UNITED CHURCH OF DORSET AND EAST RUPERT DECEMBER 24, 2013 FAMILY CANDLE-LIGHT SERVICE Unto you is born this day in the city of David A Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. UNITED CHURCH OF DORSET AND EAST RUPERT UNITED CHURCH DECEMBER OF DORSET 24, 2014 AND EAST RUPERT COMMUNION ~ DECEMBER CANDLE-LIGHT 24, 2015 SERVICE ~ COMMUNION & CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
~DECEMBER 24, 2015 ~ CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION CANDLELIGHT SERVICE ~ *Means those who are able, are invited to stand. SILENT MEDITATION During many pastoral visits people share with me how overwhelmed they feel about the problems facing our world, how listening to the news and watching television generates despair. Many have ceased watching, ceased listening. "Where is the good news to balance the bad?" they wonder. The good news for the world is the story of Christmas. As it was proclaimed to the shepherds so it is proclaimed to us all. "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news and great joy for all people. To you is born this day...a Savior. This will be a sign you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger... " Dear friends, Christmas gives us a choice; to live according to the good news, or the bad. I'm not talking about living in naiveté, false innocence or make believe. I'm talking about not letting fear govern life, not letting doom dictate direction, but instead, living according to the "better angels of our nature" and literally making belief into reality, by believing in the possibility of God's "good news. GATHERING MUSIC Selections for harp Alix Raspé WELCOME AND PASSING OF CHRISTMAS PEACE CHORAL INTROIT CALL TO WORSHIP L: Behold, God is good, and has set a star in the heavens to guide us to the truth. P: We follow it with joy, knowing that God will give us strength to climb the hills and sight to conquer the darkness. L: Behold, God is good, and has promised us a Savior to lead us to righteousness. P: As he came once long ago, so we live in hope that his holy birth may occur again and again and for our lives too. L: Let us worship the God of all seasons, through the Christ of Christmas
*HYMN (CH) # 150 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! The herald angels sing."glory to the newborn King!" Christ by highest heav'n adored. Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, offspring of a Virgin's womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King!" Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!" PRAYER OF INVOCATION L: The Lord be with you. P: And also with you. L: Let us pray ALL: We praise you, 0 God, that in Jesus you have come to birth your love and life in us. Touch us with unearthly joy, like the angels. Teach us to humble ourselves before you, like the worshiping magi. Translate the Christmas story into our fields of working, like the shepherds. Fill us with wonder, like the minds of children. That our journey to the manger will be the beginning of a lifetime of service, in Jesus' name. Amen. *THE LORD S PRAYER (trespasses) AND GLORIA Glo - ri - a, Glo - ri - a, in ex - cel - sis De - o! Glo - ri - a, Glo - ri - a, in ex - cel - sis De - o! LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE Introduction and Scripture Reading Lighting of the Advent Candle Prayer ANTHEM What Shall I Give? Wagner The Bazyk Family
PASTORAL PRAYER *HYMN (CH) # 144 O Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King and Peace to men on earth How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in be born to us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.. CHRISTMAS SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 2:1-20 CHRISTMAS EVE STORY The Gold and Ivory Tablecloth By Howard Schade CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING Still, Still, Still Austrian Carol DOXOLOGY Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION WORDS OF INVITATION *UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION Most loving God, we confess that we have seen much pain without being moved to compassion. We have begged forgiveness from others, while hoarding our own charity. We have gathered our own tranquility at the expense of peace of others and creation. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy upon us. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON LITANY OF PREPARATION L: God be with you. P: And also with you. L: Lift up your hearts. P: We lift them up to God. L: Let us give thanks to God Most High. P: It is right to give God praise and thanks. L: Therefore, with all the communion of saints we praise, P: Holy, holy, holy, God of love and majesty, the whole universe speaks of Your glory. PRAYER OF CONSECRATION WORDS OF INSTITUTION Communion this evening is in the form of intinction, as a way to emphasize our active willingness to serve the Lord. Intinction means to steep and is practiced when you take a morsel of bread and dip it into the cup. Please come down either side aisle and partake of a piece of bread and dip it into the cup as a sign of the Body and Blood of Christ, then return to your seat via the center aisle. *UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING We thank you, God, for inviting us to this table where we may experience Christ and receive his gifts. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
BENEDICTION AND SHARING OF THE CHRIST-CANDLE FLAME (Our ushers will bring the Christmas Flame to the first person in each pew, who will then carefully pass the flame to each person holding a candle. We will close by singing three verses of Silent Night.) Silent Night (a capella) Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Savior is born Christ, the Savior is born Silent night, holy night Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Please hum one verse Our thanks to today s ushers, Nora Larsen, Walker May, Muriel Roeth and Dan Zimmerman Our thanks for providing the Gathering Music to Alix Raspé Our thanks to the Bazyk Family for lighting the Advent Wreath candles
Mark your Calendars! - Epiphany Lunch Celebration January 10th following worship - All are invited for lunch and short program as we celebrate Epiphany with the Wise people in Bethlehem. We are looking for people to donate soup, salad, bread, star cookies, king cake as well as people to bring their favorite nativity scene to share as center pieces. Also, looking for people to share their story of following their epiphany "star" last year. Or if you would be willing to share a story, tradition, song or poem related to Epiphany we would love to hear it. Sign up during coffee hour in the weeks to come or call 362-5548 or email Gretchen Lima at gretchenlima@aol.com OUR THANKS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL POINSETTIAS TO: Ann Tisdale & Barbara Mihalke In memory of our mother, Bunny Howard Linda Chapman, Mary Ann Essex & Joan McNulty In memory of Muggs & Victor Bennet Nan Leach In loving memory of Howard Leach Nan Leach In honor of The Bradder Family Joann and Bob Limbacher Happy Holidays! Meg Mithoefer In loving memory of my mother and father Karen Allen Diane & Reg Jennings Nancy and Bob McCafferty Merry Christmas to all! The Gapshi Family Doris Ibbetson and Nora Larsen Nancy and Bob Faesy Merry Christmas to all! Essie Cruikshank In loving memory of Bill Essie & Reeve Cantus Merry Christmas to All Gail and Donald Brodie Merry Christmas to All The Hittle Family Marcia Holland and Alan Wiegand In loving memories of family The Welsh Family In memory of Carol Porter Welsh The Welsh Family In memory of Carol Bockoven Welsh The Welsh Family In memory of Barbara Lee Porter Mary McFall In memory of Robert & Veronica McFall & William McFall Millie and Linda O Leary Lynne and Scott Welsh In loving memory & in honor of our families