WELCOME AND NOTICES

CALL TO WORSHIP:
God calls us to celebrate our sense of belonging, to accept
the joys and challenges that are part of relationship with him;
and to live in faithful response, that we might become fully human, in the way of Jesus of Nazareth,
who has shown us The Way.

HYMN: God is Here (Tune: Blaenwern WOV 165ii)
God is here! As we his people
meet to offer praise and prayer,
may we find in fuller measure
what it is in Christ we share:
Here, as in the world around us,
all our varied skills and arts
wait the coming of His Spirit
into open minds and hearts

Here are symbols to remind us
of our lifelong need of grace;
here are table, font and pulpit,
here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching,
here in silence, as in speech,
here in newness and renewal
God the Spirit comes to each.

Here our children find a welcome
in the Shepherd’s flock and fold;
here as bread and wine are taken,
Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant
seek in worship to explore
what it means in daily living
to believe and to adore.

Lord of all, of Church and Kingdom,
in an age of change and doubt,
keep us faithful to the gospel,
help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day’s dedication,
all we have to give, receive;
we who cannot live without you,
we adore you! We believe. © Hope Publishing (VU)

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

HYMN: Go, Tell Everyone
God’s Spirit is in my heart,
he has called me and set me apart.
This is what I have to do,
what I have to do.

He sent me to bring the Good News to the poor,
tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
tell blind people that they can see,
and set the downtrodden free.
And go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come,
and go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom has come.

And just as the Father sent me,
so I’m sending you out to be
my witnesses throughout the world,
the whole of the world.

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Jonah 3: 1-5, 10 Lyn Steele
Mark 1: 14-20 Warren Pettigrew

HYMN: Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult
Jesus call us; o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild restless sea,
day by day his clear voice sounding,
saying, “Christian, follow me”:

Long ago apostles heard it
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for his dear sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, “Christian, love me more”. C/A

SERMON

HYMN: Will You Come and Follow Me
Will you come and follow me
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know
and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown
in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer
in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see
if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free
and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean
and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean
in you and you in me?

Will you love the ‘you’ you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
to reshape the world around
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me? © Iona Community (VU)

OFFERING:
God, we hear your voice calling us in the voice of Jesus calling his disciples; we hear your voice calling us as you called Jonah long ago.
You have given us many gifts and you invite us to respond to your generosity; and so we bring our gifts today, gifts of money and food, along with ourselves, prepared to follow in the Way of Jesus. Amen.

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: We Remember With Thanksgiving Tune: Hymn to Joy WOV92
We remember with thanksgiving
those who dared frontiers of old.
Speaking words of faithful living,
they in truth the gospel told.
They believed the church’s story
that in Christ all folk are one.
Both the mission and the glory
were that God’s good will be done.

We rejoice to see the Spirit
working here and now as then,
claiming lives of those who hear it –
good news told by tongue and pen.
Reconciling, teaching, healing,
saving body, mind and soul;
peace with justice, love revealing
God’s desire to make us whole.

Into future generations
may the Word go out abroad,
so all people, lands and nations
join to praise our gracious God.
Then, in gratitude for vision,
reaffirm, recall, rejoice,
recommit ourselves to mission,
still the church’s clearest voice. © Jane Parker Huber (SiC)

THE BLESSING

ST MARTIN’S NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

***FROM NEXT WEEK OUR SERVICE IS AT 9AM***

WINNIE BAGOES: Thank you to all the people who have bought and sold tickets for tonight’s fundraiser. If you haven’t paid for your ticket(s), please give the money to Joan Macdonald immediately so she can make one bulk payment. Wishing you all a lovely time and I am really sorry I can’t come. Anneke.

PLEASE NOTE: The Combined noticeboard is now the large noticeboard in the foyer.

COPY REQUIRED FOR ‘MESSENGER’: Please send articles, poems, photos to anneke.howie@gmail.com or post to 5 Simeon Quay, Lyttelton 8082 by THURSDAY 5th FEBRUARY. Many thanks. Anneke 328 7459.

ROSTER: New readers’ roster available – please check to see if there’s a copy for you.

WALKING GROUP: Please check with Sonya to find out this week’s destination.

SESSION meets this Wednesday 28th January at 7.30pm.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

FOOT CLINIC: Next Session Monday 2nd February 1-4pm. Lyndsey 388 1264.

