December 25, 2018
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
This is the day, long awaited,
The day we celebrate the birth of Jesus;
The one who most shows us what God might be like;
The one who changed the world.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN WOV 231 ‘Christians awake’
Words: John Byrom 1692-1763 (alt) Music John Wainwright 1723-1768
Christians awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born
Rise to adore the mystery of love
Which hosts of angels chanted from above
With them the joyful tidings first began
Of God incarnate and of Mary’s son.
Then to the watchful shepherds it was told
Who heard the angelic herald’s voice, “Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour’s birth
To you and all the nations upon earth
This day has come on earth the special Word
This day is born a Saviour, God the Lord.’
So spoken, straightway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire
The praises of redeeming love they sang
And heaven’s whole orb with hallelujahs rang:
Highest of glory was their anthem still
Peace upon earth and unto all good will.
WELCOME
Kia tatou. Happy Christmas to you all!
Kia ora. Happy Christmas!
JESUS PRAYER on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
Partner Story from Haiti: Be their lifeline
The hills are steep in Haiti. Most people in rural areas live on what they grow. They work hard for everything they have – knowing a hurricane or earthquake may destroy their homes and livelihoods. To own a donkey is a luxury – more often the people have to carry crops and food themselves. Like many of the world’s 475 million small farmers, they know life could be easier. For now, they want their children to go to school. There is no government in their hills, so ICKL is the lifeline that supports the community to pay salaries and the running costs of their local schools. They are determined their children will have a fair go in life.
Be the Lifeline to people who do not want to be left behind.
Support the 2018 Christmas Appeal.
In the lighting of this Christ Candle we make space within ourselves to hear and engage with the voices of those we might otherwise miss but with whom we are connected by our common humanity.
Light of Love, your moment has come. Into a world sorely in need of your light, you are born.
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot put it out.
(Light the candle.)
We light the candle of love.
May it light the way for us as we make light and love our story
CAROL ‘A donkey walks his burden’
Words: © 2018 Susan Jones Music: Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly
A donkey walks his burden onward
Telling us that Advent’s on the way
Bearing Mary, bearing Jesus,
Under his load, the donkey sways.
We rejoice to see this journey
For it offers hope and joy
We rejoice to hear this story
For it means much more than “It’s a Boy”!
Worldwide, donkeys bear great burdens
Whether in Israel or Haiti
Bearing people, bearing cargo
working all the day on tired feet.
They are transport for the poor
Always being asked for more.
They are key to family business
They are animals worth giving for.
When the baby Jesus grew
He taught compassion was the way
He believed we should give water,
feed the hungry, love each day,
Dignity is paramount
For humankind and donkeys too
Every advent, let’s all shout out
To all those who carry burdens new.
STORY ‘The Lost Angel’
By Elizabeth Goudge
CAROL ‘Away in a Manger’
Away in the manger, no pillow or bed,
The baby boy Jesus is born in a shed
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay
The baby boy Jesus asleep on the hay
While cattle stand quietly, the baby’s asleep
Sought after by shepherds who leave all their sheep;
And wise ones bring treasure; they’ve come from afar
To give gifts to Jesus; they followed a star
PASSING THE PEACE
Feel free to pass the peace with those nearby or move to greet others further away. Passing the peace consists of shaking hands and saying “Peace be with you.” The response is “Peace be with you” or just “And with you.” Or, simply saying ‘Hello” is a good idea. Also feel free to simply observe if you wish!
THE WORD IN TEXTS Roger Jones
Hebrew Bible Isaiah 52: 7-10
Gospel John 1: 1-14
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks
Contemporary reading from “The Lost Angel”
by Elizabeth Goudge
HYMN HIOS 133 (i) ‘There is no Child so small’
Music © 2009 Jillian Bray. Words © 2018 Shirley Erena Murray
There is no child so small, no scrap of life so precious
who is not born like Jesus, whose cry is like us all.
There is no child unfed, left hungry now at Christmas
but God will ask for justice, for shelter and for bread.
There is no child so lost, no refugee so nameless
That God will hold us blameless, who share no care or cost.
There is no child so cheap, in warfare or destruction
That love cannot take action when God is made to weep.
There is not one of us who could not be more giving,
And in the gift more loving, to light a star for peace.
REFLECTION The Lost Angel (3) Susan Jones
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Barrie Keenan
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN WOV 228 ‘O come all ye faithful’
Music John Francis Wade
Words C. Frederick Oakeley (alt)
O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born above the angels;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
O sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing all who celebrate God's holy word.
To the Creator, glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him...
This bright night, we greet you, born this happy season,
Jesus! for evermore your name be adored.
Word spoken truly, now with us appearing;
O come, let us adore Him….
BLESSING
As we go out into the rest of Christmas Day,
May the energy of the creator
fill us with possibility.
the presence of the baby Jesus
touch our hearts,
and the joy of the Spirit accompany us
SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE I Saw Three Ships - Fugue for Organ
by Richard Proulx (1937-2010)
THANK YOU Peter Franklin
Our Musician today
Unless otherwise stated all hymns are used by permission CCLI Licence 341550
Words/music to new hymns and gathering statement, prayers and affirmation are original unless acknowledged. These words can be used in other worship and small group situations without seeking permission. Please acknowledge the source.