December 24, 2021 LATE SERVICE CHRISTMAS EVE 7:00 pm
Prelude (Colin Bonneau)
Welcome
Call to Worship
Listen!
The air is still.
Look!
The stars are shining brightly.
Listen!
In the distance, we hear the murmur of voices!
Pay Attention!
We hear the cry of a child!
God is with us!
God is with us; let us worship.
Opening Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful VU 60 verses 1, 3-5
Opening Prayer
When I say: Come Lord Jesus
Please respond: Awaken in us a new Christmas.
Let us practice.
Come Lord Jesus:
Awaken in us a new Christmas.
Precious Lord, tiny baby, we come like the shepherds feeling we have nothing to give.
Come Lord Jesus:
Awaken in us a new Christmas.
All tired and beaten from external forces, we look to you our heavenly choice.
Come Lord Jesus:
Awaken in us a new Christmas.
Jesus has come to serve and heal.
Incarnate God, you know our yearnings and our needs.
Come Lord Jesus:
Awaken in us a new Christmas.
We open our spirits to you, Divine Peace and Power, the promised king, Emmanuel.
Come Lord Jesus:
Awaken in us a new Christmas. Amen.
Advent Wreath Hymn with Candle Lighting
Hymn: A Candle is Burning VU 6
Reading from Scripture:
Luke 2:1-7
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.
Anthem In Bethlehem of Judeah
Sermon, part one
Reading from Scripture:
Luke 2:8-20
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by 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. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
We respond:
In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.
This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.
Word of God for us today.
Thanks be to God.
Anthem A Carol for the Baby
Sermon, part two
Hymn: VU 59 Joy to the World verse 1, 2 and 4
Invitation and OFFERING
Hymn: VU 36 Angels from the Realms of Glory verses 1, 2, 4
Prayer over offering
First Christmas gifts:
The gift of God’s glory filling the air, filling a stable.
First Christmas gifts:
The gift of holy amazement to the lowly shepherds.
First Christmas gifts:
The gift of support to Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.
First Christmas gifts:
Good news of worth spreading to everyone.
As you blessed the gifts of the first Christmas, Loving God, so we bring these first gifts of Christmas for your blessing,
knowing that in the midst of a challenging Christmas, our willingness to give joyfully and generously will be a gift. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (spoken VU 916)
Hymn: VU 67 Silent Night
Commissioning
Go out into this Christmas night, comforted by the warmth of God’s welcoming love growing in your heart and renewed by the strength of God’s healing love, filling us and making us whole through the gift of the Christ child. Amen.
Postlude (Colin Bonneau)
Today’s prayers were written (or inspired by) Gill Le Fevre, David Sparks, Sandy Ferguson and Lorna Corzine. They are used with permission, taken from Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2021-2022.