OPAWA-ST MARTINS FUN DAY Saturday 31st January at St Mark’s Anglican Church, 101 Opawa Rd. 10am-1pm. All are welcome. Free.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon; Fri 9-11am. Pop in and visit at 7 Wilsons Rd. Phone 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

SUMMER OF FUN Day Saturday 28th February 1.30 – 4.30pm, Holliss Reserve, Cashmere. Bring your family and friends along.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday 6th March 7.30pm at Beckenham Methodist Church.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 27th Nola, Bernie; Sat 31st Bryan, Adrienne.

WELCOME AND NOTICES

GATHERING:
In a day when differing cultures and religious faiths are used as tools to separate peoples, and to inflame existing hostilities, God calls us to honour the sincere efforts of others to find a truth to live by.
In worship we hear the call of God to live the faith we know, and to draw wisdom and insight from our faith. In our age God also calls us to seek to understand the faith of others, for then faith itself can become a bond to hold us together.
Let us worship God.

HYMN: In This Familiar Place
In this familiar place
I know the mystery of your grace.
For the love that I receive, for the truth that I believe,
I praise and thank you for this here and now.

In halting song and word
the music of your voice is heard.

Among these friends of mine
I taste the company divine.

Within this narrow sphere
I learn that you are everywhere.© Colin Gibson (AA)

OPENING PRAYER

READINGS: Genesis 12: 1-7
Song to the Holy Spirit – James K Baxter

ADDRESS: Rev Dr John England

HYMN: Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life (Tune: Fulda WOV 137)

Where cross the crowded ways of life,
where sound the cries of race and clan,
above the noise of selfish strife,
we hear your voice, O Son of man.

In haunts of wretchedness and need,
on shadowed thresholds dark with fears,
from paths where hide the lures of greed,
we catch the vision of your tears.

From tender childhood’s helplessness,
from woman’s grief, man’s burdened toil,
from famished souls, from sorrow’s stress,
your heart has never known recoil.

The cup of water given for you still
holds the freshness of your grace;
yet long these multitudes to view
the sweet compassion of your face. C/A

DISCUSSION and MORNING TEA

OFFERING
Loving God,our Creator, who gives us life and meaning,
wholeness and hope,
peace and joy,
we bring our gifts to you:the things we have, the time we spend,
the people we are.Use us to show your love and understanding
in the world,in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN:Christ Has Called Us to New Visions (Tune: Austria WOV 577)
Christ has called us to new visions
here to celebrate and praise,
here confess our old divisions,
here our peace petitions raise.
Come repentant, come forgiving,
come in joy and hope and prayer.
Christ, once crucified, now living,
bids us faith and love to share.

As we listen to each other,
as we speak in joy and pain,
we become as sister, brother,
reconciled, at one again.
Only thus in work and feeling
for our neighbour far or near
can we worship God revealing
gifts of grace among us here.

All creation struggles, yearning
for a time of true shalom.
Are we trying, are we learning
now to make the earth our home?
For the hungry and despairing,
for the poor of all the earth,
make us partners, burdens sharing,
bringing all a sense of worth.

Christ still calls us, young and ageing,
men and women, bound and free,
colours, talents, thoughts engaging,
joined in one community.
Christ remoulding, healing, leading,
sins forgiven! Life restored!
Let us live, God’s justice heeding,
strengthened by our risen Lord. © Jane Parker Huber (ASF)

THE BLESSING

WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
God please grant to us the serenity to accept that which cannot be changed, the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference

HYMN: In Heavenly Love Abiding (Tune: WOV 504)
In heavenly love abiding,
no change my heart shall fear;
and safe in such confiding,
for nothing changes here;
the storm may roar without me,
may heart may low be laid;
but God is round about me,
and can I be dismayed?

Wherever he may guide me,
no want shall turn me back;
my shepherd is beside me,
and nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh,
his sight is never dim:
he knows the way he taketh,
and I will walk with him.

Green pastures are before me,
which yet I have not seen;
bright skies will soon be o’er me,
where darkening clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure:
my path to life is free:
my Saviour has my treasure,
and he will walk with me. C/A
OPENING PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18 Audrey Dunnachie
1st Corinthians 6: 12-20 Sue Saunders

HYMN: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (Tune: WOV 500)
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
`Come unto me and rest;
lay down, thou weary one, lay down
thy head upon my breast’:
I came to Jesus as I was,
so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
`Behold, I freely give
the living water; thirsty one,
stoop down and drink, and live’:
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
`I am this dark world’s Light.
Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
and all thy day be bright’:
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my Star, my Sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk,
till travelling days are done. C/A

SERMON

A TIME OF QUIET

HYMN: Fill Now Our Life, O Lord our God (Tune: WOV 515)
Fill now our life, O Lord our God,
in every part with praise,
that our whole being may proclaim
your being and your ways.

