The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
United Church of Canada
Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS
December 21st, 2018 Longest Night-St. Mark’s
Gathering in the Stillness
Welcome to this time of stillness.
We invite you to participate as you feel comfortable.
Leader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
People: The Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth.
Leader: In him was life, and that life was the light of all.
People: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never been able to extinguish it.
Prayer for the Day Responsive
Leader: We look for light but find darkness, for brightness, but walk in gloom. We grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight.
All: You are the light of the world; be light in our darkness, O Christ.
Leader: If I say, “Let only darkness cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you. O God, the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
All: You are the light of the world; be light in our darkness, O Christ.
Leader: Blessed be your name, O God, forever.
You reveal deep and mysterious things;
You are light and in you is no darkness.
Our darkness is passing away, already the true light is shining.
All: You are the light of the world; be light in our darkness, O Christ. Amen
Personal Quiet Time Instrumental Music
Stories of Light – Words of God’s Promises
ReadingGenesis 1:1-5 “The Light of Creation”
The Memorial Bell is tolled.
Reflection ending with:
[Lighting one candle] Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
All: “Anyone who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Song When the Wind of Winter Blows v.1 More Voices 71
Reading
Exodus 13:17-22 “The Light of Exodus”
The Memorial Bell is tolled.
Reflection ending with:
[Lighting one candle] Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
All: “Anyone who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Song When the Wind of Winter Blows v.2 More Voices 71
Reading
Isaiah 60:1-3 “The Light of the Prophets”
The Memorial Bell is tolled.
Reflection ending with:
[Lighting one candle] Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
All: “Anyone who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Reading
Luke 1:46-55: “The Light of Hope and New Birth”
The Memorial Bell is tolled.
Reflection ending with:
[Lighting one candle] Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
All: “Anyone who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Song What Child Is This? Voices United 74
Prayers of the people Lighting of a Candle
You are invited to come to the table and light a candle from those already lit, in memory of persons or saying a silent prayer for someone or a situation that is on your heart or reflecting on situations that are painful in the holiday season. You might speak the name of the person(s) for whom you are lighting the candle. You do not need to do this but instead may stay with unspoken prayers and intentions, simply lighting a candle. You are invited to light tea lights in honour, in memory, and in hope. If you would like an anointing, come to the font where the palm of your hand will be marked with the sign of the cross in anointing oil.
The bell is sounded and 5 minutes of silence are kept.
The bell is sounded again.
Silent Night (together) VU 67
Blessing One Another as We Leave
Sending Forth and BlessingThe light has splintered the darkness,
Hope is ours once more.
The light calls us forward;
Remembering the past and walking
Confidently into the future.
We go from this place filled with peace
and love; God’s gift to us all.
Choral Amen
Adapted from a service in The Whole People of God™ • December 21, 2018 Longest Night Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing
