Service for Sunday 24th December which was prepared by Mr Ian Kerr and was conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber

CANDLE LIGHTING LITURGY

Today we light the candle of Love.

A reading from Luke chapter 1 verses 76 to 79

Zechariah continued, “You, John, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his road for him, to tell his People that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven. Our God is merciful and tender. He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us and to shine from Heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death, to guide our steps into the path of peace.”

Zechariah’s song celebrates God’s initiative in bringing salvation to Israel, not only to the Nation but to individuals, for God will forgive each person’s sins. John will prepare the way of the Lord by assuring God’s People that forgiveness of their sins is at hand. Incorporated in Zechariah’s words is an image of divine mercy for His People, mercy that flows from God’s innermost being. (John Carroll in Luke A Commentary p61)

The appeal to God’s tender mercy mirrors the idea of the deliverance of God as an act of His covenantal faithfulness to His People, rooted in such verses as:

Psalm 130: 7

“Israel, trust in the lord, because His love is constant”,

and Isaiah 54: 8

“Israel, .. I will show you my love forever. So says the Lord who saves you.”

(Gregory Beale and Donald Carson in Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament p265)

At no other place or Time, except in first century Palestine, has God broken into History with the full message of salvation. People may seek enlightenment or fulfillment or spiritual cleansing through alternative religions or by their own efforts, but unless they acquaint themselves with the events at Bethlehem and at Calvary, they are strangers to the good news of God’s love for the World. (Michael Wilcock in The Message of Luke p40)

“A Christmas Prayer” by Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the World. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen!

(from The Gift of Love p55)

Call to Worship

As we look forward to our celebration tomorrow on Christmas Day

Let our hallelujahs ring
and our voices sing
in praise of the fulfilment of God’s promise,
in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, our saviour and our king.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing: ‘Away in a manger’ and ‘O little town of Bethlehem’:

Gathering Prayer

Let us pray

Father God,
as we gather together this Christmas Eve,
help us to look beyond the familiar
to find something new in the ancient stable story.
Help us to see the real people in the nativity scene,
people full of hopes and fears,
filled with questions and uncertainties,
experiencing joy and pain.
People who loved you, listened to you,
and took risks for you – people like us.
Father God, you are faithful and true, full of power and mercy.
You grace the world with salvation,
the gift of your Son who we eagerly await.
Your Holy Spirit moves among us, filling us with joyful expectation.
Your love knows no end.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
we lift our hearts to you.

Amen.

Introduction

There are plenty of signs thatprepare us for Christmas. As the days become longer and hotter; as our native birds commence their early morning chorus and as the poincianas flower splendidly we know Christmas is near. Homes are adorned with fairy lights and the shops become busier as we know Christmas is near.

We have our symbols that have deep significance. Once many years ago candles were placed on branches of evergreen trees and by the light, people listened as Boniface told of a loving God who had brought light and life to the world through his Son. – Francis of Assisi told The Christmas Story by setting up the scene and acting out the parts with live animals watching on. Soon the idea of the Christmas crib spread all over Europe, set up in homes and churches as a focus of worship.

Advent calendars count down the days until Christmas, and we light our Advent Candles our advent candles week by week as we are reminded of God’s gifts to us of Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope. Finally, the Christ Candle is lit as we come together and celebrate God coming to be with us as light to the world in the person of Jesus.

And so we sing with joyful hearts our Christmas Carols because we have said “Yes” to God’s Invitation to become part of the story.

It’s time to find the child in you. Sit back and relax enjoying a creative way of telling the Christmas story. Sing along if you wish.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing ‘The Very First Christmas’ (Puppets)

1 Well, Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem
Bethlehem. Bethlehem.
Well, Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem
On that very first Christmas

2. The baby Jesus born that night
Born that night. Born that night.
Well, the baby Jesus born that night
On that very first Christmas

3. And the wise men come to worship him
Worship him. Worship him.
Well, the wise men come to worship him

On that very first Christmas

4. Well, the shepherds told that the King is born
The King is born. Well, the King is born.
The shepherds told that the King is born
On that very first Christmas

5. And the angels singing “Glory to God”
“Glory to God.” “Glory to God.”
Well, the angels singing “Glory to God”
On that very first Christmas

6. Well, Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem.
Baby Jesus born that night.
The wise men come to worship him.
The shepherds told that the King is born.
The angels singing “Glory to God.”
On that very first Christmas.

