Blue Christmas Service - December 21

Centering Music "Wexford Carol" arr. Mark HayesGathering and Words of Welcome Jonathan Grace Call to Worship ...

Blue Christmas Service - December 21

Centering Music                                         “Wexford Carol”                        arr. Mark Hayes

 

Gathering and Words of Welcome                                                              Jonathan Grace

                            

Call to Worship                                                                                              Adam White

 

We wait in the darkness, expectantly, longingly, anxiously, thoughtfully.

The darkness is our friend.

 

It is only in the darkness that we can see the splendor of the universe- blankets of stars, the solitary glowing of the planets.

The darkness is our friend.

It was the darkness that allowed the Magi to find the star that guided them to where the Christ-child lay.

The darkness is our friend.

 

In the darkness of sleep, we are soothed and restored, healed and renewed. 

The darkness is our friend.

 

Sometimes in the solitude of the darkness, our fears and concerns, or our hopes and visions rise to the surface. 

We come face to face with ourselves and with the road that lies ahead of us, and in that same darkness, we find companionship for the journey.

 

In that same darkness, we sometimes allow ourselves to wonder and worry.

And then, in the darkness we know that you are with us, O God. 

 

In the darkness, that contains both our hopelessness and our hope, we watch for a sign of God’s hope.

For you are with us, O God, in the darkness and in light. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God!

 

 

Vocal Solo                                             I’ll Walk with God                            Nicolas Brodsky

                                                     Hilary Taylor, mezzo-soprano

 

Unison Prayer                                                                                                       Dorrit White 

Comforting God, wrap us in your presence in this time of remembrance. With these candles, help us find your light, a light that will guide us day by day, step by step, as we try to live life fully and wholly. We cherish the special ways in which we have been touched by loved ones, the reminders that when our hearts cry out in the midst of celebration, you are with us. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with is. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

Silence is kept

 

Scripture                                              Isaiah 40: 1; 28-31                                Dorrit White

                             Link to scripture: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=475227720

 

Unison Response:  In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.  We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

Vocal Solo                                        “In the Bleak Midwinter”                      arr. Mark Hayes

 

Silence is kept

 

Lighting of Candles                                                        Jonathan Grace and Adam White

 

Reading of liturgy of 5 candles then reading of names and lighting of smaller candles

 

Scripture                                                       Psalm 13                                           Dorrit White

                       Link to scripture:  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=475231081

Unison Response: In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.  We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

 

Vocal solo                                              “Someday”                                             Rick Vale

 

Silence is kept

 

Lighting of Advent Candles                                             Adam White and Jonathan Grace

 

We light the candle of Hope as we await the coming of Jesus, our source of hope. 

(Lighting of candle of hope)

Thank you, God, for the gift of hope, in our times of emptiness.

 

We light the candle of Peace, knowing that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

(Lighting of candle of peace) 

Thank you, God, for the gift of peace in our times of uncertainty.

 

We light the candle of Joy, knowing that our comfort and help come from God.

(Lighting of candle of joy)

Thank you, God, for the gift of joy in our times of sadness.

 

We light the candle of Love, knowing that God is love revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

(Lighting of candle of love)

Thank you, God, for the gift of love in our times of loneliness.

 

(Lighting of candle of love)

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth.

 

In him was life, and that life was the light of all. We light the Christ Candle, knowing that Jesus is our hope, our peace, our joy and the source of love.

(Lighting of Christ candle)

                                               

Scripture                                           Revelation 7:16-17                                      Dorrit White

                          Link to scripture: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=475228181

 

Unison Prayer                      Jonathan 

Lord Jesus, You knew what it was like to be rejected and forsaken, wounded and hurt by other people. You understand the pain that we feel and the sadness that we carry. Help us to share our hearts and tears with You. Embrace us in our weakness; strengthen us in our plight. In life, in death, in life beyond death, we are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.