Watchword for the Week
Then you will see the Son of Man coming in clouds
with great power and glory. (Mark 13:26)
(Moravian Daily Texts 2017)
ORGAN PRELUDE
WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP
(from Psalm 80 – New International Version Bible)
Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock;
you who sit enthroned between the cherubim.
Awaken your might; come and save us
Restore us, O God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.
O Lord God Almighty,
how long will your anger smoulder
against the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
Restore us, O God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.
Let your hand rest upon the man
at your right hand, the son of man you have
raised up for yourself.
Then we will not turn away from you;
revive us, and we will call, on your name.
Restore us, O God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.
Hymn 273 * O come, O come, Emmanuel
People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)
(The first Advent candle is carried into church lit)
PRAYER of APPROACH
In this time when hearts tremble with fears about
tomorrow: come to us.
In those moments when our hearts are parched
from wondering through the wilderness of worry:
come to us.
God-who-is-present-even-now,
come to us, to fill us with your hope.
In these days when the powers of the world
can distract us from faith: come to us.
In this season when our rush to Bethlehem
keeps us from seeing you in everyone we push
past: come to us.
Holy God of Advent, you come near to us,
yet we continue to seal our hearts with
indifference to a suffering world. Tear open our
hearts so we might be more compassionate.
You approach us with bundles of mercy to kindle
our hope, but we continue to build our lives with
the bricks of bitterness. Tear open our anger,
so we might become more forgiving.
You draw near, longing to embrace us, but we
fold our arms, closing ourselves off from those
all around us. Tear open our souls, so we
might become children of Advent.
God, shaper of our lives: have mercy;
Jesus, Word which does not pass away:
fill us with your grace;
Holy Spirit, Giver of the light of peace:
shine through our lives. Amen.
DECLARATION of FORGIVENESS
Even now, God approaches us, mercy
transcending anger, hope overcoming despair,
life triumphing over death. This is good news,
my friends; this is news of great joy for each of
- Thanks be to God. Amen.
Hymn 282 v. 1 Christmas is coming!
(After which children may join the Kids’ Church programme)
(Hymn of the Month, December 2017)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 64:1-9 OT p. 727 (728)
St. Mark 13:24-37 NT p. 65
People may stand for the Gospel reading.
The word of God: Thanks be to God!
Hymn 477 * Lo, he comes with clouds
SERMON Rev. James Brown
Hymn 192 (2) 1, 3-5 All my hope on God
(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)
The NICENE CREED (Hymn 649)
PRAYERS for OTHERS
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
The LORD’S PRAYER
(Please pray in your own preferred language / version.)
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.
COMMUNION PRAYER
The Lord be with you, and also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God our Maker.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… we join our praise, singing the song of your
eternal greatness:
Hymn 769 * Holy, holy, holy
BREAKING of the BREAD
Hymn 778 Lamb of God, you take away
The COMMUNION
(please come forward to share)
The PEACE (all share a sign of peace)
NOTICES and PRAYER
Hymn 475 * Christ is coming! Let creation
BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)
ORGAN POSTLUDE
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