St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church Sudbury, Massachusetts the Blue

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St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church Sudbury, Massachusetts

The Blue Christmas Service Monday, December 21, 2020

Prelude Noel Nouvelet Violin, French traditional, arranged by Bonnie Bewick Brown The Blue Christmas The Seasons of Advent and Christmas can be painful. For some, it may be the first Christmas without a loved one. Perhaps it’s the anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, ill health, or isolation from family and friends during this pandemic. The constant reminders of family and friends this holiday season can be taxing on people who are grieving what they have lost; what they have never had; and even what this pandemic has taken from them; and all of it together can make us feel alone. St. Elizabeth’s believes it is important to provide the opportunity to acknowledge our sadness and to be lifted up into God’s light—even when it feels as small as the flame of a candle. The following words were found written on a wall inside of a Concentration Camp in Germany by an imprisoned Jew during World War II. As we gather tonight and center ourselves for worship, we pray that these words radiate in your heart. I believe in the sun even when it is not shining And I believe in love, even when there’s no one there. And I believe in God, even when he is silent. I believe through any trial, there is always a way But sometimes in this suffering and hopeless despair My heart cries for shelter, to know someone’s there But a voice rises within me, saying hold on my child, I’ll give you strength, I’ll give you hope. Just stay a little while. I believe in the sun even when it is not shining And I believe in love even when there’s no one there But I believe in God even when he is silent I believe through any trial there is always a way. May there someday be sunshine May there someday be happiness May there someday be love May there someday be peace….

Instrumental Still, still, still Carol Davies Lauren In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by God, and without God nothing came to be. What came to be through God was life, and this life was the light of the world. People The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The First Lesson Luke 1:78-79 NRSV Andrew A reading from Luke. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God.

The Lighting of the First Candle Andrew We light this first candle to remember those we have loved and lost. We pause to remember their names, their faces, their voices, and the memories of them that we hold dear in our heart. Everyone We thank you God for all those we love, especially for those we have loved and lost. In our sadness, come to us, and give us your peace. Amen. Hymn Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming Bonnie Bewick Brown

The Second Lesson Matthew 5:3-9, The Message Lauren A reading from Matthew. You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and God’s rule. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. God is food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God.

The Psalm Psalm 13:1-2, 5, The BCP Andrew How long O Lord? People Will you forget me forever? Andrew How long will you hide your face from me? How long shall I have perplexity in my mind and grief in my heart, day after day? People How long shall my enemy triumph over me? Andrew Look upon me, and answer me, O Lord my God. People Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death. Andrew I put my trust in your mercy. People My heart is joyful because of your saving help.

The Lighting of the Second Candle Lauren The second candle represents the pain and sadness that can come from the uninvited and unwanted events of our lives that leave us hurting and ask us to live in a new and different way. We light this candle to represent all the losses we find ourselves dealing with: the loss of health, of independence, of freedom, the loss of confidence or security, plans that did not work out, or hopes that ended in despair. We pause now for you to tell the God who longs to bind up those who are broken-hearted, about some of the losses that you are feeling at this time. Everyone In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us loving God, to trust your love, to serve your purpose, to praise your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn The Holy Boy Bobbi Reese, organ

The Third Lesson Isaiah 40:1, 28b-31 NRSV Andrew A reading from the prophet Isaiah. Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. God does not faint or grow weary; God’s understanding is unsearchable. God gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God.

The Psalm Psalm 121 The New Living Translation Lauren I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? People My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! Lauren He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. People Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. Lauren God watches over you! God stands beside you as your protective shade. People The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. God keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. Lauren God keeps watch over you as you come and go both now and forever.

The Lighting of the Third Candle Andrew This candle represents courage: the courage to face our sadness, to share our feelings, our doubts, our fears, our anger, our frustration and our depression; and the courage to hope for a better time. We pause now to tell the God who longs to take us by the hand and says “do not fear, I will help you,” about the areas where we need help in finding courage. Hymn Sleepers Awake H 61. C. Davies, B. Bewick Brown

The Fourth Lesson John 1:1-5 NRSV Lauren A reading from John. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God.

The Psalm Psalm 27:1, 4 NRSV Andrew God is my light and my salvation, whom then, shall I fear? People God is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Andrew One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: People People to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life.

