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First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
We gather with gratitude for their stewardship of this land, and we acknowledge that we too are treaty people, called to live with respect in Creation as we undertake our responsibilities as members of Treaty Six.
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP ~~inspired by Psalm 29
God of glory and strength,
God of holy splendor and majesty.
God of the waters, God of the cedars, God of the wilderness.
God in our living and loving,
God in our working and struggling,
God in joy and pain, troubles and longings, in beginnings and endings, and in homecomings.
God is with us, even now, as we cry out with our ancestors in faith:
May God give strength to God’s people!
May God bless God’s people with peace!
Come, let us worship God.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN #82 More Voices “Bathe Me in Your Light”
Bathe me in your light, O God of All, Creator;
Let it shine upon my soul with healing and with grace.
Be to me a beacon bright through shadows of life’s wounding,
Showing me the way to live in faith, in your embrace.
Bathe me in your love, O Source of Awe and Wonder;
Help me walk the sacred path of harmony and peace.
May I be attentive to the musings of your presence,
Drinking from the well of hope that brings the heart release.
Bathe me in your grace, O One of Spirit’s longing;
Teach me of your gentle ways that fill the soul with strength.
Guide me on the pilgrimage that leads to truth and wholeness,
Fill me with your promise of a love that knows no length.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Let us greet one another in the name in which we gather, the One who is our peace:
“The peace of Christ be with you”
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
THEME TIME
HYMN #161 More Voices “I Have Called You by Your Name”
I have called you by your name, you are mine; I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.
I will not abandon you; all my promises are true. You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine.
I will help you learn my name as you go; read it written in my people, help them grow.
Pour the water in my name, speak the word your soul can claim, offer Jesus’ body given long ago.
I know you will need my touch as you go; feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.
Like the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt, hold the hem of Jesus’ robe,
Then let it go.
I have given you a name, it is mine; I have given you my Spirit as a sign.
With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole;
Go and tell my precious people they are mine.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of the scriptures.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 43:1-2, 5-7
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages,
The divine word to us today. Amen.
SERMON – Reverend Chelsea Masterman
HYMN #382 Voices United “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure,
Until my will is one with thine, to do and to endure.
Breath one me, breath of God, till I am wholly thine,
Until this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I never die,
But live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERING RESPONSE HYMN #191 More Voices “What Can I Do?”
What can I do? What can I bring? What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer. I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share. [repeat]
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
HYMN #375 Voices United “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”
Refrain Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free;
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.
You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,
Then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;
And over the eons you called to each thing:
— wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings. Refrain
You swept through the desert, you stung with the sand,
And you goaded your people with a law and land;
And when they were blinded with their idols and lies,
Then you spoke thro’ your prophets to open their eyes. Refrain
You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill.
Then you whispered in silence when the whole was still;
And down in the city, you called once again,
When you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. Refrain
You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes;
From the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams,
Our women see visions, our men clear their eyes,
with bold new decisions your people arise. Refrain
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
…we sing our prayer:
HYMN #86 More Voices “Give Peace To Ev’ry Heart”
Give peace to ev’ry heart. Give peace to ev’ry heart.
Give peace, Lord. Give peace, Lord.
We gather these and all our prayers together, in the prayer that Jesus taught us saying, each in the language of our hearts:
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 trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
HYMN #30 More Voices “It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker”
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the thrush sings high in the tree.
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the gray whale sings in the sea,
Refrain And by the Spirit you and I can join our voice to the holy cry and sing, sing, sing to the Maker too.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when waves and waterfalls roar.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when high tides break on the shore, Refrain
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the bumblebees hum along.
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the summer breeze joins the song, Refrain
It’s the chorus of all creation; it’s sung by all living things.
It’s the chorus of all creation; a song the universe sings, Refrain
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH ~~based on Psalm 29:11
Beloved children of God, let us go forth, assured of our home in God.
Let us go forth, renewed and renewing, transformed and transforming.
As we go, may the love of God be with us, and shine through us.
May the peace of Christ be in us, and work among us.
May the Holy Spirit rest upon us, empowering us to love with courage and grace. May God give strength to God’s people!
May God bless God’s people with peace!
