East Zorra Mennonite Church
Wednesday December 24, 2025
7 p.m.
A Celebration of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace
A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Welcome to our Christmas Eve Service!
As you arrived this evening you should have received a candle that we will invite you to light later in the service.
As you hear the Christmas story through scripture, candle lighting, prayer, song and message may you experience the presence of Jesus who lives among us as Saviour and Lord, as source of hope, love, joy and peace.
Words of Welcome
Light the Christ Candle
Opening Prayer
Songs: VT 241 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
VT 245 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Reading: Hope for Change to Come (Isaiah 42:1-10)
Hope Candle lighting and Prayer
Song: VT 218 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
Reading: Love for each other along the way (Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-24)
Love Candle lighting and Prayer
Song: VT 248 “It Came upon a Midnight Clear”
Reading: Joy fulfilled (Luke 2:1-20)
Song: VT 249 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Joy Candle lighting and Prayer
Choir: “Mary’s Baby”/”Away in a Manger”
Reading: Peace for Jealousy and Rage of the world (Matthew 2:1-5, 7-18)
Choir: “Lullay, Thou Tiny Child”
Peace Candle lighting and Prayer
Choir: “Amid the Cold of Winter”/
“Lo, How a Rose e’re Blooming”
Offering: Our offering this evening will go toRay of Hope and Wilmot Family Resource Centre
Meditation
Song: VT 244 “Silent Night”
The Lighting of the congregational candles will happen as we sing Silent Night
Choir: Behold that Star
Closing Prayer and Benediction
Sending Songs:
VT 275 “O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”
VT 240 “Joy to the World”
Postlude
Participants in leading worship
Prelude: Bethany Zehr
Worship Leader: Pastor Ray
Accompanist: Heidi Wagler
Song Leader: Susan Schmitz
Readers: Janice Gingerich, Marlow Gingerich, and Kurtis Waymouth
Candle Lighting and Prayers: Bevin Witmer
Choir Members:
Jeanette Bender, Graycelyn Bender, Kim Gruber
Brandy Sell, Petra Williamson, Rebekah Williamson
Connie Yantzi, Laurie Yantzi, Lisa Zehr, Alexis Leis
Dawn Bender, Fayth Bender, Michaiah Bender,
Susan Schmitz, Linda Schumm, Heidi Wagler,
Katie Wagler, Dawn Zehr, Marilyn Zehr, Bethany Zehr
Galen Leis, Rick Roes, Erma Repei, Howard Ropp,
Myron Ruby, Brian Wagler
Gord Bender, Larry Bearinger, Caleb Leis,
Merv Ropp, Duane Swartzentruber
Meditation: Pastor Mike
Audio and Visuals: Dathan Bender & Larry Kropf
Thank you to our ushers and to each of you who participated in the planning, set up and leading through our service this evening.
Merry Christmas to all! May the hope, love, joy and peace of Jesus live within you and flow from you as light to the world.
This service is an adaptation of a Candlelight Service written by Sara Erb