FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
ON THIS Longest Night of the Year
when we celebrate Blue Christmas
Giving Space to Bring Our Sadness to God
We are so glad that you have chosen to worship with us today. We invite you to join in on the bold print in the bulletin and to stand as you are able any time you see a ⇑. The restrooms are out the back door of the sanctuary to the right, as is a little space in case your little one needs a walkabout. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please join us for fellowship after worship!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.
PRELUDE
WORDS OF WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
OPENING CAROL – “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice, rejoice,
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 9:2-6 (Oldtown Bible: OT 68)
MEDITATION
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
God in Your Mercy… Hear our prayer
GIFT OF SONG
CANDLE LIGHTING: LITANY OF REMEMBRANCE
We light our first candle to remember those who have been loved and lost. We pause to remember their name, their face, their voice… We give thanks for the memory that binds them to us this season as we anticipate the birth of Jesus.
May God’s eternal love surround them.
SUNG RESPONSE
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.
’Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.
We light our second candle to bring light to our pain and loss: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, and the loss of health. As we gather up the pain of the past, we offer it to You O God. Asking that into our welcome hearts and open hands, you might place the gift of peace.
Refresh, restore, and renew us, O God.
SUNG RESPONSE
Silent night, holy night, griefs abound, ever in sight.
Christ now comes in manger bare,
Holds our loved ones in his holy care,
Joy, at last, to be ours. Joy, at last, to be ours.
We light our third candle to remember ourselves this Christmas time. We pause and remember the past weeks, months and for some of us, years of difficult moments. We remember the poignancy of memories, the grief, the sadness, the hurts, and the pain of reflecting on our own mortality.
Let us remember that dawn defeats darkness.
SUNG RESPONSE
Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia.
Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born.
This fourth candle is lit to remember our faith and the gift of hope which God offers to us in the Christmas story. We remember that God, who shares our life, promises us a place and time of no more tears, not more pain and no more suffering.
Let us remember the one who shows us the way and who goes with us into our tomorrows.
SUNG RESPONSE
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light,
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Now we light our final candle, the Christ Candle, that we may see the light that it brings to the world and know that no matter how dark the world seems, God is always here with us!
May our hearts be warmed by the light of Christ.
SENDING SONG – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
O Little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark street shineth, the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.
A READING FROM John 1:1-5 (Oldtown Bible: NT 111)
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
(Oldtown Church)
675 Old Post Road, North Attleborough, MA 02760
508-695-1713
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org
YouTube: www.youtube.com/oldtownucc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/oldtownucc
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Learn more about our denomination: www.ucc.org