The Service this evening will proceed unannounced

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 you
born to be our Saviour;
Jesus, to you be glory given:
Word of the Father now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him… C/A

GATHERING PRAYER

READING 1: Isaiah 9: 2-7 John Shanks

Light of Hope: On unknown paths we wait for birth…

1st Candle Lit

We light this candle as a sign of God’s hope in a hope famished world.

Prayer

Hymn: Hark the Glad Sound
Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
the Saviour promised long;
let every heart prepare a throne
and every voice be song.

He comes the broken heart to bind,
the wounded soul to cure;
and with the treasures of his grace
to enrich the humble poor.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
your welcome shall proclaim,
and heaven’s eternal arches ring
with your beloved name. C/A

Light of Preparation: Dawn gives birth to light; peace is born…

2nd Candle Lit

We light this second candle as a reminder that God prepared, is preparing and will prepare ways for us to encounter the Christ Child.

Prayer

Light of Praise: We lift our hearts in thanksgiving…

3rd Candle Lit

We light this third candle, the light of praise, in response to God’s grace, and renewing love.

Prayer

READING 2: Selections from Luke 1: 46-54 Tony Blackler

Light of Justice: May the flames of justice illuminate the dark…

4th Candle Lit

We light this fourth candle, waiting and preparing for the one
with whom we can stand with the hungry, the outcasts, the strangers.
Prayer

RESPONSIVE LITANY: Come to us once more © Jim Magaw
In the hopeful light of morning,
sunrise overcoming the darkness of light:
Come to us once more, Light of the World.
In the mysterious beauty of a splendid sunset
surrounding our hearts with peace:
Come to us once more, Light of the World.
In sunlight after dreary, rain-soaked days,
bringing renewal to our spirits:
Come to us once more, Light of the World.
In affirmations of peace, borne on wings of love
when newscasts seem only to shout hatred and violence:
Come to us once more, Light of the World.
In the birth of a holy Child,
bearing the promise of new life for all the world.
Come to us once more, Light of the World.
Set our lives aglow with Love,
the reality that remains when nothing else is secure. Amen.

READING 3: Luke 2: 1-7 Jesus’ birth John Shanks

CAROL: Born in the Night, Mary’s Child (Remain seated)
Born in the night, Mary’s Child
a long way from your home:
coming in need, Mary’s Child,
born in a borrowed room.

Clear shining light, Mary’s Child,
your face lights up our way:
Light of the world, Mary’s Child,
dawn on our darkened day.

Truth of our life, Mary’s Child,
you tell us God is good:
yes, it is true, Mary’s Child,
shown on your cross of wood.

Hope of the world, Mary’s Child,
you’re coming soon to reign:
Saviour of all, Mary’s Child,
walk in our streets again. © Stainer & Bell (VU)
READING 4: Luke 2: 8-14 Tony Blackler

CAROL: The First Nowell verses 1-4
The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay:
In fields where they lay a-keeping their sheep
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star,
shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell…

And by the light of that same star,
three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell …

This star drew nigh to the north-west,
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay
right over the place where Jesus lay.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell … C/A

The Light is Come : The Light is Come…

POEM: That Light ~ Eleanor Cowles

The Final Candle is lit

We light this candle to symbolise that the Light of the World has come.

SUNG RESPONSE (Tune: Silent Night) Remain seated.
Candle light, sacred light, mystery flames, burning bright, Hope, joy and peace are the gifts of this night. Love poured out over all within sight, Shine your light in our world; shine your light in our world.
© 2006 Catherine MacDonald, Gathering
CANDLE-LIGHTING
An opportunity to bring your candle forward and light it.
If you would prefer to take it home please feel free to do so.

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS

BLESSING
May God who leads by the light of a Star,
show us the direction to Bethlehem;
lead us to the place where love is to be born in our lives.
May Jesus, born long ago in a stable,
be born anew in our hearts this night.
May his birth bring to our world the gifts of his life,
and justice, peace and hope for all. Amen.

CAROL: Still the Night (remain seated)
Still the night, Holy the night,
sleeps the world, hid from sight,
Mary and Joseph in stable bare,
watch o’er the child, beloved and fair,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Still the night, Holy the night,
shepherds first saw the light,
heard resounding clear and strong,
far and near, the Angels song,
Christ the Redeemer is here,
Christ the Redeemer is here.
Still the night, Holy the night,
Son of God, love’s pure light,
love is smiling from thy face,
strikes for us now the hour of grace,
Saviour since thou art born,
Saviour since thou art born. © Compliers Church Hymnary (CH 2)

The Christmas Day Service is a combined service at 9.30 am.