Advent Carillon and Chimes

Centering Prayer

Now is the time of watching and waiting

A time pregnant with hope

A time to watch and pray.

Christ our Advent hope, remind us to prepare for your coming; remind us to prepare for this time when the soles of your feet touch the ground, when you will become one of us to be one with us.  May we watch for the signs, listen for the messengers, wait for the good news to slip into our world, our lives.  Christ our Advent hope, help us to clear the way for you; to clear the clutter from our minds, to sift the silt from our hearts, to move the boulders that prevents us meeting you.  May sorrow take flight, and your people sing a song of peace and hope be born again. Amen. 1

Welcome

Introit          “Sleepers Awake”        J.S. Bach

Call to Worship and Lighting of the Candle of Hope

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday in which we recall the hope we have in Christ.  The prophets of Israel all spoke of the coming of Christ, of how a savior would be born, a king in the line of David.  They spoke of how he would rule the world wisely and bless all nations.  On Christmas day the Christ of our hope was born.  On Good Friday the Christ of our hope died. On Easter day the Christ of our hope rose from the dead.  He then ascended into heaven.  On the last day, the Christ of our hope will come again to establish his kingdom over all things on earth. As followers of Christ, we await his return.  We light this candle to remember that as he came to us as humbly in the manger at Bethlehem and gave light to the world, so he is coming again in power to deliver his people. We light this candle to remind us to be alert and to watch for his return.

Response Hymn 88

O come, thou Key of David, come,

and open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

and close the path to misery.

LEADER: Loving God, we thank you for the hope you give us. Help us prepare our hearts for the Lord's coming.  Bless our worship.  Help us live holy and righteous lives.  We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem.

ALL: Amen.  Let us worship God!

Hymn 104 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

Prayer of Confession

In this season of sales, shopping, and stress, God of Light, we confess how easy it is to slip off your paths. We can become so focused on having good times, we forget to take the time to do good for your people.  We slip easily into Santa suits, but find Jesus Christ an uncomfortable fit for our lives.   We find ourselves strangely jealous over the gifts others receive, yet have trouble accepting those gifts of peace and serenity you hand out so freely.  Forgive us, Breath of Salvation. By your mercy, we can once again walk the streets of your kingdom, being alert for the signs of your grace and hope in our midst.  Teach us your  ways of peace and reconciliation, that we may truly live as the disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Response Hymn 89 (sung twice)

For you, O Lord,

my soul in stillness waits;

Truly my hope is in you.

Words of Assurance

This is the good news: you will be swept away in the waters of mercy, salvation carrying you home to God's heart. Peace, serenity, healing, hope—these gifts, and more, are ours in this Advent season of watching and waiting. Thanks be to God.  Amen. 2

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 95 (sung twice)

Prepare the way of the Lord.

Prepare the way of the Lord,

And all people will see the salvation of our God.

Scripture Reading: Mark 13:24-37

Anthem       "Stars"     David Crowder

Sermon:  "Wait - What?!"  Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 97 Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

Invitation to the Offering

Jesus taught that where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also.  In this hour, we come bringing our treasures—all that we have and all that we are.  We come seeking God's treasure—treasure that does not fade, decay, or disappoint.  God has shared with us the treasure of heaven, that we may boldly share it with others. God accepts all of our offerings of our time, our talents, our creativity and our money.   We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany. 3

Offertory   "Speak Lord"     Marienne Uszler

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves.  In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 82  Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Announcements

Closing Benediction (unison)

God our deliverer, whose approaching birth still shakes the foundations of our world, may we so wait for your coming with eagerness and hope that we embrace without terror the labor pangs of the new age through Jesus Christ.  Amen. 3

Postlude “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”  Rowland Prichard, Arr. Mark Hayes

1 Kate McIlhagga

2 Thom Shuman

3Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl

4 Janet Morley, All Desires Known

Advent Carillon and Chimes

Centering Prayer

Holy God of Peace, we seek your peace in these darkening days. We seek a calm within, yes. And an absence of conflict between people and nations. But more deeply, we seek your shalom – the deep and abiding peace that will come only through the justice of your kingdom. Amen. 1

Welcome

Introit          “The Peace Carol”    Bob Beers, Arr. Dan Fox

Call to Worship and Lighting of the Candle of Peace

ONE: We come to prepare the way; The way for Christ.

