CHRISTMAS EVE
Prayer
Psalms And Prayers For Congregational Participation
CALL TO WORSHIP
Silence, everyone, in the presence of God, who has come out of the sanctuary of heaven.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of all worlds, ours seems like an abandoned one. We share in its sin, its darkness and its despair. We feel that you have left us alone to find our own way out of the mess we have made of things. We have forgotten that the world was created by you, revisited by you in jesus christ, and is still yours, a dwelling place of your choice for your spirit. Forgive the belief that you are nowhere, that forgets that you are now here, in the spirit of jesus christ. Amen
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! The Lord has come, and is coming again. Let the peace of God keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Friends, believe the Good News! IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
The Lord is near. Have no anxiety, but in everything make your requests known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
CHILD OF BETHLEHEM, MAN OF NAZARETH, CHRIST OF GOD, WITH MARY WE TREASURE THE STORIES OF YOUR BIRTH AND PONDER OVER THESE THINGS. MAY THE CELEBRATION OF YOUR BIRTH, BOTH IN THIS PLACE AND IN OUR SOCiAL CIRCLES, BRING GLORY AND PRAISE TO YOUR NAME. AMEN
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Shepherd of israel, lamb of god, keeper of christ's flock, with bethlehem shepherds of old, we come to see what has happened and consider what has been made known to us. We rejoice in the birth of this child jesus who embodies both the good shepherd and the lamb of god that takes away the sin of the world. For his obedience to your saving purpose we are thankful, that you become involved in the sin and suffering of our world, we are astonished. That you continue to draw us together as your flock by the spirit. We are comforted. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Not often enough, o god, do we offer you the gift of our silence, in adoration, in attentiveness, in anticipation of your directions. Receive us in this solemn moment, and in such times of silence as we find for you in the days to come. Amen
PSALM 96
Sing to the Lord a new song;
SING TO THE LORD, ALL THE WHOLE EARTH.
Sing to the Lord and bless his name;
PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF HIS SALVATION FROM DAY TO DAY.
Declare his glory among the nations
AND HIS WONDERS AMONG ALL PEOPLES.
For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
HE IS MORE TO BE FEARED THAN ALL GODS.
As for all the gods of the nations, they are idols;
BUT IT IS THE LORD WHO MADE THE HEAVENS.
Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence!
OH, THE POWER AND THE SPLENDOR OF HIS SANCTUARY!
Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples;
ASCRIBE TO THE LORD HONOR AND POWER.
Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name;
BRING OFFERINGS AND COME INTO HIS COURTS.
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
LET THE WHOLE EARTH TREMBLE BEFORE HIM.
Tell it out among the nations: "The Lord is King!
HE HAS MADE THE WORLD SO FIRM THAT IT CANNOT BE MOVED;
He will judge the peoples with equity."
LET THE HEAVENS REJOICE,
And let the earth be glad;
LET THE SEA THUNDER AND ALL THAT IS IN IT;
Let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
THEN SHALL ALL THE TREES OF THE WOOD SHOUT FOR JOY BEFORE THE LORD WHEN HE COMES.
When he comes to judge the earth, he will judge the world with righteousness.
AND THE PEOPLES WITH HIS TRUTH.
Silence, everyone, in the presence of God, who has come out of the sanctuary of heaven.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of all worlds, ours seems like an abandoned one. We share in its sin, its darkness and its despair. We feel that you have left us alone to find our own way out of the mess we have made of things. We have forgotten that the world was created by you, revisited by you in jesus christ, and is still yours, a dwelling place of your choice for your spirit. Forgive the belief that you are nowhere, that forgets that you are now here, in the spirit of jesus christ. Amen
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! The Lord has come, and is coming again. Let the peace of God keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Friends, believe the Good News! IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
The Lord is near. Have no anxiety, but in everything make your requests known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
CHILD OF BETHLEHEM, MAN OF NAZARETH, CHRIST OF GOD, WITH MARY WE TREASURE THE STORIES OF YOUR BIRTH AND PONDER OVER THESE THINGS. MAY THE CELEBRATION OF YOUR BIRTH, BOTH IN THIS PLACE AND IN OUR SOCiAL CIRCLES, BRING GLORY AND PRAISE TO YOUR NAME. AMEN
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Shepherd of israel, lamb of god, keeper of christ's flock, with bethlehem shepherds of old, we come to see what has happened and consider what has been made known to us. We rejoice in the birth of this child jesus who embodies both the good shepherd and the lamb of god that takes away the sin of the world. For his obedience to your saving purpose we are thankful, that you become involved in the sin and suffering of our world, we are astonished. That you continue to draw us together as your flock by the spirit. We are comforted. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Not often enough, o god, do we offer you the gift of our silence, in adoration, in attentiveness, in anticipation of your directions. Receive us in this solemn moment, and in such times of silence as we find for you in the days to come. Amen
PSALM 96
Sing to the Lord a new song;
SING TO THE LORD, ALL THE WHOLE EARTH.
Sing to the Lord and bless his name;
PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF HIS SALVATION FROM DAY TO DAY.
Declare his glory among the nations
AND HIS WONDERS AMONG ALL PEOPLES.
For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
HE IS MORE TO BE FEARED THAN ALL GODS.
As for all the gods of the nations, they are idols;
BUT IT IS THE LORD WHO MADE THE HEAVENS.
Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence!
OH, THE POWER AND THE SPLENDOR OF HIS SANCTUARY!
Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples;
ASCRIBE TO THE LORD HONOR AND POWER.
Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name;
BRING OFFERINGS AND COME INTO HIS COURTS.
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
LET THE WHOLE EARTH TREMBLE BEFORE HIM.
Tell it out among the nations: "The Lord is King!
HE HAS MADE THE WORLD SO FIRM THAT IT CANNOT BE MOVED;
He will judge the peoples with equity."
LET THE HEAVENS REJOICE,
And let the earth be glad;
LET THE SEA THUNDER AND ALL THAT IS IN IT;
Let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
THEN SHALL ALL THE TREES OF THE WOOD SHOUT FOR JOY BEFORE THE LORD WHEN HE COMES.
When he comes to judge the earth, he will judge the world with righteousness.
AND THE PEOPLES WITH HIS TRUTH.
