Worship Resources
Christmas Eve/Day
Christmas is a season of praise and thanksgiving for the incarnation
of God in Jesus Christ, which begins with Christmas Eve or Day
and continues through the Day of Epiphany. The name Christmas
comes from the season's first service, the Christ Mass. Epiphany
comes from the Greek word epiphania, which means
"manifestation." New Year's Eve or Day is often celebrated in the
United Methodist tradition with a Covenant Renewal Service.
Use the colors of white and gold and materials of the finest texture
for paraments, stoles, and banners. Signs of the season include a
Chrismon tree, a nativity scene (include the magi on the Day of
Epiphany), a Christmas star, angels, poinsettias, and roses. Gold,
frankincense, myrrh, and three crowns are appropriate on the Day
of Epiphany.
HYMNS
Christmas Eve
Angels from the realms of glory
Away in a manger
Born in the night, Mary's Child
For unto us a child is born (Isaiah 9)
Hark! The herald angels sing
Gentle Mary laid her child
God rest you merry people all
Good Christians all, rejoice
I heard the bells on Christmas day
In the bleak midwinter
It came upon a midnight clear
Lo, how a rose e'er blooming
Love came down at Christmas
O come, all ye faithful
O little town of Bethlehem (English)
Once in royal David's city
Prince of peace you are (Isaiah 9)
Silent night
Stars of ice, wheel of moonlight bright (Chinese)
That boy-child of Mary (Malawi)
The first nowell
The people that in darkness walked (Isaiah 9)
While shepherds watched their flocks (St. Luke 2)
Who is he in yonder stall?
Christmas Day
Angels we have heard on high
Away in a manger
Hallelujah! Sing to Jesus
Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes (St. Luke 4)
Hark! The herald angels sing
How lovely on the mountains (Isaiah 52)
Joy to the world! (Psalm 98)
Joyful Christmas day is here
Let all mortal flesh keep silence
O come, all ye faithful (Adeste Fideles)
What child is this, who laid to rest? (English Ballad)
When God almighty came to be one of us
While shepherds watched their flocks by night (St. Luke 2)
GREETING
Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of a 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. (LUKE 2:10)
OR
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us,
and we have seen his glory.
(JOHN 1:1, 14 a)
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: To us a Child has been born!
People: We have seen a great light,
the light has dawned.
Leader: To us a Son has been given.
People: The child of light will be called Mighty God,
Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counsellor.
Leader: To us a King has given His Kingdom.
People: The King will rule with justice and love.
Leader: Glory to God for this Child born!
People: May His light shine in us for evermore! AMEN!
OR
O almighty God, by the birth of your holy child Jesus
you gave us a great light to dawn on our darkness.
Grant that in his light we may see light.
Bestow upon us that most excellent Christmas gift of love to all
people,
so that the likeness of your Son may be formed in us,
and that we may have the ever brightening hope of
everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
(THE BOOK OF WORSHIP 1965, ALT.)
OPENING PRAYERS/INVOCATION
Almighty God, You made this holy night shine with the brightness
of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in thelight
of Jesus' presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of His
glory; through Your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reignswith You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR
Almighty God, You have made yourself known in your Son,
Jesus, and redeemer of the world. We pray that His birth as a
human child will set us free from the old slavery of our sin; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OR
"You have come to us as a small child,
but you have brought us the greatest of all gifts,
the gift of eternal love. Caress us with your tiny hands,
embrace us with your tiny arms,
and pierce our hearts with your soft, sweet cries"
(Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090 - 1153).
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
(Prayed before the reading of the Scriptures)
As we come to hear the Scriptures today, O Lord, stir up our
hearts, that we may welcome your incarnate Son. By His coming
give us strength in our conflicts and shed light on our path, that we
may walk the way that leads to eternal life; through Christ our
Lord. AMEN.
PASTORAL PRAYER
One Christmas many years ago I knew that as a preacher I had to
present a message, but no message came to me; a prayer, however,
came into my heart and mind. I shared it then, and I share it now
with you, my readers.
"Oh, divine Creator, you who exist beyond our physical universe
and within it and even within my heart; Jesus said that the kingdom
of heaven is within us. You created the heavens and stars and the
infinite complexity of our material world; you are the source and
foundation of all things. We are given courage to turn to you not
because of our virtue, but because you came to us many years ago
in a stable on a bright chilly night.
