Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: http://read.jwpepper.com/i/1182458
39 48613 Rehearsal #4 "Our precious Lord, the Light of Life, shone bright while here on earth, but it was in those darkest hours, salvation found its birth." Rehearsal #5 "Even when darkness comes to us, we know that Jesus, the Light of the world, faced the darkness for our sakes, and it is His light that will lead us on." Rehearsal #6 "You offer hope when darkness comes." Reading from "Salvation Found Its Birth:" Scripture: "May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from His glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:11-14 (NRSV) Sharing of concerns and joys. (Invite choir members to share.) Prayer: Precious Lord, we draw near to You now, as we think about those darkest hours in all the world, when our Lord and Savior hung, dying on the cross. As You granted Him the strength to endure such agony, we are aware that You have also promised to be with us during our own times of trials, making us strong with the strength that comes from Your glorious power. Show us how to live as people who have been rescued from the power of darkness, and who have taken our place in the kingdom of Your beloved Son. Amen. Reading from closing prayer, page 28: Scripture: "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those He redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. He brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder. Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wonderful works to humankind." Psalm 107:2,3, 14,15 (NRSV adapted) Sharing of concerns and joys. (Invite choir members to share.) Prayer: Out of the depths, we cry unto You, O Lord. Hear the voice of our supplication. We give You thanks that because Jesus walked through the valley of the shadow of death for our sakes, we do not need to be afraid. We thank You, Loving God, for this unspeakable gift. Amen. Reading from "When Darkness Comes:" Scripture: "Where can I go from Your spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,' even the darkness is not dark to You, the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you." Psalm 139:7-12 (NRSV) Sharing of concerns and joys. (Invite choir members to share.) Prayer: O blessed Lord, how great the price that Jesus paid to offer us the hope of new life. Help us to live as people who know how great is Your love toward us. Help us to seek to share this love with our world. As we share this everlasting story, may we feel Your abiding presence and know that You have promised to be with us always. Amen. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. For Preview Only