Morning Service Sunday 30 November 2025

Welcome and Intimations

Advent Candle Lighting

All:

So many in your world, Holy God, have lost hope or put their hope in false promises. Sometimes it feels you aren’t with us but are far, far away. We pray that you come into our world again. Be Emmanuel for us so we may notice where you are already present. Enter our hearts to see in new ways the creative power of hope. Help us live into your hope so we may be your light shining in the dark places of our world. We pray this in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem and whose return we await. Amen.

CH4 273 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

(1st Verse only)

1. O come, O come, Emmanuel,
   And ransom captive Israel,
   That mourns in lonely exile here
   Until the Son of God appear.
   

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

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.

CH4 198 Let Us Build a House

1. Let us build a house where love can dwell
   and all can safely live,
   a place where saints and children tell
   how hearts learn to forgive;
   built of hopes and dreams and visions,
   rock of faith and vault of grace;
   here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
   

   All are welcome, all are welcome,
   all are welcome in this place.
   

2. Let us build a house where prophets speak,
   and words are strong and true,
   where all God’s children dare to seek
   to dream God’s reign anew.
   Here the cross shall stand as witness
   and as symbol of God’s grace;
   here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
   

   All are welcome, all are welcome,
   all are welcome in this place.
   

3. Let us build a house where love is found
   in water, wine and wheat:
   a banquet hall on holy ground,
   where peace and justice meet.
   Here the love of God, through Jesus,
   is revealed in time and space,
   as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
   

   All are welcome, all are welcome,
   all are welcome in this place.
   

4. Let us build a house where hands will reach
   beyond the wood and stone
   to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
   and live the Word they’ve known.
   Here the outcast and the stranger
   bear the image of God’s face;
   let us bring an end to fear and danger:
   

   All are welcome, all are welcome,
   all are welcome in this place.
   

5. Let us build a house where all are named,
   their songs and visions heard
   and loved and treasured,
   taught and claimed
   as words within the Word.
   Built of tears and cries and laughter,
   prayers of faith and songs of grace,
   let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
   

   All are welcome, all are welcome,
   all are welcome in this place.
   

1994, GIA Publications, Inc.

1. Isaiah 2:1-5
2. Matthew 24:36-44

Baptism of Alexander Stewart McConnell

One:

(sung) The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.

All:

(spoken) We will nurture one another in faith, uphold one another in prayer, encourage one another in service

CH4 251 I the Lord of sea and sky

1. I, the Lord of sea and sky,
   I have heard My people cry;
   all who dwell in dark and sin
   My hand will save.
   I who made the stars of night,
   I will make their darkness bright.
   Who will bear My light to them?
   Whom shall I send?
   

   Here I am, Lord.
   Is it I, Lord?
   I have heard You calling in the night.
   I will go, Lord,
   if You lead me;
   I will hold Your people in my heart.
   

2. I, the Lord of snow and rain,
   I have borne My people’s pain;
   I have wept for love of them –
   they turn away.
   I will break their hearts of stone,
   give them hearts for love alone;
   I will speak My word to them.
   Whom shall I send?
   

   Here I am, Lord.
   Is it I, Lord?
   I have heard You calling in the night.
   I will go, Lord,
   if You lead me;
   I will hold Your people in my heart.
   

3. I, the Lord of wind and flame,
   I will tend the poor and lame,
   I will set a feast for them –
   My hand will save.
   Finest bread I will provide
   till their hearts are satisfied;
   I will give My life to them.
   Whom shall I send?
   

   Here I am, Lord.
   Is it I, Lord?
   I have heard You calling in the night.
   I will go, Lord,
   if You lead me;
   I will hold Your people in my heart.
   

1981, Daniel L Schutte, New Dawn Music

Message

CH4 472 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

1. Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
   born to set thy people free;
   from our fears and sins release us;
   let us find our rest in thee.
   

2. Israel's strength and consolation,
   hope of all the earth thou art,
   dear desire of every nation,
   joy of every longing heart.
   

3. Born thy people to deliver,
   born a child, and yet a King,
   born to reign in us for ever,
   now thy gracious kingdom bring.
   

4. By thine own eternal Spirit
   rule in all our hearts alone;
   by thine all-sufficient merit
   raise us to thy glorious throne.
   

Offering

Prayer of Intercession

CH4 277 Hark the Glad Sound!

1. Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
   the Saviour promised long:
   let every heart exult with joy,
   and every voice with song!
   

2. He comes, the prisoners to relieve,
   in Satan's bondage held;
   the gates of brass before him burst,
   the iron fetters yield.
   

3. He comes the broken hearts to bind,
   the bleeding souls to cure;
   and with the treasures of his grace
   to enrich the humble poor.
   

4. The sacred year has now revolved,
   accepted of the Lord,
   when heaven's high promise is fulfilled,
   and Israel is restored.
   

5. Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
   thy welcome shall proclaim;
   and heaven's exalted arches ring
   with thy most honoured name.
   

Blessing