(Colin Buchanan)

Prayer of Confession

God, you chose Mary, a young girl not yet married, to take part in your story.
You chose her for one of the greatest acts of obedience ever demanded.
You asked her to risk everything.
How must she have felt?
Stunned? Puzzled? Scared?
She must have wondered how Joseph would react.
He could have refused to marry her.
The consequences would not have been pleasant.
An unmarried mother.
An outcast.
Joseph, however, came good.
But Mary agreed to your will, God, before knowing what lay ahead.
She put her whole life in your hands.
Yes, she had total trust in you.

God, your call on our lives will never be as great as that of Mary, mother of our Lord and Saviour. Yet still we may hesitate, have doubts, and question the consequences. And perhaps think the risk too great to follow through. Forgive our lack of trust, our doubts and fears. Help us to be like Mary, open to you, wholly obedient and trusting in all things. Let it be as you will. Amen.

Assurance Of Forgiveness

God sent Jesus as a living sacrifice to atone for our sins once and for all. Through him our sins are washed clean, forgiven and forgotten. Amen.

As we prepare to hear the Scriptures for today, we turn our attention to God to ask that we hear God’s word to better know God’s will for our lives. This time allows us to take a moment to “get settled” and be ready to hear God’s written word.

Scripture Readings

Listen closely to the readings today. How do these readings touch us? May we respond from our hearts. Following the readings, a video of the song “Mary did you know?” will play. The song encourages contemplation of the relationship between Mary and her son which perhaps leads us to contemplate our response to accept God’s invitation to become part of the story. Remain seated.

Let us say together

Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

Isaiah 7:14 GNT

Well then, the Lord himself will give you a sign: a young womanwho is pregnant will have a son and will name him ‘Immanuel.’

Isaiah 9:6,7 GNT

A child is born to us!
    A son is given to us!
    And he will be our ruler.
He will be called, “Wonderful,” “Counsellor,”
    “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,”
    “Prince of Peace.”
His royal power will continue to grow;
    his kingdom will always be at peace.
He will rule as King David’s successor,
    basing his power on right and justice,
    from now until the end of time.
The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this.

Micah 5:2-5 GNT

The Lord says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times.”

So the Lord will abandon his people to their enemies until the woman who is to give birth has her son. Then those Israelites who are in exile will be reunited with their own people. When he comes, he will rule his people with the strength that comes from the Lord and with the majesty of the Lord God himself. His people will live in safety because people all over the earth will acknowledge his greatness, and he will bring peace.

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Luke 1:26-38

J.B. Phillips New Testament

Then, six months after Zacharias’ vision, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a Galilean town, Nazareth by name, to a young woman who was engaged to a man called Joseph. The girl’s name was Mary. The angel entered her room and said, “Greetings to you, Mary. O favoured one!—the Lord be with you!”

Mary was deeply perturbed at these words and wondered what such a greeting could possibly mean. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; God loves you dearly. You are going to be the mother of a son, and you will call him Jesus. He will be great and will be known as the Son of the most high. The Lord God will give him the throne of his forefather, David, and he will be king over the people of Jacob for ever. His reign shall never end.”

Then Mary spoke to the angel, “How can this be,” she said, “I am not married!”

But the angel made this reply to her—“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the most high will overshadow you. Your child will therefore be called holy—the Son of God. Your cousin Elisabeth has also conceived a son, old as she is. Indeed, this is the sixth month for her, a woman who was called barren. For no promise of God can fail to be fulfilled.”

“I belong to the Lord, body and soul,” replied Mary, “let it happen as you say.” And at this the angel left her.

