Carol Service Sunday 23 December 2012

WELCOME AND NOTICES

CALL TO WORSHIP: Come to this Christmas Singing
(Tune: WOV 245)
Come to this Christmas singing!
come to a birthday, bringing
gifts from our country’s treasure,
beauty of shell and stone:
wisdom the old have taught us,
laughter the young have brought us,
love to surround a manger,
making this Child our own.

Wealth of our land and water,
riches of race and culture –
these be our gold and incense
offered for Christmas Day:
where we make peace, declare it,
where we have much, let’s share it,
aroha warm our hearts, and
aroha be our way.

Here where the sheep are grazing,
where summer sun is blazing
harvests for others ripen –
food for the world can grow:
Christ of a cold December,
quicken us to remember
poverty in a stable,
need, like the sting of snow. © Shirley Murray (CoC)

GATHERING PRAYER
(The service will continue unannounced)

READINGS: From Isaiah 9 Barry Moore
From Matthew 1 David Beaumont

SUNG RESPONSE: (Tune: Greensleeves )
What child is this, who laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing,
haste, haste to bring him praise,
the Babe, the Son of Mary!

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey Part 1

CAROL: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground,
the angel of the Lord came down
and glory shone around.

‘Fear not’, said he (for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind),
‘glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and humankind.

‘To you in David’s town this day
is born of David’s line
a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
and this shall be the sign:

‘the heavenly babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swaddling clothes
and in a manger laid’. C/A

Story Part 2

Carol: Where is the Room?
Where is the room,
where is the house of Christmas?
Where shall we welcome Jesus,
where are the signs of home?
Where are the signs of home?

Let Christ have space,
place at the heart of living,
centre for birth’s new breathing,
cradle for hope and peace,
cradle for hope and peace.

Let there be room,
room for the friend and stranger,
room without hurt or anger,
room for whoever come,
room for whoever come.

Let love be here,
love from the Christmas stable,
love at our open table,
love to be shared all year,
love to be shared all year. © Shirley Murray (CoC)

Story Part 3

CAROL: 243(i) Love Came Down at Christmas (remain seated)
Love came down at Christmas, Worship we the Godhead,
Love all lovely, Love divine; Love incarnate, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas, worship we our Jesus:
star and angels gave the sign. but wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
love be yours and love be mine,
love to God and all men,
love for plea and gift and sign. ? Stainer & Bell, London (TIS)

The Candle-lighter comes and lights the 4th Advent Candle

Story Part 4
POEM: Friend ~ Joy Cowley

CAROL: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Remain seated)
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
their old familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet the words repeat
of peace on earth, good will to all.

And thought how, as the day had come,
the belfries of all Christendom
had rolled along the unbroken song
of peace on earth, good will to all.

Till ringing, singing on its way
the world revolved from night to day,
a voice, a chime, a chant sublime
of peace on earth, good will to all.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
of peace on earth, good will to all.” C/A

ACT OF REMEMBRANCE

THE OFFERING:
God, we thank you for the gift of the people in our lives –
family, friends and neighbours.
Today as we remember and give thanks for those who have been important to us, and are no longer with us, you remind us
that we are created to live in community;
that our lives are intertwined with others and touched by others.

We thank you that in the gift of yourself in Jesus: you showed us ultimate goodness, complete faithfulness, total compassion.
May we live with that same attitude of being and doing.

Bless these offerings and the offering of our lives in your service,
in Jesus’ name…

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE continue.

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

BIRTHDAYS: Sun 23rd Graeme; Tue 25th Isobel; Wed 26th Noeline; Mon 31st Jack (5)

WORSHIP FOR CHRISTMAS AND BEYOND

24 December : 7.30 pm Christmas Eve Service
(Beckenham Methodist Service at 11.30 pm)
25 December : 9.30 am Combined Christmas Family Service
30 December : 10.00 am Combined Service led by Alan
6 January : 10.00 am Combined Service led by Chris
Communion

13 January :10.00 am Combined Service led by Chris
20 January :10.00 am Combined Service led by Alan
27 January: 10.00 am Combined Service (Alan & Chris)

3 February : 9.00 am Communion

Please watch for the changed service times during the Christmas season and holiday period.
Services return to normal on the 3 February.