Not for the lip of praise alone,
nor even the praising heart
we ask, but for a life made up
of praise in every part:

Praise in the common things of life,
its goings out and in;
praise in each duty and each deed,
though humble and unseen.

So, gracious Lord, you shall receive
from us the glory due;
and so we shall begin on earth
the song for ever new. C/A

THE OFFERING:
Our God is a generous God, giving freely his beneficial blessings to us.
May his blessing be upon these gifts and the use made of them.
Heavenly Father grant those opportunities, whereby we can spend time to share with others, your message of divine hope;
seeking for them, and ourselves, to be invited to that glorious time at our Lords return. Amen.

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God;
born of the Spirit washed in Christ’s blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long,
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Saviour am happy and blest;
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with God’s goodness, lost in Christ’s love. C/A

THE BLESSING

NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

Please note that until 25th January all Sunday services will be at 10am.

THE PARISH OFFICE RE-OPENS on Thursday 22nd January.

Winnie Bagoes Pizza evening Fundraiser for the Linkbuilding.
Sunday 25 January 2015 at 5.45 pm.Tickets ($25) available now from the St Martin’s fundraising committee members.
The Menu consists of: Garlic Bread, Italian Flat Bread and Wedges for starters and Green Salad and a mixture of Traditional and Gourmet pizzas for mains. People with special needs can also be catered for by informing the organising committee in advance. Please come along and also ask your friends and family to come along to this event. We look forward to your support. Phone 328 7459 for more information.

The service next Sunday (18th January) will be a little different as we consider the Church in today’s world.
In the week ahead you are invited to reflect on some questions.
* What would God want the Church to be in 50 years time?
* Do you think that other faiths have authentic truths?
* What is your biggest hope for your congregation in the next decade?

There will be a barbecue lunch following the service. All welcome.

GREETINGS:

A CHILD IS BORN TO US; A SON IS GIVEN TO US. HE WILL BE CALLED ‘WONDERFUL’, ‘COUNSELLOR’, PRINCE OF PEACE.’
(Isaiah 9:6)

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES:

CAROL: Carol of Dreams (remain seated)
Dream a dream, a hopeful dream
As children do on Christmas Eve,
Imaginings, surprising things to hold and to believe.

Dream a time this Christmas time
When no-one’s hungry or afraid;
That weapons go and harvests grow,
That friends are met and made.

Dream a peace, our planet’s peace,
The greening of the earth at play,
The holy ground where life is found,
Where God has touched the clay.

Dream a gift, the Christmas gift
That changes everything we see:
The shimmering of angel wing,
The Child, the Mystery. ©Shirley Murray (FFS)

CHRISTMAS THEN – BETHLEHEM
The first Christmas – the story from the Gospel of Luke.
Who received word of the birth?
Who gave the word?
What was the response?

CAROL: Silent Night (WOV 236)
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

BIBLE READING: Luke 2: 1-7

CAROL: Away in a Manger (WOV 242)
Away in a manger no crib for a bed the little Lord Jesus lays down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing the baby awakes but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love thee Lord Jesus look down from the sky and stay by my side till morning is nigh.

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay close by me forever and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

BIBLE READING: Luke 2: 8-14

CAROL: While Shepherds Watched their Flocks (WOV 223(i)) (remain seated)
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

BIBLE READING: Luke 2: 15-20

CAROL: O Little Town of Bethlehem (WOV 240)
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth! For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

CHRISTMAS NOW – CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
What is the city like at Christmas?
How do we celebrate Christmas?
How do we make meaning of the story today?

CAROL: Upside down Christmas (remain seated)
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 (CoC)

CAROL: No Snow is on the Mountain Tune WOV 250 (remain seated)
No snow is on the mountains,
The grass is gold and dry.
The sheep and cattle grazing
Beneath the North West sky.
Waimakariri flowing
Rakaia running low.
In paddocks Shepherds hasten
To greet the child they know.

The wise people of Christchurch
Follow the Southern Star.
Worship the holy Christ child
In townships near and far.
Waimakariri flowing
Rakaia running low.
Love is restored at Christmas
Our joy will overflow. © Mary Helson

Anticipation, excitement, awe and wonder, hope and peace.

