CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
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 at times 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, re-visited 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, thatforgets that you are now here, in the Spirit qf 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 goodShepherd and the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. For his obedience to your saving purpose we are thankful. Thai 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
O sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD,
and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, "The LORD is king!
The world is firmly established;
it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity."
Let the heavens be glad,
and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD;
for he is coming, for he is coming 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 at times 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, re-visited 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, thatforgets that you are now here, in the Spirit qf 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 goodShepherd and the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. For his obedience to your saving purpose we are thankful. Thai 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
O sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD,
and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, "The LORD is king!
The world is firmly established;
it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity."
Let the heavens be glad,
and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD;
for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.
