BURTON JOYCE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
A simple service for Christmas Eve
All the carols are in Songs of Fellowship (SoF)
God says to us, “Be still and know that I am God”
O Lord, you are with us. We remember your birth, life, death and resurrection and we are waiting for you to come. The angels of God guard us through the night and the Spirit of God be our guide.
We sing: Silent night (SoF 498)
As we wait, we read Psalm 4.
Our help is in the name of the eternal God who is making over afresh both the heavens and the earth. Amen
We sing: While shepherds watched their flocks by night (SoF 602)
As we wait, we pray: Our Father
O God, Companion and Bright Evening Star,
We repent the wrongs we have done. Heal us
We stumble in the dark. Walk with us
We sing: O little town of Bethlehem (SoF 420)
As we wait, we give thanks.
Dear God, we thank you for creation and for humanity, for gifts of life, for one another and for your love unbound and eternal.
We pray for our world. O Lord, hear us. Mercifully hear us
We sing: It came upon the midnight clear (SoF 251)
Lord, it is night. After a long day, we wait. It is still & dark & quiet.
The night heralds a new dawn. We look expectant for the new day
Son of God, light that shines in the darkness, child of joy and peace, help us to come to you and be born anew this holy night. Amen
Blessing
O God, bless us and keep us and make your face to shine upon us and give us your peace. In the name of Jesus, the coming One. Amen
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COMMUNITY CHURCH
Friday 25th December 2020
Christmas Day
A short service. The carols are all in Songs of Fellowship (SoF)
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
As we light the Christmas candle, let us pray:
Welcome Jesus, our humble and gentle Saviour, come to Bethlehem, where we have loved and fought and longed for peace, a peace the world can never give. We ask you now for your peace and love and gentleness and the courage to live our lives in your Way. Amen
We sing: The first Nowell (Sof 529)
A baby in a stable brings joy to all the earth
He comes, our Lord Emmanuel. We celebrate his birth
Son of God, Child of Mary, be born in us today that through us the world may know the wonder of your love. Amen
We sing: See amid the winter’s snow (SoF 489)
Readings: Hebrews 1, 1-9 and John 1, 1-14
Jesus shows us what God is like: “full of grace and truth”, as John says. If we want a better world, we need God and Jesus on our side.
We sing: Once in Royal David’s city (SoF 438)
We pray for our world. Give grace and truth to people everywhere
When our path is menaced by shadows
Encircle us, Lord. Keep light within. Keep darkness out.
When our path is troubled by conflict
Encircle us, Lord. Keep love close. Keep hatred far away.
When our path is threatened by worry
Encircle us, Lord. Keep peace among us. Banish all our fears.
O Lord, hear our prayer. And let our cry come to you. Amen
We sing: O, come all ye faithful (SoF 408)
Blessing
The peace of God that passes all understanding be with you and in you today and every day as you walk in the way of Christ. Amen
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