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Worship for The Birth of Our Lord: Christmas

Wednesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve), 7:00 pm
In-person and Online

Plan to take part in celebrating the birth of God-with-us in Jesus at our heart-warming and joyful worship experience for Christmas Eve!  Interactive and kid-friendly elements, reflections from Rev. Matt, music from our Choir, candlelight, lots of carols old and new, and the Communion Feast at Christ's Table.

Are you new? A special welcome to you...

We're so pleased that you're considering gathering with us for our Christmas worship service on Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)!  Whether you've never been to a Christmas service or any worship service in a Christian church at all... or it's simply been a while, or in some other place... here's some information about what to expect:

When should I get there? How long will the service last?

The service is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm.  People will begin gathering anytime from about 6:30 onward, with most arriving between 6:45 and 6:55. Instrumental music to help set the mood for our gathering will start about 10 minutes before the service begins.  The service will probably last between 60 and 75 minutes.

What will happen during the service?

In our ways of practicing Christianity here in The United Church of Canada, our worship services include a mix of: 

  • spoken prayers to God, some of which we all speak together, some of which are spoken by the worship leader(s), and some of which we speak responsively going back-and-forth between worship leader(s) and all of us;
  • brief periods of quiet for personal prayer or reflection;
  • the reading aloud by the worship leader(s) of passages from Christianity's sacred scripture texts, which collectively we call "the Bible";
  • songs we sing all together (but don't worry... there's no particular level of singing "ability" expected or required... if you've ever helped sing "Happy Birthday" to someone at a party, even mumbling it, you're prepared);
  • often some additional music, perhaps instrumental or perhaps sung by a choir, offered as a form of prayer on behalf of everyone gathered and helping contribute to the sacred "space" of our gathering;
  • at most services, some sort of talk or reflection by one of the pastors that tries to get at what God is saying to us today, rooted in the witness of the scripture readings we've heard (this is what's often referred to as a "sermon", but you'll also hear Christians call it by other names, like a "homily", a "reflection", or a "meditation");
  • and, at some services, the sharing together of a ritual "meal" we call "Holy Communion" (also known by various types of Christians as the "Lord's Supper" or the "Eucharist")... In this ritual, we take time to give thanks to God for all of God's presence and action with people across all of history and we ask God to be present with and among us in a special way through the Communion meal. We then share together in eating a small amount of bread (we use all gluten-free bread, to be as inclusive and accessible to all people as possible) and drinking a small amount of "wine" (we use non-alcoholic grape juice, actually, again to be as inclusive and accessible as possible, even to those who are in recovery), and we do so trusting Jesus' promise to be truly present with us when such a meal was shared in his memory. Here at Cloverdale United Church, everyone who wishes to know the presence of Christ and the community of God's people is welcome and invited to participate.

At our Christmas Eve worship service, you'll find all of these elements, including Holy Communion, as well as a couple of other "special" things, like some time specially intended to engage with the children and youth (or really anyone who connects with creative, interactive moments) and, especially, the lighting and holding of individual candles by everyone near the end of the service, a special moment of reflection and inspiriation that many people cherish as a part of worship on Christmas Eve.

How will I know what to do, and when?

As you arrive, one of the people greeting you at the door will hand you a small printed handout—what we usually call a "bulletin" or a "service leaflet"—that includes a complete run-down of the order of things in the service.  Follow along, just like following a program order at a concert or a script for a play.  For anything for which worshippers are invited to speak, the words you need to participate will be provided in that bulletin.  Likewise, for anything we sing, you'll find in that bulletin either the words and music, or a page number referring you to an item in one of the songbooks (often referred to as "hymnals") that you'll find in front of your seat. 

In addition to all this, in our church we happen to have a pair of display screens at the front of the worship space, and these screens also display the prayer words or song lyrics whenever they're needed.

If in doubt, follow what the people around you are doing… unless they also look a bit confused, in which case, share a laugh with them, and then try again, together! And whatever happens, we'll all carry on!  And please, know that while you are invited to fully participate in all parts of the worship service, according to the order of service in the bulletin, you will not be forced to do so for any piece, if something feels truly uncomfortable or against your conscience. 

Do I have to wear something special? Is there a dress code?

We have only one rule in our dress code:  wear some clothes! 

Among those gathered, you'll probably find people dressed in anything from jeans and sneakers to suits or dresses with dress shoes, and everything in between.  Some of the worship leaders, like the pastors and members of the choir, will have on special clothing called robes or vestments that function as a bit of a uniform signifying their role in the worship service.  Our congregation leans a bit more toward the casual on dress, although just like with family dinners on the holidays, Christmas can be a time when people pull out their nice Christmas sweaters or perhaps something new they've just been gifted. 

Really, it doesn't matter... dress in the way that makes you feel comfortable and ready to pray and listen.

Are kids welcome?  What if my kids aren't perfect little angels?

