December 8, 2019
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Come, Christmas Child, come again in your wonder,
changing the world with the light that you hold;
burst through the mist and the dust of the ages,
word for our time to unwrap and unfold.
Shirley Erena Murrray Words © 2013 Hope Publishing Co
GATHERING
This is God’s house, a place of peace.
A place where we befriend one another
in the name of Christ.
The Peace of Christ is here….to stay
Thanks be to God
PROCESSIONAL HYMN WOV 197 ii ‘Hark the Glad Sound’
Words: Philip Doddridge, Music Thomas Clark (Public Domain)
1. Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes,
the Saviour promised long;
let every heart prepare a throne,
and every voice a song!
2. On him the Spirit largely poured,
exerts its sacred fire;
wisdom and might and zeal and love,
his holy breast inspire. 3. He comes the broken heart to bind,
The bleeding soul to cure,
And with the treasures of his grade
To enrich the humble poor.
4. Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
your welcome shall proclaim,
and heaven's eternal arches ring
with your beloved name.
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou
Kia ora
PRAYER
JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
CWS Partner Story from South India: Protect Water, Give Life Linda Wilkins
Gracious God
For those like Meenakshi who bravely stand up for workers’ rights
We give thanks
For those who work to preserve vulnerable environments from destruction
We give thanks
For those who work for peace and justice in our world
We give thanks
Amen.
LIGHTING THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE – PEACE Linda Wilkins
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
A CHRISTMAS STORY Rosemary Lawrence
HYMN COC 30 ii ‘Look Towards Christmas’
Words © 1996 Shirley Erena Murray, Music © Colin Gibson
1. Look toward Christmas! Advent is here:
welcome December, changing the year.
Whistle up, shepherds, saddle up, kings!
Chorus up, angels, flexing your wings.
Refrain:
Sing, sing sing alleluia!
Sing, sing alleluia!
Sing, sing, sing out the story,
Sing about hope and sing about peace!
2. Set the world singing, make the world glad;
now is good reason not to feel sad!
hear John the Baptist shout to prepare:
Good News is coming, earth be aware. Refrain
3. Mary and Joseph, soon is the day;
ready the donkey, start on your way.
You are the chosen, willing to trust,
joyful your burden, carrying Christ. Refrain
A MOVING TABLEAUX Rainbow Room children
St Andrew’s Choir
1. Mother Mary, gently walking
’neath the stars she makes her way.
Wondrous stars so brightly shining,
greet my child on Christmas day.
2. Wondrous Stars , they see her coming,
bow their heads and bid her stay:
“Take from us a crown of starlight
for your child on Christmas day.”
3. Mother Mary, gently walking,
in the sun she makes her way:
“Golden sun so brightly shining,
greet my child on Christmas day”.
4. Golden sun, he sees her coming,
bows his head and bids her stay:
“Take from me a golden sunbeam,
for your child on Christmas day”.
5. Mother Mary, gently walking,
‘neath the moon she makes her way:
“Silver moon, so brightly shining,
greet my child on Christmas day.”
6. Silver moon, she sees her coming,
bows her head and bids her stay:
“Take from me a silver moon beam
for your child on Christmas day.”
7. Mother Mary, gently walking,
down to earth she makes her way,
Bearing gifts of heavenly splendour,
for her child on Christmas day.
8. Father Joseph walks beside her
close at hand to show the way:
as she wears these gifts of splendour,
for her child on Christmas day.
9. Loving children see her coming
bow their heads and bid her stay:
“Take our love, 0 Mother Mary
for your child on Christmas day.”
SONG “A Kiwi Jingle Bells”
(To the tune of Jingle Bells) Book by Yvonne Morrison and Deborah Hinde
READERS Angus and Callum Carnegie
Sung chorus - congregation
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
jingle all the way.
Oh what fun, it is to have
a Kiwi Christmas day, hey!
REFLECTION Christmases past
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!
OFFERING SONG AA127 “Take my gifts”
Words © 1992 Shirley Murray. Music ©1992 Colin Gibson. Hope Publishing Company
1. Take my gifts and let me love you,
God who first of all loved me,
gave me light and food and shelter,
gave me life and set me free.
Now because your love has touched me,
I have love to give away;
now the bread of love is rising,
loaves of love to multiply!
2. Take whatever I can offer -
gifts that I have yet to find,
skills that I am slow to sharpen,
talents of the hand and mind,
things made beautiful for others
in the place where I must be:
take my gifts and let me love you,
God who first of all loved me.
OFFERING PRAYER (said together)
We bring these gifts today, expressions of our gratitude, and we bring ourselves, open to signs and opportunities of how we might be used,
watching and trusting in the signs of peace for our world.
Amen
We recognise and bless the gifts brought to the table, and those which wing
their way electronically from our banks to the church’s account.
LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY OF ST ANDREW’S
People share notices and visitors are welcomed. If you have a notice not already in the order of service, please move to the front row, ready to speak briefly from the lectern.
For the benefit of newcomers, please introduce yourself before you begin.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Jenny Simpson
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Tanzania and the Christian Council of Tanzania. We remember the detainees of Manus and Nauru Islands, yearning that their cases be resolved. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name David Bennett (Hamilton East electorate) and Paula Bennett (Upper Harbour electorate). Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of the Ngaio Union Church.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN ‘Christ be our Light’
Words & Music: ©1993 Bernadette Farrell
All rights reserved. Reprinted under One License A-623996
1. Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Christ be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine in the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
2. Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow’r to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ be our light!.....
3. Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Christ be our light!.....
4. Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.
Christ be our light!.....
BLESSING
SUNG AMEN
THANK YOU
THANK YOU Judy Dumbleton
Our musician today