Monday, December 10 Blue Christmas Service of the Longest Night Blue Christmas Service of the Longest Night

Prelude Barb Jones

Greeting and Words of Welcome Rev. Rhodie Jacobson

Call to Worship LEADER: Jesus said, “come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” And so we invite each other to this time of peaceful worship. Flee for a while from your tasks;

ALL: Take sanctuary from the turmoil of your thoughts. Leader: Come bind your burdens to God. ALL: Take sanctuary from the turmoil of your thoughts. Leader: Come bind your burdens to God.

All: Give ;your time over to God and find rest in Him. + All: Give ;your time over to God and find rest in Him. +

Prayer of Invitation

Hymn 211: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Evening Prayer

Special Music Your Love is Like a River Scott Garvin Your Love is Like a River Scott Garvin

Prayer for Illumination Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your

Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

New Testament Lesson Revelation 21:1-5 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.". And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.".

And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

“Gospel Lesson Luke 2:25-35 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too." + Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too." +

Leader: This is the word of God for us the people of God All: Thanks be to God. Amen Leader: This is the word of God for us the people of God All: Thanks be to God. Amen

Special Music Bring on the Rain Jean Kraft and Kevin Jepson Bring on the Rain Jean Kraft and Kevin Jepson

Homily Pastor Rhodie Jacobson

Special Music Hold on to Jesus Kevin Jepson Hold on to Jesus Kevin Jepson

Remembrance LEADER: We light these candles to remember. We remember those who have been loved and lost. We pause to remember their name, their face, their voice. LEADER: We light these candles to remember. We remember those who have been loved and lost. We pause to remember their name, their face, their voice.

ALL: Hold them in your love, Dear Lord Leader: We light these candles to redeem the pain of loss: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of ALL: Hold them in your love, Dear Lord Leader: We light these candles to redeem the pain of loss: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of

health. As we acknowledge the pain, we offer it to You, O God, asking that into our open hands, You will place the gift of peace.

ALL: Refresh, restore, renew us, O God. Leader: We light these candles to remember ourselves this Christmas time. ALL: Refresh, restore, renew us, O God. Leader: We light these candles to remember ourselves this Christmas time.

We pause and remember the past weeks, months and for some of us, years of down times. We remember the bitter and the sweet, the grief, the sadness,

the hurts, the pain of reflecting on our own mortality. ALL: Hear the stirrings of our hearts, O God. the hurts, the pain of reflecting on our own mortality. ALL: Hear the stirrings of our hearts, O God.

Leader: We light these candles to remember your promise, your promise made sure through Jesus Christ.

ALL: Help us remember that your son, the true light, shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome him. Amen

Lighting of Candles As you take a candle and light it, please pray quietly or join in singing “Silent Night.” We will continue to sing until all have had time to light candles.

Time for Remembering

Hymn #239 Silent Night Holy Night

Passing the Peace of Christ

Benediction: Amen! Alleluia! Benediction: Amen! Alleluia!

Postlude