Go in peace. Amen.
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United Church. Thanks to Rev. Chelsea Masterman, Grace United, Edmonton, AB for the Sermon and the Liturgy.
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
We gather with gratitude for their stewardship of this land, and we acknowledge that we too are treaty people, called to live with respect in Creation as we undertake our responsibilities as members of Treaty Six.
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP ~~adapted portions of Jeremiah 31:7-14
The Lord proclaims
Sing joyfully for the people of Jacob;
Shout for the leading nation
“The Lord has saved his people”
Listen to the Lord’s word, you nations and announce it to the distant islands:
The Lord will rescue the people of Jacob and deliver them
from the power of those stronger than they are
They will come shouting for joy on the hills of Zion
Jubilant over the Lord’s gifts
The young women will dance for joy
The young and old men will join in
I will turn their mourning into laughter
And their sadness into joy; I will comfort them
and shower my people with my gifts. And so, let us worship the Lord
with our gratitude and thanksgiving.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN #82 More Voices “Bathe Me in Your Light”
Bathe me in your light, O God of All, Creator;
Let it shine upon my soul with healing and with grace.
Be to me a beacon bright through shadows of life’s wounding,
Showing me the way to live in faith, in your embrace.
Bathe me in your love, O Source of Awe and Wonder;
Help me walk the sacred path of harmony and peace.
May I be attentive to the musings of your presence,
Drinking from the well of hope that brings the heart release.
Bathe me in your grace, O One of Spirit’s longing;
Teach me of your gentle ways that fill the soul with strength.
Guide me on the pilgrimage that leads to truth and wholeness,
Fill me with your promise of a love that knows no length.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Let us greet one another in the name in which we gather, the One who is our peace:
“The peace of Christ be with you”
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
HYMN #575 Voices United “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”
I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! (Repeat)
I’m gonna work so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! (Repeat)
I’m gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! (Repeat)
I’m gonna sing so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! (Repeat)
VIDEO ~~ Rev. Tori Mullen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 147:12-20 (Refrain p. 868 VU) Part Two
Refrain Sing to God in great thanksgiving.
Hallelujah, O Jerusalem!
Zion, praise your God.
For God has strengthened the bars of your gates,
and blessed your children within you.
God has established peace within your borders,
and filled you with the finest wheat. Refrain
You send your word to the earth, O God;
your command runs swiftly.
You give snow like wool,
and sprinkle hoar-frost like ashes.
You scatter hailstones like bread-crumbs;
you send the cold, and the waters stand frozen.
You utter your word and the ice melts;
you blow with your wind and the waters flow.
You make known your word to Jacob,
your statutes and decrees to Israel.
You have not done this for any other nation,
nor have you taught them your laws. Refrain
John 1:1-18
SERMON – Reverend Bethany Benz-Whittington
HYMN #563 Voices United “Jesus, You have Come to the Lakeshore”
Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore
looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
you only asked me to follow humbly.
Refrain O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me,
by your side I will seek other seas.
You know so well my possessions;
my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
you will find there my nets and labour. Refrain
You need my hands, full of caring
through my labours to give others rest,
and constant love that keeps on loving. Refrain
You, who have fished other oceans,
ever longed for by souls who are waiting,
my loving friend, as thus you call me. Refrain
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERING RESPONSE HYMN #191 More Voices “What Can I Do?”
What can I do? What can I bring? What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer. I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share. [repeat]
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Generous God, we share these gifts in order to make the world a better place, whether in our communities, country or around the world.
May they be used in meaningful ways for the common good of all. Thank you and Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
…pray together saying, each in the language of our hearts:
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 trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
HYMN #87 Voices United “I am the Light of the World”
Refrain I am the light of the world!
You people come and follow me!
If you follow and love, you’ll learn the mystery
of what you were meant to do and be.
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and the shepherds have found their way home,
the work of Christmas is begun: Refrain
To find the lost and lonely one,
to heal the broken soul with love,
to feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,
to feel the earth below, the sky above! Refrain
To free the prisoner from all chains,
to make the powerful care,
to rebuild the nations with strength of good will,
to see God’s children everywhere! Refrain
To bring hope to every task you do,
to dance at a baby’s new birth,
to make music in an old person’s heart,
and sing to the colours of the earth! Refrain
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
This day, the Spirit of God waits on the threshold of our experience,
Waits to be embodied as always, in responsive human lives.
