CALL TO WORSHIP: O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him
born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above,
“Glory to God
in the highest”: O come, let us adore him…
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born for our salvation;
Jesus, to thee be glory given:
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing: O come, let us adore him… (C/A)
ADVENT CANDLE – LIGHTING
SUNG RESPONSE: A Candle is Burning
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December’s dark night.
While angels sing blessings from heaven’s starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease:
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
A candle is burning, a candle of joy,
a candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy.
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
As joy lights the ocean, when summer winds blow.
A candle is burning, a candle of love,
a candle to point us to heaven above.
A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth,
for Jesus is bringing God’s love to the earth. © Sandra Dean (VU)
GATHERING PRAYER
WELCOME AND NOTICES
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
We Celebrate Jesus’ Coming in Word and Song
1st Lesson: God’s Covenant with His people Genesis 17: 1-7
David Beaumont
2nd Lesson: The Promise from Isaiah 11: 1-14
Bob Cathro
CAROL: 240 O Little Town of Bethlehem verses 1-3
3rd Lesson: God Turns Power Upside Down Isaiah 9: 2b, 6-7
Audrey Dunnachie
HYMN: The People That in Darkness Walked
The people that in darkness walked
have seen a glorious light;
the light has shined on them who dwelt
in death’s surrounding night.
To us a child of hope is born,
to us a Son is given;
him shall the tribes of earth obey,
him all the hosts of heaven.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
for evermore adored,
the Wonderful, the Counsellor,
the great and mighty Lord. © Oxford University Press (TIS)
4th Lesson: Others Prepare the Way Luke 1: 11-17 John Shanks
5th Lesson: A Surprising Discovery Luke 1: 26-38 Bev Hudson
6th Lesson: The Birth of Jesus Luke 2: 1-7 Peggy Cree
CAROL: Mary’s Boy Child (remain seated)
Long time ago in Bethlehem so the Holy Bible say,
Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ,
was born on Christmas day.
Hark, now hear the angels sing,
a new King born today.
And we will live for ever-more,
because of Christmas Day.
Trumpets sound and angels sing
Listen to what they say.
That we will live for ever-more
because of Christmas Day
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
them see a bright new shining star,
them hear a choir sing, the music seemed to come from afar.
Now Joseph and his wife, Mary,
come to Bethlehem that night,
them find no place to birth her child,
not a single room was in sight. Refrain
By and by they find a little nook,
in a stable all forlorn.
And in a manger cold and dark,
Mary’s little Boy was born.
Long time ago in Bethlehem so the Holy Bible say,
Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ,
was born on Christmas day.
Refrain- repeat the final line © Bourne Music Ltd, London
7th Lesson: Giving Thanks Matthew 2: 1-2, 9-11 Peggy Cree
POEM: Gifts to Bring
HYMN: All Poor Ones and Humble
All poor ones and humble
and all those who stumble,
come hastening, and feel not afraid;
for Jesus, our treasure,
with love past all measure,
in lowly poor manger was laid.
Those wise men who found him
laid rich gifts around him,
yet oxen they gave him their hay,
and Jesus in beauty accepted their duty;
contented in manger he lay.
Then haste we to show him
the praises we owe him;
our service he ne’er can despise:
whose love still is able to show us that stable,
where softly in manger he lies. © Oxford University Press (VU)
THE OFFERING:
God whose love has no limits, accept these gifts of our
imaginations and our love for you; and may they be part of
the pouring out of your love for the world. Amen.
8th Lesson: Recognising Our Saviour Wayne Barton
REFLECTION: Who is Christmas For?
9th Lesson: Matthew 1: 22-23 Spreading The Word Chris Elliot
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
CAROL: Star-Child, Earth-Child
Star-Child, earth-Child
go-between of God,
love Child, Christ Child,
heaven’s lightning rod,
This year, this year,
let the day arrive,
when Christmas comes
for everyone,
everyone alive!
Street child, beat child
no place left to go,
hurt child, used child,
no one wants to know,
This year, this year…
Grown child, old child,
mem’ry full of years,
sad child, lost child,
story told in tears,
This year, this year…
Spared child, spoiled child,
having, wanting more,
wise child, faith child
knowing joy in store,
This year, this year…
Hope-for-peace Child,
God’s stupendous sign,
down-to-earth Child,
star of stars that shine,
This year, this year… © Shirley Murray (COC)
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.
TODAY: 2.30 – 4.30pm Open House at the Manse (9a Buxton Tce). Come and enjoy a cuppa and a chat .All welcome.
CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in! This is continuing throughout January.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS will resume on Thursday 19th January 2012 from 10am – 12 noon. Newcomers welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: The next session is on Thursday 16th February 2012. Please book through the Parish Office.
THE CONTACT DETAILS for Bruce & Beverley Hudson have changed. Their new address is 2-174 Wilsons Rd. Phone 332 7786. Email hudsonba@actrix.co.nz. Please update your phone lists.
The Parish Office will be closed from 11am on Friday 23rd December until 9am on Wednesday 25th January 2012. Anna.
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
HOLIDAY PROGRAMME:
Mondays 9, 16 & 23 Jan Craft Morning 9.30am – 12 noon
Cost: $1.
Wednesdays 11, 18 & 25 Jan Ball games at Waltham Park 1.30pm
Free. BYO water bottle. If wet, meet at church hall.
Fridays 13, 20 & 27 Jan Games in church hall 3.00 – 5.00pm
Contact Lyndsey 388 1264 for further information. All Welcome.
BIRTHDAYS in the next fortnight: Sun 18th Anne; Tue 20th Sarah Jayne; Thu 22nd Lyall; Fri 23rd Graeme; Sun 25th Isobel; Mon 26th Noeline; Sat 31st Jack.