Christmas Eve Worship

 

December 24, 2020

CHRISTMAS EVE 

7:00 pm Virtual Service 

ORDER OF WORSHIP

CENTERING PRAYER                      (Church of Scotland, Book of Common Order)

Today, O God, the soles of your feet have touched the earth.

Today, the back street, the forgotten place have been lit up with significance.

Today, the households of earth welcome the King of heaven.

For you have come among us, you are one of us.

So may our songs rise to surround your throne as our knees bend to salute your cradle. Amen.

PRELUDE      Praeludium and Fugue      Fischer

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LITURGY OF THE ADVENT WREATH

We light the CHRIST candle along with these candles of HOPE, JOY, LOVE, and PEACE as a sign of the coming light of Christ. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

let all creation sing for joy at the coming of the Lord.

The Lord of hosts is coming to restore us; God’s face will shine, and we will be saved.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

When the Lord restores our lives, we will be like those who dream; those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.

We will sing of God’s steadfast love forever; we will proclaim the faithfulness of the lord to all generations.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for God has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Light dawns for the righteous, and joy to the upright in heart. 

Rejoice in the Lord! Give thanks to God’s holy name.

† HYMN      “Joy to the World”      Hymnal #134

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of Love Incarnate, we confess that, with the shepherds, we are terrified of your gory; for in glory’s light we see plainly all that is wrong in the world: how oppression still enslaves; how garments of war are still stained with blood; how those seeking refuge still find no place of safety. We also see what is wrong in us: how passionately we pursue the things of this world but forget to ponder the mystery of faith; how we do not practice the peace you intend in our relationships, our community, or even in the church. Forgive us, we pray, and help us not to be afraid. Like the shepherds, we want to follow and find you. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you. 

 

† HYMN      “Angels We Have Heard on High”      Hymnal #113

SCRIPTURE      Luke 2:1-20

SERMON      “Treasured Words”      Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Westminster Confession of Faith Shorter Catechism Question One

Q. What is our chief end?

A. Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy God forever 

OFFERING – CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING

SPECIAL MUSIC    Cantabile on I Want to Walk      Behnke

† THE DOXOLOGY

THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer

Words of Institution  

Sharing of the Bread & Cup  

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (A New Zealand Prayer Book)

Welcome, welcome, Jesus Christ our infant savior, baby who makes every birth holy. May we, who like the shepherds have witnessed in the stable a new kind of love, return to our work with joy. May we, for whom the heavens have opened to proclaim that God is with us, we who have fed on living bread and drunk the wine of heaven, go out to be instruments of your peace, day by day. Amen 

CANDLE LIGHTING

† HYMN “Silent Night, Holy Night Hymnal #122

† CHARGE AND BLESSING

BENEDICTION RESPONSE 

POSTLUDE      Fantasia on I Want to Walk      Behnke

†You are invited to stand, as you are able.