Prayers 12 24 2009
Christmas Eve
*Welcome to our annual tradition Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Nine Lessons and Carols; It is the Light of Christ that has led us through the night to be here—Jesus Christ is the Savior who brings good news in the world!
*Our readers are those who joined our church earlier this month along with our Deacons; because of a family event, Deacon Nelson Wong will be reading for Nate Lee
*Our music ministry has been planning and rehearsing for this night to make it a very special one—this includes members of the CBC Choir, Say Amen! Gospel Ensemble, Hand Bells along with our soloist, Wendy Quan, Andia Lee and Joy Shih Ng at the piano and organ; and finally, the directors, Lawrence Pang and Joy. You are in for a real Christmas blessing tonight!
*It is fitting that our Assistant Pastor Lauren Ng and her family will be lighting the Christ Candle tonight as she concludes her ministry with us at the end of the year
*Our offering tonight will be a donation to Redwood Glen, our Baptist camp that is experiencing difficult times as the result of the economic recession; we pray that you would give generously
*Once we begin the “Lessons and Carols,” each part will happen without further announcements; please follow your bulletins
*At the end of the service, we will all light our individual candles to symbolize that now that we know Jesus Christ is born, we take Christ’s Light to brighten the world that is in great need for love, peace, hope, joy, and God’s grace.
*After the Benediction, please come upstairs to the Fellowship Hall where you may have some Christmas cookies and coffee/tea and meet one another as friends.
Christmas Offering
We are a people chosen for good deeds. Together we can accomplish much as we bring our offerings into God’s courts. Through our sharing in support of the life-changing ministries of Redwood Glen, God brings a new day to many. Let our offerings be an expression of thanksgiving for the incarnation, for the peace God gives, for the joy that is ours today.
Thank you, God, for coming to us in human life so expressive of love that two thousand years have not extinguished the flame. May that love burn so brightly in our lives that its fire will spread. Use our offerings to sustain Redwood Glen to provide the caring and compassion that all your children may know joy and peace, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Benediction
You are a people who have seen a great light!
You are a people who have received the ultimate gift in the Son of God—the Light of the world.
Be bearers of the light, going with the blessing of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, this night and always. Amen.