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!
Welcome Rev. Paula Norbert
Gathering Music: Child of the Poor/What Child Is This (by Scott Soper) -Patricia Mulholland & The UC Choir, Accompanist Barbara Berry
Call To Worship:
Leader: On this Holy Night, We pray for Hope.
All: On this blessed night, we pray for Love.
Leader: We pray for Joy this night.
All: We pray for Peace this night.
Leader: We open our hearts to see the Sacred reflected in all things.
All: We open to see our deepest selves as a gift of holy presence.
Leader: This is the gift of the Mystery of the Christ Child,
All: lighting the way to Christ’s peace in our hearts and in our world.
Music: Do You Hear What I Hear (by Noel Regney/Gloria Shayne) -Michelle Currie/Ada Goff/Rob Duquette)
Opening Prayer:
Holy Living One, You who are our Joy,
Let wonders of your love rule our hearts this day.
Let wonders of your love rule our community this day.
Let wonders of your love rule the world this day…in the name of your Son, who brought Compassion and Love to our world.Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Opening Hymn: O Holy Night
O Holy Night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
(*2nd time Repeat)
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees O hear the angel voices
O night divine O night when Christ was born
O night divine O night, O night divine (Michelle Instrumental/*2nd time Repeat)
Scripture: Isaiah 9: 2, 7-9,Luke 2: 1-20
Meditation: “The Singing of Angels” Rev. Paula Norbert
Music: Mary Did You Know (by Mark Lowry/Buddy Greene)
-Michelle Currie
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: Go Tell It On the Mountain (by John Wesley Work Jr.) -Jen Comeau/Michelle Currie/Rob Duquette
Prayer of Dedication:
Candle-Lighting:
Leader: We come to a special part of tonight’s service
As the birth of the Christ Child comes bringing the light of God’s love into our world, we light our candles to show our commitment to reflect the light of love and peace to our 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:
When you see lights twinkle or a candle glowing in the darkness, let these be signs that the Christ Light is revealed again and again in and through this world. Know that your brilliant presence
is pouring more peace into a weary world. God loved us by becoming like us. This means you are already reflecting the sacred. In the name of God, who loves us beyond measure, and in the name of his Son Jesus and in the name of the Holy Spirit, may you be blessed with the extraordinary love and deep peace of Christmas now and always. Amen.
Recessional: Joy To The World #134 vs. 1, 2 & 4
With Great thanks to Music Director, Michelle Currie, Guest Vocalists – Jen Comeau & Ada Goff, Vocals/Drums/ Guitar/ Rob Duquette, Patricia Mulholland & The UC Choir Accompanied by Barbara Berry
For Your Reflection…
A Blessing for Christmas Eve
Oh God, we are waiting,
we are longing for You,
oh Prince of Peace.
Come and reign in our hearts.
Settle us in quiet expectancy
that as sure as day follows night,
you will come and be for us the wonder
the world cannot give,
the light that shows us how to see,
the wisdom that teaches us
how to move with you,
how to keep pace with you.
And when we are troubled,
how to still ourselves in the certainty
that you are and ever will be
our peace.
God, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Spirit, have mercy.
Alleluia, Christ has come! And will
come again in glory!
Kate Bowler
A Christmas blessing (by Joyce Rupp)
May you give and receive love generously.
May this love echo in your heart like
the joy of church bells on a clear December day.
May each person who comes into your life
be greeted as another Christ.
May the honor given the Babe of Bethlehem
be that which you extend to every guest who enters your presence.
May the hope of this sacred season settle in your soul.
May it be a foundation of courage for you
when times of distress occupy your inner land.
May the wonder and awe that fills the eyes of children
be awakened within you.
May it lead you to renewed awareness and appreciation
of whatever you too easily take for granted.
May the bonds of love for one another be strengthened
as you gather around the table of festivity and nourishment.
May you keep your eye on the Star within you and trust
this Luminescent Presence to guide and direct you each day.
May you go often to the Bethlehem of your heart
and visit the One who offers you peace.
May you bring this peace into our world.
Thank you for joining us this evening. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and every Blessing for the New Year!