not created; [Refrain]

 

3 Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest![Refrain]

 

4 Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n!

 

 

Hymn 195

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

 

1 Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn 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 hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,

 

Hymn 186

Silent Night (Verse 1)

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.

 

 

 

STAY INFORMED 

 

FEEDING THE HUNGRY IS HOLY WORK

A Call to Justice in a Season of Scarcity 

 When we allow children to go hungry in our nation of abundance, we fail our sacred call to love our neighbors as ourselves.  

MISSION

MOMENT

Mission Moments tell a story about our congregation’s connection with the wider church. Each issue informs UCC members about what they make possible through their gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission. Please take some time to read these Mission Moments each Sunday for December 2025 through February 2026.

OPEN AND

AFFIRMING

Community UCC is an Open and Affirming Church. Read more about the UCC ONA Coalition.

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