God Is Light

Candlelight Service

Provide candles for every individual in the service. Purchase several lighters (inexpensive ones work great) for lighting the candles. Use several lighters to light one candle on the end of each pew, and have congregation then light each other candles.

Reader 1 Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-4; I John 1: 1-4 (NIV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light day, and the

darkness he called night. And there was evening, and there was morningthe first day. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touchedthis we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. Congregation: The Light of the World is Jesus: (Hymn)

Reader 2 Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-4;6-9 (NIV) Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope. 6 I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. 9 See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.

Special Music: God Is Light

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNmEEKqhypQ

Scripture Reading: I John 1:5-9 (NIV) This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Congregation or Special Music: Worthy is the Lamb (Hillsong)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4CCLnmf1Q&feature=related

Reader 3 Scripture Reading John 12: 37-47 (NIV)

37

Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: 40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turnand I would heal them.41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus glory and spoke about him. 42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God. 44 Then Jesus cried out, Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world

as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

47

If

Congregation: Open the Eyes of My Heart (Michal Smith)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnqb7Vn4AEE&feature=related

Reader 4 Scripture Reading John 12:36; Isa. 60:1, 20; Ps. 18:28
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Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light. 1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. He had finished speaking; Jesus left and hid himself from them. 20 Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. (NIV) 28 For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. (NKJV). As we prepare to light our candles, let us hold high the light that God has sent to us. Let us be thankful that the light has come to our hearts.

(Lighting of the Candles)

Congregation: There is a Candle (Go Light Your Candle) (Suggest using a soloist on the verses and the congregation joins in on the chorus as they hold up their candles. This songs can also be sang as the lighting of the candles occurs) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtIIFJIxdUw

Unison: In the same way, let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. Amen (Based on Matt 5:15 NIV)

Closing Prayer: Pastor Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011. All rights reserved.

Suggestions: If you need to lengthen the service, your Senior or Worship pastor can add comments to the Scripture after each reading.