Christmas Eve Service, 24th December 2022. Order of Service.

Dalserf Parish Church

Order of Service
WATCHNIGHT SERVICE
24TH DECEMBER 2022
11.30pm

Service will be led by Revd David Doyle

The Road to Bethlehem
took shepherds from the fields
and wise men from the east
to meet a child in a manger.

So began a procession which,
across 2,000 years and 2,000 miles,
takes us, in imagination, to Bethlehem,
to greet the one in whom
the hopes and fears
of all the years are met.

Tonight we meet in worship
(what else should we do?)
to look to Bethlehem,
to the place of all places,
to the time of all times,
to hail the coming of the Christ-child,
there and then, once upon a time,
here and now, and for all time.

We call him
Emmanuel,
God-with-us,
forever

Entry of God’s Word
(Please stand if you are able)

Welcome

Call to Worship

Praise CH4 301 Hark, the herald angels sing

Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Refrain -Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the new-born king”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth – Refrain

Lighting the Candles
The candles are burning, hope, peace, joy and love
To welcome Messiah, our Saviour above
O Come All Ye faithful, rejoice in this night
As God comes among us, the Christian’s true light.
(Sung to Away in a Manger)

Prayer

READING
Luke 2:1 – 7 Joan Pollok

Praise CH4 296 While humble shepherds watched their flocks

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around

“Fear not”, said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind”

“To you, in David’s town this day
Is born of David’s line
The Saviour who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign”

“The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands
And in a manger laid”

Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song

“All glory be to God on high
,And on the earth be peace
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease

READING

Matthew 2 : 1 – 11

Praise CH4 304 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 thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep the Angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His Heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray!
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us to-day.
We hear the Christmas angels,
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!
“CHRIST IN THE DARK”“

Praise CH4 309 Still the night, holy the night

Silent night, holy night!
Sleeps the world; hid from sight,
Mary and Joseph in stable bare
Watched o’er the child beloved and fair
Sleeping in heavenly rest
Sleeping in heavenly rest

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds first saw the sight.
heard resounding clear and long,
Far and near the angel sing;
Christ the Redeemer is here,
Christ the Redeemer is here

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, O how bright.
Love is smiling from Your face!
Strikes for us now the hour of grace,
Saviour, since You are born
Saviour, since You are born

Prayer

Praise CH4 306 O come , all ye faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels
Refrain – O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

True God of true God, Light of light eternal,
He, who abhors not the virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father
Begotten not created: – Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
Glory in the highest – Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be glory given
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

Benediction & 3 Fold Amen

We honour Messiah with Christ’s candle flame
Our Christmas Eve candles glad tidings proclaim
O Come, All Ye Faithful, rejoice in this night
As God comes among us, the Christian’s true light

SUNDAY 25TH DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS DAY
Service will be conducted at 11.30
by the Kirk session

SUNDAY 1ST JANUARY 2023
NEW YEAR DAY
Service will be conducted at 11.30
by the Kirk session

ALL WILL BE WELCOME AT BOTH SERVICES