Author: Michelle Doig

Minister: Rev. Dr Martin Scott
Organist: Iain Mackinnon

Opening Voluntary – Ave verum.  Wolfgang A Mozart (1756-1791)

Welcome and Intimations

Opening Responses

Hymn 111 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty

1 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty!
early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

2 Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
God ever living through eternity.

3 Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the sinful human eye thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
all thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;
holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 1: 4-10  (Reader, Jenny Martin)

Hymn 609 Come, living God, when least expected

1 Come, living God, when least expected,
when minds are dull and hearts are cold,
through sharpening word and warm affection
revealing truths as yet untold.

2 Break from the tomb in which we hide you
to speak again in startling ways;
break through the words in which we bind you
to resurrect our lifeless praise.

3 Come now, as once you came to Moses
within the bush alive with flame;
or to Elijah on the mountain,
by silence pressing home your claim.

4 So, let our minds be sharp to read you
in sight or sound or printed page,
and let us greet you in our neighbours,
in ardent youth or mellow age.

5 Then, through our gloom, your Son will meet us
as vivid truth and living Lord,
exploding doubt and disillusion
to scatter hope and joy abroad.

6 Then we will share his radiant brightness
and, blazing through the dread of night,
illuminate by love and reason,
for those in darkness, faith’s delight.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 4: 21-30

Sermon

Hymn 710 ‘I have a dream’, a man once said – don’t have copyright for this hymn

The Communion

Words of Invitation

In the beginning, God made the world; made it and mothered it; shaped it and fathered it; filled it with seed and with signs of fertility; filled it with love and its people with ability.
THE WORLD BELONGS TO GOD, THE EARTH AND ALL ITS PEOPLE ARE GOD’S!
. . . . And when the time was right, God sent the Son.
THE WORD WHO BECAME FLESH WAS ONE OF US: FLESH OF OUR FLESH.
. . . He sets before us bread and wine and invites us to this table.
THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE ALL WILL BE MADE WELL AGAIN.
. . . The peace of God be always with you
AND ALSO WITH YOU

Hymn 19   Ye gates, lift up your heads on high 

1 Ye gates, lift up your heads on high;
ye doors that last for aye,
be lifted up, that so the King of glory enter may.
But who of glory is the King? The mighty Lord is this:
even that same Lord that great in might and strong in battle is;
even that same Lord that great in might and strong in battle is.

2 Ye gates, lift up your heads; ye doors, doors that do last for aye,
be lifted up, that so the King of glory enter may.
But who is he that is the King, the King of glory? who is this?
The Lord of hosts, and none but he, the King of glory is.
The Lord of hosts, and none but he, the King of glory is.

Allelujah, allelujah,
allelujah, allelujah, allelujah,
Amen, amen, amen.

Now we pray in words which Jesus himself taught us, saying:

GOD IN HEAVEN,
YOUR NAME IS TO BE HONOURED.
MAY YOUR NEW COMMUNITY OF HOPE
BE REALISED ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
GIVE US TODAY THE ESSENTIALS OF LIFE,
RELEASE US FROM OUR WRONGDOING
AS WE ALSO RELEASE THOSE WHO WRONG US.
DO NOT TEST US BEYOND OUR MEANS,
SAVE US FROM ALL THAT IS EVIL;
FOR YOU EMBRACE JUSTICE, LOVE AND PEACE,
NOW AND TO THE END OF TIME, AMEN.

We come to this meal at your invitation, God, bringing nothing, expecting everything.  We are united with all your followers, women and men, down through the ages as with them we declare:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE,
HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY.
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!
BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF GOD. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!

 . . . On the night when he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said:

‘THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS FOR YOU: DO THIS AND LIVE OUT MY MEMORY’. 

In the same way he took the cup after supper, saying:

‘THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT OF PEACE IN MY BLOOD: DO THIS AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT IN MEMORY OF ME’.

(We Share the Bread and Wine)

Hymn 530 One more step along the world I go

1 One more step along the world I go,
one more step along the world I go;
from the old things to the new
keep me travelling along with you:
and it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.

