Enter with anticipation Wait with sensitivity Christmas Eve Carols & Candle Lighting Service Holy Communion December 24, 2014 at 7:30 pm Worship with sincerity Depart to Serve *please stand, if you are able to do so. ORDER OF WORSHIP CHRISTMAS GATHERING Prelude *Entrance of the Word Member * Processional Hymn: “Once in Royal” (VU# 62, vv. 1-2) * Call to Worship and Candle Lighting L: We gather to celebrate the birth of the one who is the light of the world. P: We are here to worship God and God’s Son Jesus Christ, born this night in Bethlehem of Judea. L: We light the candle of hope to remind us of the promises made by all the prophets that God would raise up a Saviour for God’s people Israel and through the Saviour bless all the nations. P: Let the heavens and the earth rejoice. Our Lord has come. The Candle of Hope is lit (Musical interlude will be played while candle is being lit) L: We light the candle of peace to remind us that the Prince of Peace comes to enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. P: Let the heavens and the earth rejoice. Our Lord has come. -1- The Candle of Peace is lit (Musical interlude will be played while candle is being lit) L: We light the candle of joy to remind us that the Lord has made known his salvation and that grace is poured out upon us. P: Let the heavens and the earth rejoice. Our Lord has come. The Candle of Joy is lit (Musical interlude will be played while candle is being lit) L: We light the candle of love to remind us that God so loved the world that God sent God’s only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Jesus might have eternal life. P: Let the heavens and the earth rejoice. Our Lord has come. The Candle of Love is lit (Musical interlude will be played while candle is being lit) L: We light the Christ candle to celebrate and rejoice that the light of the world is born this night…. The Christ Candle is lit (Musical interlude will be played while candle is being lit) L: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness - on them a light has shined. You, O Lord, have multiplied the nation. You have increased its joy. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given. And the government shall be upon his shoulder. He is called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. P: Glory be to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to all people of good will. Alleluia! Prayer - Leader Almighty God - you have made this night holy by the gift of your Son, born of the Spirit and of Mary. Let his light shine within our hearts even more brightly than it shines from the candles in this place. Help us to hear your word and to celebrate your everlasting love through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. -2- CHRISTMAS FORETOLD Reading 1: Isaiah 9:1-7 Randi Nielson *Hymn: “Once in Royal” (VU#62, vv. 3-4) THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTMAS Reading 2: Luke 1:26-38 Randi Nielson *Hymn: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (VU# 64, vv. 1-2) Reading 3: Luke 2:1-14 Susan Kobelka Choir Ministry Reading 4: Luke 2:15-20 Susan Kobelka Instrumental: “All Poor Ones” (VU# 68) Reflection: “The Messiah” - Hewitt T. Holmes, Rev. CHRISTMAS PRAYER & OFFERING A Christmas Prayer L: Let us affirm the love that God has for us - a love that was not, and cannot, be hindered. P: We thank God for coming unto us; we praise God for Christs birth into our world. L: It was cold and Mary and Joseph were fearful. P: But that did not stop the birth (soft voice). L: They were poor and had no place fitting for their child. P: But that did not stop the birth (loud voice). L: They were uncertain about what God wanted from them. P: But that did not stop the birth (louder voice). L: And today we are still sometimes cold and fearful, certainly poor in many ways. P: We often feel that we have no place and are unclear about what God wants of us. L: But these things did not stop the birth of Jesus then, nor will they do it now. To all who are open to Gods leading, He comes. P: Jesus Christ, Lord and King, be born in us tonight. -3- Solo: O Holy Night Liz Bloomfield Sharing God’s Blessings - Offering Offering Hymn: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (VU# 44, vv 1, 2 & 4) * Dedication: L: Loving God, like Mary and Joseph, who trusted in your grace despite their fear, their poverty, their lack of certainty, P: we offer ourselves and our gifts to you. Bless our offering and hallow our every thought and action that Christ may be born in us L: and through us be revealed to those who yet walk in darkness. P: Amen. CHRISTMAS COMMUNION Communion Litany: L: The peace of the Lord be with you. P: And also with you. L: Lift your hearts up to the Lord. P: It is right to give God thanks and praise. L: Let us proclaim our faith in God and in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, our brother, and our Saviour. P: We come before him, thankful for all his love and mercy. Creed - Together In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets At many times and in various ways, But in these last days God has spoken to us by God’s Son, Jesus Christ, whom God appointed heir of all things, and through whom God made the worlds. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of God’s being who sustains all things by God’s powerful Word. after Jesus had provided purification of sins Christ sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Amen. -4- Prayer of Thanksgiving L: We thank you, God, giver of all good things, for the joy of this season of Christmas, for the good news of a Saviour, and for the wonder of the Word made flesh, Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. P: We thank you, God, giver of love, for the signs of your love on this table, for your love made known through all the world and shining on us in the face of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. The Institution The Blessing - Leader The joy of the angels, the wonder of the shepherds, and the peace of the Christ child, bless this bread and wine unto our bodies on this Christmas Eve night and always. The Prayer of Jesus (KumBaYah version) The Sharing of the elements L: The gifts of God for the people of God. The Communion will be served by intinction. The Choir will receive first, then everyone is asked to come forward to receive communion at the front by the side aisles, receive and consume the elements and return to their seats via the center aisle. Communion Hymns: • Away in a Manger (VU# 69) • Silent Night (VU# 67) • O Little Town (VU# 64, vv. 3-4) Lighting of the Candles (The leader will light the candles of the ushers from the Christ Candle, while the organist plays “A Light is Gleaming” (VU# 82) The main lights will be turned off) -5- Departing Prayer (The Canticle of Simeon) L: Let us pray P: Lord, let your servants now depart in peace, according to your word; for our eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. * Closing Carol: “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” (VU# 48) Benediction - Leader Go in peace, And may the Lord God Almighty - the Parent, the Son, and The Holy Spirit be with you and keep you safe in his love both now and forevermore. Amen Postlude “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” Quotation for the Day Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. - Norman Vincent Peale Ushers Ray Nielson, Randi Nielson, Amanda Juhula, David Trenchard, Denise Kingsley FIRST UNITED CHURCH 23 VAN HORNE AVE, DRYDEN, ON P8N 2A6 PH: 807-223-2119 Fax: 807-223-2119 Email: [email protected] Web Page: firstuniteddryden.webs Facebook Page: facebook/FirstUnitedChurchDryden. Minister: Rev. Hewitt T. Holmes Organist: Joan Hatch Secretary: Laurie Huffman Power Point Prompter: Sally Sipos Church Office Hours: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm ~ Monday thru Friday Mission Statement GATHER as Gods people, GROW in faith, love and service, and GO out and share the love of God. (Dated: February 2014) Theme for the Year: Behold, I make all things New. (Rev. 21: 5) -6-
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 22:58:19 +0000
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