1. Welcome and Intimations

  2. Lighting of the Advent Candle

  3. Candle liturgy

    4. One:
    We have lit the first two candles, one for hope and one for peace. Today we light the third candle, the candle of joy. This should be the easy one, because joy is all around us—in the children, the lights, the music, the gathering together. But how often do we let our preparations—or our memories—push joy to the side? Joy is like an underground spring that wells up within us, but joy is also a choice, an attitude. Like a muscle, it needs to be exercised. So today we open ourselves to joy, trusting that God has already planted it in us. All we need to do is give it care and offer it to share.

    (Two purple candles and one pink are lit)

    O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
    our spirits by thine advent here;
    disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
    and death’s dark shadows put to flight:

    Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
    shall come to thee, O Israel.


    All:
    Loving God, we open ourselves to you,
    trusting that this is how you made us:
    you created us for joy-filled hearts and lives.
    Show us the creative power of hope.
    Teach us the peace that comes from justice.
    Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained, but must be shared.
    Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
    That we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.

  4. Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

    Our Father, who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done;
    on earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive those who trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil.
    For thine is the kingdom,
    the power, and the glory
    for ever and ever.
    Amen.

  5. CH4 281 People, Look East!

    1. People, look east. The time is near
      Of the crowning of the year.
      Make your house fair as you are able,
      Trim the hearth and set the table.
      People, look east and sing today:
      Love, the guest, is on the way.

    2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
      One more seed is planted there:
      Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
      That in course the flower may flourish.
      People, look east and sing today:
      Love, the rose, is on the way.

    3. Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
      Guard the nest that must be filled.
      Even the hour when wings are frozen
      God for fledging time has chosen.
      People, look east and sing today:
      Love, the bird, is on the way.

    4. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
      One more light the bowl shall brim,
      Shining beyond the frosty weather,
      Bright as sun and moon together.
      People, look east and sing today:
      Love, the star, is on the way.

    5. Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
      Christ who brings new life to earth.
      Set every peak and valley humming
      With the word, the Lord is coming.
      People, look east and sing today:
      Love, the Lord, is on the way.

    David Higham Assoc. Ltd.

    1. John 1:6-8, 19-28
    2. Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

  7. CH4 86 When Zion’s Fortunes God Restored

    Psalm 126

    1. When Zion's fortunes God restored,
      it was a dream come true.
      Our mouths were then with laughter filled,
      our tongues with songs anew.

    2. The nations said, 'The LORD has done
      great things for Israel.'
      The Lord did mighty things for us,
      and joy our hearts knew well.

    3. Restore our fortunes, gracious Lord,
      like streams in desert soil.
      A joyful harvest will reward
      the weeping sower's toil.

    4. The man who, bearing seed to sow,
      goes out with tears of grief,
      will come again with songs of joy,
      bearing his harvest sheaf.

    Church Hymnary Trust

  8. Meditation

  9. CH4 279 Make Way, Make Way

      1. Make way, make way, for Christ the King
        In splendour arrives. 
        Fling wide the gates and welcome him
        Into your lives.

        Make way!, Make way!
        For the King of kings!
        Make way!, Make way!
        And let his kingdom in!

      2. He comes the broken hearts to heal,
        The prisoners to free.
        The deaf shall hear, the lame shall dance,
        The blind shall see.

        Make way!, Make way!
        For the King of kings!
        Make way!, Make way!
        And let his kingdom in!

      3. And those who mourn with heavy hearts,
        Who weep and sigh;
        With laughter, joy and royal crown
        He'll beautify.

        Make way!, Make way!
        For the King of kings!
        Make way!, Make way!
        And let his kingdom in!

      4. We call you now to worship him
        As Lord of all.
        To have no other gods but him:
        Their thrones must fall!

        Make way!, Make way!
        For the King of kings!
        Make way!, Make way!
        And let his kingdom in!

    986, Thankyou Music

  10. Offering

  11. Prayer of Intercession

  12. CH4 804 You Shall Go Out with Joy

      1. You shall go out with joy
        And be led forth with peace
        The mountains and the hills
        Will break forth before you
        There’ll be shouts of joy
        And all the trees of the field
        Will clap, will clap their hands

      2. And all the trees of the field
        Will clap their hands
        The trees of the field
        Will clap their hands
        The trees of the field
        Will clap their hands
        While you go out with joy

    1975, Lillenas Publishing Co.

  13. Blessing