Please note that there was no video recording of this service.
BEGIN BY WATCHING https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9WfERxyjPk
‘God with us – Igniter Media – Christmas Church Video”
(We viewed from 7 sec to 1 min 35 seconds)
WELCOME & ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY Leanne
If a cattle trough in a small village can become a sacred place then all of this land carries the footprint of God’s engagement with humanity for just as the Dharawal people saw the Creator at work in all places; we long for God to be present and alive where we live and work too. As we acknowledge their elders past and present we join with the Dharawal people in working for reconciliation and justice making. In that spirit of reconciliation you are invited and welcome here. For the story of God discovered at Bethlehem is more inclusive, affirming and welcoming than we can ever imagine. In that place there was room for the Christ, in this place there is room for you and me, so welcome!
ADVENT LITANY Leanne
In the bright heat of summer
we thirst for new life
longing for peace with Creation
as it cries out in suffering.
Jesus, we wait again for you
for the birth of your hope, peace, joy and love in us
as we look forward to the story
of your birth, your coming to Earth.
Love came down at Christmas:
O Love, come down again.
Come to us, birth love in us:
O Love, come down again.
We light our 4th Advent candle
OPENING PRAYER Leanne
Let us Pray: Today, here is a place, a manger made for you, Lord Jesus. Just as our hands today will clothe it ready to love and to welcome you. Be born again, not in a manger, but in us. Make us your Bethlehem, where God is personal and all things and all people are made new. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
HYMN
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
Nowells ringing, tidings bringing
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
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
Christ the babe was born for you.
Polish carol 13th C tr Edith Gellibrand Reed 1885 – 1933 © AHB Used with permission CCLI Licence # 91351
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Sometimes, God, we do think some things are impossible, even for you.
Often, that it is love that we think is impossible, usually in the face of fear.
So we do not say, ‘I am here’, for love, for you, for each other, or even for ourselves.
Instead, with fear, we run, run far away; we hide from love, from you.
Forgive us our fear, Holy One, and restore us to love as you love.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Greetings, beloved friends, God is with us. Do not be afraid, God in Christ Jesus looks on us
with love & transforming grace. You are set free from all that binds. Set free to love. Amen
BIBLE READING Bruce / Judy H
LUKE 1: 26 – 38 God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.” Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant. Then the angel told Mary, “Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.” Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not even married!” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.
LUKE 2: 5 – 7 Mary, now betrothed to Joseph, travelled with him to Bethlehem and while they were there she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in strips of cloth and laid him in a cattle trough because there was no room for them in the Inn.
CLOTH FOR THE CRADLE – we bring forward strips of cloth for the manger…
Then Hannah brings forward the baby Jesus…
HYMN Cloth for the cradle
Chorus: Cloth for the cradle, cradle for the child
The child for every joy and sorrow:
Find him a shawl that’s woven by us all
To welcome the Lord of each tomorrow.
Darkness and light and all that’s known by sight
Silence and echo fading
Weave into one a welcome for the Son
Set earth its own maker serenading.
Hungry and poor, the sick and the unsure
Wealthy whose needs are stranger
Weave into one a welcome for the Son
Leave excess and want beneath the manger.
Claimant and queen, wage earners in between
Trader and travelling preacher
Weave into one a welcome for the Son
Whose word brings new life to every creature.
Wrinkled or fair, carefree or full of care
Searchers of all the ages
Weave into one a welcome for the Son
The Saviour of shepherds and of sages.
Copyright © 1997, Wild Goose Resource Group. Used with permission. CCLI Licence # 31951
INTERACTIVE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE – a short nativity story acted out by church members: “Michael Mouse“
HYMN Once in Royal David’s City
Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed
Mary was that mother mild
Jesus Christ her little Child.
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, despised and lowly
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.
Not in that poor lowly stable
With the oxen standing by
We shall see Him: but in heaven
Set at God’s right hand on high
There His children gather round
Bright like stars, with glory crowned.
Cecil Frances Alexander 1818 – 1895 Public Domain. CCLI Licence # 31951
OFFERTORY PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Peter S
HYMN Silent Night
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 Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night
Wondrous star, lend your light
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King
Christ our Savior is born
Christ our Savior is born.
Joseph Mohr 1792 – 1848 tr John Freeman Young 1820 – 1885 Public Domain CCLI Licence # 31951
BLESSING & BENEDICTION
May the wisdom of the Magi, the curiosity of the shepherds, the faithfulness of Joseph, the love of Mary, the generosity of the Inn keeper, the hospitality of all in the stable and the guiding light of the Christ Child, Immanuel, be a blessing and a hope to you this day and all days. Amen
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