Pine Street Presbyterian Church in
the City of Harrisburg
Pine Street is a Welcoming Church, Glorifying God through Worship, Fellowship and Service in the World.
December 21, 2022 Longest Night
GATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
VOLUNTARY Away in a Manger Wilbur Held
INTROIT You Are the Light Tom Fettke
You are the Light we see. You are the Truth we know. You are the Life we live. You are the Hope, You are the Joy, You are the Song we sing.
WELCOME
One: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Many: And also with you.
† CALL TO WORSHIP
Keith Perago
One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Many: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. One: For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, God has broken as on the day of Midian.
Many: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
† OPENING PRAYER
God of mercy, hear our prayer in this Advent season for ourselves and our families who live with the pain of loss and grief. We ask for your strength, your courage, and your peace. We ask these things in the name of Christ, who shares our life in joy and sorrow, death and new birth, despair and promise. Amen.
† Those who are able are invited to stand
Bold text is read or sung by all
Rev. Matt Drumheller
†PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rev. Matt Drumheller
God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in the darkness. We confess that we ignore your light. We are easily blinded by our own pain and close our eyes to your presence in our lives. Forgive us and heal our hurts. Help us release our past regrets and find your peace in the midst of our doubts. Open our eyes and renew our hope in your loving care. Amen. †
PERSONAL CONFESSION
†ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
One: The Word became flesh and dwells here among us, full of grace and truth. Friends, believe the good news. Many: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
LESSONS FROM SCRIPTURE
From the Prophets: Isaiah 40:1-11
From the Psalms: Psalm 46
From the Epistles: Romans 8:18-28 Marty Gruver
From the Gospels: John 1:1-5, 14
†RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE Sarah PearceLIGHTING THE CHRISTMAS CANDLES
One: The first candle reminds us of those we have loved who are no longer with us. We pause to remember their names, their faces, their voices, and the memories that bind them to us in this season. (Silence) Holy God…
Many: May your eternal love surround them.
One: The second candle burns to redeem the pain of loss: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of health. We pause to gather up the pain of the past and offer it to God, asking God to give us the gift of peace and patience with ourselves. (Silence) Holy God…
Many: Refresh us, restore us, renew us, and help us place our trust in you.
One: The third candle we light to remember ourselves this Christmas season. We pause and remember these past weeks and months; the disbelief, the anger, the tears, the downtimes and the poignancy of reminiscing, the hugs, and handshakes of family and friends. We give thanks for all the support from those who love us. (Silence) Holy God…
Many: Let us remember that your light shines in our darkest times.
One: The fourth candle reminds us of our faith and the gift of hope which the Christmas story offers to us. We remember that God knows us better than we know ourselves, and God promises us a place and time of no more pain, suffering, or tears. (Silence) Holy God…
Many: Let us rekindle our faith in the presence of Emmanuel, God with us.
ANTHEM See Amid the Winter’s Snow
John Goss; arr. David Willcocks See amid the winter’s snow, born for us on earth below; see the tender Lamb appears, promised from eternal years: Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing though all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Lo, within a manger lies he who built the starry skies; he who, throned in height sublime, sits amid the cherubim: Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing though all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Say, ye holy
shepherds, say what your joyful news today; wherefore have ye left your sheep on the lonely mountain steep? Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing though all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. “As we watched at dead of night, lo, we saw a wondrous light; angels singing, told us of the Savior’s birth.” Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing though all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Sacred Infant, all divine, what a tender love was thine, thus to come from highest bliss down to such a world as this! Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing though all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Teach, O teach us, Holy Child, by thy face so meek and mild, teach us to resemble thee, in thy sweet humility: Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing though all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
One: The Lord be with you.
Many: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
Many: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Prayers continue and conclude with The 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, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
† HYMN For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits
MY SOUL IN STILLNESS WAITS Congregation sing refrain as directed…
O Lord of Light, our only hope of glory, your radiance shines in all who look to you; come, light the hearts of all in dark and shadow. (Refrain)
Spring of Joy, rain down upon our spirits; our thirsty hearts are yearning for your word; come, make us whole, be comfort to our hearts. (Refrain)
O Root of Life, implant your seed within us, and in your advent, draw us all to you, our hope reborn in dying and in rising. (Refrain)
O Key of Knowledge, guide us in our pilgrimage; we ever seek, yet unfulfilled remain; open to us the pathway of your peace. (Refrain)
Come, let us bow before the God who made us; let every heart be opened to the Lord, for we are all the people of God’s hand. (Refrain) Here we shall meet the Maker of the heavens, Creator of the mountains and the seas, Lord of the stars, and present to us now. (Refrain)
