Sunday, December 17, 2017

On the Road to Bethlehem (4.00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve)

'On the Road to Bethlehem' is Saint Faith's adaptation of Lessons and Carols to facilitate the involvement of the children in the early service on Christmas Eve.

On the Road to Bethlehem
Christmas Eve 2017

4.00 p.m.

Gathering Music

Greeting

The Presider proclaims Isaiah’s words of good news to the nations.

            60.1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.  3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Hymn

‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’  Common Praise #118

During the singing of the Hymn the Animals are carried in procession to the Crèche.

First Reading:  Luke 2.1-5

            2.1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.  2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  3 All went to their own towns to be registered.  4 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.  5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

Hymn

‘Once in Royal David’s City’  Common Praise #123

During the singing of the Hymn Mary and Joseph are carried in procession to the Crèche.

Second Reading:  Luke 2.6-7

6 While they were there, the time came for [Mary] to deliver her child.  7 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.

Hymn

‘Away in a Manger’  Common Praise #126

During the singing of the Hymn the Christ Child is carried in procession to the Crèche.

Third Reading:  Luke 2.8-14

            8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  10 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:  11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  12 This will be a sign for you:  you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!”

Hymn

‘Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing’  Common Praise #138

During the singing of the Hymn the Angels are carried in procession to the Crèche.

Fourth Reading:  Luke 2.15-16

15 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.”  16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

Hymn

‘While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks’  Common Praise #136 vv. 1, 2, 3, 4

During the singing of the Hymn the Shepherds are carried in procession to the Crèche.

Fifth Reading:  Matthew 2.1-2, 7-11

            2.1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?  For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

            7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.  8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”  9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.  10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.  11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage.  Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Hymn

‘We Three Kings of Orient Are’  The Hymnal 1982 #128 vv. 1, 2, 3, 4

·      During verse 1 the gold-bearing Mage is carried to the Crèche. 
·      During verse 2 the frankincense Mage is carried to the Crèche. 
·      During verse 3 the myrrh-bearing Mage is carried to the Crèche. 
·      During verse 4 an offering is taken and the plates placed before the Crèche.

Intercessions, Petitions and Thanksgivings

Let us offer our prayers to the Christ Child this night, saying,
‘In your mercy, hear our prayer.’
In your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Child of Bethlehem, we pray for all who are homeless.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Child of Mary, we pray for all who live in poverty.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Child of Joseph, we pray for all who are lost, alone and cry for loved ones.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Child of the angels, we pray for all who live with danger and all who are persecuted.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Child of the shepherds, we pray for all who are far from their homes.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Child of the magi, help us to see you in people everywhere.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:  accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you, our Saviour and our eternal God.  Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour taught us.

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.

Hymn

‘Silent Night’  Common Praise #119

During the singing of ‘Silent Night’ the congregational candles will be lighted.

The Blessing

May the blessing of God the Author of creation,
God the Word of redemption
and God the Spirit of wisdom be upon you
and remain with you now and for ever.  Amen.

After the Blessing the congregational candles are extinguished.

Hymn

‘Joy to the World’  Common Praise #154

The Dismissal

Go forth in love to proclaim the birth of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

Concluding Music





No comments: