Order of Worship for
December 21, 2021. Blue Christmas Service
Prelude (Colin Bonneau)
Welcome and invitation to stay seated
Opening Hymn VU #75 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks Verses 1 -3 and 6
Call to Worship
Opening Prayer part One
Opening Prayer
ADVENT Candle lighting
SOLO: In the Stillness.” Ron Thompson RON
Readings
Romans 8:18-30
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the
freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
LUKE 1: 68-79 reading from the New Revised Standard Version
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Solo: Sometimes Christmas, Linnea Good LEIGH
Singing: VU # 76 See Amid the Winter’s Snow verses 1, 4 and 5
Prayer of the People by Gill Le Febre
The Lord’s Prayer
We gather these prayers and we turn to you as our Mother who loves us and say the prayer Jesus taught us: (Spoken, inclusive Ecumenical)
Our Parent in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come, Your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
Now and for ever. Amen.
Singing: #433 VU “Day is Done”
Sending Out
Go now into this Holy week. Invite God’s Stillness and peace into your hearts. Do not force joy but do allow for hope. Be not afraid.
We will go and continue to heal in the warmth of Jesus’ birth and his tender love. Amen.
Postlude
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.
