Thursday 24 December 2015

ORDER OF SERVICE-CHRISTMAS EVE-A SERVICE OF LIGHT

The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
United Church of Canada
Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS
Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.com
Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/
Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca
Ministers: Whole People of God
Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M. Minister of Music: Al Fougere
December 24th, 2015
Christmas Eve-A Service of Light
Scripture, Carols, and Communion

* Processional Hymn      O Come, All Ye Faithful       VU 60

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.
The Call to Worship From Isaiah 9:2 (The Message)
One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows – light! sunbursts of light!
All: For a child has been born – for us! the gift of a son – for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counsellor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness.
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Voice 1: God is with us.
All: We are not alone.
Voice 2: Thanks be to God!
Voice 1: The gift of Emmanuel, God with us, is the gift of hope, peace, joy, and love. (the 4 Advent Candles are lit)
Voice 2: We join the angels and the multitudes of heavenly hosts in singing songs of praise:
All: Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace among those with whom God is pleased.
Voice 1: We light this Christ candle as a reminder of the indescribable gift of Emmanuel.
All: We are not alone.
Voice 2: Thanks be to God!
—Alydia Smith. Originally published in Mandate, November 2012.
*Candlelighting Hymn              Hope Is a Star             VU 7
*Gathering Prayer
All: Amazing God, with hearts and minds and the depth of our being, we praise you. We sing with joy and gratitude for gifts of peace, hope, joy, love, and for the Christ, light and life for all. Amen.
*Hymn                Joy to the World               VU 59

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

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.
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.
Placement of Baby Jesus in Nativity
Jesus' Birth is Announced by Angels
Luke 2:8-14
*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 heaven's all gracious King!”
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

The Shepherds Find the Baby Jesus
Luke 2:15-18
See how the shepherds summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear;
we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Mary Treasured All These Words
Luke 2:19-20
*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 Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the Babe, the Son of Mary
Opening the Word
The children come forward to Christmas tree.

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

Offering Our Gifts to God
* Offering Prayer
*Affirmation of faith based on Titus 2:11–14
The grace of God appears today. It brings salvation to all. Grace trains us to live out justice and to live with compassion. To renounce what we don’t need and to reach to meet the needs of others. God’s grace sustains us today and always.
The grace of God appears today and brings with it a blessed hope. In Jesus Christ, grace, hope, and life are sustained. Because Christ hopes, we hope. Because Christ lives, we live.
Choir Offering          The Birthday of a King
Sacrament of Communion

We give you thanks and praise, God of life,
for on this holy night, you came among us, born in a stable in Bethlehem.
By the birth of Jesus, son of Mary, you show us that you love us so much that you would become human, like us, so that we might learn to be holy like you.
In Jesus, your child, you bring light to the world, hope in the midst of darkness and joyful celebration to everyone.
As we celebrate his birth, so we commemorate his time among us.
We remember, how, on the night that Jesus was betrayed,
he sat at supper with his disciples.
We remember that at that meal, Jesus got up from the table,
he tied a towel around himself and washed the feet of those gathered.
And after he had finished, he said,
“I have set an example for you;
do as I have done to you.”
While they were eating, Jesus broke bread
and as he shared it said, “remember me.”
Later he took a cup of wine and shared it
with the words, “remember me.”
And so, as Christ did, we bless these gifts and share them,
and in doing so we remember
Christ’s presence with us – always.
Therefore, as we gather this Christmas Eve to share this meal, we give you thanks and praise, singing:
Gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo! (sung) VU 37

Distribution Hymn        O Holy Night               Printed

(St. Mark's—congregation will come forward;
St. David's—served in pews.)

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

Litany of Light
Response after each prayer petition:
All: Light of Christ, love’s pure light.
(electric lights are dimmed for singing of final hymn)
* Hymn             Silent Night              VU 67
* Commissioning and Benediction
One: May you witness God’s glory to the highest height and may you know God’s peace to the ends of the earth. Our waiting is over.
All: Christ is born.
One: We sing a new song for Christ has made all things new.
All: Christ is born tonight.
*Choral Amen

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