WELCOME AND NOTICES
GATHERING:
All around the world people gather giving thanks for the Advent promise of hope: the hope that overcomes the darkness of the world.
In the countries of east and west, of north and south, people gather
praying for peace: the same peace revealed in the promise,
of God with us, Emmanuel.
CAROL: Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
let earth receive its king;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns;
let us our songs employ;
while fields and streams, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love. C/A
ADVENT CANDLE – LIGHTING : THE CANDLE OF JOY
SUNG RESPONSE: (WOV 13ii)
Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King!
The heavens are not too high, his praise may upward fly;
the earth is not too low, his praises there may grow.
Let all the world in every corner sing: My God and King!
READINGS: Psalm 96 Bob Cathro
Luke 2: 1-7 Wayne Barton
Introduction to Christmas Around the World
Christmas Around the World Part 1
CAROL: Child in the Manger
Child in the manger,
infant of Mary;
outcast and stranger,
Lord of all!
Child who inherits
all our transgressions,
all our demerits
on him fall.
Once the most holy
child of salvation
gently and lowly
lived below;
now, as our glorious
mighty Redeemer,
see him victorious
o’er each foe.
Prophets foretold him,
infant of wonder;
angels behold him
on his throne;
worthy our Saviour
of all their praises;
happy for ever
are his own. © Oxford University Press (CH4)
STORY TIME: A First Nations Story from Canada
POEM: The Huron Carol
CAROL: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (Remain seated)
Infant holy, infant lowly,
for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ, the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging, angels singing,
noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is born for all. X2
Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you. X2 C/A
Christmas Around the World Part 2
CAROL: Silent Night (Remain seated)
Silent night, holy night:
all is calm, all is bright
round the virgin mother and child,
holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night:
shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia;
Christ the Saviour is born,
Christ the Saviour is born.”
Silent night, holy night:
wondrous star, lend your light;
with the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King;
Christ our Saviour is born,
Christ our Saviour is born. C/A
THE OFFERING
O God, bless this money offered,
bless the gifts given.
Accept the offering of our hearts and lives, we pray;
that it may be possible for disappointment to be replaced by joy;
anxiety replaced by happiness,
hopelessness replaced by a sense of purpose.
Bless all our gifts, as once more we prepare to celebrate
with wonder the birth of the Christ Child. AMEN.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 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
THE BLESSING
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 16th Ron (90); Tue 18th Anne; Thu 20th Sarah Jayne; Sat 22nd Lyall.
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Morning tea will be served after the service.
A HUGE THANK YOU to the congregation for the tremendous support of our Cake Stall – $561 was raised. Thank you also to everyone who has provided gifts for Waltham Cottage.
CUPPA & CHAT: EVERY Tuesday & Wednesday 10am – 12 noon. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525. The last session for 2012 is on 19th December, and Cuppa & Chat will resume on 8th January 2013.
BOARD OF MANAGERS’ meeting Wednesday 19th December 7.30pm at 132 Hawford Rd. Please note change of date and venue
CRAFTY CRAFTERS resumes on Thursday 17th January 10am-12 noon.
HUB NEWS: Please see the noticeboard in the foyer for this week’s information.
Anna will be on leave from Friday 21st December. The “office” re-opens on Wednesday 23rd January 2013.
FOOT CLINIC: The next session is Monday 28th January 1-4pm.
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS:
23 December : 9.00 am Carol Service
24 December : 7.30 pm Christmas Eve Service
25 December : 9.30 am Christmas Family Service combined with Beckenham Methodist Parish.
On 30 December and for all of January: 10.00 am Combined Service
Please Note: the changing service times during the Christmas season and holiday period.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz