Welcome to the

Blue Christmas Service

Wesley United Methodist Church 701 Eickhof Blvd.

Crookston, MN 56716

crookstonmethodist.org Find us on Facebook

(218) 281-3393

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 @ 7pm

Please be sure to silence your cell phones. Thank you.

Join us in the fellowship hall following the service for a time of fellowship

 *Stand if you are able

CENTERING MUSIC

WELCOME                                                           Pastor Ruth Sanders

*GATHERING WORDS (Responsive)

All:  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE In the Bleak Midwinter Claire & Andrew Barhite

A READING - THE LIGHT IS COMING by Nancy Townley

Sandy Perkins/Jim Bredman

THE BRINGING IN OF THE LIGHT                                 Randy Hultgren HYMN        O Little Town of Bethlehem                                                                   Grace/Jim S

OPENING PRAYER OF THE DAY (Unison)

God of love and understanding, we gather here this evening to confront our pain in the midst of the world’s celebration. Help us to know that You are present with us in all of our moods and feelings and seasons. Grant us a taste of the hope, peace, joy and love that You promise to all of Your people through the gift of Your Son Jesus. Amen.

Candle Lighting                                                           

The First Candle                                                                Grace Smith

Leader: We light this first candle.   all Creation waits for the Light.

All: We remember them with love. May God's eternal love surround them. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here, until the son of God appears. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, 0 Israel.

Meditation Music                                                        Jim Schaar, Sax

The Second Candle                                                          Jim Bredman

Leader: We light this second candle.    the gift of peace, shalom.

All: We remember that through You all things are possible. Refresh, restore, renew us, 0 God, and lead us into Your future. O come thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, 0 Israel.

Meditation Music                                                 Claire Barhite, Violin

The Third Candle                                                         Andrew Barhite

Leader: We light this third candle knowledge of our own mortality.

All: We remember that though we have journeyed far, and that, while lost, we may have turned away from the light, the light itself has not failed. We remember that though winter be upon us and though the night be dark, with the turning of the wheel the dawn will come, and dawn defeats the darkness. O come thou dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thy advent here. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Meditation Music                                                    Jim Schaar, Guitar

The Fourth Candle                                                          Sandy Perkins

Leader: We light this fourth candle...promises us comfort and peace.

All: We remember the One who shares our burdens, who shows us the way to the Light, and who journeys with us into all our tomorrows. O come desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind. Bid then our sad, divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

 Meditation Music                                                 Claire Barhite, Violin

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

- Leader: Lord of great mercy and love    People: Hear our Prayer

HYMN                          Away in A Manger                       Grace/Jim S

The Third Reading: Luke 2:1-7                                       Claire Barhite

Lighting of the Christ Candle                Randy Hultgren

PRAYER (Unison)

Comforting God, wrap us in Your presence in this time of remembrance. With these candles, help us find Your light, a light that will guide us day by day, step by step, as we try to live life fully and wholly. We cherish the special ways in which our loved ones have touched us. We thank You for the gift their lives have been to us. Now comfort us, encourage us, empower us. Amen.

HYMN             Silent Night (Duet on vs. 1, ALL sing vs. 2-3)            239

BLESSING                                                                            Pastor Ruth

Tonight’s Worship Leaders:

Pastor Ruth Sanders, Claire & Andrew Barhite, Jim Bredman, Randy Hultgren, Sandy Perkins, Jim Schaar, Grace Smith

Coffee Fellowship: Randy & Tana Hultgren, Bob & JoAnne Yuergens

*Program ideas adapted from umcdiscipleship.org