Fourth Sunday in Advent
Service of Lessons and Carols
Led by: Tim Bell and Jimmy Hudson
Organist: Iain Mackinnon
Opening Voluntary
A Medley of Christmas Carols
Welcome and Intimations
Call to Worship
(Micah 5, Luke 1)
God has done great things for us!
God’s love is heralded in the promise of Christ.
Holy is God’s name!
God’s promises are fulfilled in the coming of Christ.
God’s mercy extends from generation to generation.
God’s salvation is offered in the gift of Christ.
ALL: The Lord blesses the generations. Holy is His name.
First Readings: Isaiah 9: 6-7 & Isaiah 11: 6-9
The prophet foretells a new order Beryl Curlett
Carol 24: O Come O come Emmanuel
Prayer of approach
Lighting the Advent Candle (remain seated)
ALL: ‘Christmas is coming!’,
the church is glad to sing,
and let the advent candles
brightly burn in a ring.
The first is for God’s promise
to put the wrong things right,
and bring to earth’s darkness
the hope of love and light.
The second for the prophets,
who said that Christ would come
with good news for many
and angry words for some.
The third is for the Baptist,
who cried ‘Prepare the way.
Be ready for Jesus
today and every day’.
The fourth is for the Virgin,
who mothered God’s own Son
and sang how God’s justice
was meant for everyone.
All: ‘Christmas is coming!’,
the church is glad to sing,
and let the advent candles
brightly burn in a ring.
Second Reading: Luke 1: 26-38 The Birth of Jesus Foretold – Annie Addison
Carol 17: Of the Father’s love begotten
Third Reading: Luke 2: 1-7 The Birth of Jesus Jenny Martin
Carol 3: O little town of Bethlehem
Fourth Reading: Luke 2: 8-20 The shepherds and the angels Lucy Mackenzie
Carol 25: See Him lying on a bed of straw
Fifth Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12 The Magi Visit the Messiah Linda Mckee
A Christmas story Tim
Carol 2: It came upon the midnight clear
Christmas Appeal, Fresh Start Cookers at Christmas
Sixth Reading: John 1: 1-14 The Word Became Flesh
Margot Hudson
Carol 10: Angels from the realms of glory
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 of the offerings
Prayer of intercession
Leader: Lord Jesus
All: May your love bring light
Carol 15: Love came down at Christmas
Benediction
Threefold Amen
Closing Voluntary
We wish you a Merry Christmas
Arranged by Arthur Warrell (1888-1939)
Link to our live recording on facebook https://fb.watch/a88hG8zHdz/
INTIMATIONS
Sunday Services – Thanks to Tim Bell and Jimmy Hudson who have put together today’s service of Lessons and Carols, to Brian Wilson from Fresh Start, and to all who have taken part, not forgetting yourself!
Next Sunday, 26 December, Rev Russell McLarty, our retiring Interim Moderator, will lead our worship.
Christmas Appeal: This year’s Christmas Appeal is for the Fresh Start Cooker appeal. Donations will be collected till the end of December.
Today and next Sunday there is a retiring offering. Please 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.
Many thanks to those who have already contributed.
Fresh Start is also currently looking for donations of curtains and small electrical items – kettles, toasters, irons and small table lamps.
Daily Prayer group: if you would like to join a local churches WhatsApp mobile phone group to receive a short daily prayer please speak to Annie or Anne.
Advent calendar
Visit the Church of Scotland website to see a daily Advent message.
The Church of Scotland
