Order of Worship
Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter.
The Community Gathers: Experience God’s presence in the assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friends into our community of love.
You are welcome here…come and worship!
Prelude:
Welcome: Rev. Paula Norbert
Reader: -Cris Hudson
We have unwrapped a present on each Sunday of Advent with great anticipation for the gifts that God reveals.
People: We open our hearts as we open the gifts.
Reader: The promise of Love is the Divine Gift we receive.
People: And what will we do with it?
Reader: The gift of love is the essence of the birth of Christ. The Holy One wanted to be so present to us that God’s Spirit became flesh in order to inhabit the gifts of touching, healing, comforting, and challenging. Love is the clarion call to us as Jesus’ disciples. The more love we put into the world, the better the world will be.
People: We light this Candle of Love as a sign that we will be Present with Love in the world.
Reader: And on Christmas Eve we celebrate the presence of the Light among us.
Gathering Music: What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise [One], I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him: I will give my heart.
Opening Prayer:
O God of love, you have brought us together tonight
and blessed us with your very self. Open our eyes to the light of Christ and Let this light grow in our lives each day. Bring us into the wonder of your presence. Fill us with Your love and light so that we may carry them with us always and share them with the world. Amen.
Opening Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High #113
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-8 -Cris Hudson
Gospel and Meditation: Luke 2:1-14 Rev. Paula Norbert
Music: O Holy Night (by Adolfe Adam) -Michelle Currie & The Union Church Choir
A Christmas Prayer for Peace:
Offertory: The offering received at this Service each Christmas supports the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, providing emergency assistance for the local community throughout the year. We are deeply grateful for your generosity.
Offertory Music: Mary Did You Know (by Mark Lowry)
-Jen Comeau, Ada Goff & Michelle Currie
Prayer of Dedication:
Candle-Lighting:
Leader: We come to a special part of tonight’s service As Christ comes bringing the light of God’s love, we light our individual candles to signify our individual and collective commitment to live as Christ’s faithful in the world.
Hymn: Silent Night, Holy Night #122 vs. 1 & 2 *Repeat vs. 1
Leader: As the lights are dimmed, let us hold up our candles…
One candle is but a flicker, but together, we create a bright flame of Christ’s light in the world. May we be witnesses of the light Christ brings. Amen.
As you gently extinguish your candle, may you carry the light of Jesus’ love with you. You may take your candles with you into the night…
Blessing:
So now go and be truly present in the world so you may be a gift of presence for others. That’s all that is expected — that the gift that is YOU is the best gift you can give.
In the name of the Holy Presence, the Divine Gift, and the Spirit of Light that is just waiting for us to unwrap abundant life.
Merry Christmas! Amen.
Recessional: Joy To The World #134 vs. 1, 2 & 4
With Great thanks to Music Director. Michelle Currie, Guest Musicians Jen Comeau & Ada Goff, and the Union Church Choir and to all who helped with our Service.
Worship Notes: Worship series design © Worship Design Studio by Marcia McFee. Used, adapted, and live-streamed with permission.