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Trinity United Church
Friday, December 24, 2021
Christmas Eve 11:30
Worship

“Connection not Perfection”

WE GATHER

Gathering
 
Welcome 

Rev David: May the peace of Christ be with you.

Welcome to Trinity United Church in Port Coquitlam, BC.
We are so grateful that you have chosen to spend some time with us, we are glad you are here. 

If you are joining us on YouTube, please check out our website at ucpoco.ca. We would also appreciate if you would subscribe to our channel, and like and share our service. Those buttons are right below the video, and it does make a difference when you interact with our account.

Acknowledgement of Territory 
Much of what we know as the Northwest Coast of North America was occupied by the Coast Salish Peoples. The territory where Trinity United Church of Port Coquitlam resides is the unceded territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nations. Our acknowledgement of unceded traditional territory is a first step in reconciliation between settler cultures and indigenous peoples and the decolonization of western systems that continue to oppress and exploit indigenous peoples and land. The work of reconciliation is daunting. The work of reconciliation will not be ours to complete, but neither is it ours to abandon. 

Let us prepare our hearts and minds for worship.

Prelude: live instrumental introit

Sung Response: “Open Our Eyes”

Open our eyes 
to the wonder of this evening,
0pen our hearts to your child.
God of the universe
we are dust within such vastness
God of the baby,
stars and angels sing your praises.
Open our hearts to your hope, God.
Open our hearts to your peace.
Open our hearts to your joy, God,
and open our hearts to your love.*

*copyright 2021 WorshipCollective

Lighting of the Advent Candles

For four weeks before Christmas we have lit the candles of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
Hope is a trust that the darkness will not extinguish the light.
Peace is justice, comfort, satisfaction and inclusion.
Joy bubbles up from the ground of our being and overflows to the world around us.
Love is the way, a way of treating one another as recipients of God’s promise.
Tonight, we light the Christ Candle, light of the world.
Tonight, we remember how something small and ordinary, the birth of a child in a manger, is something bigger. The ordinary becomes extraordinary.
As we light the Christ Candle, may Christ’s light shine from our hearts with hope, peace, joy and love and something bigger, the image and likeness of God.
[the Christ Candle is lit]

Sung Response: “Open Our Eyes”

Open our eyes 
to the wonder of this evening,
0pen our hearts to your child
God of the universe
we are dust within such vastness
God of the baby,
stars and angels sing your praises.
Open our hearts to your hope, God.
Open our hearts to your peace.
Open our hearts to your joy, God,
and open our hearts to your love.*

*copyright 2021 WorshipCollective

Opening Prayer:

God of the heavens above 
and the here below,
on this Holy Night,
open our hearts 
to know the presence of Christ, 
Emmanuel, born among us.
In his name we pray. Amen.

Hymn: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” VU 1    CLICK HERE

Reconciliation and Assurance

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

2 The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
   on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
   you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
   as with joy at the harvest,
   as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
   and the bar across their shoulders,
   the rod of their oppressor,
   you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
   and all the garments rolled in blood
   shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us,
   a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
   and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
   and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
   He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
   from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Hymn: “It Came upon the Midnight Clear” VU 44    CLICK HERE

Reading: Psalm 96 VU 816    

Reading: Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 14He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Hymn: “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” VU 58    CLICK HERE

Reading: Luke 2:1-14

2In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

Hear what the spirit is saying to the church. Thanks be to God!    

Hymn: “Still, Still, Still” VU 47    CLICK HERE

Message: Rev David Cathcart

 

Special Music: David Rogers

Hymn: “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime” VU 71    CLICK HERE

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

The Great Thanksgiving:
We have heard the story; let us now participate in the feast of juice and bread that reminds us of Christ’s presence.
All are welcome to this table.  It doesn’t matter how old you are or how young, how great your faith is or how small; it doesn’t matter if you go to church several times a week or if you’ve never been to church before, you are welcome to participate in this meal.
What makes this meal communion, is not magic elements, or magic words, or magic fingers. What makes this meal communion is our intention to meet the Living Christ in these words and actions. 
Let us pray,

Loving God on this most holy of nights we pause to give you thanks.  
We praise you for creating all things, for making us in your image, and for seeking us out and bidding us to return when we turn to destructive and unproductive paths away from you.
We thank you for the birth of the Christ child in those humble surroundings long ago: an extraordinary event in ordinary circumstances.
We thank you for the example this child, Jesus, will become, the love he will reveal, the lessons he will teach and the good news he will proclaim: You are with us.
We share this meal in remembrance of him, offering you our lives in praise and thanksgiving.  May our hearts prove suitable for the continued birth of the Christ child.  May our words and actions reveal your presence as his life did.
Fill us with your Spirit, to make us one in Christ, and one in love for you and for all people – as in word and in deed, we seek your reign of peace and justice on earth.  
Glory be to you, eternal God, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Disciples’ Prayer: “Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother”    CLICK HERE

The Bread of new Life.
The Cup of Promise.

Prayer after Communion:
Eternal God, we thank you that you have called your people from east and west, and north and south to feast at the table of Jesus Christ.
Keep us faithful to your hopes for us.
Go with us to the streets, to our homes, and to our places of labour and leisure – that, whether we are gathered or scattered, we may reveal your living Christ in the world.
In the name of the child born this day in Bethlehem we pray.  Amen.

WE GO FORTH

Hymn: “Silent Night” VU 67    CLICK HERE

Sending Forth: 
Let’s go from this place today…
trusting [fold your hands over your heart]
in the voice of God, [hand over your mouth]
whispered in the soft brush of wings [sweep hands high and down like wings]
in the hand of Christ, [hold out one hand]
offering to help [hold out the other hand]
when we feel small [hug yourself, bow your head]
trusting [hands over your heart]
in the power of the Holy Spirit [flex your arm muscles]
that reminds us of a bigger story [sweep arms overhead]
Let us go in peace [fold hands over heart]
Amen.

Postlude 

 

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