TRINITY UNITED CHURCH New Glasgow, Nova Scotia December 24, 2019 Christmas Eve Family Service Prelude Focus on Community and Passing the peace Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful VU 60 Opening sentences: A woman expecting, a man accompanying, an ordinary moment and God slips in. A shepherd on a hillside, a sky full of stars, an ordinary night, and God slips in. A town full of tourists, a commercial opportunity, road weary travellers, and God slips in. A baby’s first cry, a mother exhausted, loves first sight, and God slips in. Mystery surrounding, everything is new, a moment to ponder, God among us, God with us, God beyond our dreaming, God’s presence slips in. Opening Prayer: O God, we gather as we anticipate the birth. Like a dancer waiting to make the next movement, we center ourselves, extending our arms, reaching toward your light in the shadows of night. May our hands be open to receive you among the ordinary, the poor, curious, hopeful; all who show up to see the Christ Child, with their need and their dreams. Interrupted with this simple birth, may we pay attention to the signs of your presence, and rest in your abundant love. Amen. Lighting of the Christ Candle: In a life revolving around the mundane, we are called to wonder, and sacred mystery surrounds us. We remember the weeks of waiting, of hoping and longing for peace, of embracing joy and extending love. We light these first four candles again, and we remember. We’ve come to the anticipated evening. May we remain filled with wonder, as the Christ candle glows. Hymn: A Candle is Burning VU 6 Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7 Special Music: The Trumpet Shall Sound from Handel’s Messiah Nick Higgs, Luke Henderson, Karen Crowley Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 Special Music: Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow Mark Hayes Music Team: Lori Miller, Jane Jones, Charlie Tourneur, Eoin Dewar Learning Time: Dramatic Dialogue: “The Innkeepers Reflection” Mary Henderson and Luke Henderson Special Music: The Glory of Christmas Lloyd Larson Trinity Choir Offering: Offertory Pastoral Prayer and Our Lord’s Prayer Hymn: Joy to the World VU 59 Blessing: Let us go from this place tonight, mindful of how we might make room for God to slip in. May we never be so self focussed that our vision of the holy is narrowed. May we go forth remembering that God is with us. Let’s leave feeling the blessing of hope, peace, joy and love and spread the good news throughout the world. Amen. Please join us tonight at 10pm for a reflective candlelight service. “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” Martin Luther King Jr.