Watchword for the Week
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked
favourably on his people and redeemed them.
(Luke 1:68) (Moravian Daily Texts 2015)
ORGAN PRELUDE
WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP
(Verses from Psalm 85)
I will listen to what God the LORD will say;
he promises peace to his people, his saints –
but let them not return to folly.
Surely his salvation is near to those who fear
him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield the harvest.
Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
Hymn 279 * Make way for Christ the King
People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)
(Two Advent candles are carried into church lit)
(Children may leave for Kids’ Church in the halls next door)
PRAYER OF APPROACH
From the wilderness of our world, we come to
worship. From the solitary nature of our
individual lives, we gather now as one people.
From the challenges and winding roads of our
ever changing, ever more complex world, we
come to the peace and calm of this sanctuary.
We come with intention and we bring our deep
longings. And we seek, merciful God, your
guiding Spirit of grace as we gather.
The candles of hope and peace have led us
here – flames of hope and peace flickering
before us and within us. Strengthen our own
fire. Embolden our spirits. Kindle your light
in our lives today, we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Malachi 3:1-4 OT p. 927 (925)
St. Luke 1:67-79 NT p. 75
People may stand for the Gospel reading.
The word of God: Thanks be to God!
Hymn 266 * God the Omnipotent!
SERMON Rev. James Brown
Hymn 280 Alleluia! Hurry, the Lord is near
(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)
(Hymn of the Month, December 2015)
DEDICATION PRAYER
Father of Light, every good and perfect gift
comes from you. Keep us in the light of
Christ, to shine in your world, that all may
believe in you; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
BAPTISM of Anastasia Robin Thorpe
APOSTLES’ CREED (Hymnbook, No. 628)
BLESSING and PROMISE
COMMITMENT of the CONGREGATION
Chorus
God to enfold you, Christ to uphold you,
Spirit to keep you in heaven’s sight;
So may God grace you, heal and embrace you,
lead you through darkness into the light.
PRAYER for OTHERS
Response: Hear our prayer,
and let your Kingdom come.
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, and the power,
and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER: Look, Lord, on your children, who
love your name and need your care. Let your
hands be known in the touch of friends. Lord,
say the word and we shall be healed.
INVITATION
During the next song, those who wish to receive the
laying on of hands should come forward and kneel,
stand, or sit at the appropriate place. When hands
have been laid and prayer said, please make space
for others who want to follow.
Chorus God to enfold you
If you wish to receive the prayer of blessing and
the laying-on of hands, come to sit, stand or kneel
in the sanctuary area. You may also share in
pronouncing the prayer of blessing on others.
PRAYER for the LAYING-ON of HANDS
Spirit of the living God, present with us now,
enter you, body, mind, and spirit,
and heal you of all that harms you,
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
SHARING GOD’S PEACE
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
…so now, in gratitude, we join our voices to
those of the Church on earth and in heaven:
Hymn 769 * Holy, holy, holy
PRAYER of CONSECRATION
BREAKING of BREAD
Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world: grant us peace.
COMMUNION
NOTICES and CONCLUDING PRAYER
Hymn 157 * Sing of the Lord’s goodness
BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)
ORGAN POSTLUDE
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