So, let us renew our commitment to be the vehicles of that Spirit,
And let us go forth with joy, to set that Spirit free in our daily living.
Amen
ON THE WAY HYMN #30 More Voices “It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker”
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the thrush sings high in the tree.
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the gray whale sings in the sea,
Refrain And by the Spirit you and I can join our voice to the holy cry and sing, sing, sing to the Maker too.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when waves and waterfalls roar.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when high tides break on the shore, Refrain
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the bumblebees hum along.
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the summer breeze joins the song, Refrain
It’s the chorus of all creation; it’s sung by all living things.
It’s the chorus of all creation; a song the universe sings, Refrain
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United Church. Thanks to Rev. Bethany Benz-Whittington, Maryville, TN for the Sermon, Brenda Watt, Together We Worship, Calgary, AB for the Liturgy.
God calls us to create a community of faith where all are welcome and encouraged to participate fully: no matter where you’re from, when you were born, however you self-identify, whom you love,
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
We gather with gratitude for their stewardship of this land, and we acknowledge that we too are treaty people, called to live with respect in Creation as we undertake our responsibilities as members of Treaty Six.
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
HYMN #82 More Voices “Bathe Me in Your Light”
Bathe me in your light, O God of All, Creator;
Let it shine upon my soul with healing and with grace.
Be to me a beacon bright through shadows of life’s wounding,
Showing me the way to live in faith, in your embrace.
Bathe me in your love, O Source of Awe and Wonder;
Help me walk the sacred path of harmony and peace.
May I be attentive to the musings of your presence,
Drinking from the well of hope that brings the heart release.
Bathe me in your grace, O One of Spirit’s longing;
Teach me of your gentle ways that fill the soul with strength.
Guide me on the pilgrimage that leads to truth and wholeness,
Fill me with your promise of a love that knows no length.
CALL TO WORSHIP ~~ Psalm 148
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens!
Praise the Lord from the heights!
Praise God all creation!
Let everything God has made offer praise!
Let us turn our hearts to the One who has turned toward us!
Come, let us worship the Lord!
OPENING PRAYER
Please pray with me…
God with us, we praise you for the gift of this day, and the wondrous promises of this season. We thank you that in the Christ child, you have overcome the barrier between heaven and earth, and in the cries of a baby you have established your promise for that day when all things will be one. As we enter worship this morning, fill us with all your hope, peace, joy, and love, that we might know you better, and make you better known in this world. Through Christ we pray. Amen.
HYMN #59 Voices United “Joy to the World”
Joy to the world! the Lord is come: let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns: let all their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground:
He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the earth with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders of his love.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Let us greet one another in the name in which we gather, the One who is our peace:
“The peace of Christ be with you”
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
As we gather ourselves together once again, let us prepare to continue our worship. Please join together and pray with one heart and mind…
God of mercy, in this season we are especially aware of just how far you will go to be with us and for us, the lengths to which you will go to draw us into your dream for all things and to build with and among us a world that teems with love and justice and righteousness.
We have celebrated the wonder of your coming, the incredible hope of your eternal word, the Word of Life, made flesh to life among us. And yet, we are so quick to turn from that hope. We have not loved you and the things you love with our whole hearts. We have turned a blind eye to injustice, and even carelessly perpetuated it. We have not loved our neighbours—human and non-human—as you have called us to.
Forgive us, we pray. In the name of Jesus, our judge and our hope. Amen.
DISCOVERY CIRCLE ~~ “Praying Like Jesus”
HYMN #69 Voices United “Away in a Manger”
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.
The little lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky, look down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love you Lord Jesus look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close
by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of the scriptures.
Psalm 148 (Refrain p. 871 VU)
Refrain Let the whole creation cry, “Glory be to God on high.”
Praise God from the heavens; give praise in the heights!
Give praise, all you angels; praise God, all you hosts!
Praise God, sun and moon; give praise, stars and lights!
