A Children’s Christmas Celebration
CALL TO WORSHIP led by Gillian, Ethan, Ellen:
We are now in the season of Advent, a time of promise and a time of preparing. We will light the advent candle and pray that God will be with us here. Help us to listen.
God who listens. Help us to pray.
God who sees. Help us to act.
God who acts. Help us to share.
(Lighting the candle)
We light this candle and remember God’s word spoken down the ages, a promise of peace and life for everyone.
Peace and life for everyone.
Let us pray:
O God of hope, send your light to us as we make ready to welcome Jesus again. Live in us and help us to live in you. Amen.
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…
‘God is with us’, round the world the message sing;
He is with us, ‘Welcome!’ all the bells on earth are pealing. Come…
©Valerie Collison (CH4)
OPENING PRAYER led by Wayne, Eleanor, Adam, Jack:
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PLAY
CAROL: The First Nowell
The first nowell the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay: in fields where they lay 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 a 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…
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…
CAROL: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn 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 as Man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel. Hark…
Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
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. Hark…
CAROL: We Three Kings
We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown Him again.
King for ever, ceasing never over us all to reign. O star…
Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns a deity nigh.
Prayer and praising, all men raising, worship Him, God on high. O…
CAROL: Mary’s Boy Child
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 man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day. Trumpets sound and angles sing, listen to what they say, that man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day.
CAROL: 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 this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father now in flesh appearing: O come…
POWERPOINT: The Story of Christmas ~ Gillian
PRESENTATIONS ~ Eleanor
SHARING THE PEACE & GREETING OTHERS:
Gillian: May the God of peace make you completely holy, ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
MUSIC VIDEO: Love Crashed into the World ~ Introduced by Gillian
http://crossroadskidsclub.net/song/love-crash-into-the-world/
(to be shown as powerpoint)
OFFERING led by Gillian
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION ~ Alice
SONG: Carol our Christmas (Upside down Christmas)
Carol our Christmas, an upside down Christmas;
Snow is not falling and trees are not bare.
Carol the summer and welcome the Christ child,
Warm in our sunshine and sweetness of air.
Sing of the gold and the green and the sparkle,
Water and river and lure of the beach.
Sing in the happiness of open spaces,
Sing a nativity summer can reach!
Shepherds and musterers move over hillsides,
Finding not angels, but sheep to be shorn;
Wise ones make journeys, whatever the season,
Searching for signs of the truth to be born.
Right side up Christmas belongs to the universe.
Made in the moment a woman gives birth;
Hope is the Jesus gift, love is the offering,
Everywhere, anywhere, here on the earth. ©Shirley Murray (AA)
THE BLESSING:
May our generous God meet all our needs and our loving God hold us fast. And the blessing of God be with us all and those we love, this day and always. Amen.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 6th Catherine; Mon 7th Florence; Tue 8th Eleanor; Sat 12th Richard.
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning, Please stay for morning tea after the service. Thanks to our young people (and their helpers!) for leading our service today.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 9th Dec: Meet at Kaizuka 9.30am.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Final session for the year this Thursday 10am.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR WALTHAM COTTAGE: Next Sunday is your last opportunity to place gifts under the Christmas Tree. Gifts are required for men, women, teenagers & children. PLEASE DO NOT WRAP YOUR GIFTS. Edible items acceptable. Boxes of chocolates are especially handy. Donations of wrapping paper also very welcome. Thank you for your support.
COMMUNITY CAROL SINGING Sunday 13th December 6pm in Ford Rd, Opawa by the footbridge. All are welcome.
QUALITY USED CLOTHING SALE Saturday 30th January 2016 9am at St Mark’s Anglican Church Hall, 101 Opawa Rd. We will also be selling jams, pickles, preserves, cakes, sweets etc… All donations gratefully received.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays & Thursdays 9am – 12noon, and Fridays 9-11am. Phone 332 6192, Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Any notices to Anna by 9am every Thursday please.
NB: Anna will be at Beckenham Methodist this Thursday 10th December.
ALPINE PRESBYTERY NEWSLETTER is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.
2015 CWS CHRISTMAS APPEAL: At the heart of the Appeal are stories of determination and courage that give a glimpse of the work of CWS partners helping to rebuild people’s lives one by one.
Advent 2: Peace – Strengthening Rural Communities in Nicaragua
15 year old Giselle has been offered training as a Peaceful Community Mentor by CEPAD to enable her to confront some of the violence, mediate conflicts and build self-esteem among her peers in her rural village where drugs, alcohol and unemployment are a way of life.
Please give generously to this Appeal. Over 70 years, your gifts have helped people get through difficult times. www.christmasappeal.org.nz.
SERVICES FOR CHRISTMAS & BEYOND
Sunday 20th December 9am
Nine Lessons & Carols
Thursday 24th December Christmas Eve
You are invited to join Beckenham Methodist at 11.30pm, or come along to St Anne’s Anglican Church at 11pm, or attend a service near to where you live.
Friday 25th December 9.30am
Christmas Day Celebration ~
a combined service with Beckenham
Sundays 27th December and
3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th January
10am Combined Services
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Please note: this is a correction to the information published in the ‘Messenger’