Usher: Gloria Peck
Call to Worship
| Leader: | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. |
| People: | The Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth, and we have seen his glory. |
| Leader: | In him was life, and that life was the light of all. |
| People: | The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never been able to extinguish it. |
Centering Prayer
| Leader: | We are the people who have walked in darkness. |
| People: | We have been searching for a great light. |
| Leader: | We live in a land of deep darkness. |
| People: | Let your light shine upon us O Lord. |
| Leader: | We each carry burdens with us that make it difficult to feel the joy of your creation. |
| People: | Give us the faith we need to feel your love in even the darkest hours. |
| Leader: | We anxiously await the coming of the Christ child into the world. |
| People: | To the rest of the world, Christmas is just an excuse for rampant commercialism and thoughtless celebrations. |
| Leader: | We pray for a time when the Christ Child will establish the throne of David and his kingdom will offer endless peace. |
| People: | Let your Kingdom come, Let your will be done. Amen. |
Hymn, It Came upon the Midnight Clear, number 218, verses 1, 2, 3
Seven Gifts of Light
First Candle: Luke 14:15-24
This story offers hope for those who have no one to invite them in. It
reminds us that in God’s divine order, no one is excluded; all are invited.
Prayer after lighting candle: Lord our God, may your fellowship
be available to all, including those who feel excluded. Amen.
Second Candle: Luke 6:17-23
This familiar passage reveals that Jesus was well aware of people's sorrows,
yearnings, and suffering--and offered a promise of something
different.
Prayer after lighting candle: Lord Jesus, like this candle, bring
some warmth and light to those who mourn, who hunger and thirst, and
who weep.
Third Candle: Matthew 2:9-18
Anniversaries and special events are not always happy times. For the
people in Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus would always remind them of
the army that massacred their children.
Prayer after lighting candle: Dear God, you suffered when your
child died. In your compassion, ease our suffering. Amen.
Fourth Candle: Psalm 22:1-11
Even Jesus knew the feeling of being abandoned by God, the God whom
he had believed in, and of being left alone in his darkness.
Prayer after lighting candle: Spirit of God, shine like this candle in
the darkness, lighting the way for all who feel abandoned, forsaken, and
forgotten. Amen.
Gift of Music, The Peace Carol, Bob Beers, Trudy Hoag
Fifth Candle: Matthew 11:28-29
When burdens get piled on top of other burdens, the load can crush us.
In his promise, Jesus offers us help to carry our burdens and responsibilities.
Prayer after lighting candle: Friend Jesus, we don't ask you to
shoulder our burdens for us--just help us carry a corner of them, and we
can carry on. Amen.
Sixth Candle: Luke 5:12-16
Jesus offers hope to those who are sick and to those who are separated
from their communities.
Prayer after lighting candle: Lord our God, may
your healing power touch our lives and make us whole. Amen.
Seventh Candle: Revelation 21:1-7
Our present world is not how God wants things to be. Those who weep now will not weep later. In this new heaven and new earth, there will be no more need for tears. Prayer after lighting candle: Lord God, your vision seems a long way in the future. Bring your promise closer to us, we pray. Amen.
Prayers of the People
The Words of Institution and the Lord’s Prayer
Sharing of the Elements and Offering
Hymn, Silent Night, number 239, verses 1 and 3
Benediction| Leader: | The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. |
| People: | We go forth with the light of Jesus Christ in our hearts. Amen. |
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
All: We go forth with the light of Jesus Christ in our hearts. Amen.
Thank you for joining us for this service of Light and Hope.
This Christmas season we celebrate the coming of the light of God into the world.
May you feel the light of Jesus Christ in your life this night and always.
Christmas Blessings to you and your family.
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Large print bulletins and audio assistance are available.
