Carlisle United Methodist holds candlelight service

Kristen Collins and Derek Zachary, above

Bro. Rocky Wallace, below

Once again, the Carlisle United Methodist Church celebrated Christmas Eve with a remarkable candlelight service to ring in the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Carlisle United Methodist Church’s annual Christmas Eve service began with teen member Shelby Watkins’s rendition of “A Baby Changes Everything,” followed by the greeting and opening prayer with Allison Earlywine.

Following the opening prayer, the congregation joined in all verses of “O Come All Ye Faithful,” a Christmas staple.

Blake McLeod then began to light the Advent candles as his wife Kristen shared scripture with the congregation. The last candle to be lit was the Christ candle, symbolizing the birth of Jesus Christ. The congregation joined in “Away in a Manger.”

Maddie Allison, youth member of the church, shared a scripture lesson from Luke 1:26-38, followed by Allison Earlywine’s performance of “Breath of Heaven.”

Sadie Vice shared from Luke 2:1-7, with the congregation then joining in “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”

The last of the scripture readings was from Andrew Day, Luke 2:8-20. Kristen Collins and Derek Zachary joined in a beautiful duet of “The Angels Cried.”

Bro. Rocky Wallace gave even more meaning with his Christmas Message, with his wife and co-pastor Denise concluding with her own message.

After communion was served, each person’s individual candle was lit from the Christ candle, illuminating the dim room. The congregation then joined in “Silent Night” to conclude yet another memorable Christmas Eve service at the Carlisle United Methodist Church. Todd Day closed in prayer.

The Carlisle United Methodist Church hosts Sunday school for all ages every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., with congregational worship following at 10:30 a.m.. Every third Sunday of the month, the church provides special music in the sanctuary at 6 p.m. with their monthly Sunday Night Live.