Dear friends,
THIS CHRISTMAS EVE, our Interim Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries will be leading us in worship. The service will be a service of lessons and carols, with familiar scripture texts, familiar carols, and a simple reflective meditation. We are grateful for this opportunity to celebrate the birth of Christ—to celebrate the gift of God’s incarnation in the person of Jesus two thousand years ago. Join us for this special service, and invite your family and friends to join us. After the service, everyone is invited downstairs to enjoy some mulled apple cider and home baked treats as we continue the celebration.
OUR CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING this year (the yellow envelope in your envelope box marked December 25) has been designated to Action Réfugiés Montréal. This charitable organization, founded in 1994 with the support of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Anglican Diocese of Montreal, assists with the sponsorship of refugees, offers support to people detained for immigration reasons, helps break the isolation of refugees through friendship and twinning – pairing refugee women with women volunteers to create bonds of friendship and exchange, and also engages in education and advocacy for refugees.
Order of Service
Welcome
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Hymn: “O come, all ye faithful”
Call to Worship
Prayer of Adoration
Choir Anthem: “What Child is This?”
Prayer of Confession
Declaration of Grace
Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
Hymn: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
Hymn: “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”
Reading: John 1:1-14
Hymn: “Once in Royal David’s City”
Reading: Luke 2:1-7
Meditation: “Simple Christmas”
Choir Anthem: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Christmas Offering Gathered
Pastoral Prayer
Reading: Luke 2:8-20
Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
Hymn: Silent Night
Benediction