Unfortunately there will be no recording of the Worship today.
Third Sunday in Advent
Minister: Rev. Mark Foster
Organist: Iain Mackinnon
Opening Voluntary – Alma Virgo. Johann N Hummel (1778-1837)
Welcome and Intimations
Call to Worship
Hymn 474 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
Prayer of Approach, ending with Lord’s Prayer
Lighting the Advent Candle
Hymn 282 Christmas is coming
Scripture Readings: Reader: Gerry O’Neil
1 Samuel 2: 1-10
Then Hannah prayed and said:
‘My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
2 ‘There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
3 ‘Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
4 ‘The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 ‘The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. 7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and makes them inherit a throne of honour. ‘For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. 9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. ‘It is not by strength that one prevails; 10 those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. ‘He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.’
Luke 1: 39-55
Mary visits Elizabeth
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!’
Mary’s Song
46 And Mary said:
‘My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me –holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants for ever, just as he promised our ancestors.
Sermon
Hymn 286 Tell out my soul
Doxology –spoken together
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures here below;
praise God, the Trinity of love,
before, beneath, around, above.
Prayer of Dedication for the Offering
Prayers for the World
Hymn 295 Who would think that what was needed
Benediction
Threefold Amen
Closing Voluntary – Gloria Johann A Andre (1775-1842)
INTIMATIONS
Sunday Services: We are pleased to welcome back Rev Mark Foster, minister at Pilrig St Paul’s church, to take our service today.
Next Sunday, 19 December, will be a service of Lessons and Carols and will be led by members of the congregation.
The Christmas Magazine is now available on the website
https://northleithparishchurch.co.uk/december-2021
Printed copies are in the church for those who deliver, and for those who do not have internet access.
Christmas gifts for The Citadel children and families – many thanks to those who have brought gifts which will go to the Citadel this week.
Christmas Appeal: This year’s Christmas Appeal is for the Fresh Start Cooker appeal. Donations will be collected till the end of December. Please put them in an envelope marked ‘Christmas Appeal’; use a Gift Aid envelope if you can give by Gift Aid. Cheques should be made payable to North Leith Parish Church. If you wish to use online banking please put ‘Christmas’ in the reference field.
Fresh Start is also currently looking for donations of curtains and small electrical items – kettles, toasters, irons and small table lamps.
Advent calendar: Visit the Church of Scotland website to see a daily Advent message.
The Church of Scotland
Also from the CoS website:
Prayer of the Week 6 – 12 December 2021
Look, listen, wait, get ready –
for I bring you a hand-full of stories,
of angels and messages,
of Elizabeth and Mary,
of dreams and visions.
God of my looking,
help me look well for Your coming.
Look, listen, wait, get ready –
for I bring you a box-full of stories,
of lights and darkness,
of lamps and pathways,
of stars and stables.
God of my listening,
help me to listen well for Your coming.
Look, listen, wait, get ready –
for I bring you a cart-full of stories,
of gifts and travellers,
of donkeys and camels,
of preciousness and anticipation.
God of my waiting,
help me to wait well for Your coming.
Look, listen, wait, get ready –
for I bring you a Life full of stories,
of mangers and babies,
of shepherds and kings,
of a Saviour and Christmas.
God of my readiness,
help me to be ready for Your coming.
(By Tom Gordon, from “A Blessing to Follow”, Wild Goose Publications)