Praise God, farthest heavens, and all waters beyond heaven! Refrain
Let all things praise the Holy One at whose command they were created,
who established them for all time, setting bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise God from the earth, great sea creatures and ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and frost, gales that obey God’s decree,
all mountains and hills, all fruit trees and cedars,
wild animals and cattle, creatures winged and earth-bound,
sovereigns who rule earth and its people,
all who govern and judge this world,
young men and women alike, old people and children together! Refrain
Let all things praise the name of God,
the name above every other, whose splendour covers heaven and earth.
You give strength to your people,
songs of praise to your faithful,
to Israel, the people dear to your heart. Refrain
Colossians 3:12-17
Bless to our understanding these living words of our faith. Amen.
SERMON – Reverend Matthew Heesing
HYMN #38 Voices United “Angels we have heard on High”
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plain.
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Gloooooria In Excelsis Deo!
Gloooooria In Excelsis Deo!
Shepherds why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloooooria In Excelsis Deo!
Gloooooria In Excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn king.
Gloooooria In Excelsis Deo!
Gloooooria In Excelsis Deo!
See him in a manger laid, who the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise.
Gloooooria In Excelsis Deo!
Gloooooria In Excelsis Deo!
MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES (YOUR GENEROSITY MATTERS) ~ “A Time of Reflection”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
…Holy God…we thank you
…we pray together as Jesus taught us, each in the language of their hearts:
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 trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
HYMN #169 More Voices “When Hands Reach Out Beyond Divides”
When hands reach out beyond divides and hope is truly found,
each chain of hate will fall away and bells of peace shall sound,
and bells of peace, of peace shall sound, and bells of peace shall sound,
each chain of hate will fall away and bells of peace shall sound.
When fear no longer guides our steps and days of war are done,
God’s dream for all shall live anew; our hearts will heal as one,
our hearts will heal, will heal as one, our hearts will heal as one,
God’s dream for all shall live anew; our hearts will heal as one.
When race and creed blind us no more, a neighbour’s face we’ll see,
and we shall dance the whole world round, for love will set us free,
for love, yes love will set us free, for love will set us free,
and we shall dance the whole world round, for love will set us free.
CHANGING THE LIGHT
Whatever this day and season hold for us,
may we know the God who has drawn near, who goes with us in every step, and whose deep desire is to lead us in the way of life.
Go into the world with the blessing of God: Creator, Christ and Spirit.
Amen.
HYMN #30 More Voices “It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker”
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the thrush sings high in the tree.
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the gray whale sings in the sea,
Refrain And by the Spirit you and I can join our voice to the holy cry and sing, sing, sing to the Maker too.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when waves and waterfalls roar.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when high tides break on the shore, Refrain
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the bumblebees hum along.
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the summer breeze joins the song, Refrain
It’s the chorus of all creation; it’s sung by all living things.
It’s the chorus of all creation; a song the universe sings, Refrain
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United Church. Thanks to Rev. Matthew Heesing, St. Andrew’s United, Cochrane for the Sermon, Rev. Aaron Miller, University Hill United, Vancouver, BC for the Liturgy.
God calls us to create a community of faith where all are welcome and encouraged to participate fully: no matter where you’re from, when you were born, however you self-identify, whom you love,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INDIGENOUS TERRITORY
LIGHTING OF CANDLES
Voice 1– Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good news of great joy for all people. (Luke 2: 10)
Voice 2– What gifts does Jesus bring to the world?
Voice 1– Jesus brings hope for the world
Jesus brings peace like a river
Jesus brings joy everlasting
Jesus brings love for all creation
Voice 2– Christmas is the beginning of this new world, a better world, that we are boldly invited to create together, as followers of the Christ child.
Voice 1– May it be so.
Voice 2– Amen
HYMN #7 Voices United “Hope is a Star”
Hope is a star, that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.
Refrain When God is a child, there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first
And the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth. Refrain
Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, telling the world that the Saviour is born. Refrain
Love is a flame that burns in our heart, Jesus has come and will never depart. Refrain
CALL TO WORSHIP
Arise and celebrate: God loves the world, a child is born.
The glow of the Divine lightens our hearts like an infant stepping to love.