ALL: The hope of Christ, the peace of Christ – to enter our world, to enter our hearts.

ONE: We cry out together in the wilderness:

ALL: The kingdom of heaven has come near.

ONE: We come to be part of the light–

ALL: The light that shines in the darkness.

ONE:In a world of war, violence and abuse, where families live in shelters and children grow up in fear, God, we call upon you to come. In a world where peace seems to be so far away, we call upon you, Prince of Peace, to come. In this season of Advent, we wait for the coming of Peace into our world. We await the birth of Emmanuel, God with us, who comes into our lives in a new way; and so we light this candle of Peace.

Response Hymn 88

O come, Desire of nations, bind

all peoples in one heart and mind;

Bid envy, strife, and discord cease;

Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.

ONE: Dear God, as we journey down this Advent road, grant us the courage to seek peace. Peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, and peace in our communities. Dear God, we pray for the peace that only You can bring through your Son, Jesus the Christ. May we walk in the paths of peace. Amen.

ALL: Let us worship God!

Hymn 103 Come Now, O Prince of Peace

Prayer of Confession

Loving God, you call us home to live with you, Comforter of the lost, but we are too busy right now to listen.  We flock to online stores run by temptation and seduction, seeking the best prices.  We rush to judge everyone around us, but ask you to be more patient with our repeated errors.  We feast at the table piled high with broken promises and drink from the cup of fading dreams.  Yet you continue to cry out to us, speaking to us of your love.  Forgiveness is the gift for every moment, not just one day; hope is our constant companion as we journey with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who is your Messenger of mercy.  Forgive us when we fall short and bring us to a place of fairness and complete peace.  Amen.

Response Hymn 89 (sung twice)

For you, O Lord,

my soul in stillness waits;

Truly my hope is in you.

Words of Assurance

At the beginning, at the end, and in every time between, the good news speaks to us of God's tender mercy and love for us. God comes! Not to punish, but to gift us with peace, not to judge, but to save us. Thanks be to God. Amen. 2

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 95 (sung twice)

Prepare the way of the Lord.

Prepare the way of the Lord,

And all people will see the salvation of our God.

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:1-8

Anthem       "Let There Be Peace on Earth"       Miller, Jackson, & Webb

Sermon:  "The Beginning of What?"  Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 87 Comfort, Comfort Now My People

Invitation to the Offering

In this season of light we are reminded of how bright our lives are when we are able to give of our time, our love, our money, our care and concern, and our very presence, we welcome the chance to give to another and to our church.  When you mail your offerings to the church we are not only able to keep our ministries operating and our budget intact, but we also receive the joy of hearing from you.  We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory   Les Patineurs "The Skater's Waltz"  Émile Waldteufel

Prayer of Dedication

Generous God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to love.  And you call us to follow Your example — to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.  Continue to write your law of love on our hearts.  Give us an unwavering passion for justice, and a

tenacious faith that will not rest until the hungry are fed, the oppressed find relief, and the outsider

finds a welcome.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.

Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Preparation of the Table

Invitation and Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

LEADER: The Lord be with you

PEOPLE: And also with you

LEADER: Lift up your hearts

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord

LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

LEADER: Let us pray.  Almighty and ever-living God...

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 86  The People Who Walked in Darkness

Announcements

Closing Benediction (unison)

God our deliverer, whose approaching birth still shakes the foundations of our world, may we so wait for your coming with eagerness and hope that we embrace our days with hearts full of love for you and we direct our steps in the light of that love. Through Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. 3

Postlude “Peace Be With Us All”   Pavel Tchesnokov, Arr. Hilty

1 Joanna Harader

2 Thom Shuman

3 Janet Morley, All Desires Known

Advent Carillon and Chimes

Centering Prayer

Holy God, the world in which we live is as terrifying as it is wonderful.  We need Jesus as much today as in times of old.  Many sow in tears, and go out weeping.  Replenish our lands, fill our hearts with gladness, restore our faith in you and each other, wipe away the tears of despair.  As we worship today, we tilt an ear to listen close.  Let the voice of your angel fill our minds with new understandings.  We are waiting for you.  Speak to us today.  Amen. 1

Welcome

Introit          "Joyful Joyful"    Mark Hall and Bernie

Call to Worship and Lighting of the Candle of Joy

ONE: We gather to worship with expectations: God revealed in new and astonishing ways.

