A Christmas Liturgy In a Minor Key

Gathering

Words Of Greeting (Psalm 30.1-5 altered)
Leader: I will praise you, O God, for you lift me up, and do not let death rejoice over me.
People: O God my God, I cry to you for help, and you heal me.
Leader: O God, you bring up souls from the dust of the earth, you restore to life those gone down to the grave.
People: Sing praises to God, O you faithful ones, and give thanks to God's holy name.
Leader: God's love and justice are kept in equal harmony; together they work in God's purpose, for the good of all.
People: God's favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Hymn Hymn of Promise (Natalie Sleeth, 1986)

             /or/
             O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go (George Matheson, 1842-1906/Albert L. Peace, 1844-1912)

Opening Prayer
O God, our God,
    we shrink before the great mystery of your presence and power.
You are the source and redeemer of life;
    we are the mortal ones
    who work so very hard
    to trust in you and the eternity you provide.
Only you fully know and understand
    the places that we find ourselves:
        between faith and doubt,
        light and darkness,
        hope and despair,
        love and fatigue of spirit,
        joy and harsh reality,
        peace and unrest.
Only you can deliver us
    from what seems too real
    unto the truth of your consolation.
We seek not to be comfortable,
    for that would be selfish and

contrary to your call to joyful obedience

as servant-disciples.

We do seek, to be comforted,

for we know that You are our Comforter.

So help us in this night,

to see beyond the darkness

unto your glorious light,

to move in heart and mind

beyond our grief

unto your ever-present care;

and in it all

to find in this season of celebration

your permission to be and to feel

as is fully human.

For we long to know Christmas

despite our pain and sadness,

even though it might be

celebrated by us

in a minor key;

in the One who was born

to set us free

and give us the gift of life.

Amen.

Lection Isaiah 7.10-14

Response: O Immanuel—God is with us, now and forever.

Thanks be to God.

Antiphon: O come, O come, Emmanuel ... Rejoice! Rejoice,

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lection Isaiah 9.2,6

Response: O Sovereign of Peace, your peace is with us.

Thanks be to God.

Antiphon: O come, O come, Thou Prince of Peace,

Who brings light that all darkness will cease.

O, Counselor most Wonderful,

Almighty God, eternal is your rule.

Rejoice! Rejoice,

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lection Isaiah 11.1-9

Response: O Redeeming One, you reconcile all creation unto yourself.

Thanks be to God.

Antiphon: O come, O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free ... Rejoice! Rejoice,

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lection Isaiah 35.1-10

Response: O Holy One, you lead us in paths of righteousness for your name's sake.

Thanks be to God.

Antiphon: O come, O come, great Lord of might ... Rejoice! Rejoice,

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lection Isaiah 40.1-11,28-31

Response: O Comforting Shepherd, you gather all together that none will be lost.

Thanks be to God.

Antiphon: O come, O come, Thou Key of David, come ... Rejoice! Rejoice,

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lection Isaiah 55.1-5,10-13

Response: O Living Word, you accomplish your purpose which is the healing of the nations.

Thanks be to God.

Antiphon: O come, O come, Desire of nations, bind ... Rejoice! Rejoice,

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lection Isaiah 65.17-25

Response: O Creating One, you renew the face of the earth and establish your realm.

Thanks be to God.

Antiphon: O come, O come, Thou Wisdom from on high ... Rejoice! Rejoice,

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Psalmody Psalm 30.8-12

Response: O Dawning Dayspring, the Sun shall rise with healing in its wings.

Thanks be to God.

Antiphon: O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer ... Rejoice! Rejoice,

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lighting the Candles

Each is invited to come forward a light a taper candle

in celebration of a life that is within the great cloud of witnesses

praising God in heaven. Then, placing the candle(s) in the

sand.

A tall pillar candle, at center, is then given flame

as a symbol of the Christ in whom those who have died

now live, as do we all.

Prayer of Intercession / Prayers of the People / Prayer of Dedication

In the midst of the prayer offered by the pastor

there will be a time of silence when each is invited

to name the person or loss that they have weighing

upon their heart and mind.

The pastor will then continue the prayer and

bring it to close

with the congregation responding: Amen.

Hymn Sing with All the Saints in Glory (William J. Irons, 1812-1883/Ludwig von Beethoven)

/or/

On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand (Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795/The Southern Harmony)

/or/

To God Be the Glory (Fanny J. Crosby/William H. Doane)

Sending Forth

Leader: The peace of God that is beyond all human understanding,

keep your hearts and minds in Christ, our Redeemer.

People: And the blessing of Almighty God, eternal and glorious Trinity,

be with us all, forever. Amen.

Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem (Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893/Lewis H. Redner, 1830-1908)

/or/

What Child Is This? (William C. Dix, 1837-1898/16th cent. English melody)

Going Forth