Christmas Eve 2020 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson
The Lord be with you … and also with you.
Welcome to our Christmas Eve worship service.
You may want to take a moment to access the responsive readings, which are available on YouTube and in our website. If you have candles now would be a good time to gather them.
We are thankful to Jean Walker, organist, for her efforts in performing the hymns for the YouTube video. Remember to go to the end of the printed material for the lyrics to the hymns. This worship service is on our website Knox Bayfield. We welcome Jan Meyer … into the worship service. She will lead us in readings today.
We are thankful that Jim Knox has been working with the good people at the furnace company to find solutions to the furnace issues.
Call To Worship
Behold, I bring you good news of great joy; a child is born who is Christ the Lord! Jesus has arrived in grace and mystery. He renews faded hope and announces peace to a weary world. We light the candle of hope. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to all! We light the candle of peace. Jesus inspires joy and calls us to live with the fullness of God’s love. We light the candle of joy
Jesus, the light of the world, is born. We light the candle of love. Let Christ’s light shine in the darkest corners of our lives. Let Christ’s light shine in the darkest corners of our world. God is with us. We light the Christ candle
Unison Prayer: God of grace and glory, as we celebrate this Christmas, transform our hearts and our lives so that your Good News is not an old story but a fresh truth lived out every day through the power of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn* O come, all ye faithful #159
Assurance of Pardon
Hear this good news of great joy: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.
Prayer for Illumination
By the light of the Holy Spirit shining in our midst, open our hearts and minds, O God, to your Word, present now and always for the sake of your holy name. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Prayer
O God of hope. You comfort us in grief, you strengthen and restore us when we are afraid. Help us to love others as you love us, tenderly and without restraint, so that our relationships may be a reflection of the covenant you have with us. Amen.
Hymn* Hark! The herald angels sing #139
Reading: Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He, it is ,who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
Prayer
O God of possibility You give us the fresh air of new beginnings and unexpected opportunities, but we often turn away. Help us to see the light you shine to guide our path. Your light illuminates the strange, winding roads we travel. Give us strength to embrace the changes of this world, knowing that you will lead us to more than we could ever hope for or imagine. Amen
Hymn* Away in a manger # 149
Reading: Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ln that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—l am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Prayer
God of love and wonder, you arrive in the darkness with humility and vulnerability when all was still. Enter our lives this night and strengthen us. May we show loving care to those around us, especially those who dwell on the margins where Jesus was born and lived.
Hymn * Go tell it on the mountain #133
Prayers of the People
Eternal God, may your peace may be known in the midst of the pandemic, discord, and warfare. During this holy time, may your church proclaim the good news of salvation as we share the gift of Christ in prayer and action. May your healing dispel the darkness that breeds sickness, suffering, and need. May all people heed your call to care for all elements of your creation. Through Christ, with Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, we praise you, almighty God, as we lift our voices in the prayer taught by Christ … Our Father who art in heaven, hallow’ed 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
The Passing of the Light
[sanctuary lights to be turned off as the candles are lit for the Passing of the Light, the hymn Silent Night, and the benediction.]
Reader 1: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
Reader 2: A child has been born for us; a son given to us.
Reader 1: This will be a sign for us: we will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth, lying in a manger.
Reader 2: Jesus said, I am the light of the world! We light the world with light shining from the manger, born for us in Jesus the Christ.
The candle to share the light is lit from the Christ candle.
Reader 1: Lord Jesus, you have come to be with us so we know God’s love will never let us go. Shine in our lives this Christmas to strengthen our trust in you.
Make us angels in our time, messengers of your love and peace, your joy and hope. Let our faithfulness shine in the world you love.
Reader 2: Glory to God in the highest! And on earth peace –in the name of the Christ Child, Prince of Peace, our Saviour and our Friend. Amen.
Hymn* Silent night #154
Benediction
God’s Word brings us together in love. Go in peace to love & serve Christ. May the song of the angels, the joy of the shepherds, & the peace of Christ be with you this day and for evermore. Amen
Postlude Joy to the World # 153
#159 Oh Come, All ye Faithful
Oh come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant;
Oh come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the King of angels:
Refrain: Oh come let us adore him;
Oh come let us adore him;
Oh come let us adore him: Christ the Lord.
God of God, Light of light,
Born unto Mary, the virgin blest,
Very God, begotten, not created
(refrain)
See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle,
Leaving their flocks draw nigh with holy fear;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps:
(refrain)
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above:
“Glory to God in the Highest!”
(refrain)
Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
(refrain)
139 Hark! The herald angels sing
Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King,
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful. All ye nations, rise; Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King,
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the God-head see! Hail the Incarnate deity!
Pleased on earth with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King.
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild, he lays his glory by, Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise the lost of earth, Born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King.
#149 Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky
looked 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 forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children
In your tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with you there.
133 Go, tell it on the Mountain
Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
o’er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens
there shone a holy light. (Refrain)
The shepherds feared and trembled,
while lo, above the earth
rang out the angel chorus
that hailed our Saviour’s birth! (Refrain)
Down in a lowly manger
the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation
that bless-ed Christmas morn. (Refrain)
#154 Silent Night
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 n heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherd’s 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
#153 Joy to the World
Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
let earth receive its 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 us our 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 world 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, and wonders of his love.