OUR PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS (sung): (remain seated)
Come now Lord Jesus, enter our Christmas
Be to us no stranger in this new-made manger.

Come, small and human, born of a woman,
Yet a Son much greater of our own Creator.

Come,cold and crying, comfort denying,
No place to receive you, few yet to believe you.

Come, poor and simple, our flesh your temple,
In your body feeling hurt as well as healing.

Come, gift and token, bread to be broken –
Star and sign still point you, myrrh will yet anoint you.
Shirley Murray (CoC)

CHRISTMAS BLESSING:

CAROL: Joy to the World (WOV 224)
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

WE SING:
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
And a Happy New Year C/A

24th Dec 11.30pm Beckenham Christmas Eve Service
25th Dec 9.30am Combined Christmas Day Celebration

Please note that our combined Sunday Services on 28th December and for all of January will be 10am.

We wish you all a happy and blessed Christmas

CAROLS THROUGH THE AGES –

WELCOME AND NOTICES

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… C/A

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
(The first three candles are lit.)
We have lit the candle of Hope, a sign that God is with us, encouraging us along our way. We have lit the candle of Peace,
a reminder that Jesus came to share God’s peace.
We have lit the candle of Joy, a sign that God has promised life in all its fullness. Today we light the candle of Love,
a sign of God’s generous care and concern for all people.

CHOIR: A Candle’s Light

GATHERING PRAYER

NARRATOR…

READER: (From Isaiah 42: 5 – 10)

NARRATOR and a ROMAN

CAROL: Earth Has Many a Noble City (WOV 216) seated
Earth has many a noble city;
Bethlehem, thou dost all excel:
out of thee the Lord from heaven
came to rule his Israel.

Eastern sages at his cradle
make oblations rich and rare;
see them give, in deep devotion,
gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Jesus, whom the Gentiles worshipped
at thy glad epiphany,
unto thee, with God the Father
and the Spirit, glory be. C/A

READER: (From Isaiah 9: 2-7)

NARRATOR… and mime during, Unto Us a Boy is Born.

CAROL: Unto Us a Boy is Born (WOV 218) seated
Unto us a boy is born!
King of all creation,
came he to a world forlorn,
the Lord of every nation.

Cradled in a stall was he
with sleepy cows and asses;
but the very beasts could see
that he us all surpasses.

Herod then with fear was filled:
“A prince”, he said, “in Jewry!”
All the little boys he killed
at Bethlem in his fury.

Now may Mary’s son, who came
so long ago to love us,
lead us all with hearts aflame
unto the joys above us.

Omega and Alpha he!
Let the organ thunder,
while the choir with peals of glee
now rends the air asunder. © Oxford University Press (WOV)

READER: (Matthew 1: 18 – 25)

CAROL: O Little Town of Bethlehem (WOV 240)
O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see you lie!
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by:
yet, in your dark streets shining
the everlasting light,
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in you tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary;
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to all on earth. C/A

READER: (Luke 2: 8-20)

CHOIR: Did You Hear What I Hear?
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

NARRATOR and POET

CAROL: The First Nowell (seated)

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. C/A

NARRATOR…

READING: Psalm 98

NARRATOR…

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

THE OFFERING

READER: (From Romans 5: 1-11)

CHOIR: Mary Did You Know?

NARRATOR…

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 you 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 newborn King.

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.
mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die;
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
glory to the newborn King. C/A

READER: (Philippians 2: 5-11)

JOSEPH MOHER AND FRANZ GRUBER

CAROL: Still the Night ~ Accompanied by Siu (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. C/A

NARRATOR…

CAROL: Once in Royal David’s City – first verse solo
Once in royal David’s city…

He came down to earth from heaven
who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall;
with the poor and mean and lowly
lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And through all his wondrous childhood,
day by day like us he grew;
he was little, weak, and helpless,
tears and smiles like us he knew;
and he feeleth for our sadness,
and he shareth in our gladness. C/A

SANTA and a YOUNG PERSON

NARRATOR…

CAROL: Carol our 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 (CoC)

ACT OF REMEMBRANCE & CANDLE – LIGHTING

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

NARRATOR…

CAROL: 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)

A BLESSING
May you have joy this Christmas –
The joy of celebrating Christ’s birth.
May you have hope this Christmas –
The hope of a world renewed.
May you have peace this Christmas –
The peace which all people can share.
May you know love this Christmas –
The love which is fulfilled in God’s gift to you –
The gift of Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE GRACE

Acknowledgement: Re-written from Peta Sherlock’s, Carols Tell the Story.