Blue Christmas Service December 20, 2020 Acknowledging Loss and Looking Forward in Hope

Opening Sentences

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a land of deep shadow a light has shone. For the yoke that was weighing upon them, and the burden upon their shoulders, thou hast broken in pieces O God, our Renewer.

Opening Hymn No. 680 O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:

Under the shadow of thy throne, thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame, from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone; short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all our years away; they fly, forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.

Officiant: The Lord be with you People: And also with you

God of Mercy, hear our prayer in this Advent Season for ourselves and our families who live with the painful memories of loss. We ask for strength for today, courage for tomorrow, and peace for the past. We ask these things in the name of your Christ who shares our life in joy and sorrow, death and new birth, despair and promise. Amen.

Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 40 Our first scripture reading comes from the Book of Isaiah. It was written in a time when many of the people of Judah had been taken as captives into exile in Babylon and were feeling crushed and without hope.

"Comfort, comfort my people," says our God. "Encourage the people of Jerusalem and tell them that their time of suffering is ended. With whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?" asks the Holy One. "Look up to the heavens! Who made the stars, if not the One who leads them out like an army, calling each one by its own name? So mighty is God's power and strength that not one fails to answer. Israel, why then do you complain that our God does not know your troubles or care if you suffer injustice? Our God, the everlasting God, the creator of the farthest parts of the earth, never grows tired or weary. No one can fathom the depths of God's understanding. God gives power to the faint and strength to the powerless. Even youths become exhausted and young ones give up. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles they shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint."

Psalm 121 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; * from where is my help to come?

2 My help comes from the LORD, * the maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved * and he who watches over you will not fall asleep

4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep;

5 The LORD himself watches over you; * the LORD is your shade at your right hand,

6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, * nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; * it is he who shall keep you safe.

8 The LORD shall watch over your going out and your coming in, * from this time forth for evermore.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

The Gospel John 1 Matthew and Luke describe Jesus' birth in Bethlehem with stories of visits from shepherds and Magi. But John's Gospel speaks of Jesus as God's word for all humanity, as God's word spoken through this one born into a hurting world. He also describes Jesus’ birth as light in our darkness.

"Before the world was created, the Word already existed; the Word was with God and was the same as God. From this very beginning the Word was with God. Through the Word God made all things. Not one thing in all creation was made without the Word. The Word contained life and this life brought light to all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never overpowered it. The true light that enlightens all people was coming into the world. And the Word was made flesh and lived among us; and we saw his glory, full of grace and truth."

The Gospel the Lord People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Homily: The Rev. Mark Chattin

The Commemoration of Loss A Liturgy of Remembering

(Using the Advent Wreath Candles)

Celebrant: This first candle we light to remember those whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember their names, their faces, their voices, the memories that bind them to us in this season. (Pause while the first candle is lit and names are read.) May the Lord bless them and keep them, the Lord make his face to shine upon them and be gracious to them, the Lord lift up his countenance upon them and give them peace.

People: May God's eternal love surround them.

Celebrant: This second candle we light is to redeem the pain of loss; the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of health. (Pause while the second candle is lit.) We pause to gather up the pain of the past and offer it to God, asking that from God's hands we receive the gift of peace.

People: Refresh, restore, renew us O God, and lead us into your future.

Celebrant: This third candle we light is to remember ourselves this Christmas time. We pause and remember these past weeks and month; the disbelief, the anger, the down times, the poignancy of reminiscing, the hugs and handshakes of family and friends, all those who stood with us. (The third candle is lit.) We give thanks for all the support we have known.

People: Let us remember that dawn defeats darkness.

Celebrant: This fourth candle is lit to remember our faith and the gift of hope which the Christmas story offers to us. (The fourth candle is lit.) We remember that God who shares our life promises us a place and time of no more pain and suffering.

People: Let us remember the one who shows the way, who brings the truth and who bears the light.

Hymn No. 691 My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine! Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away; O let me from this day be wholly thine.

May thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire; as thou hast died for me, O may my love to thee pure, warm and changeless be, a living fire.

While life's dark maze I tread, and griefs around me spread, be thou my guide; bid darkness turn to day; wipe sorrow's tears away, nor let me ever stray from thee aside.

The Apostles’ Creed, all standing.

In the assurance of eternal life given at Baptism, let us proclaim our faith and say,

Celebrant and People I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. 4

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Lector: In the spirit of this season let us now confidently ask God for all the things we need; for ourselves as we participate in whatever way we can this Christmas. God hear our Prayer....