Luke 1:47-55

Then Mary said, “My heart is overflowing with praise of my Lord, my soul is full of joy in God my Saviour. For he has deigned to notice me, his humble servant and, after this, all the people who ever shall be will call me the happiest of women! The one who can do all things has done great things for me—oh, holy is his Name! Truly, his mercy rests on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has swept away the high and mighty. He has set kings down from their thrones and lifted up the humble. He has satisfied the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away with empty hands. Yes, he has helped Israel, his child: he has remembered the mercy that he promised to our forefathers, to Abraham and his sons for evermore!”

This is the Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

You are invited to listen to or join in singing ‘Mary Did You Know?’

Message

The message is a simple one. It is the ongoing call of God to say “Yes” and follow him. Jesus is the one who makes sense out of that call and when we respond with “Yes” our lives are changed. As Paul writes to the Romans

(Romans 12:29) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We hear Jesus’ call to us throughout the New Testament accounts and letters.

Jesus calls his disciples and they say “Yes” and follow without thinking about the consequences. (And the consequences were huge.)

And today we hear the “Yes” from Mary as she responds to the Announcement

by the Angel Gabriel,

“I belong to the Lord, body and soul,” replied Mary, “let it happen as you say.” And at this the angel left her.

Mary breaks out in joyful praise.

Mary didn’t know what the consequences were, but still said “Yes” and accepted God’s will for her. Because of that the whole of history changed.

We are called. We must respond with a resounding “Yes”. We could say “No”

But would you really want to?

This may not be a “Christmas” Hymn but because it is well known and is a great statement of faith it gives us the opportunity to join in enthusiastic praise as did Mary.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the Song ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness’

Offering

Our freewill offering will now be received.

Dedication

We say together

Your generosity, grace, and mercy are astounding, and we pray that the gifts we offer in worship and throughout the week might be used in Your name.

Help us to be generous with our money, but also with our talents and time. Strengthen us to recognize Your blessings, to be grateful, and to respond accordingly.

Amen.

Prayers of the People

Come, Advent God

Complete the special work of love

Which you began in Jesus of Nazareth

Come, Advent God

Come to those who are cast down,

Thirsting for the peace of your forgiveness

And the warmth of your healing love.

Come to them with the grace they desperately need.

Come, Advent God

Come to those who are in despair through hardship

Seeking relief from burdens

And hope in the midst of their cares

Come, Advent God

Come to those who have minds filled with hatred,

Shackled by prejudice and terrible obsession.

Come to them with the conversion they so desperately need.

Come, Advent God

Come to your faithful people in all the world.

Comfort your faithful people with your reassuring Love

Grant your faithful people your perfect Peace.

Fill your faithful people with abundant Joy.

Encourage your faithful people with bright Hope

Come, Advent God

Complete your work in Jesus Christ

Though whom we offer these prayers

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

Now and forever. Amen

Amen

Let’s once again lift our voices in praise as we sing.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the song ‘Joy To The World’

So, as we leave today, we continue to encourage each other as we say together.

Father, how can we thank you enough for your Christmas gift to us?
We give thanks as we celebrate Jesus’ birth,
the empty cradle soon to be filled and overflowing with love –
a love that touches, convicts, renews and blesses.
We thank you for the joy that fills us
as we wait with baited breath to celebrate our Saviour.
We give thanks for your loving glory which comes down
this Christmas time.

Lord, let us feel your steadfast love,
and sing your praises this Christmas time.
Let us proclaim to our friends and family how great you are. 
Let us see the power of the baby in the cradle.
Let us say ‘Yes, let it be’ this Christmas time. Amen.

BENEDICTION

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. (Hebrews 13:20,21)

May the blessing of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you always.

Amen.

We are encouraged by Psalm 89 which says:

‘Our Lord, we will sing of your love forever.
Everyone yet to be born will hear us praise your faithfulness.
We will tell them, “God’s love can always be trusted,
God’s faithfulness lasts as long as the heavens.”’

So we sing with joy in our hearts as we leave and meet again tomorrow morning to celebrate on Christmas Day.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the song ‘O Holy Night’

We are singing a shortened version of the song as it was sung in the movie “Home Alone”.