ALL: God comes to us in real time. God comes to us in dreams.

ONE: Sometimes God’s presence is hard to take in—difficult to believe.

ALL: O God, we long to believe. Help our unbelief!

ONE: God is present here. God is working in our midst.

ALL: Then our mouths are filled with laughter, our tongues shout out with joy!

ONE: Our souls proclaim your greatness, O God

ALL: As we worship you in this place and light this candle of joy.

Response Hymn 88

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer

our spirits by thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadow put to flight.

ONE: Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ.  He is Emmanuel, the hope of all peoples; he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us; he is the Savior of every nation.  May the light that shines forth from this candle illumine our way as we journey towards the joy; and illumine our lives as we wait with joy for the birth of the Christ-child.  We ask this through Christ who is the Light of the World.  Amen.

ALL: Let us worship God!

Hymn 107 Awake, Awake, and Greet the Morn

Prayer of Confession

Again we must confess, Master of the Universe, our struggles to be faithful disciples.  Entrusted with all your gifts, we become fearful once again of misusing them, missing the chance to be a blessing to others.  Invited to dance in the light of your love, we stand against the wall once again, keeping company with our old friend, sin.  Called to be emptied for those who struggle in life, we fill ourselves once again, with scorn for the poor choices they make.  Have mercy, Journeying God, have mercy on us.  Once again, open our eyes to your kingdom in our midst, so we might discover that your day of hope and grace has already come in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

(silence)

Response Hymn 89 (sung twice)

For you, O Lord,

my soul in stillness waits;

Truly my hope is in you.

Words of Assurance

This is the good news: God intends for us to find life, to embrace hope, to receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Servant.  The end of our journey is not rejection and emptiness, but the fullness of grace and hope in our God.  By the grace of God, we are forgiven.  Amen. 2

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 95 (sung twice)

Prepare the way of the Lord.

Prepare the way of the Lord,

And all people will see the salvation of our God.

Scripture Readings: Psalm 126

                                 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Anthem      "Breath of Heaven"    Chris Eaton and Amy Grant

Sermon:  "The Mysterious Middle" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 74 When God Restored Our Common Life

Invitation to the Offering

In this season of light we are reminded of how bright our lives are when we are able to give of our time, our love, our money, our care and concern, and our very presence, we welcome the chance to give to another and to our church.  When you mail your offerings to the church we are not only able to keep our ministries operating and our budget intact, but we also receive the joy of hearing from you.  We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory   Les Patineurs "The Skater's Waltz"  Émile Waldteufel

Prayer of Dedication

Generous God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to love.  And you call us to follow Your example — to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.  Continue to write your law of love on our hearts.  Give us an unwavering passion for justice, and a

tenacious faith that will not rest until the hungry are fed, the oppressed find relief, and the outsider

finds a welcome.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.

Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 100  My Soul Cries Out With a Joyful Shout

Announcements

Closing Benediction (unison)

God our deliverer, whose approaching birth still shakes the foundations of our world, may we so wait for your coming with eagerness and hope that we embrace our days with hearts full of love for you and we direct our steps in the light of that love. Through Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. 3

Postlude “The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came”  Basque Folk Carol - Arr. J. Reddell-Popovich

1 Rev. Penny L. Lowes

2 Thom Shuman

3 Janet Morley, All Desires Known

Advent Carillon and Chimes

Centering Prayer

God of our parents — of all the generations who have come before us — holy is your name. We gather in your presence with praise and thanksgiving for the faithful love you have shown toward your people, for the many blessings you have given to us. Your promises are eternal. Thank you for your faithful presence among us, even when we are not fully aware of it. Continue to reveal yourself to us. Open our eyes to see you here among us; open our ears to hear your word. Surely, you are with us in this place. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Welcome

Introit       “Now Comes The Savior of Humankind”     J.S Bach

Call to Worship and Lighting of the Candle of Love

ONE: Our souls magnify the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in God our Savior.