Were it not for your coming to us with such humility and grace, I
doubt if I would be able to turn to you now. For some reason
beyond my understanding, you cherish us human beings and you
sent your Son, your creative being, to Mary and to Joseph and to
the world. As I turn to you, Abba, I humbly ask one thing only;
that you send the infant Christ to be born in my heart. Let him
grow there to bring peace, joy, strength and courage, understanding
and patience, love and gratitude. Once I experience these gifts, I
can share them with all those around me.
Abba, I have tried to bring my confused life into order, and I find
I cannot do it without your help. My life is torn and divided like
the world into which the Christ child came. There are parts of me
like Herod who would destroy this divine child. There are parts of
me like the Romans who would rule my life for their advantage.
There are parts of me that are broken and sick, in bondage and
prison, just as there were in the world in which Jesus came. I have
tried again and again to bring harmony, peace, and love into my
soul, but where joy might abide, there is often sorrow; where I
should find peace, I see conflict; where I would like to find
strength and courage, I discover cowardice and weakness; where I
would like to see love and gratitude, there is anger and selfishness;
where I look for humility and simplicity, I see pride.
I do not like what I find within me as it mirrors the world around
me. Try as hard as I can, I cannot change myself without your help.
Abba, send the Christ child into my heart and let his spirit grow in
me. His spirit can knit the tattered, raveled edges of my soul.
Only the indwelling Christ can reconcile the conflicting,
antagonistic forces that war in our world and within us. Only he
can make the lion lie down with the lamb.
Abba, send your Son into my heart, that he may not only be born
there but also grow and mature and take over the direction of my
life. May your love make of me something of value and worth,
someone in whom you can rejoice. May the stable of my soul be
transformed and become a temple filled with your Spirit. May my
soul be transformed and become a beacon, shedding light in the
midst of a dark and troubled world. Oh, risen Jesus, I pray this in
your name, you who humbled yourself to be born of a virgin
in a stable in an occupied country in order to show me the infinite
mercy and love of the divine Creator."
by Morton Kelsey
OR
A Christmas Prayer
Robert Louis Stevenson
Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that
we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the
shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every
greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy
children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus'
sake. Amen!
FOR CHRISTMAS COMMUNION
John Betjeman wrote:
No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this simple Truth compare --
That God was Man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine.
BENEDICTION
Let us rejoice with Mary in the Good News of her son.
Let us look with Joseph to our future hopes.
Let us give with the wise ones to Jesus who saves.
Let us sing with the angels a new and glorious song
Go in peace, then, to love and serve the Lord,
in the name of Christ, and may the blessing of God . . . (AMEN.)
OR
L: We came with haste. We found Mary and Joseph keeping watch
in the night, and the baby crying in a manger.
P: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all on earth!
L: Now, as we return to our fields, we will not forget;
P: We will keep all these things with gladness, pondering them in
our hearts.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Bass Mitchell, Hot Springs, VA
HOMILIES & BIBLE STUDIES BY E-MAIL
Check out my web site at www.homiliesbyemail.com
bass.mitchell@homiliesbyemeail.com
*****************
The service below is from a free United Methodist publication called,
"Standing At the Door," resources for worship leading up to and beyond the
New Year. I was privileged to help write it.
God bless, Bass
December 24/25, 1999 (December 24/25, 2000)
Christmas Eve/Day
"Darkness Turns to Light"
SUGGESTED SCRIPTURES
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20
SUGGESTED WORSHIP READINGS
See UMBOW pp. 269ff for a number of marvelous prayers and orders of worship
emphasizing this theme (light into darkness) as it relates to both Christmas
and the New Year.
Call to Worship
One: We are a people who have walked in deep darkness.
All: We come this night, seeking to be a people who have seen a great light.
One: Light comes to us on this holiest of nights.
All: The light of a small babe, the light of a bright star
One: The light of God’s love
All: Shining for all the earth.
One: Come and see... the child has been born! Lights are shining!
Opening Prayer
Holy God, we pray for your brightness to shine upon our hearts this evening.
May we know your grace as it appears for us in the birth, life, death, and
resurrection of Christ Jesus. Help us renounce the sad outlook and sorrowful
attitude that threaten to darken our hearts. Help us rather to live lives
that are joyous and just, Godly and righteous. As we await the blessed hope
of your glory to shine on our world forever, we come this night to rejoice
in the blessed hope of your glory that already shines in our lives. Shine on
us, dear Child, that we may see you not only in the manger but in our hearts
as well! Amen.
Litany of Hope
Psalm 96
Benediction
In the midst of darkness, candles have shone.
Glory to God in the highest!
In the midst of darkness, we have seen the light of Christ.
Glory to God in the highest!
