The Longest Night Service
The Christmas
Spirit
Is that hope
Which
tenaciously clings
To the
hearts of the faithful
And announces
In the face
Of any Herod the world
can produce
And all the inn doors
slammed in our faces
And all the dark nights
of our souls
That with God
All things are possible,
That even now
Unto us
A child is born!
Prelude & Silent Prayer
Luminare ELW page 309
Gathering Hymn "Each
Winter as the Year..." WOV 628
Greeting
Show us
your mercy, Lord.
And grant us your salvation.
The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Lighting of the Advent Candles
This first candle we light to
redeem the pain of loss; the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss
of health. We pause to gather up the pain of the past. We offer it to God,
asking that from His hands we may receive the gift of peace.
Refresh, restore, renew us, O
God, and lead us into your future.
(sing "Light One Candle" ELW 240, verse
1)
This second candle we light to
remember those whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember their name,
their face, their voice, the memory that binds them to us in this season. (You
are encouraged to name them)
May God's eternal love surround them.
(sing "Light One Candle" ELW 240, verse 2)
This
third candle we light to remember ourselves this Christmastime We pause and
remember these past weeks and months; the disbelief, the anger, the down times,
the poignancy of reminiscing, the hugs and handshakes of family and friends,
all those who stood with us. We give thanks for all the support we have known.
Let us remember that dawn
defeats darkness.
(sing "Light One Candle" ELW 240, verse 3)
The fourth candle we light to
remember our faith and the gift of hope which the Christmas story offers to us.
We remember that God, who shares our life, promises us a place and time of no
more pain and suffering.
Let us remember the One who
shows the way, who brings the truth, and who bears the light.
(sing "Light One Candle" ELW 240, verse 3)
Prayer for the Day
Heavenly
Father,
You sent
your Son into a dirty stable, and into the muck and mire of life. He was humbled, to take on human flesh, to
know our weaknesses and infirmities, and to share our struggles with us. Be with us this evening, bearing our sorrows
and burdens, and lift our hearts toward you, that we may know your mercy and
salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Sharing of the Word
Isaiah
40
Luke
2:8-20
The
Sermon
Sermon
Hymn "Healer of Our Every
Litany of Prayer
In the
Spirit of this season let us now confidently ask God for all the things we need:
For
ourselves as we participate in whatever way we can this Christmastime:
God
hear our prayer and in your mercy answer.
For the
persons we have loved that have died, for all the losses that we know, that
they may be redeemed by your Easter promise:
God
hear our prayer and in your mercy answer.
For our
family and friends, that they may know love and peace and happiness in you:
God
hear our prayer and in your mercy answer.
For those
we do not know, who know pain and loneliness is a constant companion, and for
those who live without hope, that they may hear and receive the glad tidings of
your love for them:
God
hear our prayer and in your mercy answer.
For the
peace proclaimed by the Christmas angels, to come throughout the whole world:
God
hear our prayer and in your mercy answer.
~ You are encouraged to share your petitions
at this time,
or to offer them in silent prayer ~
God of
great compassion and love, listen to the prayers of these your people. Grant to
all, especially the bereaved and troubled ones this Christmas, the blessing we
ask in the name of Christ Jesus, your Son.
Amen.
Our Lord Gathers Us Around His Table
The Lord be with you always.
And
also with you.
~the
sharing of the peace shall follow ~
The Offering
Offertory Prayer
God of
grace and mercy,
The
eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. From all that
you have given us, receive these gifts, signs of our thanksgiving and praise.
Fill us with good things at your table, that we may
come to the help of all in need. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving
Words of Institution and the
Lord's Prayer
Response ~sung~
"Jesus
remember me, when you come into your kingdom
...." ELW 616
Distribution Hymns (a Christmas Carol or two is appropriate)
Blessing
Post-Communion Prayer
Benediction
May
Christ, who by His incarnation has filled us and the world with grace and truth
and light, give you peace this Christmas. May Almighty
God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
Amen.
Departing Song "Night
of Silence/Silent Night" Insert
(from 1980 Supplement, GIA)
Dismissal
The coming
of the Lord is near. Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The holidays are billed as a joyous
time of the year. Images of misty-eyed adults singing Silent Night at the
candlelight service and wonder-eyed children on Christmas morning are part of
what comes to mind. The music sings of having a holy jolly Christmas, or paints
the picture of the tender birth scene of our Lord, surrounded by shepherds and
kings, angels and creatures, all basking in the warm glow of an amazing star,
shining bright in the heavens.
For many people, however, the approaching holidays are not
a joyous time. As families gather, the pain of lost family and friends is felt
more sharply. Other losses of relationships, health or jobs cloud our minds.
For some people it is the most depressing time of year.
As the darkness grows around us, there is a battle waged
in many people's lives and in our communities - against depression and loss,
against violence and forces of evil. All of the colored lights, Christmas
cookies and holiday feasts cannot overcome this darkness that surrounds us.
As we gather this evening, we embrace and claim the
darkness that is present both in the world and in our own lives. As people who
are familiar with the darkness, we also know that we gather to be illumined by
the light of the Christ Child this Christmas season. May the Christ Child, born
in a lowly stable, himself an outcast and marginale, bring light, comfort, peace and
joy this holiday season.
Hymns for this service
are from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, available from Augsburg/Fortress
Publishers.