Order of Service – Monday 25 December 2023 – CHRISTMAS

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CALL TO WORSHIP

Here we meet.  Here we encounter. Here we worship God.

Here we will encounter Christ, born amongst all of creation.

Here we will celebrate the Light of the World, born amongst us this day.

Here we will give thanks for the Word made Flesh. 

Here we will meet our Redeemer and our King. Here will experience Hope and Peace, the Joy and Love of Christ

Here we will worship God.

We gather in Hope, for God is with us, even when hopefulness struggles to take root in our world.

We gather in Peace, for Jesus, Prince of Peace, is with us, even when peace seems overtaken by war and violence.

We gather in Love, as the Spirit weaves amongst us, even though hate seeks to take hold in the world.

We are not alone. Let us worship God.

HYMN:       309       “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” (Tune 142)

RESPONSIVE READING –                                                                     

O Lord our God, we thank You for the birth of Your Son Jesus Christ, Your incarnate Word who hallows life in this world.

We hail the Prince, the King of kings, who comes into our world to reconcile us with You and one another.

On this day of days, we marvel at Your wisdom, Your coming among us as one of us. This is a mystery beyond our comprehension.

We can only stand in awe and thank You for Your great and perfect gift to us.

Help us to be grateful on this anniversary of Your Son’s birth.

Grant that He may be born in us that we may share His joy and peace and be strengthened to worship and serve You.

Grant that His light and goodness remove the darkness of sin and enlighten our hearts with His love.

Grant that He may bring us joy in the good news of this day.

Almighty God, we thank You that you loved the world so much that You gave Your only begotten Son for the salvation of humankind.

Grant us wisdom and grace to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and proclaim Him as “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. Amen!

HYMN:       268       “Joy to the World! The Lord is Come”

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

As we light our Christ Candle, we celebrate You as the light of the world.

We light the Christ Candle and remind ourselves of the ways You Shine Your Light in our lives and commit ourselves to shine brightly as we join with You in loving our world this Christmas Day.

This is the candle of Christ.

ADVENT PRAYER

Loving God, we open ourselves to You, trusting that this is how You made us: You created and formed us for joy-filled hearts and lives. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that comes from justice. Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained but must be shared. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by You so we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen!

HYMN:       316       “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

PRAYER

Gracious Father, who has declared love by the birth of Your Holy Child in Bethlehem, help us to welcome Him with gladness and to make room for Him in our life, so that we may live at peace with one another and in good will with all Your family; through Jesus Christ.

O heavenly Father, send into our hearts and in the hearts of all people everywhere the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

                                                                 John Oxenham 1861-1941

BIBLE READINGS –                                                           Penny Goodley

Isaiah 9:2-7 (Page 683)                                      John 1:1-218 (Page 1049)

MUSICAL REFLECTION

MESSAGE:                 “The Light of the World”        Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       675       “Lord the Light of Your Love is Shining”

OFFERING  –   In enthusiasm and hope, in humility and community, in

                              trust and expectation, we make our offering to God.

DEDICATION of OFFERING

Loving God, our offerings are small, but all things are possible with You. Use us and our gifts to spread the good news, that Jesus is the Light of the World. As our small community joins thousands of other communities to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate in Christ’s Love, may we help create a world free from war, terror and fear. We pray in the name of the one who was born in a stable. Amen!

HYMN:       313       “Good Christians All, Rejoice”

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION (Prayer for Refugees)

We pause, loving God, amidst the celebration and joy of this day. We pause and remember those born in refugee camps; those born between countries and those who grow up in temporary spaces of safety.

We pray for all the refugees all over the world, especially the young children.

We are thankful for the various programs and work of all the charities and humanitarian organisations and their commitment to provide shelter, food and support to refugees everywhere.

We pray that those displaced and seeking a safe place to belong, experience Your deep Love this Christmas.

Bless them as we join together in praying the prayer Jesus taught us:

Our Father ….

HYMN:     768 (i)     “Praise God, from whom All Blessings Flow”

SENDING OUT

Go from this place filled with excitement for how God is present in our world. Go now, as people of God.

We go assured that God is love and present with us and all of creation.

We go to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Go now, held in the loving hands of God Most High.

Go now and follow Christ in all things.

Go now, in the love and fellowship of the Holy Spirit.  Amen!

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To contact Krikor call 9453 0787 or 0418 417 411

Church Website:  http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au

Church email: standrewsunite@tpg.com.au

Church Office phone: 9427 4740