Welcome and Intimations
Advent Candle Liturgy
- One:
- On our journey to Christmas we have lit the candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy on our Advent Wreath. We relight them now to remind us of the hope that Christ will come again, bringing everlasting peace and joy.
- Two:
- This is the fourth Sunday of Advent so we light the last candle, the candle of Love. To a world of empires and despots, war and greed, grief and apathy, we proclaim that love is strong enough to overcome all evil and that compassion is more powerful than fear.
- One:
- The angel Gabriel reassured Mary that “nothing will be impossible with God.” The power of love is the power to overcome what we think is impossible. Love tells us God doesn’t want our excuses for why we dare not try, but our faithfulness to do.
- Two:
- As we light the candle of Love, we remember that God so loves this world that he sent his only son, Jesus, to save us. We do so in honor of those who have shown us how to love even when doing so is not convenient or sensible. We remember those who show us that compassion— unconditional love— is central to a Christian’s life.
- One:
- Let us pray:
- All:
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All-loving God, break into our world and our hearts again. Magnify your love in us until it overflows to our neighbours. Renew our faith to relive the wonder of your love. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you that we may shine the light of your compassionate love. Come, God of Love, come. Amen.
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CH4 273 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
(Verses 1, 2, 6, 7)
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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.
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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.
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O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
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O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
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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.
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CH4 282 Christmas Is Coming!
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The first is for God's promise
to put the wrong things right,
and bring to earth's darkness
the hope of love and light.
Christmas is coming
the Church is glad to sing
and let the advent candles
brightly burn in a ring.
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The second is for the Prophet
Who said that Christ would come.
With good news for many
And angry words for some.
Christmas is coming
the Church is glad to sing
and let the advent candles
brightly burn in a ring.
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The third is for the Baptist,
Who cried ‘Prepare the way,
be ready for Jesus,
Both now and every day’
Christmas is coming
the Church is glad to sing
and let the advent candles
brightly burn in a ring.
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The fourth is for the virgin,
Who mothered God’s own Son,
And sang how God’s justice
Was meant for everyone.
Christmas is coming
the Church is glad to sing
and let the advent candles
brightly burn in a ring.
WGRG / The Iona Community
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- Luke 1:26-55
Special Music: Blessed, Blessed, Blessed (Julia Wiley)
Christmas Play: Herod’s Secret Policeman
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CH4 323 The First Nowell
(verses 1-5)
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The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay a-keeping their sheep
on a cold winter's night that was so deep:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
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They lookèd up and saw a star,
shining in the east, beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
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And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
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This star drew nigh to the north-west,
o'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay
right over the place where Jesus lay.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
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Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
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CH4 312 Away in a Manger
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Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus
laid down His sweet head;
the stars in the bright sky
looked down where He lay;
the little Lord Jesus
asleep in the hay.
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The cattle are lowing,
the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus,
no crying He makes:
I love You, Lord Jesus!
look down from the sky
and stay by my side
until morning is nigh.
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Be near me, Lord Jesus;
I ask You to stay
close by me for ever
and love me, I pray;
bless all the dear children
in Your tender care,
and fit us for heaven
to live with You there.
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CH4 310 See Him Lying on a Bed of Straw
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See Him lying on a bed of straw:
a draughty stable with an open door;
Mary cradling the babe she bore –
the Prince of glory is His name.
O now carry me to Bethlehem
to see the Lord appear to men –
just as poor as was the stable then,
the Prince of glory when He came.
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Star of silver, sweep across the skies,
show where Jesus in the manger lies;
shepherds, swiftly from your stupor rise
to see the Saviour of the world!
O now carry me to Bethlehem
to see the Lord appear to men –
just as poor as was the stable then,
the Prince of glory when He came.
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Angels, sing the song that you began,
bring God’s glory to the heart of man;
sing that Bethl’em’s little baby can
be salvation to the soul.
O now carry me to Bethlehem
to see the Lord appear to men –
just as poor as was the stable then,
the Prince of glory when He came.
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Mine are riches, from Your poverty,
from Your innocence, eternity:
mine forgiveness by Your death for me,
child of sorrow for my joy.
O now carry me to Bethlehem
to see the Lord appear to men –
just as poor as was the stable then,
the Prince of glory when He came.
1965 Jubilate Hymns
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Offering
Prayer of Intercession
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CH4 295 God’s Surprise
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Who would think that what was needed
To transform and save the earth
Might not be a plan or army,
Proud in purpose, proved in worth?
Who would think, despite derision,
That a child should lead the way?
God surprises earth with heaven,
Coming here on Christmas Day.
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Shepherds watch and wise men wonder,
Monarchs scorn and angels sing;
Such a place as none would reckon
Hosts a holy helpless thing;
Stable beasts and by-passed strangers
Watch a baby laid in hay:
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day.
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Centuries of skill and science
Span the past from which we move,
Yet experience questions whether,
With such progress, we improve.
While the human lot we ponder,
Lest our hopes and humour fray,
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day.
1987, Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc.
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Blessing