Image: Huie Family ©2022. Original written content: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber ©2022.

Holy Wonder: Gathering in Hope

Prelude (Vicky)

Welcome (Pastor) Welcome! Welcome! On this Christmas Eve we continue opening to “Holy Wonder.”

No matter who you are… No matter where you are on life’s journey… You are welcome here! Welcome guests.

Through Jesus Christ, we are called together as the Beloved Community. We are blessed by this sacred worship space located on unceded territory of the Lisjan-Ohlone people. We honor the past and face the future in peace with hope.

Today’s… Flowers: Jesus Christ’s Birth. Worship Team: Musician Vicky Jennings, Reader Darlene Hamady, Advent Wreath Mabel Low and Debbie Schram, and Pastor Rev. Kathryn Schreiber.

Carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Chalice #144, v 1 & 4/song sheet (Vicky)

Advent Candles Reading and Lighting: (Mabel Low and Debbie Schram) After Mabel’s reading: We light all the Advent Candles – expectant and eager to encounter Holy Wonder.

Light all FOUR Advent Candles. (Do NOT light Christ Candle, yet)

Holy Wonder: Christ is Born

Christian Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 (NRSV) (Darlene)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. Joseph went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Carol: “Away in a Manger” Chalice #147, v 1 & 2 /song sheet (Vicky)

Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7 (NRSV) (Pastor)

A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.

Christ Candle Reading and Lighting (Mabel Low and Debbie Schram)

Let us pray:

“Let this moment settle in my heart,

Let all that it holds rest secure in the love of God,

Let the wonder of the holy One

radiate from the center of my being,

Until the reality of Christ’s inner presence

Spills out into the world around me.” Amen. (cs)

Light the New Christ Candle

Doxology “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” Chalice #47(Vicky)

Holy Wonder: God is Here

Sermon “Holy Wonder: God is Here!” (Pastor) God chose to become extremely vulnerable to be with us. Being open to Holy Wonder is humbling ourselves to God’s incomprehensible love for us.

Special Music (Vicky)

Holy Communion (Pastor)

Invitation, Gathering Souls, Words of Institution, Prayer of Consecration, Sharing the Elements

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Pastoral Prayer (Pastor)

Carol “Silent Night, Holy Night” Chalice #145, verses 1-3/song sheet (Vicky)

Benediction (Pastor)

Postlude (Vicky)

The service is concluded.

Worship Resources:

(kms) All content prepared and written by Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber, unless attributed to another source.

(NRSV) New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

(cs) Christine Sine

Residency Acknowledgement: This content was written in Huichin Village, unceded territory of the Lisjan- Ohlone people, where I dwell and serve as a local church pastor. Please support indigenous rematriation efforts, the #LandBack movement, and give to Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Soghttps://sogoreate-landtrust.org/ and other non-profits that reform, balance, and heal relationships with our indigenous hosts. Thank you!

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Online Publishing Date: December 18, 2022.

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Donation: Due to the current coronavirus pandemic this content is free. If you’d like to support the congregation I serve as pastor – Berkeley Chinese Community Church – we’d be most grateful for your support. Please send checks to: BCCC UCC, 2117 Acton Street, Berkeley, CA 94702, Attn: Diane Huie, Treasurer. Thank you!

For Online Content: Please see Facebook pages: “Berkeley Chinese Community Church” and “Living Liturgies”; as well as my website: www.inthebiglove.com and YouTube channel: “Kathryn Schreiber”