Order of Service

Christmas Eve

Wednesday, December 24th, 2025, 7:00 pm

Online on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/738363620
Passcode: BUF

Zoom by phone, for audio only: (346) 248-7799
Meeting ID: 738 363 620
Passcode: 306220

Gathering Carols                                   Melanie Rieck, keyboard artist and

Ben Workman Smith, choir director

#235, Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly
#239, Go Tell It on the Mountain
#246, O Little Town of Bethlehem
#254, Sing we Now of Christmas (3 verses)
#255, There’s a Star in the East
#259, We Three Kings of Orient Are
#233, Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
#245, Joy to the World!

Welcome                                                Sunny McMillan and Rev. Barbara ten Hove, worship leaders

Prelude                                                  Gesu Bambino, P. Yon arr. D. Coates

Carol                                                      #253, O Come, All Ye Faithful

Call to Worship                                     Sunny McMillan and Rev. Barbara ten Hove

A Spark of Light in the Universe, Sydney Wilde-Nugent

Phoenix Pool                                        Betelehemu Babatunde Olatunji

Chalice Lighting                                   Kivrin Howard-Collins and Jane Epperson, candle lighters

Chalice Choir                                        Huron Carol, J. de Bebeuf

Christmas Story Part I                         Based on the Gospels, ed. by Rev. Jeff Briere

Special Music                                       Jane Ronca-Washburn, soloist

Within the Shining of a Star R.S. Lehman and B.J. Angebrandt

Christmas Story Part II                         Based on the Gospels, ed. by Rev. Jeff Briere

Carol                                                      #231, Angels We Have Heard on High

Social & Environmental Justice Collection: Whatcom Faith Communities Immigrant Support

Offertory                                                Coventry Carol trad. arr. B. Nix

Melanie Rieck, piano; Ben Workman Smith, cello

Reading                                                 Candles for Christmas, Howard Thurman

Carol                                                      #244, It Came upon the Midnight Clear

Homily                                                   Sunny McMillan

Carol                                                       #241, In the Bleak Midwinter

Candle Lighting Ceremony                  Silent Night

Peter Epperson, Miko Meyer Loewen,
Raya and Natasha Paci-Green, Kivrin Howard-Collins
and Jane Epperson, candle dancers
Jaco ten Hove, drum; Ben Workman Smith, cello

Closing Words                                      The Work of Christmas Howard Thurman

Carol                                                      #237, The First Nowell

Benediction                                           Sunny McMillan

Postlude                                                Hallelujah Chorus F. Handel

Afterward

If you’re with us on Zoom today, please stay after the service for our online coffee hour. If you’re here in person, please join us downstairs for coffee and conversation. Visitors: you may wish to use a red cup — then we’ll know you’re open to a bit of orientation.

If you’re new, we’d be grateful to have you provide us with contact information so we can let you know what’s happening here. There are buff-colored visitor contact cards in the pew racks, and in the entryway, that you can drop in the collection basket. Or provide your contact information HERE. 

Contributions payable to “BUF” may be sent to:
1207 Ellsworth Street, Bellingham 98225
For info about donating online (credit card or PayPal), by automatic bank transfer, or via phone apps, see the “give” button in the upper right-hand corner at buf.org or contact the office: (360) 733-3837 / admin@buf.org