VERSION: 9 April 2002
NEW YEAR'S EVE WATCHNIGHT SERVICE
NOTES
Although it has not been customary for our churches to hold a midnight service at New Year's Eve, this watchnight service may be useful for some congregations. 'Watchnight' was the name given by early British Methodists to a form of vigil, now held almost exclusively on New Year's Eve.
Below is a suggested service order. It may be treated flexibly and adapted according to local requirements.
The order begins with a service of light, during which candles and/or lamps may be lit. A large clock (like a station clock) may be placed prominently in the church where the congregation can see the time passing. Three 'nocturns' follow, each consisting of a psalm, a prayer, a Scripture reading, a brief meditation or silence, and a hymn or song. The service may be timed to conclude at midnight. It is suggested that silence be observed as midnight passes and the new year begins, before the service concludes.
The watchnight prayer is in the form of spoken needs followed by the response: 'We will watch with you. Come, Lord Jesus. Come.' Other prayers could be used instead; an alternative prayer is given at the end of the service.
NEW YEAR'S EVE WATCHNIGHT SERVICE
SERVICE OF LIGHT
RESPONSES
The light of Christ shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
Stay with us, Lord, because it is almost evening
and the day is now nearly over.
May the Light of Christ, rising in glory,
dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.
HYMN
The following or another evening hymn is sung .
(Phos hilaron, 3rd century, tr. John Brownlie, alt. by David Sch¸tz; tune: Herr, ich habe missgehandelt, LHS 78. Note that TIS has two hymns based on Phos hilaron, viz 191 Hail, gladdening Light and 255 O Laughing Light.)
Light serene of holy glory,
from the Immortal Father poured,
you are holy, blessed Jesus,
holy, blessed Christ the Lord.
Now we see the sun descending,
now we light the light of evening.
Now, in hymns we praise the Father,
Son and Spirit, God of might.
Worthy, Lord, of endless praises,
you are Christ, the Lord of Life!
All the world gives thanks together
for your gift of life forever.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We thank you, Lord our God,
for leading your people Israel by a pillar of cloud by day
and a pillar of fire by night.
Guide us through the darkness of this night
with the light of Christ,
so that we may enter this new year
in peace and confidence.
May his word be a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
HYMN/SONG
The following hymn may be sung (from a text translated by John Brownlie; tune: Unser Herrscher, LHS 95, TIS 379), or another hymn or song (eg LHS 550 Now the day is over, ATE 303 Stay awake, or TIS 673 I set the Lord before my eyes).
From the calm of sleep awaking,
fall we now before your feet,
and with angel hymns adoring,
God almighty we would greet:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
bless us, save us by your word.
From the night of rest uprising
in my soul with brightness shine,
open now my lips to praise you,
blessed Trinity divine:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
bless us, save us by your word.
When the Judge shall come for judgment
and our deeds are brought to light,
fearful we shall lift our voices
in the middle of the night:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
bless us, save us by your word.
FIRST NOCTURN
PSALM 16
Antiphon: I bless the Lord, who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
we thank you for all the gifts you have given us
during the past year,
although we have not deserved them
As we have known your love in the past,
continue to show us your goodness
in the year to come.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FIRST READING
Acts 16:23-33 Paul and Silas pray at midnight, and a jailer is baptised
BRIEF MEDITATION/SILENCE
HYMN/SONG
A hymn or song may be sung, for instance LHS 545 The day is gently sinking to a close, LHS 549 The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended, ATN 101 (LHS 862) Jesus, please watch over us, or TIS 458 The day you gave us, Lord, is ended.
SECOND NOCTURN
PSALM 30
Antiphon: Tears may flow in the night,
but joy comes in the morning.
PRAYER
Bless us, O Lord, and bless the time and seasons yet to come.
Teach us to number our days aright, so that we may gain wisdom of heart.
And fill this new year with your kindness, so that we may be glad and rejoice all the days of our life.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SECOND READING
Mark 13:31-37 The master of the house may come at midnight
BRIEF MEDITATION/SILENCE
HYMN/SONG
A hymn or song may be sung, for instance LHS 489 Rejoice, rejoice believers*; LHS 870, ATO 405 , TIS 613 Lord of all hopefulness.
THIRD NOCTURN
PSALM 90
Antiphon: For a thousand years in your sight
are like a watch in the night.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
strengthen us to work while it is day,
before the night comes
when no-one can work.
And if this is to be our last year on earth,
may we leave this life in faith,
and enter into the life you have prepared for us.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
THIRD READING
Matthew 25:1-13 But at midnight there came a shout!