ALL: God has looked with favor on the lowliness of God's servant.

ONE: God's mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

ALL: God has shown strength with God's arm. God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

ONE: God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;

ALL: God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

ONE: We are a people who seek to be brought together by the love of Christ. Our faith teaches us that God gives us unconditional love and forgiveness. Acknowledging God’s free gift of grace, we light the Candle of Love.

Response Hymn 88

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

ONE: God our life and our breath. We witness your coming in the humility of service, the poor and marginalized, the new born child, in the heart of each person we meet, and in the beauty of all creation. We witness your coming in the love we witness that flows and swirls through the life around us. In that love, we watch, wait and witness the mystery of your conception in us. For that we give you our thanks and praise. Amen.

ALL: Come, for God is doing a new thing! Come, let us worship God!

Hymn 93 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

Prayer of Confession

O Holy God of Promise, we so often place our trust in the things we can see, and touch, and easily believe. But you did not ask us to believe what is easy, you have asked us to believe what is true! Forgive us, Holy One, when we doubt the ways you work. Forgive us when we find it hard to believe an ancient story. Forgive us we question how you chose to enter the world, born as one of us. Forgive our lack of faith and belief in ways which seem so impossible to believe. Help us to look in faith, open our belief, and set aside our doubts that you sent your Son, born of a virgin –the one who has come to set us all free. We offer these prayers in the name of your Son, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.1

(silence)

Response Hymn 89 (sung twice)

For you, O Lord,

my soul in stillness waits;

Truly my hope is in you.

Words of Assurance

Whether we believe it, or not, Jesus Christ never leaves us nor forsakes us. Let us open our hearts to receive the grace which Christ brings to us in faithfulness. We are forgiven! Thanks be to God..

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 95 (sung twice)

Prepare the way of the Lord.

Prepare the way of the Lord,

And all people will see the salvation of our God.

Scripture Readings: Luke 1:46-55

                                   Romans 16:25-27

Anthem      "A Prelude to Advent: with "Prelude in E Minor" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"    Frédéric Chopin/15th C French Melody, Arr. Ruth Elaine Schram

Sermon:  "God's Call Confirmed" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 99 My Soul Gives Glory to My God

Invitation to the Offering

In this season of light we are reminded of how bright our lives are when we are able to give of our time, our love, our money, our care and concern, and our very presence, we welcome the chance to give to another and to our church.  When you mail your offerings to the church we are not only able to keep our ministries operating and our budget intact, but we also receive the joy of hearing from you.  We thank you for your continual giving to our community at Bethany.

Offertory   "Ave Maria"  Franz Schubert

Prayer of Dedication

Generous God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to love.  And you call us to follow Your example — to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.  Continue to write your law of love on our hearts.  Give us an unwavering passion for justice, and a

tenacious faith that will not rest until the hungry are fed, the oppressed find relief, and the outsider

finds a welcome.  Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.

Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 106  Prepare the Way, O Zion

Announcements

Closing Benediction (unison)

We go now with faith, trusting God’s Spirit to guide us; we go now with hope, waiting for the fullness of Christ’s reign; we go now with love, resting in God’s care and the care of God’s people. Amen.

Postlude “Aspenglow"  John Denver

1 Rev. Jan Brooks

Prelude   “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

Welcome

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Opening Prayer and Lighting of the Christ Candle

All around us, lights are lit and carols play. The season heaps joy upon us. Yet, we who come here, we carry more than joy; we carry loss, worry, grief and pain. We come weary, seeking rest from expectations. We also seek a holy presence to be with us. We come to this place, by the resilient grace of God: love that never lets go.

Tonight we begin with the Christ candle already lit to symbolize that tonight as we come perhaps in sorrow or sadness, Christ is already here waiting to hold us and hear us.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow, a light has shone. For the yoke that was weighing upon them, and the burden upon their shoulders, you have broken in pieces, 0 God, our Redeemer.

