December 24th,
2012
Christmas Eve-A
Service of Light
Scripture,
Carols, and Communion
6:30 p.m. - St. Mark’s, Port Hawkesbury 8:00 p.m. – St. David’s, Port Hastings
December 24th – Christmas Eve Services with Communion
6:30 p.m. - St. Mark’s, Port Hawkesbury 8:00 p.m. – St. David’s, Port Hastings
* Processional Hymn O Come,
All Ye Faithful VU60
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD
*Welcome and greeting one another
with the Peace of Christ.
One: The Holy Child of Peace comes to
dwell among us!
Let us now share the peace with one
another.
The
peace of Christ be with you. .
All: And with your spirit.
Introit
What child is
this, who laid to rest,
on Mary’s
lap is sleeping?
Whom angels
greet with anthems sweet
while
shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is
the Christ the King,
whom
shepherds guard and angels sing,
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
the Babe, the Son of Mary!
Lighting of the Advent Candles
*Candlelighting Hymn (an
echo song)
We light these candles as a sign.
Your light has come into the world.
Jesus has brought Your kingdom here.
Help us to share this good news.
Words
& Music: Jane Best ©2012 Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. Used by
permission.
Gathering Prayer
All:
Gracious God,
with joy and thanksgiving we gather as your people.
We have come to hear again the timeless story of Christ's birth.
In the excitement of this night, quiet our hearts
that we may know the peace and fullness of this holy time.
Shine, O Light, in the darkness of our world.
Sing, O angels, in the stillness of our hearts,
"Glory to God in the highest,
with joy and thanksgiving we gather as your people.
We have come to hear again the timeless story of Christ's birth.
In the excitement of this night, quiet our hearts
that we may know the peace and fullness of this holy time.
Shine, O Light, in the darkness of our world.
Sing, O angels, in the stillness of our hearts,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and
on earth peace among those God favors."
This we pray in the name of the Child of Bethlehem. Amen.
This we pray in the name of the Child of Bethlehem. Amen.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
(People
are seated -- all lights are dimmed)
The
Prophecy of the Messiah
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Hope
is a star that shines in the night,
leading
us on till the morning is bright.
When
God is a child there's joy in our song,
The
last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and
none shall be afraid.
The
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Hymn:
We Light This Candle
The
Coming of Jesus Is Announced to Mary and Joseph
Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25
Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25
Choir-A
Carol of Hope
The
Lighting of Gabriel Candle and Mary and Joseph Candles
The
Preparations for the Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1-5O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Luke 2:1-5O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Jesus
is Born
Luke 2:6-7Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Luke 2:6-7Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Lighting
of the Baby Jesus Candle and Placement of Baby in Nativity
Jesus'
Birth is Announced to the Shepherds
Luke 2:9-14
Luke 2:9-14
*It
came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold,
“Peace on the earth, good will to all,
from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold,
“Peace on the earth, good will to all,
from
heaven's all gracious King!”
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
Lighting
of the Angel Candles
*The first Nowell the angel did say
was
to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay a-keeping their sheep
in fields where they lay a-keeping their sheep
on
a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
Lighting of the Shepherd Candles
The Shepherds Find the Baby Jesus
Luke 2:15-18
Luke 2:15-18
The
Wise Men Bring Their Gifts to Jesus
Matthew 2:1-11*And by the light of that same star
Matthew 2:1-11*And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
to seek for a king was their intent,
and
to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
*Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
and offered there in his presence
their gold and myrrh and
frankincense.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
Lighting of the King Candles
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
Offering Our
Gifts to God
* Offering Song/Doxology 544VU
Prayers of Confession and Assurance
Merciful God, we confess that often
we find darkness more comfortable than light.
We confess that we find your good news frightening and unsettling,
especially when we consider its demands as well as its promises.
We confess that Christmas has become more to us than the birthday of the Christ,
partly because we do not want a Christ-Child in our lives or in our world.
Forgive us, bend us, change us, remake us.
Give us the courage to lay ourselves open to the wonder and healing of your coming.
Be born again into our world, be born again into our hearts and lives.
Hear now our silent and personal confessions as we prepare ourselves for your nativity. (silence)
We confess that we find your good news frightening and unsettling,
especially when we consider its demands as well as its promises.
We confess that Christmas has become more to us than the birthday of the Christ,
partly because we do not want a Christ-Child in our lives or in our world.
Forgive us, bend us, change us, remake us.
Give us the courage to lay ourselves open to the wonder and healing of your coming.
Be born again into our world, be born again into our hearts and lives.
Hear now our silent and personal confessions as we prepare ourselves for your nativity. (silence)
The true light that enlightens all has come
into the world.
That light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has never been able to put it out. Through the Child of Bethlehem, we know ourselves to be forgiven, we know ourselves to be loved.
This is the good news! Thanks be to God!
That light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has never been able to put it out. Through the Child of Bethlehem, we know ourselves to be forgiven, we know ourselves to be loved.
This is the good news! Thanks be to God!
* Communion Hymn Arise
Your Light Is Come VU 79
Sacrament of Communion
Communion Insert, cover of VU
Distribution Hymn O Holy Night Printed
(St.
Mark's—congregation will come forward; St. David's—served in
pews. Candles representing the people are lit during Communion)
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
(electric
lights are dimmed for singing of final hymn)
* Hymn Silent
Night VU 67
* Commissioning and Benediction
One: The candles
have been lit – light in the depth of night.
The carols have
been sung – lifting hearts with angels heavenward.
The story has
been told – live it, now, every day:
All: this
hope, this peace, this joy, this love,
given to the
world through Jesus, the Christ,
God with
us, Emmanuel.
* Choral Amen
