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When the service is to begin the sanctuary is completely darkened. Leader: Lord, Hear the cries of your people. HYMN: O Come, O Come, Emanuel (one verse) Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) #34 PROCESSION OF LIGHT The Christ candle is carried slowly from the back to the front of the church. At the end of the reading it may be placed in the advent wreath or prominent location. Leader: John 1:1-5 Pause - letting the candle be carried in silence John 1:6-9 Pause John 1:10-14 The Advent candles are lighted from the Christ candle. Leader: Isaiah. 60:1-3 Arise, shine; for your light has come. THE SPREADING OF THE LIGHT OF CHRIST Ushers light their candles from the Christ Candle and proceed into the congregation. The candles are lighted with the usher and the congregation saying to each other as the candles are lighted, "Behold the light of the world!". When all the candles have been lighted. Leader: Jesus spoke saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."(John 8:12) HYMN: Silent Night LBW Hymn #65 Lights are added in the sanctuary. Versicle Leader: The People who walked in darkness have seen a great light. People: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not over come it. Leader: Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has a light shined. People: We have beheld Christ's glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. Leader: For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given. People: In him was life, and the life was the light of man. (LBW, Min. Ed. pg. 93) More lights in the sanctuary are lighted, and the congregation extinguishes their candles. HYMN: What Child Is This? - LBW Hymn #40 PRAYER OF THE DAY Leader: Let us Pray: Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus' presence and in the last day wake the brightness of his glory; through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People : Amen More lights may be lighted. SPECIAL MUSIC OR HOMILY Leader: 1 John 1:5-7 More lights may be lighted HYMN: 0, Come, All Ye Faithful , LBW Hymn #45 THE OFFERING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Leader: Most Gracious God: We give thanks that. you have heard the cries of us, your children, lost in darkness. We joyously celebrate the birth of your Son whom you sent to us to be our light and show us your way to life. Remember your people this night and always. Let the brilliance of your loving grace dispel the gloom and bleakness of our lives. And let the glow of your gospel glisten strongly in us so that we may be your light to the world. (Other petitions should be added as desired). In the name of your Son, our Saviour and Light, Jesus Christ, we pray. People: Amen All remaining lights should now be lighted. HYMN: The First Noel , LBW Hymn #56 Leader: Isaiah. 42:16 HYMN: It Came Upon The Midnight Clear , LBW Hymn #54 Leader: John 12:35-36a HYMN: Joy To The World , LBW Hymn #39 BENEDICTION Leader: May the light of this child light your way forever. May the blessings which broke through the darkness on this night be yours always. May you always have cause to sing praises, give thanks, and celebrate the true light of the world, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. People: Amen Leader: Go in Joy! Fear The Darkness No More! People: Thanks Be To Godl
This is but an outline. It needs to be tailored to each congregations taste, habit, and tradition. |
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