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Gathering Music

Polly Dunford

Laurie Gentry

Christmas Eve Litany  (light the four candles) Dr. Keith Ray

Leader: The Light of Christ is born anew this night in your heart.

Assembly: And also yours.

Leader: In the beginning, Light shines in the darkness.

(Lighting the Christ Candle)

Loving, Beautiful, Good –

giving birth to all creation,

the center, the heart, of unfolding life.

The Light graces all creation as God’s presence.

Assembly: The Light is Christ.

Leader: The Light is the child of Mary and Joseph.

Assembly: The Light is Love.

Leader: The Light is a Jewish mystic, sage, and prophet.

Assembly: The Light is Beautiful.

Leader: The Light is life in the midst of death.

Assembly: The Light is Good.

Leader: May Christ, the Light, reveal to all who would see

the wisdom and wonder of God’s boundless love.

All: Amen.

Hymn   “O Come, All Ye Faithful”           Hymnal # 133

1)  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!

Refrain:  O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him;

O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!

2)  True God from true God, Light from light eternal,

born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;

very God, begotten, not created!Refrain

3)  Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;

sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest!Refrain

4)  Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be all glory given;

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!  Refrain

Anthem   “Celtic Christmas Lullaby”

Words and music by Joel Raney

2010. Word Music, LLC (ASCAP).  All rights reserved.

Scripture Luke 2, selected verses

Sermon     “The Unexpected Birth of Possibility and Love” Dr. Keith Ray

Special Music     “Ave Maria”           Polly Dunford, piano

by Charles Gounod and J.S. Bach  Laurie Gentry, flute

from Cathedral Music Press. 1988.

International copyright secured.  All rights reserved.

Sharing the Light of Christ

As the light is passed from one candle to the next, tip the unlit candle into the flame of the lit candle.   Join in singing “Silent Night”.

1. 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.

2)  Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight; glories stream from heaven afar,

heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia: Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born!”

3)  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.

Silent Meditation

An Invitation to the Love Feast

Holy God, source of life and without end,

we give thanks to you!

You continually call all life into being,

cradling your creation in compassion.

You spread out the heavens like a tent and

enclose the seas.

You fill the world with wondrous creatures and

know all things as truly good.

Holy God,

as You visit us in the birth of Jesus,

heal our blindness

so that we may see your presence now

always within and among us.

In these gifts of food and drink, bind us together as a community and help us to taste the banquet of heaven here on earth.

Distribution of Food and Drink 

As you return your candle to the baskets in the back, please pick up a Moravian bun and mulled cider.  Then join the circle as we sing “Shalom” and enjoy Christmas fellowship.

Benediction

Shalom

Fellowship Time

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Calendar of Service -

December 29 - Lessons and Carols

January 5 -  Dr. Keith Ray

Epiphany Stars

1st Sunday Potluck meal

January 12 - Dr. Keith Ray

Session meeting

January 19 - Dr. Keith Ray

January 26 -  Dr. Keith Ray

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