Starling Avenue Baptist Church Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion December 24, 2022 ╬ 5:00 p.m.
TheWorshipofGod
Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion
December 24, 2022 ╬ 5:00 p.m.
The color of Advent is blue. The deep, dark blue is the color of the predawn sky, the color that covers us in the dark, cold hours before the sunrise. Thus, the blue of Advent gives us a hint of expectation and anticipation of the dawn of Christ. We have been keeping watch for the promised Light, and this night the Light has come!
Gathering at God’s Invitation
Pre-ServiceMusic FernKanode
Welcome Dr.JoeBryant
CalltoWorship
Psalm27:1&119:105KJV Dr.JoeBryant
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
*Carol#125 Angels We Have Heard on High French Carol melody; (Stanzas1&2) arr. Edward Barnes, 1937
LightingoftheAdventCandle: Christ Candle Dr.Joe&MaryBryant
Will you come to our world, God?
Will you come with hope?
For we have too many good intentions, not enough hopes realized; too many questions, too little assurance; too many longings, too few prayers.
O come, O come, Emmanuel. When you come, bring hope.
Will you come to our world, God?
Will you come with peace?
For we have too much brokenness, not enough wholeness; too much frantic activity, not enough calm; too many worries, not enough dreams.
O come, O come, Emmanuel. When you come, bring peace.
Will you come to our world, God?
Will you come with joy?
For we have too much seriousness, not enough laughter; too many expectations, not enough celebration; too many words, too little singing. O come, O come, Emmanuel. When you come, bring joy.
Will you come to our world, God?
Will you come with love?
For we have too much loneliness, not enough friendship; too many rules, not enough gospel; too much getting, not enough caring. O come, O come, Emmanuel. When you come, bring love.
Come, Bringer of Hope. Come, Prince of Peace. Come, Giver of Joy. Come, Lover of All People. Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
*Carol#110 Away in a Manger
James R. Murray, 1887 (Stanzas1&3)
Hearing God’s Word
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah9:2-7KJV
Dr.JoeBryant
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
*Carol O Holy Night!
(Solo) O holy night; The stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared, and the soul felt His worth; A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and cloudless morn! (Congregation)Chorus:
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!
(Solo) Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle to stand; Led by the light of the star so brightly gleaming
Here came the wise men from Orient land; A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and cloudless morn! (Congregation)Chorus
Gospel Lesson: John1:1-5KJV Dr.JoeBryant
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Responding to God’s Word
*Carol#107 O Little Town of Bethlehem
LEWISH.REDNER,1868 (Stanzas1&2)
CelebrationoftheLord’sSupper Dr.JoeBryant
CANTIQUE
NOEL
DE
TheGreatThanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up in joy and peace. Let us give thanks to God. It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Lord, we greet you this happy night, for you have been at work in our world throughout all time. You made all things and called them good.
You claimed your people Israel, freed them from the bondage of Egypt, and journeyed with them through the wilderness to the promised land.
You sent prophets to call your people back to you. Then in the fullness of time you sent your Son Jesus, Immanuel, born the King of Angels, your Word in flesh appearing.
He was one of us and lived with us, giving up all his glory for our sake to make us whole.
And yet you raised him up again to overcome the power of death and live a new life.
Still, we wait for the day when we too will share the fullness of life in him and with him. And so, with the faithful of all the ages, we sing the praise and glory of your name:
And so, O God, come among us tonight. Show us your presence in this bread and this cup, and make this bread we break and this cup we bless the body and blood of Christ.
By the power of your Holy Spirit, unite us with Christ and all who share this feast, just as you send us out to be his presence in and for your world. Give us courage to be your people, to show your justice, grace, mercy, peace, and love, and to be a part of your transformation of our world until the day when the baby whose birth we celebrate tonight comes again in peace and we sing your praise and glory forever. Let us pray as your son, who we welcome again this night, taught us to pray, saying:
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. Amen.
SharingtheBread&theCup Behold the Lamb
Astheplateispassed,saytoyourneighbor: Christ’s body was broken, and His blood was shed for you.
GospelLesson: John8:12KJV
Dr.JoeBryant
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Sending into God’s World
CandleLighting
When lighting candles, always hold the lit candle vertically. Tilt the unlit candle to the lit one to receive light.
DottieRambo*Carol#134 Silent Night!
FranzGrüber,1818
On the last stanza, we invite you to hold your candle aloft, celebrating that the light of the world has come, a light that overcomes all darkness and brings us hope and life!
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.
Silent Night! Holy Night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glory streams from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia, Christ the Savior 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. (Raise candles)
Silent Night! Holy Night! Wondrous Star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born.
Benediction Dr.JoeBryant
Postlude Hark! The Herald Angels Sing FernKanode
Please extinguish candles and place them in the large basket in the vestibule as you leave.