The Longest Night THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023 7PM SANCTUARY
WELCOME GATHERING MUSIC
Adagio sostenuto | Mendelssohn
SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE UNISON PRAYER O God, in the beginning you spoke, and creation was born, the object of your loving care. In the fullness of time you spoke, and the Word became flesh, Jesus, your gift of love. We wonder at the miracle of creation; we stand in awe before the mystery of the incarnation; then we feel embarrassed by our own selfishness. Forgive us earthbound creatures, feeble in faith, empty in hope, lacking in love. Awaken us to the miracle and mystery of Christmas. We wait upon you with ready hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. RESPONSORIAL HYMN NO. 89 For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits (Stanza 1,2,3 and 5) CANDLES OF LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS Leader: We light a candle for brokenness: for leaders and governments guided by greed and power; for nations with uncontrolled violence and war; for peoples practicing discrimination and division; for religious people who practice hatred and violence. People: As we light this candle, we pray your peace may illumine our darkness. Leader: We light a candle for illness and disease: when we hear of disease spreading around the world; when we withdraw from the world for fear of illness; when we notice a decline in our health and vitality; when we receive a difficult medical diagnosis. People: As we light this candle, we pray that our trust in you will exceed our own fear. Leader: We light a candle for loss: for the feeling of loss because of changes in the world around us; for loss brought on by a job change or unemployment; for loss of loved ones and friends; for loss caused by broken family relationships. People: As we light this candle, we pray that we may find joy in your love for us.
Leader: We light a candle for loneness; when life leaves us in isolation; when we experience injustice; when we feel alone because everyone else is celebrating; when we cannot remember things we should. People: As we light this candle, we pray for your comfort in our loneliness. Leader: We light a candle as we face our own sins and shortcomings: for falling into the temptations of this world; for the times we fail to trust in your ultimate healing; for the times we fail to live within your love; for the fear and anxiety that steal the peace you intend for us. People: As we light this candle, we pray that we may find your peace, joy, and comfort, as we learn to trust in you, our Heavenly Father. SOLO
O Holy Night | Adam
SCRIPTURE READING John 1:1-5, 9-14, 16-18 MEDITATION
The Light Shines | Rev. Cassie Waits
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION THE INVITATION TO THE TABLE THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. You are holy, O God of majesty; and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. With joy, we praise you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for you created us in your image, you created a covenant with your people, and you sent a Savior to make a way for salvation. He came among us through an ordinary family, yet his coming was announced by the angels. He came in the face of discrimination, yet he led in the way of justice and compassion. Through our Savior, you set before us a promise of new life and an eternal home. Therefore, we raise our voices with the prophets and the choirs of angels: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Blessed is the child who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. LORD’S PRAYER 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION The gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SACRAMENT
Mary, did you Know? | Greer
*SHARING THE LIGHT
As you come forward for communion by intinction, you may pick up a candle, light it, and place it in the sand, as a symbol of your prayer request.
*PRAYER OF COMMITMENT *CONGREGATIONAL HYMN NO. 122
Silent Night
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *SENDING MUSIC
In the Bleak Midwinter | Portman
Worship Leaders Rev. Cassie Waits, Associate Paster Rev. Dr. Paul Sherwood, Parish Associate Chohee Kim, Principal Organist Carolyn Silvius, Flute Amy Sherwood, Soloist Jill Puterbaugh, Elder Stephen Ministers Fran Brailsford Cindy Etheridge Claire Fransis Carla Frost Kitty Kendrick John Pratt
The Longest Night Service is hosted by FPC’s Stephen Ministers. Stephen Ministry is a lay ministry that is available to anyone who is going through a difficult time. Our Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers, ready to listen, care for, and encourage you. They will pray with and for you, providing confidential one-to-one Christian care to help you through whatever you are facing. You don’t have to carry this burden alone. To find out more about Stephen Ministry, contact Claire Francis: 678-313-1961 or francisr@bellsouth.net
4th Sunday in Advent Sunday, December 24
11am Worship Only | Great Hall Special Music: Kirk Ringers The Nursery and Children’s Church will be available during this service. No Sunday School.
Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24 4pm Family Service
The 4pm Family Christmas Eve service is a re-telling of the Christmas story. All children from Preschool Threes through Fifth Graders who would like to be a part of the service can get a costume from the Glover Room next to the Great Hall prior to the service. Children will serve as shepherds, wisemen, angels and prophets. No rehearsal necessary. Children sit with their families in the Great Hall until they are called forward for their part in the story. After the service is over, please return costumes to the Glover Room. People of all ages are welcome and invited to attend. The offerings that we bring during the Family Service will be given to the Pantry on Church. At the end of the service, everyone will be invited to come to the manger, see the baby Jesus and bring diapers or wipes.
7pm Candlelight Service in Great Hall A nursery is available for this service. Special Music: Chancel Choir
11pm Candlelight and Communion Service in the Sanctuary Special Music: Strings, Harp
Additional Information:
Sunday, December 31: 8:30am (Sanctuary) and 11:00am (Great Hall) Worship The following will not be held: Sunday School for Children or Adults, Children’s Church, Nursery Sunday School, Children’s Church, Journey, and Youth resume on January 7. Confirmation Class begins on January 7. Fellowship Breakfast resumes on January 21.
189 Church Street | Marietta, Georgia 30060 | 770-427-0293 | fpcmarietta.org