Star Street in Bethlehem

(▲Rise in body or in spirit)(Responses in bold)

WE GATHER AS PEOPLE OF GOD’S LIGHT

Words of Welcome

Acknowledging the Territory

As we gather this evening,let us pause to remember, that in this region,

we live and work and worship on landsthat are the un-ceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people.

May we live with respect on this land,and live in peace with its people.

Threshold Moment

Call to Worship

Why do we gather here, on a night so beautifully dark and quiet?

To celebrate the birth of a child.Who is the child that is born this night?

The One, the Christ, the God-with-Us.Who are we, that we commemorate this birth?

His sisters and brothers and siblings, his disciples and friends.

Then, as family and friends, let us come together,to tell stories and sing songs, to share in the feast of thanksgiving…

to celebrate and worship our God!

Opening Prayer (Together)

Loving and gracious God, we thank you once again for the gift of Jesus Christ born in us tonight. May the hope he brought be with us in all things. May the peace he promised become a reality in our world. May the joy of his forgiveness be experienced by each one of us here. May the love he

showed be mirrored in our lives and in our life together. Amen.

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Lighting the Candles

Tonight we light all five candles: for Peace, Joy, Love and Hopeand one to represent the presence of God’s light through Jesus Christ.

This season, these candles have reminded us of the light of the star that shone over Bethlehem for all to see.

God-with-Us, Emmanuel, we open ourselves to you this night,

to become those who help to shine that light of Christ wherever we are–in our lives, our families, our communities, and our world.

Sung Response – Silent Night Tune

Candle light, sacred light.Mystery flames, burning bright

Hope, joy and peace are the gifts of this night.Love poured out over all within sight.

Shine your light in our world; shine your light in our world

▲Hymn – Joy to the World VU # 59

Joy to the world! the Lord is come:let earth receive her 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 all their songs employ,

while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plainsrepeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,

repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the earth with truth and grace,and makes the nations prove

the glories of his righteousnessand wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,

and wonders, wonders of his love.

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WITNESS TO THE LIGHT IN WORD

The Story of Christmas – Retold

Reflective Music

RESPONDING TO GOD’S LIGHT IN LOVE

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

The Invitation

Confession and Assurance

▲Sharing the Peace of Christ

The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

▲Communion Hymn – Come and Gather at the Stable

Come and gather, at the stableThey have journeyed far from home

Mary, Joseph, young and ableTravelled ways as yet unknownWith a dream of untold promise

That great things would come to passIn the sureness of God’s blessingThey found peace and rest at last.

Come and gather, round the mangerWhere the Christ child gently lays.

Open up our hearts to wonderAt the glory of that day.

Visit him with thanks and promise,Peace and hope and love and joy

Take them daily into livingWrapped up in a baby boy.

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Come and gather, at the tableWhere we seek him once again

Let us enter into mysteryNeeded now as needed then.

In the breaking of the sweet breadIn the pouring of the wine,

We meet him again among usWith a love so dear, divine.

Come and gather, in his footstepsWe will tread where he once went

With the lost and lonely peopleNow to them we’re also sent

Loving, working, tending, caringIn our Saviour’s name we prayIn our work and in our worship

We find hope in every day.

The Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise!

Holy God, in the beginning you called out, “Let there be light!”And there was light!

Just as your light of creation spread in response,so too does your light rise each day,

offering us a new chance to make today a little brighter than yesterday.When we feel overcome or succumb to the dark night of our souls,

you offer us a way back into the light of hope.And so we praise you:

You are the Light. You are our God,piercing the dark night.Bless’d are the ones,

shining their lights, now in your name!

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A star appeared on a silent and holy nightand brought with it your presence

in the form of a baby.This holy infant, tender and mild, was a sign of new life,

a sign of holy vulnerability,a sign of your presence in our human form.

This would be the light that showed forth the truth that all humanity IS belovedand called us to care for each one AS beloved.

The grown Jesus gathered people around tables and showed them their radiance.

Jesus gathers us around this table and says,“This bread and this cup are my life and light for you.

And because I shine in you, let your light shine for the world.”And so we offer ourselves in union with Christ’s offering of salvation:

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Prayers of the Gathered Community & the Lord’s Prayer

Breaking the Bread and Pouring the Cup

Prayer for Transformation

Pour out your Spirit on us and on these gifts. Transform us into the Light of your Love for all

and make us one in you.Thanks and praise be to

the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer! Amen!

Communion will be served at the front and there is a gluten free option. You are invited to come forward, place your offering in the manger, receive communion, and collect a candle and make a circle around the sanctuary.

Sharing the Bread and Cup

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Prayer Following Communion

We came to the table seeking and searching, we came hungry and wanting.

We came in need of celebration, inspiration, and vision. You have fed and nourished us, filled and sated us;

you meet our needs. We are gifted and fed, lifted and inspired. We go into your world to live in your love.

Thanks be to you! Amen.

GOING OUT IN CHRIST’S SPIRIT – SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

▲Silent Night VU # 67

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 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.

▲Christmas Blessing

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All of us at Nine Mile River United Church wish you a Christmas Season filled with

hope, joy, peace and love.The office is closed until January 2, 2019

in recognition of the extra hours that our minister and administrator put in during the lead up to Christmas.

If there is a pastoral emergency, please call Rev. Catherine MacDonald @ 902-483-1422

Next Sunday, December 30, 2018 @ 10 am The Story of Baboushka, along with A Carol Sing!

Potluck Brunch to follow.We hope to see you there!

Call to Worship – Richard BottCalm & Bright Liturgy– Marcia McFee

Come and Gather at the Stable – Catherine MacDonaldStar Street Photo – Steve Berube

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