CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE 2020
SENTENCE FROM SCRIPTURE
“To you is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”
CAROL
Once in Royal David’s City
sung by Sue Turner
PRAYER
O Come O Come Emmanuel
in this Advent of expectation
draw us together in mission,
that the hope within
might be the song we sing,
and the melody of our lives.
Amen. Come Lord Jesus
O Come O Come Emmanuel
in this Advent of expectation
draw us together in service,
that the path we follow
might lead us from a stable
to a glimpse of eternity.
Amen. Come Lord Jesus
O come O come Emmanuel
in this Advent of expectation
and draw us into the mystery
and wonder of the incarnation
Amen. Come Lord Jesus
FIRST LESSON
ISAIAH 9:2-6
read by Annabelle Guthrie
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
CAROL
In the bleak midwinter
sung by Sue Turner
READING FROM THE GRINCH BY DR SEUSS
read by Andrew Bixler
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Suess
…So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow.
But the sound wasn’t sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn’t be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?”
“It came without ribbons! It came without tags!”
“It came without packages, boxes or bags!”
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.”
“Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
CAROL
O little town of Bethlehem
sung by Sue St Joseph
READING
Santa comes to Narnia
CAROL
Silent Night
sung by Sue St Joseph
SECOND LESSON
LUKE 2: 1-7
read by Margaret Morton
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
CAROL
O Holy Night
sung by Dougie Byers
THIRD LESSON
LUKE 2: 8-16
read by Peter Boreham
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
CAROL
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
sung by Dougie Byers
PRAYERS
Father your Son our Saviour was born
as a vulnerable and helpless child among us.
Today we think of those children in our world
that are vulnerable and helpless,
particularly thinking of children living in conflict areas in the world,
and those children living in poor conditions,
either in places of asylum or in refugee camps.
Father, bless them and help them,
through us and through aid agencies.
Holy God
Hear our prayer.
There was no room
for your Son in the inn,
protect with your love
those who have no home
and all who live in poverty.
Help us to work with them
for better living standards.
Holy God
Hear our prayer.
Mary, in the pain of labour
you brought your son to birth.
Hold in your hand of protection
all who are in pain or distress this night.
Surround them with your compassion, courage and peace.
Holy God
Hear our prayer.
Your Son came
as a light shining in the darkness.
Bring light and comfort to those who mourn
and to all who suffer in the sadness of our world.
Holy God
Hear our prayer.
The angels sang
peace to God’s people on earth.
Strengthen those who work for peace and justice.
Holy God
Hear our prayer.
Christians the world over
celebrate his birth,
open our hearts
that He may be born in us today.
Holy God
Hear our prayer.
Father angels and shepherds
worshipped at the manger throne.
Receive the worship we offer
in fellowship with Mary, Joseph and the saints
through him who sit the Word made flesh,
our Saviour Jesus Christ, the wonderful Counsellor, mighty God
everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Amen
FOURTH LESSON
JOHN 1:1-14
read by Alicen Byers
The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
CAROL
Hark the Herald
sung by Sue Turner
BLESSING
May God the Father
who led the wise men by the shining of a star
to find Christ, the Light of the World
lead you and bring you
to wonder and worship
and the blessing of God Almighty Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
CAROL
O Come All Ye Faithful
sung by Sue St Joseph
Wishing you a peace and joy filled Christmas and every blessing in 2021.