Tuesday, December 24th - Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m.
They rejoiced with exceeding great joy
Matthew 2:10
Prelude Lo, how a Rose arr. J.Brahms
O little town of Bethlehem arr. D. Janzer
Away in a manger arr. H.B.Cabena
Call to Worship
159 Oh come, all ye faithful
Prayer of Approach
Gracious God, with joy and thanksgiving we gather as your people, new friends and old friends. We have come to hear again the timeless story of Christ's birth. In the excitement of this night, quiet our hearts that we may know the peace and fullness of this holy time. Shine your light in the darkness of our world. Receive us, hear us, encourage us as we now declare: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will to all." This we pray in the name of the Child of Bethlehem. Amen.
Words of Assurance
(noting Psalm 139:11-12, Isaiah 60:1)
Hear the Good News of the psalmist’s proclamation:
If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
and the light around me will be night,
even the darkness is not dark to God,
and the night is as bright as the day.”
The God who promised never to leave us or forsake us
has come to us in Jesus Christ
who binds up the broken-hearted,
heals all our infirmities and relieves our burden of sin.
So, arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Thanks be to God!
Greeting
…bring you good tidings of great joy! Luke 2:10
133 Go tell it on the mountain
The Christ Candle
Nadia Devries
This evening is ours to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Even as a light so brightly shone when Jesus was born, so also may we shine the light of His love with our every word and way. May our lives be living reminders of the new life made real by the boy in the manger. May the warmth of Christ comfort and strengthen us and all.
149 Away in a manger
THE MERRY CHRISTMAS
147 Angels we have heard on high
MARY AND JOSPEPH
Luke 1:26-38
Of the Father’s heart begotten arr. D. Willcocks
JESUS IS BORN!
Luke 2:1-7
Il est ne’ (He is born) arr. F.E.W. Gingrich
SHEPHERDS GET GOOD NEWS!
Luke 2:9-14
Come all ye shepherds arr. F.E.W. Gingrich
Recorder: Henry Muth
THE LIGHT
Matthew 2:1-11
173 We three kings
We Bring our Gifts
Offertory
Pastoral Symphony (from Messiah) G.F. Handel
Recorder: Henry Muth
Doxology (to the tune of The First Noel)
Praise God for gifts of hope and peace.
Praise God for gifts of joy and love.
Praise God for sending Christ to dwell
on earth for us Emmanuel.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel.
God is with us, Emmanuel.
Prayer of Dedication
O God of Hope, God of Peace, God of Joy, God of Love, we pray you bless these gifts, that they might become a blessing to this world you love so very much. May those who receive them know that you are with them, in this holy season and in all their days to come. In the name of the child of Bethlehem, Emmanuel the light of the world, we pray. Amen.
Anthem: O holy night arr. F.E.W. Gingrich
Prayers of the People this Christmas Eve
On this holy night in which God joins heaven and earth, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, for all those in need and for each other.
Gracious and loving God, giver of the greatest gift of all, we thank you for this holy night. We thank you for the beauty of your world and the wisdom of your word and way. We thank you for excited children, hopeful hearts, and joyful friends, old and new. We thank you for circles of belonging gathered in love. Most of all, we thank you for the gift of Jesus. By his manger, beneath his cross, we pray for peace on earth good will to all. Be with all who are suffering, sick, fretful and afraid. Bring healing and wholeness. Be with all who are sad and sorrowful. Shine the light of your love on them, and on us. Hear us now as we pray together:
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
154 Silent night
Commission
May the light that began at creation, continued through the witness of the prophets, and has come to fullness at the birth of Jesus Christ, be in your hearts and minds this evening. As you go from this sanctuary of faith may your spirits be filled with all that is the Good News of Jesus: for in Him God’s precious light has been given for you. Go in peace and know that God’s peace always goes with you.
Benediction
Postlude
Carillon on “Come all ye shepherds” arr. G. Young
Donate Online via debit or credit
Cheques:
St. Andrew’s Guelph, 161 Norfolk Street, Guelph, ON N1H 4J8
Presbyterians Sharing is how we support our denomination as a whole. Your gifts the variety of missions and ministries that The Presbyterian Church in Canada supports throughout Canada. It also ensures that we are well resources by our National Office staff.
If you are able, the MOCC would encourage you to consider donating to Presbyterians Sharing. You can do so by clicking here. (Make sure that you indicate that you are from St. Andrew’s Guelph on the online form in order for it to count towards our commitment)
Or you can make a donation directly to Presbyterians Sharing through St. Andrew’s Guelph. Please mark your donation: Presbyterians Sharing.
We are making a difference TOGETHER.
If you’d like to make a donation to Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D) you can do so by clicking here.
We gather on the traditional territory of the Wendat, the Anishnaabeg and the Haudenosaunee Peoples. We are also on lands that are part of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum. We live and work, worship, learn and meet on lands that are the traditional territory of many different Indigenous Peoples who were here before the establishment of European colonies.