In the midst of darkness, we have been promised peace and good will.
Glory to God in the highest!
In the midst of darkness, we go forth to be the light of Christ.
Glory to God in the highest! Alleluia! Amen.
SUGGESTED MUSIC
UMH
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
234
"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear"
218
"O Little Town of Bethlehem"
230
"Love Came Down at Christmas"
242
"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice"
224
"For Unto Us a Child Is Born" From Handel’s
"Messiah"
" O Holy Night"
Vocal Solo Collections (songbooks such as
Everything for the Church Soloist [Carol Stream, IL: Hope])
"Majesty"
176
"Great Is the Lord" CCB
60
SERMON/MESSAGE IDEA
In these Christmas readings, Isaiah and Titus proclaim the Lord’s reign on
this earth, the day of salvation already come. The Psalmist, however,
reminds us that the ultimate day of justice and righteousness is yet to
come. Living with the ‘now’ and the ‘not yet’ as part of our Christian lives
has never been easy, in any of these 2000+ years. Sometimes the feeling that
we are always living in the "middle ages," a time of darkness and confusion,
can overwhelm us. But Christmas comes in the Christian year to remind us
that light has already overcome darkness in the birth and resurrection of
Jesus Christ. That same light promises to one day overcome the darkness of
sin and sorrow by making this earth into God’s world, God’s realm of justice
and righteousness. Allow this Christmas message to turn the darkness into
light; create a worship service that moves from the somber message of a dark
world in need of light into the thrilling message that Christians already
live in that light.
SUGGESTED VISUAL/DRAMATIC EMPHASIS
1. Lights and candles are central to this Christmas theme.
2. To correspond to the message idea, begin the service in dark, dim
lighting, gradually adding light from candles or overhead lights as the
service progresses. End the service in bright lights with joyous music,
adding dance and movement as space permits.
3. Images: Christ child, angels, stars, candles, light, Mary with baby.
Mary J. Scrifes is an ordained United Methodist pastor in Tacoma,
Washington. She also works as a consultant in evangelism and the arts for
Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, Texas. She is co-author of The United
Methodist Music and Worship Planner and author of Searching for Seekers
(Abingdon, 1998).
******************
Here’s Advent 4 and Christmas!
Beats me how un-spontaneous and dull some of these are. Where are the
Hallelujahs and hip-hip hoorays? Last Christmas I burst out with "Happy
birthday to you...." and everyone joined in!
I know we’re all praying for Tom Sullivan today. Hope we get good news
soon.
Happy Mary’s Day,
Karen
******************************
ADVENT 4B
Sentence - Yr A - A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name
shall be called Emmanuel: God with us. Matthew 1:23
Yrs BC - I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to his
word. Luke 1:38
Collect - Heavenly Father, who chose the Virgin Mary, full of grace, to
be the mother of our Lord and Saviour, now fill us with your grace, that
we in all things may embrace your will and with her rejoice in your
salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Proclamation of the Word
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, p. 823
OR The Song of Mary, Cant 18a, p. 86 (Luke 1:46-55)
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
Prayer over the Gifts - Gracious God, by the power of the Spirit, who
sanctified the mother of your Son, make holy all we offer you this day.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
Preface - Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth;
we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, who in the
fullness of time came among us in our flesh, and opened to us the way of
salvation. Now we watch for the day when he will come again in power
and great triumph to judge this world, that we, without shame or fear,
may rejoice to behold his appearing. There fore we praise you, joining
our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of
heaven, who for ever sing/say this humn to proclaim the glory of your
name.
Prayer after Communion - Faithful God, in this sacrament we receive the
promise of salvation. May we, like the Virgin Mary, be obedient to your
will. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
*******************************************
CHRISTMAS - AT MIDNIGHT (may be used Christmas Day, however, watch out
for the night refs)
Sentence - I bring to you good news of a great joy which will come to
all the people; for to you is born this day a Savior, Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
Collect - Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of
your one true light. As we have known the revelation of that light on
earth, bring us to see the splendor of your heavenly glory; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Readings
Isaiah 9:2-7 or Isaiah 62:6-12 or Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 96 or Psalm 97 or Psalm 98, pp 834, 835, 836
Titus 2:11-14 or Titus 3:4-7 or Hebrews 1:1-4(5-12)
Luke 2:1-14(15-20) or Luke 2:(1-7),8-20 or John 1:1-14
Prayer over the Gifts - Source of light and gladness, accept all we
offer on this joyful feast. May we grow up in him who unites our lives
to yours; for he is Lord now and for ever.
