Theme: Journey to Christmas, God with Us Revealed
Time: Set-up at 6:30pm, Service Starts at 7pm
Scripture: Luke 2: 1-18
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before 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; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.Order of Worship
December 24, 2018
We Gather to Celebrate the Light of Christ
Welcome
Good evening. On this Christmas Eve, we are gathered as God's people to celebrate again what Christ's coming means to the world. We join with Christians all over the world who are celebrating tonight.
Prelude
Call to Worship Lisa & Mark CR
Reader 1: When we wait in the night
in the hush that only stars can hold
People: as they bend towards the coming of the light;
Reader 2: When we wait in the night
labouring with anticipation
People: of what midnight shall bring;
Reader 1: When we wait in the night
listening to the cadence of minutes beat
People: in rhythm with the birth of hope;
Reader 2: May we hold our collective breaths
with the angelic host as they clutch their restless alleluias,
People: for God is on the way:
Reader 1: The mother is laboring, the father pacing,
the stable readying, the word waiting, the light sliding,
People: and the promise is breaking through!
Reader 2: When we wait in the longing for midnight
in expectation of Good News
People: may we choose to wait together.
Reader 1: May we find we have moved to the edge of justice
for in such anticipation is the only place
People: for the Word to be born among us.
~ written by Reverend Roddy Hamilton and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/
Hymn #148 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” sts. 1, 3 & 4
Opening Prayer Unison
We have waited for a long time
for your hope, your joy, your love
to shine in the darkness of this world, Almighty God.
Even now, in our gathering here, we await you.
In our hearts, we still hope that your light will blaze forth,
banishing the shadows of this world
and flooding it with the power of your love.
Illumine our hearts, gracious God,
that we might speak anew the Good News of Emmanuel, God with us! Amen.
~ adapted from a prayer written by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, Pastor at First Church Congregational in Rochester, NH.
We Hear the Good News
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Kyle Sowers
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Lighting of the Christ Candle in Advent Wreath
Leader:Tonight We relight the four Advent candles and recall the gifts that God gives us as we journey together to Christmas.
People: Hope. Peace. Love. Joy.
Leader: Jesus Christ is the greatest gift who makes all the other gifts possible. So, we light the Christ candle now, as we think about what Christ's coming means to us.
People: God gives the gift of Jesus Christ.
Leader: We thank you, God, for your gift of Jesus hrist to the entire world. We thank you that Christ's coming makes Hope, Peace, Love and Joy possible for every person in every nation. Encourage us to do our part to bring peace and good will to our families, our churches, our neighborhoods and the world. Now let your SPirit put us in touch with you the living God, through the words and music we share tonight. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray,
People: Amen.
Advent Hymn CH#128 “One Candle is Lit” ALL
Scripture: Luke 2:1-5 Mark CR
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Hymn #147 "Away in the Manger" ALL
Scripture: Luke 2:8-18 Kyle Sowers
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
Hymn #155 “Angels We Have Heard on High” sts. 1 & 3
We Come to the Lord's Table
Meditation: Lisa CR
Call to Communion Mark CR
God is telling a story in our lives.
It’s quite a story-
full of the promises God makes
and our struggles to trust;
full of mystery and angels
with surprising news;
full of hard endings
and unexpected new beginnings.
Have no fear, but come to the table where all are welcome.
Gather at the table, where Jesus Christ is our host.
Through his life among us, his death as one of us, and his resurrection into new life for all of us, we have encountered the love and grace of God.
Pay attention to the angels’ message
in your heart
in this place and time.
Then join all creation
in worshipping the God
who tells it
full of grace and truth;
who comes in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
and makes our story holy.
~ posted on Christine Jerrett. https://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/
Hymn #144 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” sts. 1 & 4
Prayers for Bread and Cup Elders
Words of Institution Elders
Communion
All are welcome to share at the Table. Come forward using the center aisle. As you partake of the bread and the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the table. The offering you share supports the ministries and life of Christ’s church. As you leave the table, please form a circle around the walls of the room for the Lighting of the Candles.
Prayer of Thanksgiving UNISON
God of Love and Light, You spoke light into being as Your first act of creation. Darkness did not overcome Your light when it was born into our world in Jesus Christ. You have called us to be filled with Your light, and to shine that all the world may see You. As we light these candles tonight, we give thanks for this calling - to dine at your table, to be your children, to shine your light. May others find shelter in the light of your love as we shine in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.
Passing the Light
The ministers will begin the Passing of the Light by lighting their candles from the Christ candle. Please tip your unlit candle towards the lit candle as it reaches you.
Hymn #145 “Silent Night” ALL
Benediction Lisa CR
Hymn #150 “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” stanza 1
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