WELCOME AND NOTICES
SONG: Come and Join the Celebration
Come and join the celebration, it’s a very special day;
come and share our jubilation,
there’s a new King born today!
See the shepherds
hurry down to Bethlehem,
gaze in wonder
at the Son of God who lay before them. Come and join…
`God is with us’,
round the world the message sing;
he is with us,
`Welcome!’ all the bells on earth are pealing. Come and join …
Wise men journey,
led to worship by a star,
kneel in homage,
bringing precious gifts from lands afar, So, Come and join …
© High-Fye Music Ltd (CH4)
OPENING PRAYER
ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING
Leader: Advent is a season of waiting: waiting for the hope,
peace, joy, and love of God to break into our lives anew through the story of the birth of Jesus, and through acts of hope, peace, joy, and love.
It reminds us to look for where God’s way of love is present in our world today. Today we light the third candle, the candle of joy.
We wait – not because we do not know the story of Jesus, and not because God is not already and always here.
We wait because to wait is to expect something more.
To wait is to expect that the story might enter our hearts and
our world in new ways, to bring the change for which we long.
(A candle-lighter lights three purple Advent candles.).
PRESENTATION BY THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
CAROL: Little Donkey
Little donkey, little donkey, on the dusty road.
Got to keep on plodding onwards, with your precious load.
Been a long time, little donkey, thro’ the winter’s night.
Don’t give up now, little donkey, Bethlehem’s in sight.
Ring out those bells tonight, Bethlehem, Bethlehem.
Follow that star tonight, Bethlehem, Bethlehem.
Little donkey, little donkey, had a heavy day.
Little donkey, carry Mary safely on her way.
Little donkey, little donkey, journey’s end is near.
There are wise men, waiting for a sign to bring them hear.
Do not falter, little donkey, there’s a star a head.
It will guide you, little donkey, to a cattle shed.
Ring out those bells tonight, Bethlehem, Bethlehem.
Follow that star tonight, Bethlehem, Bethlehem.
Little donkey, little donkey, had a heavy day.
Little donkey, carry Mary safely on her way.
Little donkey, carry Mary safely on her way. © Eric Boswell
CAROL: 242 Away in a Manger
CAROL: Songbook 67 We Three Kings of Orient are
CAROL: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,
Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the new born King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail the incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!” C/A
PRESENTATIONS
THE OFFERING & PRAYER
PRAYERS FOR OTHERS
CAROL: See Him Lying on a Bed of Straw
See him lying on a bed of straw
Draughty stable with an open door
Mary cradling the babe she bore
The Prince of glory is his name.
Oh, now carry me to Bethlehem
To see the Lord appear to men
Just as poor as was the stable then
The prince of glory when he came.
Star of silver sweeps across the skies
Show where Jesus in the manger lies
Shepherds swiftly from your stupor rise
To see the Saviour of the world. Oh, now carry me to Bethlehem…
Mine are riches from thy poverty
From thine innocence, eternity
Mine, forgiveness by thy death for me
Child of sorrow, for my joy.
Oh, now carry me to Bethlehem…
Angels, sing again the song you sang
Bring God’s glory to the heart of man
Sing, “Bethlehem’s little baby can
Be salvation to the soul.”
Oh, now carry me to Bethlehem…
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for a cup of tea or coffee in the lounge after the service.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS for Waltham Community Cottage: Today is your final opportunity to place gifts under the Tree. Thank you for your support.
Carol Service readers: please sign the list in the foyer and take a copy of the reading. A balance of men and women would be appreciated!
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 14th Dec: Meet 10am at The Colombo. See noticeboard for details. End of Year brunch at Oderings 11.30am. June 332 8874.
CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in!
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12 noon. All welcome.
FOOTCARE CLINIC on Thursday 15th December is fully booked.
Thank you to those who filled out the recent Church Life Survey. Results will be available in the New Year.
New Readers’ Roster is available – please collect your copy today.
Sunday 18th December 2.30 – 4.30pm Open House at the Manse. Come and enjoy a cuppa and a chat.
UPCOMING SERVICES
Tuesday 20th Dec 7.30pm A Blue Christmas Service
Saturday 24th Dec 7.30pm Christmas Eve Service
Sunday 25th Dec 9.00am Christmas Day Family Service