Preface of Christmas - Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven
and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who in the mystery of his incarnation was made perfect man of the flesh
of the Virgin Mary his mother; in him we have seen a new and radiant
vision of your glory. Therefore with all the angels of heaven, we lift
of voices and sing/say our joyful hymn of praise to proclaim the glory
of your name.
Preface of Christmas - (Prayers A&B BCP form) - Because thou didst give
Jesus Christ thine only Son to be born as at this time for us; who, by
the operation** of the Holy Spirit, was made very man of the substance
of the Virgin Mary his mother; and that without spot of sin, to make us
clean from all sin. Therefore with angels......
**What were they smoking when they wrote this???
Prayer after Communion - Father of all, tonight you have united earth
and heaven in sending your Son to take our human nature. May we who
have tasted heavenly things share in the life of his eternal kingdom.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
*******************************************************
CHRISTMAS IN THE EARLY MORNING
Collect - O God our father, whose Word has come among us in the Holy
Child of Bethlehem, may the light of faith illumine our hearts and shine
in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ the Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
Prayer over the Gifts - Generous Creator, in faith and joy we celebrate
the birth of your Son. Increase our understanding and our love of the
riches you have revealed in him, who is Lord, now and for ever.
Prayer after Communion - Source of truth and joy, may we who have
received the gift of divine life always follow the way of your Son.
This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.
*************************************************
CHRISTMAS DURING THE DAY
Collect - Almighty God, you wonderfully created and yet more wonderfully
restored our human nature. May we share the divine life of your Son
Jesus Christ, who humbled himself to share our humanity, and now lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts - God of peace, your Son Jesus Christ has
reconciled us to you. May all we offer you today renew us as members of
your household. We ask this in his name.
Prayer after Communion - Father of all, the child born for us is the
Saviour of the world. May he who made us your children welcome us into
your kingdom, where he is alive and reigns with you now and for ever.
*********************************
OLD CATHOLIC LITURGY
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Collect
Stir up your power, our God, and come. Let your mercy help us that we do
not fail to meet your Son by our idleness and languor. We ask this
through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with
you and the Holy Spirit lives and works now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Father in heaven, what we bring is your gift. Accept these
gifts and bless them. We praise you through Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God, source of all joy, we thank you for having given us, in this meal,
a share in your life now already. Make us expect the coming of your Son
in joy and be the more eager in your service the more the feast of his
birth is at hand, of Christ, our Lord.
For Weekdays in Advent II (after 16 December)
Collect
God, our Father, in these days we prepare ourselves to celebrate the
incarnation of your Son in a dignified manner. Let our prayer come to
you and bless our efforts that our life be renewed and find new roots in
you. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who
with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Collect
O Father, you alone are God. In Jesus Christ, your Son you come to us
helpless and yet, you are stronger than all powers of this world. We ask
you in these days: Strengthen us by your Word and Sacrament until he
comes again, your Son Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit
lives and works with you now and for ever.
Collect
Father in heaven, we pray: In these days prepare our hearts to be a home
for your Son that we may receive him with us and praise and magnify you
in joy through him who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now
and for ever.
************************************
Christmas -- In the Night
Collect
God, source of all life, the radiance of your divine light has dawned
upon us in this holy night. Grant that we perceive and keep this mystery
in faith until we shall see your glory unveiled. We ask this through
Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit
lives among us now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in joy and thanksgiving we offer
our gifts and pray: Let us grow into the likeness of your Son whom you
have given us, Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God, close to us, we rejoice over the birth of our Saviour. Grant that
we follow him in all the ways of our lives und come to your eternal joy
through him, Christ, our Lord.
*****************************
Christmas Day I
Collect
All-merciful Father, your Word became flesh and brought us your light.
Help us to pass on this light. We ask this of you, the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life
now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of peace, fill these gifts of the earth with your blessing. Unite us
in this holy meal with your Son and grant us your loving-kindness
through him, Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Merciful God, we give you thanks. As you have given us your Son and
united us with him in this meal, so preserve our joy and our gratitude
through him, Christ, our Lord.
Christmas Day II
Collect BAS *
Prayer over the Gifts
Good God, accept our prayers and offers and this whole world with its
weal and woe for which, out of love, you gave your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God, our Father in heaven, we thank you that you have made us glad by
the birth of your Son and nourished us in this meal. Yours is the glory
for ever.
************
From:Linda_Kraft
Subject: Christmas Day liturgy
LINDA_KRAFT.parti@ecunet.org
Christmas Day, 1999 (* please stand as you are able)
* Proclamation of the Nativity Isaiah 9:6
P: For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the
government will be on his shoulders.
