December 24, :30 p.m. Christmas Eve

Transcription

1 Spring Park United Church A Congregation of the United Church of Canada December 24, :30 p.m. Christmas Eve Our faith is in our living We are a church committed to serving God and people in the world, we will seek to understand God s Word and to love and to live according to God s will 1

2 Guest Book. If you are visiting, please sign the guest book in the entry. We invite you to introduce yourself to our minister. A Nursery is available for the use of parents with young children through the door at the front of the sanctuary on your right & down the stairs). December 24, 2015 Christmas Eve Where indicated by (*) Please stand, as you are able. You are invited to join in responses and prayers in bold print. Prelude *Entry of the Choir & Minister *Advent Candle-Lighting - Michelle & Phoebe Mitchell. Reader One: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. (While reading, the other person lights the first candle.) Reader Two: on those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. (While reading, the other person lights the second candle.) Reader One: O God, you have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. (While reading, the other person lights the third candle.) Reader Two: For a child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. (While reading, the other person lights the fourth candle.) Reader One: And he will be called (slight pause while the lights are turned on; then, both readers read the names together.) 2

3 Readers One and Two: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 1 Introit A Candle Is Burning vs.5 VU 6 We honour Messiah with Christ-candle s flame, Our Christmas Eve candles glad tidings proclaim. O come, all you faithful, rejoice in this night As God comes among us, the Christians true light Prayer of Approach In the quiet hush of this night we gather in this place. Normally reserved for the bright joy of Sunday mornings, tonight this becomes a special place wherein we huddle in the symbolic darkness of night and celebrate that you, gracious God, are with us in both night and day. We are never far from your love. May we experience that anew this night, and may we proclaim that good news always. Amen. 2 Duet "One Small Child" Nora Mallett and Lori Linkletter SUNDAY SCHOOL PRESENTATION The Story of the first Christmas : Luke 2: Jesus, our brother, kind and good, was humbly born in a stable rude, and the friendly beasts around him stood, Jesus, our brother, kind and good. 2 'I,' said the donkey, shaggy and brown, 'I carried the mother uphill and down, I carried his mother to Bethlehem town; I,' said the donkey, shaggy and brown. 3

4 Luke 2:1-6 Proclamation 3 'I,' said the cow, all white and red, 'I gave him my manger for his bed, I gave him hay to pillow his head; I,' said the cow, all white and red. Luke 2:7 The Birth of Jesus Musical Offering: "Mary's Lullaby" Sydney and Allyson Ford Luke 1:8-14 Angels Appear 4 'I,' said the sheep with curly horn, 'I gave him my wool for his blanket warm, he wore my coat on Christmas morn; I,' said the sheep, with curly horn. Luke 2:15-20 The Shepherds Praise and Proclaim 5 'I,' said the dove, from the rafters high, 'I cooed him to sleep that he should not cry, we cooed him to sleep, my mate and I; I,' said the dove, from the rafters high. 6 Thus all the beasts, by some good spell, in the stable dark were glad to tell of the gifts they gave Emmanuel, the gifts they gave Emmanuel *Offertory Hymn vs.4 In the Bleak Midwinter VU55 What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him - give my heart. *Offertory Prayer Anthem "Gentle Mary, Tender Mary" Senior Choir 4

5 Sacrament of Holy Communion 1 Corinthians 11: Hear the words of the institution of the Lord s Supper, according to Paul: For I have received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord s death until he come. I Corinthians 11:23-26 Declaration of Faith The celebration of communion is always a festival of friends, a pulling together of our loves and our hopes, our moments of agony and our glimpses of victory. It is here, where bread is broken and wine is shared, that we can most fully be ourselves and see others for who they truly are: sons and daughters of the living God. Here the common things of life-bread and wine, memories and dreams-become holy, touched by God. Here that which is earthly becomes divine, and that which is human becomes more than it has ever dreamed. Blessed are you, gracious God, Creator of light, Giver of all life, Source of love. We bless you for all your gifts. You bring creation to birth and send prophets to awaken us to your Advent among us We praise you for that holy night of hope and the wonder of this time of joy. 5

6 We thank you for those who, like Mary, have the strength and courage to give birth to your love in the world; for those who, like the shepherds, dare to seek out the Child of Bethlehem. We praise you that your everlasting light is shown to us in womb and tomb, in cradle and cross, in tenderness and compassion. For Jesus Christ, in whom you gather the hopes and fears of all the years, we bless your Holy Name, joining with all your people of every time and place, and with angels and archangels who proclaim the holy birth. Amen. Words of Institution The bread that we break is our sharing in the life of Christ. The cup for which we give thanks is our sharing in the life of Christ. Hymn Silent Night, Holy Night VU 67 *Benediction May the peace and joy that greeted shepherds on a hillside, the peace and joy that filled the stable in Bethlehem, and the promise of God s presence and life be with you all tonight and forever. Amen. Choral Benediction Go Now In Peace Go now in peace. Never be afraid. God will go with you each hour of every day. Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true. Know He will guide you in all you do. Go now in love, and show you believe. Reach out to others so all the world can see. God will be there watching from above. Go now in peace, in faith, and in love. Amen, amen, amen. Postlude: 6

7 Worship Notes: 1&2 Seasons of the Spirit Seasons FUSION Advent Christmas Epiphany , p. 97. In Worship This Week: Minister of Word & Sacrament:.Rev. Bill MacLeod Minister Emeritus & Pastoral Care...Rev. Anthony Ware Family Ministry...Nathan Zwicker Choir Director:...Susan Duncan Sound: Belinda Johnson Ushers: David & Nora Jenkins & Wayne & Marion Cutcliffe Greeters: Stephen Peacock, David & Nora Jenkins. Tellers: (counters) David Jenkins & Wayne Cutcliffe. to Phoebe & Melanie Mitchell for sharing in our time of worship during this Advent Season. Our Thanks to Lori Linkletter & Nora Mallett Sydney & Allison Ford for their musical talents. 7

8 CHRISTMAS Thanks to all the youth who have participated in this service by being a part of the pageant or by helping others who are. Narrators Cameron McQuaid Allyson Ford Emily Bowring Mary Grace Hopkins Joseph Jaxen Bowring Angels Kate Ford Aitaro Hashimaguchi Julia Ghiz Emma Ghiz Shepherds & Sheep Rinko Hashimaguchi John Alec Nicholson Kristian McQuaid Elijah Zwicker Thanks to Sarah McGrath for all her help and support in preparing the kids! 8