Westminster United Church - Christmas Eve, 2009
Welcome to this 6:00 P.M. Family Candlelight Service
Minister: Rev. James Farrell
Call to
Worship (Responsive)
One: Jesus is born to change our darkness to light;
All: the light from the stable has become the Light of the World
One: Jesus is born to change our sadness to joy;
All: the joy of the shepherds still echoes down the years.
One: Jesus is born to give hope to the oppressed;
All: Love within a persecuted family inspires us.
One: Jesus is born!
All: And we rejoice that on this night of all nights, we can come and worship!
Opening Prayer (Responsive)
One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light!
All: From the corners of this city, from the confusion of life, from the loneliness of our hearts. Let us gather together.
One: To feed our minds, to fire our imagination, to free our hearts.
All: Let us gather together and celebrate the richness and diversity of life in the presentness of God.
The Christ Candle (Responsive)
One: This is the last time this year we will light the Advent candles. (the four candles are lit)
All: For 4 weeks the candles have been burning as we thought about hope, peace, joy, and love. These are the gifts which Jesus brought to us at Christmastime. The waiting is over and Jesus is born.
One: Each week another candle glowed, and our wreath shone more brightly. Today we light the Christ candle, the candle which represents Jesus. It is the centre of our wreath, just as Jesus is the centre of our lives. (the Christ candle is lit)
All: Our hearts sing with joy and praise because of Jesus. At this happy season, we rejoice that Jesus came among us. By his birth and life he has shown us that we are greatly loved. Let us remember Christmas all year long by giving to others the gifts of life: hope, peace, joy, love, expressed in the works of our hands and hearts. Amen.
Hymn: Advent Candle Lighting Song
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.
First Lesson: ISAIAH 9:2, 6-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Hymn: The First Noel
Second Lesson: TITUS 2:11-13
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Hymn: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Gospel: LUKE 2:1-20
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. 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.
Hymn: “What Child Is This”
Offering: As part of our personal expressions of worship we take time to offer gifts to be used to spread the knowledge of the gift of the Christ child.
Offertory
As the offering is brought forward the congregation sings: Hymn #55 “In the Bleak Midwinter” (vs 4)
Prayer of Dedication (One)
We are grateful for the generosity aroused in us by Christ’s coming into the world. May these gifts represent a new spirit of joyous sharing among us, for the sake of all people everywhere. Amen.
A minister, taking a candle, lights it from the Christ candle, which symbolizes Christ, the Light of the world of whom John's gospel speaks. The ushers light their candles from the minister's candle, then light the candle of each worshiper nearest the aisle. The lighted candle is never tilted, but is always held upright when giving light to another.
Gospel: JOHN 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Responsive Prayers
One: Let us pray in silence for all people according to their needs. silence ... and together we respond.
Many: Christ the Lord, as you live in us, bring peace on earth.
One: For the spread of the joyful news that God is among us; For the promise that the poor and those who find ‘no room’ find welcome and worth as you live in us; For the promise that the light of Christmas can shine within us all, we pray in silence. silence ... and together we respond.
Many: Christ the Lord, as you live in us, bring joy to the world, help to the poor and hope to the downtrodden for you are among us as the light of the world.
One: Lord Jesus, rejoicing in your birth and trusting in your love, you are the Light of the world, and to you we commend all for whom we pray.
All: Amen!
Hymn: “Silent Night, Holy Night!”
The candles are extinguished.
Recessional Hymn: “Joy to the World”
Tonight, no names but the name of Jesus Christ appear in our order of service; even so, a warm “Thank You” is extended to everyone who participated in our 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve worship service for 2009.