C: And he shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
* Confession and forgiveness of our sin:
P: Gathered in this place to celebrate our Savior's birth, in the presence of God and our neighbors, we confess our brokenness. Most merciful
God:
C: we confess that we are unclean. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as we ought. We are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. For the sake of Jesus, our Lord, forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may rejoice in your good will and walk in your ways to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
P: Almighty God, in mercy, has sent Jesus, the babe in the manger, the Savior on the cross, to die for us and, for his sake, to forgive us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of Christ's church, and by his authority, I declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins,
in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen
* Hymn #55 "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice"
* Greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
* Hymn of Praise #44 "Infant Holy"
* Prayer of the Day
All: Almighty God, you have made yourself known in your Son, Jesus, redeemer of the world. We pray that his birth as a human child will set us free from the old slavery of our sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The First Lesson Isaiah 52:7-10
Hymn #43 "Rejoice This Happy Morn"
The Second Lesson Hebrews 1:1-9
* The Holy Gospel John 1:1-14
* The Gospel Response Hymn20
#50 "Angels, from the Realms of Glory"
The Sermon
A time for the children of all ages and for everyone present to
reflect on God's Word
* Hymn #57 "Let Our Gladness Have No End"
* Nicene Creed Page 84
* Prayers of the People
Petitions close: Let us praise the Lord.
People respond: Glory to God in the highest.
* Exchanging the Peace Please turn to your neighbor and extend your hand
as you offer a word of peace such as, "The Lord's peace be with you."
The Offering
The Offertory: The Lord's table is prepared as gifts are gathered in
preparation for Holy Communion. When the gifts are brought forward we wil
l say:
* All: From all that you have given us, O Lord, we offer this small gift. Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto you, Almighty God, eternal Lord, merciful Father!
* P: Long ago, you made us in your image, Oh Lord, and though we shattered it, in your mercy you sent your Son to restore your image in us. Having suffered for us and died our death, he lives and reigns at your right hand. And so with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending hymn:
* Sanctus (Tune: "Angels We Have Heard on High")
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,
God of Hosts, all praise be given!
All your glory fills the earth,
all your power fills the heavens!
Glo--ri-a in excelsis Deo!
Glo--ri-a in excelsis Deo!
Blessed is the King who came,
bringing love and light divine!
Blessed is the King who comes
in the bread and in the wine!
Glo--ri-a in excelsis Deo!
Glo--ri-a in excelsis Deo!
* The bread and wine are consecrated
* Lord's Prayer (It Came Upon a Midnight Clear)
Our Father, Lord on heav'n's high throne,
Most holy be your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done
on earth - in heav'n the same.
Give us this day the food we need;
Forgiven may we be;
Into temptation do not lead;
From evil set us free.
Yours is the kingdom; unto you
in grateful love we bow;
And yours the pow'r; Lord, let us view,
your mighty presence now.
The glory yours; your praise be sung
by angel hosts and all
In ev'ry land, by ev'ry tongue
Forevermore! Amen.
The Distribution of Holy Communion
All who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are welcome to receive His body and blood at His table. Come forward with hands open and extended. Children may commune if they do so in their own congregation. Anyone who chooses not to receive communion may come forward with hands folded for a blessing. Please follow the guidance of the ushers.
We prepare our hearts to receive our Lord:
(Tune: Once in Royal David's City)
Lamb of God, the world's Redeemer,
Mercy to your people give.
Lamb of God, the world's Redeemer,
May we in your mercy live.
Lamb of God, we all implore,
Grant us peace forevermore.
Distribution Hymns:
#51 verses 1-4 "From Heaven Above"
#45 "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful"
#40 "What Child is This"
* Closing Blessing
* Post-Communion Canticle (Tune: Away in a Manger)
Lord, now in your mercy your servants release
As your Word has promised.
Oh, grant us your peace.
Our eyes your salvation and mercy behold,
Prepared for the nations, as prophets foretold.
A Light to the Gentiles, by whom they now see
The glory of Isr'el, the Promised One he
Who lives now and ever,20
the heaven's bright Sun,
With Father and Spirit eternally One.
* Prayer
All: Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. May we receive him always with Christmas joy; help us to conform our lives to his; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
* Benediction
* Hymn #70 Go Tell It On the Mountain"
* The Sending: Go out into the world taking the Peace of Christmas with
you to everyone you serve.
All: Let it be so! Thanks be to God!