December 24, 2016: Christmas Eve Service

For the first time in the 20-plus years we've offered our beautiful Christmas Eve Service, we have recorded and posted it on the church website. We're thrilled to be able to let people know that they can relive this powerful service. Plus, people who live out of town can experience it also. We thank our expert videographer and video editor, Pat Prokop, for helping to make this possible.

MINISTER:
Rev. Billy Hester

PARTICIPANTS:
Piano: Ray Ellis and Kay Deffley
Organ: Kay Deffley
Keyboard: Randy Canady
Percussion: John Brooks
Cello: Sarah Povie
Bass: Doug Povie
Flute: Pat Youngquist
Clarinet: Carol Anderson
The Gretchen Greene Dancers
Narrator: David Alley
Readers: Pam Sears and Callie Downing

PRODUCTION:
Videographer: Patrick Prokop
Video Editor: Patrick Prokop
Audio: Les Sears
Lighting: Stephen Butler

BULLETIN for the SERVICE

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM BILLY:
In Thornton Wilder's classic play, Our Town, a young woman named Emily dies while in childbirth. The audience gets to see Emily "in heaven" with others who have passed. As they share their thoughts and feelings with each other, Emily expresses a desire to go back to her loved ones on earth. The "powers that be" allow her to go back and relive one day in her life. If my memory serves me correctly, Emily chooses to go back to relive her 12th birthday.

If I had the opportunity to relive one day in my life, I probably would pick a Christmas Eve at Asbury Memorial. I can't think of a day that would give me a fuller, richer experience.

It starts with being part of an incredible worship experience in Asbury's sanctuary ...beautifully decorated for Christmas. In the packed sanctuary, we celebrate the birth of Christ and the profound expression of God's love made clear to us through singers, dancers — and "Hank, the Street Clown," who makes his annual visit to Asbury to experience a Holy Communion like no other.

After the service, we get to see and be with family and friends as we gather with them in the sanctuary and courtyard. Many of these people we haven't seen in a long time, for some come from out of town for the holidays and have made a special effort to be with us on Christmas Eve. Others are people we see frequently, but it's extra special seeing them on this night.

Then, we get to go out with our family and friends, spreading good cheer to people in the neighborhood — singing carols ..laughing ...passing out goodies to those we visit ...seeing the children and adults in the neighborhood touched by our spirit and efforts. And, of course, the icing on the cake is ending the caroling at Miss Virginia's colorful and charming house.

PRELUDE: "Away in a Manger"
Piano: Kay Deffley

"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
Asbury Memorial UMC Congregation
The Gretchen Greene Dancers

OFFERTORY: "African Advent Carol"
Written by: Michael Barrett
Asbury Memorial Choir
Directed by: Ray Ellis
Piano: Kay Deffley
Keyboard: Randy Canady
Percussion: John Brooks
Cello: Sarah Povie
Bass: Doug Povie
Flute: Pat Youngquist
Clarinet: Carol Anderson