Let us pray:

God of Mercy, hear our prayer in this Advent season for ourselves and for our families who live with painful thoughts and memories. We ask for strength for today, courage for tomorrow and peace for the past. We ask these things in the name of your Christ, who shares our life in joy and sorrow, death and new birth, despair and promise. Amen.

Song “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Scriptures: Psalm 121

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved and he who watches over you will not fall asleep. Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord himself watches over you; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. So that the sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; it is he who shall keep you safe. The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for ever more.”

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Lighting of the First Blue Candle

The first candle we light to remember those persons whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember their name, their voice, their face, the memory that binds them to us in this season. We hold them before God, giving thanks for their lives in ours. Please take a moment to remember those who have died.

Song

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny;

from depths of hell thy people save, and give them victory over the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Let us pray: Lord, each of us takes our loved one by the hand and leads them to you, the God of love. Here we present them to you. Accept our love and thanksgiving as we entrust them to your loving care. We want our loved ones to be free at home with you. We ask that you save a place for us beside them. We ask that you fill us with motivation and energy in the days ahead when we feel like giving up; remind us often of our true homeland when we are caught up in the desolation of the journey. Help us to find joy in the people, events and the beauty of nature which surrounds us. Thank you for the gift each of these people has been in our lives. We want to believe that we will celebrate the treasure of love with them again, then we are all in your presence forever. May this truth sustain us in the days to come. Take our sad and aching hearts and comfort us. God of sorrow, and hope, draw near. Amen.

Song

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;

disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lighting of the Second Blue Candle

The second candle we light is to redeem the pain of loss; the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs with the security they bring, the loss of health in ourselves or in family members, the loss of joy and peace in our lives from the stresses which surround us, the loss and loneliness we experience when our loved ones do not share our faith. As we gather up the pain of the past we offer it to you, 0 God, asking that into our open hands you will place the gift of peace. Please take a moment to remember the losses. I invite you to name them, aloud or in the silence of your hearts . . .

(silence)

Let us pray: God of mystery, we turn our hearts to you. We come before you in need of peace, grateful for the mystery of life and ever keenly aware of your promises of guidance and protection. We want to place our trust in you, but our hearts grow fearful and anxious. We forget so easily that you will be with us in all that we experience. Teach us to be patient with the transformation of our lives and to be open to the changes which we are now going through. Amen.

Song

O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home;

make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lighting of the Third Blue Candle

The third candle we light for those who experience a loss of direction in their lives.

God of the Exodus, you led Moses and your people through the wilderness to a new land. Hear our prayer. We want so much to have a sense of direction, to know where we are and where we ought to be headed. But the darkness and the questions stay. You ask us to be full of faith, to believe deep within that you are our signpost, that you are our wisdom and our guide, and to trust in your presence. Your words to us are clear: “Do not fear, I go before you.”

Let us pray: God of our depths, we cry out to you to be our guide. Help us to have a strong sense of inner direction and grant that we may have the reassurance of knowing that we are on the right path. Take our lives and use them according to your will. Take all that is lost in us and bring it home with you. Amen.

Song

O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height

in ancient times once gave the law in cloud and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lighting of the Fourth Blue Candle

The fourth candle we light as a sign of hope, the hope that the Christmas story offers to us. We remember that God, who shares our life, promises us a place and time of no more pain and suffering.

(silence)

Let us pray:  O God whose spirit is known by those whose hearts are thankful, and who makes cheerfulness a companion of strength, lift up our hearts, we pray, to a joyous confidence in your care. Guide us when we cannot see the way. Teach us to know that a shadow is only a shadow, because the light of eternal goodness shines behind the object of our fears. Where there is love in life, teach us to find it; help us to trust it and enable us to grow in the power of love. So may our lives bring comfort and encouragement to others. We ask it, in the name of Jesus Christ whose life is our light. Amen.

Song

O come, thou Root of Jesse’s tree, an ensign of thy people be;

before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on thy mercy call.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Prayers of the People

In the spirit of this season let us now confidently ask our God for all the good things we need:

     ~ For ourselves as we participate in this Christmas as special people coping with our many           different losses

     ~ For our families and friends, that they may continue to help and support us.