Here we are together in a world caught between anxiety and hope, celebrating what God has done in Christ. We will never be alone. May our remembering and celebrating change how we live and open our hearts and communities, so that all can together live and share in fullness of life.
OPENING PRAYER
We gather tonight to hear the story again, a story of stars and angels, of shepherds and kings, of peasants and the powerful, and of a baby born to a woman in poverty, in a time of social upheaval and political oppression. May our hearts be opened anew as we hear the stories, shared so long ago, of the coming of Love, Love that continues to offer a way of peace, justice and reconciliation.
HYMN 60 Voices United “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem:
Come and behold him, born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore him, (x3) Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God in the highest:
O come, let us adore him, (x3) Christ the Lord.
PASSING OF THE PEACE.
“The peace of Christ be with you”
And also with you.
It may have started with a star- that’s how we’re going to start our story tonight.
There’s a star in the east and we must follow, a star in the East and we must follow,
There’s a star in the East and we must follow if we want to find the love of the tiny child
SHARING THE STORY
- Joseph- Matt 1: 18-25
#59 Voices United “Joy to the World” verses 1, 3, & 4
Joy to the world! the Lord is come: let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground:
He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the earth with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders of his love.
- Mary- Luke 1: 26-35
#46 Voices United “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child” verses 1 & 3
Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger,
there he lay, the undefiled, to the world a stranger.
Such a babe in such a place, can he be the Saviour?
Ask the saved of all the race who have found his favour.
Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manager;
he is still the undefiled, but no more a stranger.
Son of God of humble birth, beautiful the story;
praise his name in all the earth; hail the King of glory!
- Jesus birth- Luke 2: 1-7
#69 Voices United “Away in a Manger”
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.
The little lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky, look down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love you Lord Jesus look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close
by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
- Angels- Luke 2: 8-14
#38 Voices United “Angels we have heard on High” verses 1 & 4
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plain.
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Glooooo ria In Excelsis Deo! (x2)
See him in a manger laid, who the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise.
Glooooo ria In Excelsis Deo! (x2)
- Shepherds- Luke 2: 15-20
#75 Voices United “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” verses 1, 3, & 4
While shepherds watched their flocks by night all seated on the ground,
the angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around.
“To you in David’s town this day is born of David’s line a Saviour,
who is Christ the Lord; and this shall be the sign:”
“The heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swaddling bands, and in a manager laid.”
- Kings- Matt 2:1-2, 7-12
Traditional Carol “We Three Kings”
We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
Refrain O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. Refrain
Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising, worshiping God on high. Refrain
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb. Refrain
Glorious now behold him arise; King and God and sacrifice:
Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies. Refrain
- Animals-
#56 Voices United “Jesus, Our Brother”
Jesus, our brother, kind and good, was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around him stood, Jesus our brother, kind and good.
“I,”, said the donkey, shaggy and brown, “I carried the mother uphill and down;
I carried his mother to Bethlehem town; I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.
“I,” said the cow, all white and red, “I gave him my manger for his bed,
I gave him hay to pillow his head: I,” said the cow and white and red.
“I,” said the sheep with curly horn, “I gave him my wool for his blanket warm.
He wore my coat on Christmas morn; I,” said the sheep, with curly horn.
“I,” said the dove, from the rafters high, “I cooed him to sleep that he should not cry,
We cooed him to sleep, my mate and I; I,” said the dove, from the rafters high.
Thus all the beasts, by some good spell, in the stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel, the gifts they gave Emmanuel.
Offering – to Mission and Service
PRAYER – “The Point of the Process” ~~ from “If Darwin Prayed” by Bruce Sanguin
SENDING FORTH
God of shepherds and kings, you gather us by the light of the star of promise. You lead us not only to hope for the future, but to trust in your presence and renewal of life in every time and place.
Guide us this night, by the light of that same star. Lead us to the mangers of this world, where uncertainty is met with renewal and transformation of this world.
May love, one for another, and for all creation illuminate our path. Be with us on this most wondrous night. Amen
CANDLE LIGHTING AND HYMN
#67 Voices United “Silent Night” (Peace, Peace)
Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight: glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah, Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.
Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.