Beacon Online Worship Outline 12/24/20 Christmas Eve

(A Sanctified Art)

We hope you join us for worship, either live-streaming on our Youtube Channel or via zoom. Email info@thewordatbeacon.org for zoom info.

Gathering Time (unmuted)

Feel free to say hi and check in with others before the service begins!

Welcome/Announcements

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

For the yoke of their burden,

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For all the boots of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold it with justice

and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Lighting the Advent Candles

This Christmas, we light one candle for Christ. Because the world is broken and the wait is long, but Christ is with us through it all. From a humble manger to a convict's cross to resurrected, everlasting life, the Incarnate God walks with us.

“Glory to God in the Highest heaven, and peace to all on earth.” We light one candle, because it only takes one: Christ with us.

Song: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear

That glorious song of old

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold

"Peace on the earth, good will to men

From heaven's all gracious King;

The world in solemn stillness lay,

To hear the angels sing

Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled,

And still their heavenly music floats

O'er all the weary world

Above its sad and lowly plains

They bend on hovering wing;

And ever o'er its Babel sounds

The blessed angels sing

O ye, beneath life's crushing load

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow

Look now! for glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing;

O rest beside the weary road

And hear the angels sing

Prayers of the People

(Remain muted and read liturgy aloud at home)

Leader: Loving God, we come to you seeking peace, comfort, strength, and growth. Yet we struggle to believe your Word when you say that you came into this world for us. We trust in scarcity and fear more than we trust in you. We turn away from you and from our neighbors, forgetting that our lives are bound up in one another.

We remember those who are the victims of injustice and we pray for perpetrators of violence to be held accountable. We confess the roles we play in propping up unjust systems. Call us back into right relationship with you and with neighbor. Open our hearts to listen to the echoes of the shepherds’ and angels’ songs of praise and wonder. May we always be listening for your voice amidst the chaos. May we trust in your love more than anything else.

Leader: God of compassion, mercy, and love,

All: Hear our prayers and make us brave and kind.

We pray all this in the name of our Savior born to us this day, who would grow up to teach us words to pray when all ours have run out:

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 debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the Kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory, forever,

Amen.

Leader: The Good News is that Christ has come and Christ will come again.

All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.

Song: Silent Night

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.

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.

The Nativity Story (Luke 2:1-20)

Song: O Come All Ye Faithful

O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant

Oh come ye O come ye to Bethlehem;

come and behold him, born the King of angels;

Chorus:

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, glory in the highest

Chorus

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,

born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be glory given;

word of the Father, now in flesh appearing

Chorus

Homily

Song: O Holy Night

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;

It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night divine O night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His Gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His Name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy Name!

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Offering

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To give your prayers, email us at info@thewordatbeacon.org

Song: 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 earth! the Saviour 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 if 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.

Sending/Blessing (from John 1:1-5)

(Remain muted and read liturgy aloud at home)

All: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Leader: The steadfast love of God goes with you, the deep and abiding peace of Christ goes with you, and the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit goes with you, now and always. Amen.

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