     ~ For any person we have loved who has died, for all the losses we know in our lives, that all           may be redeemed by your Easter promise.

     ~ For our family and friends, that you may bless them with love, peace, and joy.

     ~ For peace throughout the world as proclaimed by the Christmas Angels on that faraway           hillside.

     ~ For greater understanding of the lessons of love and acceptance as taught by Jesus your           Christ.

God of great compassion and love, listen to the prayers of these your people. Grant to all, especially the bereaved and troubled ones this Christmas, the blessing we ask in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray, in whatever words and language that brings us closer to you,

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Lighting Individual Candles at Home

We invite you at this time to light the candle or candles that you have with you at home. You may wish to say a prayer that gives voice to the things on your mind as you light the candle. We know that these lights in their brightness are only symbols, but as they burn and finally go out, we remember that suffering passes, though memory remains forever.

Closing

As we gather this evening, we embrace and claim the darkness that is present both in the world and in our own lives. As people who are familiar with the darkness, we also know that we gather to be illumined by the light of the Christ Child this Christmas season. May the Christ Child, born in a lowly stable, himself an outcast and marginalized, bring light, comfort, peace, and joy this holiday season.

* This service was developed by Heather Hill. She put this service together from a variety of sources and then made it her own. It has been used it for 4-5 years now for a variety of sizes of groups and does not require clergy to lead it. This type of service has many names Blue Christmas/ Longest Night/ When Christmas hurts, and she has found it very helpful in her congregation. All Scripture comes from the NRSV. She has given permission for others to use it.

* * Note: The hymn “O come, O come, Emmanuel” is a song of people in darkness longing for God’s light. It is not calling us to rejoice in the worldly form of the word, but calling our spirits and souls to reflect the true hope and joy that only God can give.

Prelude “Christmastime is Here” Vince Guaraldi

Ringing of the Christmas Bells

Welcome and Lighting of the Christ Candle

ONE: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

ALL: those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined.

ONE: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;

ALL: And he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

ONE: His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.

ALL: He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.

ONE: God of mystery and might, we praise and worship you, for you came in silence, while all lay sleeping, to enter our world as a child of humble birth. We thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, born of your handmaid Mary. In his face we behold your glory, for in his life as in his death is your gift of salvation. By your Spirit, makes our hearts burn with thanksgiving, that we may give as we have received. Let our whole lives be gifts of praise to you, God of love and peace, in the gracious name of Jesus Christ, your Son, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn 110  Love Has Come

Christmas Statemenet of Faith

Our souls magnify the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in God our savior, for he looks with favor upon us and sees our unrealized potential. In the tradition of Mary, and all who have said ‘yes’ to God, we stand here today, to add our assent to theirs. Like Mary, we feel overwhelmed; we wonder if we are worthy, or capable, of following the calling. Like Mary, we have our questions and we will not be afraid to ask them. Like Mary, we will hear and ponder the assurance that God will empower us. Like Mary we will strive to say – ‘Let it be with us according to your will.’ To whatever God is inviting of us at this time in our lives, and relying on God’s grace, we say ‘yes.’

Musical Offering    “Still, Still, Still”       Austrian Carol, Arr. Norman Luboff

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

Hymn 130 Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light

First Gospel Reading: Luke 2:1-7

Hymn 121  O Little Town of Bethlehem

Second Gospel Reading: Luke 2:8-14

Hymn 113  Angels We Have Heard On High

Third Gospel Reading: Luke 2:15-20

Musical offering:   "Follow the Star"     Sally K. Albrecht

Christmas Meditation:  "There Will Be Light"  Reverend Debra McGuire

Offertory   "Fum, Fum, Fum" Trad. Catalan Carol, Arr. Parker/Shaw

Christmas Eve Candle Lighting

ONE: We who dwelled in darkness have seen a great light;

ALL: And on us this night a great light shines.

ONE: A Child has been born for us.

ALL: And he is named Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel.

Hymn 122 Silent Night, Holy Night

Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2020  

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Reverend Debra McGuire

Music Director - Jessica Reddell-Popovich

Vocalists/Liturgists:

Elders Ken Henry, Tamra Hollenbeck, Lyn Hugues and George Lynch