Worship for the
Longest Night
In the middle of the night, when stark night was darkest,
Then you chose to come.
God’s resplendent first-born sent to make us one.
The voices of doom protest:
“All these words about justice, love and peace—
All these naïve words will buckle beneath the weight
of a reality which is brutal and bitter, ever more bitter.”
It is true, Lord, it is
moonless night and starved of stars.
But can we forget that You, the son of God, chose to be born
precisely at
-Dom Helder Camara
Words of Welcome
Rev. Heather Kirk-Davidoff
Leader:
Jesus said, “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I
will give you rest.” And so we invite
each other to this time of peaceful worship.
Flee for a while from your tasks;
People: Hide yourself for a little space from the
turmoil of your thoughts.
Leader:
Come, cast aside your burdensome cares and put aside your laborious
pursuits.
All: Give your time to God, and rest in God for a
little while.
Hymn “O
Come, O Come Emmanuel” (insert)
Holy and
Gracious God, you have searched us and you know us, and so you know how
difficult it is for us to be whole-hearted in our celebration of your Good
News. There are parts of us which will
not listen to the angel’s song—we believe their tidings of great joy are for
some people but not for us. We grieve,
God, and we hold tight to our sorrows. And so we confess, not our pain, but our
embrace of it and our stubborn refusal of your grace and love.
Forgive
us, God. Continue to love us, we pray,
and help us finally to hear your assurance that you travel beside us, and you
will help carry our burdens. Amen.
Scripture Micah
5:2-5a
Reflection “The Longest Night” Greg Morisse
Anthem “Thy Word” by
Amy Grant Solo
After each intercession spoken by the minister, we invite you to sing the setting of “Kyrie” from Taize which is reprinted in this bulletin.
Leader:
“In him was life, and the life was the light of all.
People: The light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness has not overcome it.”
Leader:
Beloved, this is the joyful feast of the people of God. Men and women, youth and children, come from
the east and the west, from the north and the south, and gather about Christ’s
table. Come, not because you must, but
because you may, not because you are worthy, but because you are forgiven.
People: From his fullness have we all received, grace
upon grace.
Our table is open to all who, in faith, wish to share in the sacrament. You are invited to come forward and receive a piece of bread, and then dip the bread in the cup which contains grape juice. If you would prefer to receive communion in your pew, please feel free to remain seated, and we will come and serve you.
Hymn and Scripture “Silent Night”
After you return to your pew, please join us in singing “Silent Night”, reprinted in this bulletin. Between each verse, please pause for a brief reading of scripture. The readings are Isaiah 40:28-31, Psalm 121, and John 1:1-5, 10-14, 16-18.
Litany of Affirmation (“First Coming” by Madeleine L’Engle)
Leader:
God did not wait till the world was ready, till...nations were at peace.
People: God came when the Heavens were unsteady and
prisoners cried out for release.
Leader:
God did not wait for the perfect time.
People: God came when the need was deep and
great. God dined with sinners in all their
grime, turned water into wine.
Leader:
God did not wait till hearts were pure.
People: In joy God came to a tarnished world of sin
and doubt. To a world like ours, of
anguished shame, God came and God’s Light would not go out.
Leader:
God came to a world which did not mesh; to heal its tangles, shield its
scorn.
People: In the mystery of the Word made Flesh, the
maker of the stars was born.
Leader:
We cannot wait till the world is sane to raise our songs with joyful
voice, or to share our grief, to touch our pain,
All:
God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Hymn “O
Come, All Ye Faithful” (insert)