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Collingswood Presbyterian Church
December 24, 2018
Christmas Eve
30 Fern Avenue, Collingswood, New Jersey 08108
Telephone: 856-854-4523
Website: www.collingswoodpres.com
E-mail: [email protected]
William Powell, Director of Music
Gretchen Kolecki, Director of Christian Education
Janis Danielewicz, Secretary
Paul Ciarrochi, Church Caretaker
“This will be a sign for you: you
will find a child wrapped in bands
of cloth and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2: 12
COLLINGSWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
December 24, 2018 Christmas Eve
ASSEMBLE IN GOD’S NAME
Evening Reflection
“We must practice the presence of God. He said that when two or three are gathered together, there he is in the midst of them. He is with us in our kitchens, at our tables, on our breadlines,
with our visitors, on our farms. When we pray for our material needs, it brings us close to his humanity. He, too, needed food
and shelter; he, too, warmed his hands at a fire and lay down in a boat to sleep.”
― Dorothy Day
Prelude Welcome and Announcements We welcome you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Please sign the guest book in the narthex so we can send you a welcome packet or fill out a yellow welcome card located in the pews. The card can be placed in the offer-ing place. Gathering of Prayer Concerns and Joys Please raise your hand to share your joys or concerns to be included in the prayers of the people this day. You may also write your concern on the pink sheets and hand to the Pastor. Please mail a prayer card from the narthex to your loved one. (Please stand for items marked with an asterisk. GTG is the purple “Glory to God” hymnal. STF is the “Sing the Faith” smaller blue hymnal)
Lighting of Advent Candle (Christ Candle) Standring Family (The Fifth candle is lit)
Leader: People of light, God in Christ desires a heaven and earth reconciled in a new people, a new creation. People: In Christ, we are those people! Leader: God in Christ longs for people unafraid to leave old ways behind for the paths of faithfulness. People: In Christ, we are those people! Leader: God in Christ yearns for people with bold and joyful hearts proclaiming the birth, the death, the rising and the glory of Christ our King! People: In Christ, we are those people! Leader: Let’s pray together... People: Everlasting God with us, Christ our light, Spirit our Guide, we welcome your brightness, we abide in hope, peace, joy and love and look for your new king dom on earth. Amen.
Hymn - “People Look East” (verse 5) GTG #105 tune - Besancon
Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth. Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Call to Worship Leader: With eyes wide open and our ears on edge, People: we look for shepherds and listen for the songs of angels. Leader: In the light of winter’s moon, with the Southern Cross lighting the way, People: we gather outside the door of a mystery, wondering if we dare go enter. Leader: With folks and friends we love, with strangers we have just met, People: we gather, becoming the holy family for this time and in this place. Leader: With prayer and praise, in scripture and in song, together let us worship the Living God! Hymn - “O Come All Ye Faithful” GTG #133 tune - Adeste Fideles Call to Confession This is the night we are reminded that God loves to be with us. Yet all too often – by our choices, our words, our silence – we choose not to be with Go. Join me as we pray on this holy night to the One who was born to gift us with mercy and hope. Prayer of Confession (unison) This was going to be the year, God of silent nights, when we were going to give away more than we spent, but we didn’t. This was going to be the season when we spent more time with others, but we filled our calendars with meetings. This was going to be the Christmas when we wrote personal letters to friends and family, but spent too much energy filling out our to-do lists. This was going to be a truly holy season, but it just got to harried and hurried. Forgive us, Love Gifter, and draw us closer to the Baby born not into wealth and power, but into poverty and weakness; to the (continued on next page)
Prayer of Confession (continued) One who loves unconditionally and welcomes all; to the Child who gathers other children to him, to bless them and serve them; to the One who drew near to us, so we might be drawn to your heart – Jesus Christ, our Brother, our Lord. (Moment of silence) *Words of Assurance Leader: Into the valleys of our death, Jesus comes with life; into the shadows of our world, Jesus brings light; into the brokenness of our lives, People: Jesus brings forgiveness and peace. Thanks be to God for the gift of the Baby of Bethlehem, who brings joy and peace to us in these moments of forgiveness and in all the days to come. Amen. *Sharing of the Peace Leader: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.
PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD
Children’s Call - “Come All Ye Children” All children are invited to come play drums during the song Children’s Sermon Choral Anthem - “How Quietly” by Joel Raney Chancel Choir solo - Sarah Cheatam Prayer for Illumination Leader: Speak to us, Lord. Speak to us in the waiting, the watching, the hoping, the longing, the sorrow, the sighing, the rejoicing. Speak to us by your Word in these Advent days, and walk with us until the day of your coming. People: Amen.
Old Testament Reading - Isaiah 9:2-7 (pages 624-625) Hymn - “O Little Town of Bethlehem” GTG #121 vs. 1-2 tune - St. Louis Gospel Reading - Luke 2:1-20 (page 933) Hymn - “Away In A Manger” GTG #115 tune - Mueller verses 1 & 2 Sermon - “Be Not Afraid” Rev. Bob Higgs *Confession of Faith - Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Fa-ther; through him all things were made. For us and for our salva-tion he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was bur-ied. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scrip-tures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who pro-ceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the proph-ets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the People Leader: God of mercy, People: Hear our prayer. Leader: Prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, petition
All: 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, for ever. Amen.
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Offering Musical Meditation - “O Holy Night” solo - Krystina Hawkinson Prayer of Dedication Now, on this night of giftedness, remind us of those who struggle to put food on the table, to buy a single gift for their child, to wrap a warm blanket around a grandparent, so we might realize how blessed we are and share from our abundance. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
*Hymn: “Silent Night, Holy Night!” GTG #122 tune - Stille Nacht
(The Congregation is invited to move to the walls to form a circle and light their candles - tipping the unlit candle. Battery powered candles are
available for children)
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.
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!
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 night, holy night Wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
GO IN GOD’S NAME
*Hymn - “Joy To The World” GTG #134 tune - Antioch *Choral Benediction *Postlude
Go Forward and Serve! Be a part of God’s work through CPC
No nursery tonight.
Thank you for your service!
Worship Leader: Megan Standring Greeters/Ushers: Karen Mazak
Christmas Poinsettias Given with love by:
Ray & Catherine Burns in memory of loved ones Dan Graves, Danielle & Kaitlyn in memory of Jo Voss and Ted Currier The Herzog Family in memory of loved ones on Christmas. Fred & Lorrie Heuser in honor of Mrs. Jeanne Heuser-Fink and in memory of loved ones. June Lattimore in memory of loved ones passed and in honor of loved ones with us today Candace Lowden, Kim & Mike, Jessica & Chuck in memory of Bob Lowden and loved ones Mazak, Berkelbach & Ortiz Families in memory of Mom Mom and Pop Pop Miller, Smentek and Cash families in memory of Nolan, Nevin, Grace, Marie and Bruce Carolyn Moffett in loving memory of Arthur Moffett Alison, Rob, Lilian & Jake Smentek in memory of Nolan Miller and Jeffrey Smentek Vicki Vail in honor of Olga Vail
WE THANK YOU
for coming to this evening’s service of worship!
If you are seeking a church home, we’d be pleased to have you join
us at our 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship service.
Contact the church office or visit our website for more information.
COLLINGSWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
30 Fern Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108
(856) 854-4523
email: [email protected]
website: www.collingswoodpres.com
It takes a lot of people to make this worship service happen!
THANK YOU!!!
...To our guest musicians Sarah Cheatam, Krystina Hawkinson, Michael Schmidt and Kristine Merckx …to our Chancel and Bell Choirs, music Director William Powell and handbell director Marjorie Miller …to the members of the church who lovingly decorated the sanctuary …Church Caretaker, Paul Ciarrochi.
Have a beautiful and blessed Christmas.
