Morning Service Sunday 7th December 2025

Welcome And Upstanding For The Bible

The Peace Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Be With You…….And Also With You

Lighting Of The Advent Wreath Candles And Liturgy And Prayer Said By All

One:

We began Advent last Sunday by lighting the first candle, the candle of Hope. We light it again today to remind us that Christ is coming to fulfill God’s promises.

Two:

Today we light the second candle, the candle of Peace. The prophet Isaiah said, “Comfort, comfort my people” to a nation anxious about invasion and exile, as he foretold the coming of the Prince of Peace. Our world is still filled with violence and abuse, where families are torn apart by war and children are used as soldiers. Isaiah’s words continue to speak to us that Jesus will bring us to an everlasting peace.

One:

Mary and Joseph found no room in the inn to give birth to Jesus, but we can heed John the Baptist’s command to make room in our hearts. Wherever there is war or mistrust between peoples, families, or our own hearts, God is present and leading us to imagine new ways of living in peace.

Two:

Christ is our only hope, and our peace is found through him. We light this candle to remind us of Jesus’ life-giving peace to all who trust in him. We light it in honour of those who live the Gospel truth that war does not make one great: the peace workers who risk much so that others may live free of fear.

One:

Let us pray:

All:

We’re in trouble, Holy God. So many in the world do not know peace in their countries or in their hearts. We use weapons of steel and barbed words to wound one another. We seek balm for our restless hearts in things that only make us more wounded. Open our hearts to Jesus so we may have the peace of his holy presence and live it in our unpeaceful world. Save us from outside violence and inner turmoil. We need you. Come, peaceful God, come. Amen.

CH4 273 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

(verses 1&2)

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.
   

2. O come, o come, thou Lord of might,
   Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
   In ancient times didst give the law
   In cloud and majesty and awe.
   

   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 279 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!
   

1986, Thankyou Music

1. Isaiah 11:1-10
2. Matthew 3:1-12

CH4 334 On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

1. On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
   announces that the Lord is nigh;
   awake and hearken for he brings
   glad tidings of the King of kings.
   

2. Then cleansed be every heart from sin;
   make straight the way for God within;
   prepare we in our hearts a home,
   where such a mighty Guest may come.
   

3. For you are our salvation, Lord,
   our refuge and our great reward;
   without your grace we waste away,
   like flowers that wither and decay.
   

4. Stretch out your hand, to heal our sore,
   and make us rise to fall no more;
   once more upon your people shine,
   and fill the world with love divine.
   

5. All praise to you, eternal Son,
   whose advent has our freedom won,
   whom with the Father we adore,
   and Holy Spirit, evermore.
   

Reflection (Yvonne)

CH4 291 When Out of Poverty Is Born

1. When out of poverty is born
   a dream that will not die
   a landless, weary folk find strength
   to stand with heads held high,
   it's then we learn from those who wait
   to greet the promised day:
   'The Lord is coming; don't lose heart
   Be blest: prepare the way!'
   

2. When people wander far from God,
   forget to share their bread,
   they find their wealth an empty thing,
   their spirits are not fed.
   For only just and tender love
   the hungry soul will stay.
   And so God's prophets echo still:
   'Be blest: prepare the way!'
   

3. When God took flesh and came to earth,
   the world turned upside down,
   and in the strength of women's faith
   the Word of Life was born.
   She knew that God would raise the low,
   it pleased her to obey.
   Rejoice with Mary in the call:
   'Be blest: prepare the way!’
   

© Kathryn Galloway

Offering

CH4 505 All that I am

1. All that I am, all that I do,
   All that I'll ever have
   I offer now to you.
   Take and sanctify these gifts
   For your glory, Lord.
   Knowing that I love and serve you
   Is enough reward.
   

   All that I am, all that I do,
   All that I'll ever have
   I offer now to you.
   

2. All that I dream, all that I pray,
   All that I'll ever make
   I give to you today
   Take and sanctify these gifts
   For your glory, Lord.
   Knowing that I love and serve you
   Is enough reward.
   

   All that I am, all that I do,
   All that I'll ever have
   I offer now to you.
   

Sebastian Temple

Prayer of Intercession

CH4 286 Tell Out, My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord

1. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
   Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
   tender to me the promise of His word –
   in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
   

2. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His name!
   Make known His might, the deeds His arm has done;
   His mercy sure, from age to age the same –
   His holy name, the Lord, the Mighty One.
   

3. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His might!
   Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
   Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
   the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
   

4. Tell out, my soul, the glories of His word!
   Firm is His promise, and His mercy sure:
   Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
   to children’s children and for evermore!
   

1962 renewal, 1990 Hope Publishing Co

Blessing