The Lighting of the Fourth Candle Lauren This candle represents all those who have supported us in our pain and offered us the light of Hope. We pause to remember the prayers, the words of comfort and support, the acts of kindness from family and friends and those who stood with us in our time of need. People We thank you God for sending others to remind us that we are never alone. And we thank you for sending your son, Jesus, the Hope of our world. Amen. The Hymn Jesu Joy of Man’s Desire Carol Davies, Bonnie Bewick Brown

The Lighting of the Fifth Candle Lauren Among these candles representing our joys and our sorrows, is this center candle that represents Jesus, who has come to be Emmanuel, God with us, in the midst of our life. Jesus, born as a baby, hears our cries, and understands how weak and helpless we can feel. Jesus knows our hearts and offers us healing and hope in the midst of our suffering. People Loving God, we know that in your new creation, there will be no more sickness, death, crying, or pain, and until then, you have given us the Holy Spirit as our comfort and guide. May we follow you in this life, and in the life to come. Amen.

The Litany of Lament Andrew God, we come to you as Christmas dawns with pain growing inside us. As the nights have been growing longer, darkness has wrapped itself around our hearts. In this season of our longest nights, we come to you bringing what we carry: not gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but the deep pain of grief, the ache in our hearts, the traumas we cannot put into words. We have lost our way and are isolated in our sorrow; our bonds are strained; our relationships suffer; shallow answers and hollow comfort increase our sadness. Some forsake us, and others avoid us, compounding our pain. People Loving God, stay with us. Lauren In our darkness we have turned against you and against one another; we speak unjustly; we blame unfairly; we withdraw or lash out. People Merciful God, be gracious to us. Lauren We torment ourselves and one another for past choices; we blame ourselves for what has gone wrong. Shame and guilt weigh us down; our courage fails; we suffer bitterness and anxiety, and fear of our future. People Compassionate God, heal us. Andrew Because you have been our companion in sorrow; because we want to be kinder and more courageous, because nothing can separate us from your goodness, because you dwell within us, always. People Spirit of God, give us peace. Lauren Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes with the morning; People Turn our lament into dancing. Andrew You forgive all our sins and heal our infirmities; People Renew us in your loving-kindness. Lauren For the losses we have endured, for broken hearts, and broken lives; for wounded innocence and shattered dreams… People Hear our cries, O God.

The Prayers of the People As the prayers are read, we will take turns lighting candles for those we pray for. Lauren With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord; that our families and friends may overcome old conflicts and be gracious to one another; that we may walk in the way of justice and mercy.

People We pray to you, O Lord. Andrew That in this holy season and throughout the year, we will be patient and understanding with those, including ourselves, who suffer from doubt or despair, sadness, shame or addiction; People We pray to you, O Lord.

Lauren That those who grieve will find compassion in the Church and consolation in Christ Jesus. People We pray to you, O Lord.

Andrew That you will grant help and healing to all those we now name.

Please name, silently or aloud, all those for whom you are concerned this night.

We pray for those on our parish prayer list.

Lauren Bless them now and always. People We pray to you, O Lord.

Andrew That all who have departed this life may have a place of refreshment and everlasting blessedness, with your saints in light;

Please name all those for whom you’ve loved, lost, and remember this night.

Lauren …that we too may depart this life in faith and without fear. People We pray to you, O Lord.

Lauren Lord of all mercies: abide with us when the darkness deepens and we suffer loss, pain, and grief. Help us to know and understand you are with us even when we cannot feel your presence. Let your saving help shine through the shadows as you hold your cross before our eyes, reminding us that you share our sufferings and have overcome death so that we might rise again with you. Let morning break upon our sorrowing hearts; abide with us in life and in death, Lord, so that we may live in your peace and rejoice in your love. Amen.

Hymn What Child is this Violin, Bonnie Bewick Brown

The Closing Prayer

Andrew Let us pray, together. People Mighty God, we thank you for your constant love and for the blessings of this day. We know that even when we cannot see or feel you, you are still there. Help us to remember you and to listen for your voice in the words of family, friends, and strangers. Kindle our hearts and awaken hope, that we may know you as you reveal yourself in the world and in our lives. Let the light of your Holy Spirit shine like these candles in the darkness, lighting the way for all who feel despair, lost, or forgotten, and grant that it may come to dwell so deeply in our hearts that when we leave this place it may shine on, for us and for those we meet along the way. Amen.

The Blessing & Dismissal

Closing Hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, vv 7-8 St. Elizabeth’s Choir