THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

GANDER PASTORAL CHARGE

Benton Gander Glenwood-Appleton

Ministers: The People of the Congregation

The Rev. Stephanie McClellan

The Rev. Steve Atkinson

Organist: Karen Nevin

Choir: Mixed Choir

Fraser Road United Church

December 24^th, 2006, 11:00 p.m.

At the call of Jesus Christ, we, the people

of Fraser Road United Church, seek to:

Welcome all;

Strengthen one another;

Nurture each other in faith

Prepare and direct our people into God's world for service.

We Gather to Praise God

(*all who are able, please stand)

Welcome

*Processional Hymn: "O Come All Ye Faithful" VU60

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem:

come and behold him, born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

God of God, light of light,

lo, he abhors not the virgin's womb;

very God, begotten, not created: R

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;

glory to God in the highest: R

See how the shepherds summoned to his cradle,

leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear;

we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; R

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be glory given;

word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: R

*Call to Worship

Emmanuel: God, you are with us.

We have heard the promise of the prophets.

We have caught the notes of the angel's song;

we have seen a star in the heavens, we have

believed.

Tonight we have come to be with you because you have

come to be with us.

We seek an innocent, helpless baby in a crude

manger;

we seek a Messiah who will reign with justice;

and you, who are the weakest and the strongest,

the most humble and the most mighty have

found us.

Now we may find ourselves.

Now we may love each other, now we may truly

worship you. Crying aloud with the heavenly

host: "Glory to God in the highest! Peace on

earth and goodwill to all people". Amen.

*Opening Prayer (Unison) Eternal God, in Jesus Christ your light shines in our darkness, giving joy in our sorrow and presence in our loneliness. Fill us with the mystery of Your Word made flesh, until our hearts overflow with praise and joy, for he is the beginning and the end of all that exists, living forevermore. Amen.

Lighting of the Christ Candle

The waiting is over.

The dreaming has given birth to a new reality.

The source of our healing has come near.

God's promise has been fulfilled.

The Advent candles are all lit, forming a circle of light that

reminds us of God's never-ending love. Now we light the Christ candle, remembering that Jesus is in our midst, this night and always. (the Christ Candle is lit)

Thank you, God, for coming to be with us in Jesus. We rejoice that he lived as one of us, knew our joys and sorrows, our pains and hopes and dreams. As he came to show your love to us, help us to show your love to others all the year through. Amen.

* Hymn: "A Candle is Burning" VU6

The Story of the Birth of Jesus

Gospel Reading: Luke 1: 26-31, 38

(An angel promises the birth of Jesus to Mary)

*Carol: "Gentle Mary Laid Her Child" VU46

Gospel Reading: Luke 2:1-7 (Jesus is born)

Solo: The Huron Carol (Peter Winters)

Gospel Reading: Luke 2:8-20 (Shepherds visit Jesus)

*Carol: "Angels, from the Realms of Glory" VU36

Reading: "Getting To The Front Of The Stable" Ann Weems

We Respond To God's Word

Presentation of Offering/Offertory

*Doxology: "Grant Us, God, The Grace" VU540

Grant us, God, the grace of giving,

with a spirit large and free,

that ourselves and all our living

we may offer faithfully.

*Offertory Prayer

Give thanks for God's wonderful gift in Jesus.

Our gifts are a symbol of our thanksgiving;

We want all people to have abundant life.

Use these gifts to encourage each other,

use these gifts to care for those in need in this town,

use these gifts to support the mission of the wider church.

We will share in the work of Jesus today! Amen.

Solo: "O Holy Night" (Peter Winters)

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

(Congregational Responses in bold)

Call to Give Thanks:

May the peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Let us open our hearts to God.

We open them to God and to one another.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

Thanksgiving

Blessed are you . . . rejoicing to proclaim your praise:

Song of Creation (sung):

O, Holy, holy, holy Lord,

O God of power and might,

all earth and sea and sky above

sing "Glory be to God!"

Hosanna in the highest Heav'n!

Creation sing your praise!

Blessed is the One who comes from God!

Hosanna and amen!

Remembering Jesus at Table

Let us remember together that vision of God's reign shown to us in Jesus at table.

He shared food with followers and friends,

with saints and sinners,

with crowds of thousands on the hillside,

and a few friends in an upper room.

On the night before he died, he had supper with his companions.

He took a loaf of bread, and after giving thanks, he broke it, and gave it to them, saying:

"Take, eat. Do this in remembrance of me."

Then, he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he passed it among them, saying:

"Drink this. Do this in remembrance of me."

Through this loaf and cup, Jesus lives within us.

In word and deed, Jesus lives among us.

Prayer of Self-Giving (Unison)

Eternal God, we unite in this covenant of faith, as we break bread and share the cup, giving thanks for your love in Jesus, the Christ. We spread your table with these gifts of the earth and of our labor. We present to

you our very lives, committed to your service on behalf of all people.

Memorial Acclamation (sung)

O, Christ has died!

Christ has ris~en!

Christ will come again!

Prayer for Transformation

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Breaking the Bread and Filling the Cup

The bread which we break

is our communion in the body of Christ.

The cup of blessing which we bless

is our communion in the blood of Christ.

Invitation

Sharing the Bread and the Cup

Prayer after Communion

As once you came in the hush of darkness, O God, so still our hearts now by the wonder of this night.

Make us wise with the wisdom of a little one, that truth might be born afresh in us. May our hearts not be busy inns with no room, but doors opened wide to welcome a Holy Guest. May your Spirit fill our lives with a longing for your realm of justice, peace and love, just as it filled the life of the Holy One we call the Christ. Send us forth on this Holy night in faith, hope, love and with peace in the name of Christ. Amen

*The Blessing

*Candle Lighting

*Recessional Carol: "Silent Night, Holy Night"

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

round yon virgin mother and child.

Holy infant so tender and mild,

sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight:

glories stream from heaven afar,

heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah,

Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love's pure light

radiant beams from thy holy face,

with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.