Welcome to the
Blue Christmas Service
Crookston, MN 56716
crookstonmethodist.org Find us on Facebook
(218) 281-3393
Please be sure to silence your cell phones. Thank you.
Join us in the fellowship hall following the service for a time of fellowship
*Stand if you are able
CENTERING MUSIC
WELCOME Pastor Ruth Sanders
*GATHERING WORDS (Responsive)
All: The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE In the Bleak Midwinter Claire & Andrew Barhite
A READING - THE LIGHT IS COMING by Nancy Townley
Sandy Perkins/Jim Bredman
THE BRINGING IN OF THE LIGHT Randy Hultgren HYMN O Little Town of Bethlehem Grace/Jim S
OPENING PRAYER OF THE DAY (Unison)
God of love and understanding, we gather here this evening to confront our pain in the midst of the world’s celebration. Help us to know that You are present with us in all of our moods and feelings and seasons. Grant us a taste of the hope, peace, joy and love that You promise to all of Your people through the gift of Your Son Jesus. Amen.
Candle Lighting
The First Candle Grace Smith
Leader: We light this first candle. 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 appears. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, 0 Israel.
Meditation Music Jim Schaar, Sax
The Second Candle Jim Bredman
Leader: We light this second candle. the gift of peace, shalom.
All: We remember that through You all things are possible. Refresh, restore, renew us, 0 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.
Meditation Music Claire Barhite, Violin
The Third Candle Andrew Barhite
Leader: We light this third candle 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 dayspring, 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.
Meditation Music Jim Schaar, Guitar
The Fourth Candle Sandy Perkins
Leader: We light this fourth candle...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.
Meditation Music Claire Barhite, Violin
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
- Leader: Lord of great mercy and love People: Hear our Prayer
HYMN Away in A Manger Grace/Jim S
The Third Reading: Luke 2:1-7 Claire Barhite
Lighting of the Christ Candle Randy Hultgren
PRAYER (Unison)
Comforting God, wrap us in Your presence in this time of remembrance. With these candles, help us find Your light, a light that will guide us day by day, step by step, as we try to live life fully and wholly. We cherish the special ways in which our loved ones have touched us. We thank You for the gift their lives have been to us. Now comfort us, encourage us, empower us. Amen.
HYMN Silent Night (Duet on vs. 1, ALL sing vs. 2-3) 239
BLESSING Pastor Ruth
Tonight’s Worship Leaders:
Pastor Ruth Sanders, Claire & Andrew Barhite, Jim Bredman, Randy Hultgren, Sandy Perkins, Jim Schaar, Grace Smith
Coffee Fellowship: Randy & Tana Hultgren, Bob & JoAnne Yuergens
*Program ideas adapted from umcdiscipleship.org
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Starts at 7:00 pm (Central time)
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