ST. COLUMBA
ANGLICAN-UNITED CHURCH
December 24, 2024
Christmas Eve 7 PM
Lessons and Carols by Candlelight
Worship Leader: Robert Fyles
A warm welcome to one and all on this Holy Night. May you know the hope, peace, joy, and love which are the gifts of the Season.
May you experience the mystery and wonder of this night and know through the stories of scripture, the singing of carols, the offering of prayers, and the company of one another just how much God loves you!
~ Leader: regular font
~ All: bold font
~ Sung words: bold italics
Welcome
Land Acknowledgement
Call to Worship
Tonight is a night of magic and wonder.
Tonight is a night of angelic choirs and star-lit promise.
Tonight is a night of hope and anticipation.
Tonight is a night of expectation and renewal.
Tonight is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Thanks be to God.
Advent Candle Lighting Christmas Eve
(the 4 candles are lit)
Today we kindle the Christ candle
(the central candle is lit)
We welcome the Light of the world come to enlighten us and bring our Salvation
Come, Holy Stranger, bringer of hope, peace, joy, and love; welcome us as we welcome you.
We receive the Light of Christ
Hymn VU 6 A Candle is Burning v 5
We honour Messiah with Christ-candle’s flame,
our Christmas Eve candles glad tidings proclaim.
O come, all you faithful, rejoice in this night
As God comes among us, the Christian’s true light.
Words: Sandra Dean
Prayer VU 39 A Christmas Prayer
Hymn VU 64 O Little Town of Bethlehem v 1, 3, 4
O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessed gift of heaven.
No ear may hear his coming;
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in;
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel.
Scripture Reading Isaiah 9: 2 – 7
Hymn VU 75 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
all seated on the ground,
the angel of the Lord came down,
and glory shone around.
"Fear not," said he, for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind;
"glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and humankind.
"To you, in David's town this day
is born of David's line
a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
and this shall be the sign:
"The heavenly babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
and in a manger laid."
Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
appeared a shining throng
of angels praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song:
"All glory be to God on high,
and on earth be peace;
good will to all from highest heaven
begin and never cease."
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1 – 7
Hymn VU 58 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Infant holy, infant lowly,
for his bed a cattle-stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord for all,
Christ the babe is Lord for all.
Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you,
Christ the babe was born for you.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-20
Hymn VU 60 O Come, All Ye Faithful v 1, 3, 5
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him, born the King of angels:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God in the highest:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Prayer VU 66 A Christmas Prayer
Offertory Hymn VU 68 All Poor Ones and Humble
All poor ones and humble and all those who stumble,
come hastening, and feel not afraid;
for Jesus, our treasure, with love past all measure,
in lowly poor manger was laid.
Though wise men who found him laid rich gifts around him,
yet oxen they gave him their hay,
and Jesus in beauty accepted their duty;
contented in manger he lay.
Then haste we to show him the praises we owe him;
our service he neʼer can despise;
whose love still is able to show us that stable,
where softly in manger he lies.
The Christ Child will lead us, the Good Shepherd feed us
and with us abide till his day.
Then hatred he'll banish; then sorrow will vanish,
and death and despair flee away.
And he shall reign ever, and nothing shall sever
from us the great love of our King;
his peace and his pity shall bless his fair city;
his praises we ever shall sing.
Then haste we to show him the praises we owe him;
our service he neʼer can despise;
whose love still is able to show us that stable,
where softly in manger he lies.
Prayer over the Gifts
Hymn VU 69 Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay
close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
Scripture Reading: John 1:1 – 14
Message: Keep the Heavenly Host in Christmas by Rev. Ryan Slifka
Hymn VU 59 Joy to the World
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 world! the Savior reigns:
let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground:
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the earth with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
Prayers of the People
God of Love, in this time of waiting for your Spirit ...
For those who need to be reminded of the wideness of your love and mercy…
Spirit of Hope, in a time of busyness ...
...That we might work together
To share the good news with those around and beyond us.
God of Peace, let us pray for peace. ...
...for the turning of swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.
Creator of Joy, we wait with excitement and impatience. Surround us with your stillness, quiet us with your spirit, that we might be ready to receive the light of the world
Let us offer our own petitions, aloud or in silence, trusting in God’s wisdom and compassion…..
Father, receive we pray the prayers of your people. Grant that we may not only understand the things we ought to do but have the grace and power to do them. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Hymn VU 67 Silent Night (light candles)
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.
Blessing
Liturgical sources:
Advent Candle lighting by Don Stiles, GatheringWorship.ca 2018
Message: by Rev. Ryan Slifka from Broadview’s Best Christmas Sermon Ever Contest, third place. © November 29, 2024 https://broadview.org/keep-the-heavenly-host-in-christmas/
Prayers of the People: Celebrate God's Presence: a book of services for the United Church of Canada © 2000 United Church of Canada, altered.
Call to Worship: Gathering Worship Advent Christmas 2014
Prayer VU 39 Book of Common Prayer 1661, altered
Prayer VU 66 Robert Stark Worship for All Season 1
Music copyright:
Words for hymns reprinted, streamed and/or podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 or CCLI License # 11033010. All rights reserved.
Voices United 6 A Candle Is Burning Words: Sandra Dean, 1986, Music: James R. Murray, 1887. Words copyright © 1986 Sandra Dean. Reprinted, streamed and/or podcast with permission on file from Sandra Dean. All rights reserved.
Voices United 64 O Little Town of Bethlehem Words: Phillips Brooks, 1868 Music: Lewis Henry Redner, 1868. Copyright: Public domain.
Voices United 60 O Come All Ye Faithful Words: Latin, John Francis Wade, ca. 1743, English, Frederick Oakeley; Music: attrib. John Francis Wade, ca. 1743. Copyright: Public domain.
Voices United 75 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks Words: Nahum Tate, 1700, altered, Music: adapt. From Este’s Whole Booke of Psalmes, 1592. Copyright: Public domain.
Voices United 58 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Words: Polish carol; translated and paraphrased Edith M.G. Reed, 192, Music: Polish folk melody; harmony A. E. Rusbridge, 1960. Words and music copyright: Public domain. Harmony copyright © 1960 A. E. Rusbridge (1917-1969). Used by permission of Rosalind Rusbridge. All rights reserved.
Voices United 68 All Poor Ones and Humble Words: v. 1 Katherine Emily Roberts 1927; v. 2 William Thomas Pennar Davies 1951 Music: Welsh carol; harmony Erik Routley 1951. Words copyright © 1928 Oxford University Press (v.1); © 1951 Estate of W.T. Pennar Davies (1911-1996) (v.2). Harmony copyright © 1951 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 music (#58064) and words (#89840). All rights reserved.
Voices United 69 Away in a Manger Words: Author unknown Music: William James Kirkpatrick 1895; arr. Desmond Hassell, 1992. Copyright: Public domain.
Voices United 59 Joy to the World Words: Isaac Watts, 1719, alt. Music: attrib. George Frideric Handel 1742; arr. Lowell Mason, 1836 Copyright: Public domain.
Voices United 67 Silent Night Words: Joseph Mohr, 1818; trans. John Freeman Young, 1863. Music: Franz Xavier Gruber, 1818. Copyright: Public domain.