Children are welcome at all services here at Cloverdale United Church!  In fact, we believe that it is important for families to worship together.  After all… as an old saying goes, “faith is caught, not taught!”  And don’t feel your child must be absolutely quiet or still, for we are glad to have children—and all their wiggles, giggles, and squiggles—as part of our community and worship life! 

We encourage families to help guide the children in their midst to stand and sing along with the songs, read and pray along when they can according to their abilities, join in for any special children's "moments" in the service, and even to partake in Holy Communion.

For those accompanying infants or toddlers who need a spot to ‘escape’ to during the worship service, feel free to make use of the “Quiet Room” off the side of the sanctuary near the piano, where you will find comfortable seating, toys, and a changing table, all while still being able to hear and see the worship service.

And the "not perfect little angels" part?  Let's be honest... how many of us adults are all of the time, either?!

Am *I* welcome?  I'm ____ (queer, old, autistic, a woman, an immigrant, Black, LGBT, poor, young, Indigenous, transgender, rich, a non-native English speaker, a man, Asian, disabled, a person in recovery, white, not a Christian)...?

The short answer:  YES!  As one of our pastors says in welcoming people at nearly every worship service, "no matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, God welcomes you... and so do we!"  Our community of faith is made up of a rich diversity of people, and so long as you're OK being part of a community that seeks to welcome all, then we welcome you!

We have individuals who openly identify as a part of the LGBT community active in the congregation, its leadership, and as staff (even including one of our pastors!).  Our children's ministry leader openly shares from his lived experience as an autistic person.  We currently have a number of members of our community whose first language is Korean, so, while services are conducted mainly in English, we try to make Korean texts available where possible.  The non-gendered, single-user washroom adjacent to the worship space, while not officially accessibility rated, accommodates well most individuals who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids.

And don't get us wrong:  we know that we don't always get it "right" all of the time.  Most of the time, we know that we're still not as diverse of a congregation as we believe God wants us to be... But we're committed to being on the journey together, and would love to journey alongside you, too!

How do I get there?  Where do I park?  Can I get there easily via TransLink?

Our address is 17575 58A Avenue, Surrey... click here to see it on Google Maps.

Our building is located right in the centre of the Cloverdale section of the City of Surrey, at the corner of 58A Avenue and Highway 15 (a.k.a. "Pacific Highway", a.k.a. "the Cloverdale Bypass"), just about a block from the historic mainstreet district of Cloverdale along 176 Street.

Our parking lot is accessed from "around back", off of 59 Avenue.  If approaching via Highway 15, turn to the west onto 58A Avenue and circle around the block, turning right onto 175 Street, going up the block and turning right onto 59 Avenue.  Our parking lot will be on your right, just after the Bethshan Gardens senior apartments.  There is also often street parking available along 59 Avenue.

For TransLink users, our location is adjacent to:

  • the #320 bus route between Surrey City Central and downtown Langley City;
  • the #342 bus route between the Newton Exchange and downtown Langley City;
  • and, by way of stops along 176A Street, one-and-a-half blocks to the east, the #370 bus route between Cloverdale and Willowbrook Centre, via Clayton. 

The closest bus stops to us are:

Is there any fee to be paid or money required?

No.  The worship service is free to attend and participate in, and no fees or payments are required or expected for taking part.

That said, there will be a point during the worship service at which an offering will be collected.  Worshippers can contribute, voluntarily, to this offering out of a sense of gratitude for what God has done and is doing in the world and in their lives, and in thanksgiving for the mission and witness that we carry out here through Cloverdale United Church. 

Contributing to the offering is optional, and no one will make any judgments about you.  In fact, many of our frequent worshippers make their regular offerings through automated debit from their bank account, and so don't necessarily have a physical offering to put into the plate as it is passed.  Others choose to contribute online via credit card.  Information about any of these methods of giving will be in the bulletin you receive when you arrive, or can be found here on our website.

You mentioned songs and singing... what kind of music will I experience?

Here at Cloverdale United Church, our worship format and music style tend toward what many people would call "traditional".  Most of the songs we sing are accompanied on either a piano or an organ.  (That is to say, you won't regularly find a "praise band" or other guitar-and-drumset-centric music group up front... although some alternative instruments and leadership do occasionally make it into the mix.)  Many of the songs we sing take the form of traditional hymns rooted in the Euro-North-American mainline Protestant heritage that is a part of our history, but we're always adding to our repertoire with newer pieces and music from other cultural backgrounds.

For the Christmas Eve service, nearly all of the songs we will sing will be Christmas carols of the traditional, religious variety—"O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Joy to the World," "Silent Night," that sort of thing.  And, if we're doing our work as people of faith well, hopefully maybe an item or two that will be new to you, as well... 

 

Also coming up for the remainder of the Season of Christmas:

  • Sunday, December 28, 10:30 am: A Service of Lessons & Carols for Christmas, led by Pastor Youngsun and members of the CUC choir

  • Sunday, January 4, 10:30 am: Worship for the Feast of the Epiphany, led by Rev. Matt and including Holy Communion