BRIEF MEDITATION/SILENCE
HYMN/SONG
A hymn or song may be sung, for instance LHS 487, TIS 266 Wake, awake, for night is flying; ATE 302 Soon and very soon.
WATCHNIGHT PRAYER
(or another prayer, eg see appendix below)
Voice 1: Do not forget one thing, my dear friends!
there is no difference in the Lord's sight
between one day and a thousand years;
to him the two are the same.
Jesus said:
You will hear of wars and rumours of wars;
see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place,
but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom,
and there will be famines and earthquakes
in various places:
all this is but the beginning of the birthpangs.
Voice 2: Who will watch with me for the coming of the Lord?
Who will see in the New Year with me?
Who will join their voice with me
and pray, 'Come, Lord Jesus'?
Minister: We will watch with you.
Cong: Come, Lord Jesus. Come!
Voice 3: I am hungry.
There is enough food in the world to feed everyone.
But I have nothing to eat.
Who will watch with me?
Minister: We will watch with you.
Cong: Come, Lord Jesus. Come!
Voice 4: I am in prison.
I have had no trial and I am being tortured.
I am in prison for what I believe.
Who will watch with me?
Minister: We will watch with you.
Cong: Come, Lord Jesus. Come!
Voice 5: I am homeless.
My home has been destroyed by bomb-fire.
My family have died in the war.
Who will watch with me?
Minister: We will watch with you.
Cong: Come, Lord Jesus. Come!
Voice 6: I am dying.
I have cancer.
The doctors give me no hope.
Who will watch with me?
Minister: We will watch with you.
Cong: Come, Lord Jesus. Come!
Voice 7: I am lonely.
I live in a city of three million people
and I do not have a single friend.
Who will watch with me?
Minister: We will watch with you.
Cong: Come, Lord Jesus. Come!
Other voices may speak other needs and concerns of the world and community. After each voice, the response is:
Minister: We will watch with you.
Cong: Come, Lord Jesus. Come!
AT MIDNIGHT
SILENT PRAYER
When the hour approaches midnight, the congregation remains silent until after midnight has passed. Then all pray:
LORD'S PRAYER
BLESSING
The following blessing, based on a watchnight prayer by Charles Spurgeon, may be said, or another blessing is said.
During this year of grace, may you receive much grace.
May you proceed onwards on your pilgrimage to heaven.
May we as the church, as pastors and people,
mutually strive together for the faith of Jesus.
And may the Lord bring to faith
those who do not yet know him,
before another year passes away.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favour,+ and give you peace.
Amen.
HYMN/SONG
A hymn or song may be sung, for instance, LHS 556, TIS 47 O God, our help in ages past; ATN 38 One by one you call us home.
APPENDIX: ANOTHER PRAYER
This prayer may be used instead of the watchnight prayer above.
Heavenly Father, you are God from everlasting to everlasting. A thousand years are like one day to you, like yesterday already gone, or like a short hour in the night. As you have created time itself, we praise you, and look to you as the giver of every good and perfect gift, the source of all our help, and the God of our salvation.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
In your gracious care you have brought us to this day, and it is by your mercy that we continue to live in this life. Year by year you have blessed us. You have not punished us for our sins as we deserve. You have continued to bless us through the church, and you have filled our homes and lives with your goodness.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Make this new year a year when we can come to know your saving love even more. We enter this year trusting in your Son, Jesus Christ, who came to save all people. We know no other name by which we can be saved. Make Jesus' name our daily shelter and only refuge.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Bless your church, and let your word spread rapidly, so that your kingdom may be extended throughout the earth. Look in mercy on our own congregation, and preserve among us the pure preaching of your word and the right use of the holy sacraments.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Bless our country and all its people in this new year. Give our leaders wisdom and power to administer justice and to work for the good of all. Maintain peace in our land and bring the blessing of peace to all the earth. Provide the world with daily bread, and save us from drought and disease.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Watch over our homes; bless them with peace and happiness, and help all parents to guide their families with kindness and fairness. Keep the privileged and prosperous from worldly pride, and be with the poor and needy. When your people cry to you in need, hear them, and rescue them from all their troubles.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
As you determine the days of our lives, we commit ourselves into your hands. Keep us from every evil and bless us with what you know is best. Lead us in the new year to live in the new life which we received in our baptism, and help us to use every new day to love and do your will. If this coming year should be our last on earth, may we end our earthly life in peace and begin the new year of eternity with you.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Hear us, eternal God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.
Amen.
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