1. Call to Worship

    One:
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by God, and without God nothing came to be. What came to be through God was life, and this life was the light of the world.

    All:
    The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

  2. O Little Town of Bethlehem

    1. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
      Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
      Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light
      The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

    2. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
      While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love
      O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth
      And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

    3. How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is given;
      So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
      No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin
      Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.

    4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray
      Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us this day
      We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell
      O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

    3. Psalm 22

    One:
    My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, so far from the words of my groaning?

    All:
    O my God, I cry by day but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

    One:
    In you, our ancestors trusted. They trusted and you delivered them.

    All:
    It was you who brought me from the womb, you who kept me safe on my mother's breast.

    One:
    Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

    All:
    God does not despise the affliction of the afflicted.
    God does not hide from me.
    When I cry to God, God hears me.
    Thanks be to God.

    Psalm 23

    All:
    The LORD is my shepherd;
    I shall not want.
    He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
    he leadeth me beside the still waters.
    He restoreth my soul;
    he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake.
    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
    for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
    Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
    thou anointest my head with oil;
    my cup runneth over.
    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
    and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

  4. Music Interlude

  5. Litany of Remembrance

    (The first candle is lighted.)

    One:
    We light this first candle…when all Creation waits for the Light.

    All:
    We remember them with love. May God's eternal love surround them.

    O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
    That mourns in lonely exile here, until the son of God appear
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

    A period of silent reflection

    The second candle is lighted.

    One:
    We light this second candle … place the gift of peace, shalom.

    All:
    We remember that through You all things are possible.
    Refresh, restore, renew us, O God, and lead us into Your future.

    O come thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily
    To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, 0 Israel.

    A period of silent reflection

    The third candle is lighted.

    One:
    We light this third candle … and in knowledge of our own mortality.

    All:
    We remember that though we have journeyed far, and that, while lost, we may have turned away from the light,
    the light itself has not failed.
    We remember that though winter be upon us and though the night be dark,
    with the turning of the Wheel the dawn will come, and dawn defeats the darkness.

    O come thou day-spring, come and cheer our spirits by thy advent here
    Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight
    Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

    A period of silent reflection

    The fourth candle is lighted.

    One:
    We light this fourth candle … who came to share this life with us promises us comfort and peace.

    All:
    We remember the One who shares our burdens, who shows us the way to the Light, and who journeys with us into all our tomorrows.

    O come desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind
    Bid then our sad, divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

    A period of silent reflection

    The Prayers of the People

    One:
    God of wisdom, … Lord, hear our prayer,

    All:
    And in Your merciful love, answer.

    One:
    God of grace,… Lord, hear our prayer.

    All:
    And in Your merciful love, answer.

    One:
    God of love,…Lord, hear our prayer,

    All:
    And in Your merciful love, answer. Amen.

  6. Love Came Down at Christmas

    1. Love came down at Christmas,
      Love all lovely, love divine;
      love was born at Christmas
      star and angels gave the sign.

    2. Worship we the Godhead,
      love incarnate, love divine;
      worship we our Jesus
      what shall be our sacred sign?

    3. Love shall be our token,
      love be yours and love be mine;
      love to God and neighbour,
      love for prayer and gift and sign.

  7. Prayer

    One:
    Let us pray. Almighty God, we thank you for your constant love and for the blessings of this day.
    We know that even when we cannot see or feel you, still you are there. Help us to remember you and to listen for your voice in the words of family, friends, and strangers.

    All:
    Kindle our hearts and awaken hope, that we may know you as you reveal yourself in the world and in our lives.
    Let the light of your holy Spirit shine like these candles in the darkness, lighting the way for all who feel despairing, lost, or forgotten, and grant that it may come to dwell so deeply in our hearts that when we leave this place it may shine on, for us and for those we meet along the way.
    Amen.

  8. CH4 718 We Cannot Measure How You Heal

    1. We cannot measure how You heal
      or answer every sufferer’s prayer,
      yet we believe your grace responds
      where faith and doubt unite to care.
      Your hands, though bloodied on the cross,
      survive to hold and heal and warn,
      to carry all through death to life
      and cradle children yet unborn.

    2. The pain that will not go away,
      the guilt that clings from things long past,
      the fear of what the future holds,
      are present as if meant to last.
      But present too is love which tends
      the hurt we never hoped to find,
      the private agonies inside,
      the memories that haunt the mind.

    3. So some have come who need Your help
      and some have come to make amends,
      as hands which shaped and saved the world
      are present in the touch of friends.
      Lord, let Your Spirit meet us here
      to mend the body, mind and soul,
      to disentangle peace from pain
      and make Your broken people whole.

  9. Concluding Prayers

    One:
    Let us pray.

    All:
    Another day will come, O God.
    I know not what it may bring forth, but make me ready, God, for whatever it may be.
    If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.
    If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.
    If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
    And if I am to do nothing, help me do it gallantly.
    Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of thy Peace.

    One:
    O God, support us all the day long in this troubled life,
    until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then Lord, in thy mercy, grant us safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.


  10. Blessing and Dismissal

    One:
    The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and forever more. The peace of the Lord be always with you.

    All:
    And also with you.

  11. AS YOU LEAVE TODAY: Please take a tea light home with you and attach your memento to the Garland of Memory and Hope

  12. Created by Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI
    Adapted for use by Julia Wiley for Armadale Parish Church 2021