2. Round the corners of the world I turn,
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see
you’ll be looking at along with me:

3 As I travel through the bad and good,
keep me travelling the way I should;
where I see no way to go
you’ll be telling me the way, I know:

4 Give me courage when the world is rough,
keep me loving though the world is tough;
leap and sing in all I do,
keep me travelling along with you:

5 You are older than the world can be,
you are younger than the life in me;
ever old and ever new,
keep me travelling along with you:

Blessing
Threefold Amen

Closing Voluntary.       Credo.        Wolfgang A Mozart (1756-1791)

Intimations

Services: We are pleased to welcome Martin Scott to lead our worship this morning.
Next Sunday, 6 February, our service will be led by Iain May, minister at South Leith Church.

Church Magazine: Copies of the latest magazine are available today for distributors and anyone who would like a paper copy.
This is an important magazine which introduces our new Interim Moderator, Karen McKay, an elder at Kirkliston Church, and provides an update on the Presbytery Plan consultation document, especially as it affects us at North Leith. Please read it carefully and prayerfully.

Lord, help us to pray about everything, big and small.
We are in a time of change in our churches. Give us the wisdom to speak to You first and listen for the answers.
Guide us and keep us talking to each other to find the right path for us all.
Help us to keep You at the centre of everything. Amen

Minister: Rev. Ron Smith
Organist: Iain Mackinnon

Opening Voluntary – Air in B flat.  Eric H Thiman (1900-1975)

Welcome and Intimations

Call to Worship
Oh, Christ, carpenter of Galilee,
We come to be shaped into instruments of your peace.
As you once called disciples at the seashore,
may we dare to follow you into the various seas of our world.
Make us fishers of men and women.
Point out your footsteps today that we can follow the right ways.
Teach us patience and wisdom in love.
Remake us in a nearer image of your love.
Help the church mend her torn nets
that she can really bring peace on earth and goodwill to all people.
Plant in our hearts a vision of your kingdom.
Hasten the day when all the world can rejoice to breakfast by the seashore with you the risen Lord.

Hymn 63 All people that on earth do dwell

1 All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,
come ye before him and rejoice.

2 Know that the Lord is God indeed;
without our aid he did us make;
we are his folk, he doth us feed,
and for his sheep he doth us take.

3 Oh, enter then his gates with praise,
approach with joy his courts unto:
praise, laud, and bless his name always,
for it is seemly so to do.

4 For why? the Lord our God is good,
his mercy is for ever sure;
his truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure.

Prayer of Approach, ending with Lord’s Prayer

First Thought

Hymn 532 Lord, you have come to the seashore – we don’t have copyright for this hymn

 Scriptures:  Psalm 107: 23-32 and Matthew 4: 18-25 – Beryl Curlett

Sermon

Hymn 509 Jesus calls us!  O’er the tumult

Doxology – spoken together
Glory to God the Father,
the unbegotten One;
all honour be to Jesus,
his sole-begotten Son;
and to the Holy Spirit –
the perfect Trinity.
Let all the worlds give answer,
‘Amen, so let it be’

Prayer of Dedication for the Offering

Prayer of intercession

Hymn 543 Longing for light we wait in darkness – we don’t have copyright for this hymn

Benediction
Threefold Amen

Hymn 786 May the God of peace go with us – we don’t have copyright for this hymn

Closing Voluntary – Prelude in D.   James Anderson.  (1853-1945)

INTIMATIONS

Services – We are pleased to welcome back Rev Ron Smith to lead our worship this morning.
Next Sunday, 30 January, we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion with the service conducted by Rev Dr Martin Scott.
All welcome. We also look forward then to resuming refreshments after the service, at the back of the church.
From the Church of Scotland website:

Prayer for the week of 16 January 2022

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

Creator of light,
illumine our path by the light of
Christ who moves before us and
leads us.
May he be a beacon for our
pilgrimage.
Enlighten us and dwell within us.
Guide us to discover a manger in our
hearts where a great light
still shines.

We thank you for the gift of that
unfading Star, Jesus Christ, our
Lord and Saviour.
Heal our divisions and draw us
closer to the Light that we may
find our unity in him.
Amen.

Unfortunately due to technical difficulties there is no recording of our worship

Minister: Rev. Douglas Paterson
Organist: Iain Mackinnon

Opening Voluntary
Adagio from first organ concerto.  Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1845)

Welcome and Intimations

Call to Worship

Great is your love, O God
In you we put our trust
We are sustained by your love
We are nourished by the Bread of Heaven
We are refreshed with the Water of Life
Great is your Love O God
Receive our thanks and praise

Hymn 125 Lord of all being, throned afar

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Thought for the Day

Hymn 252 As a fire is meant for burning – we don’t have copyright for this hymn

Scripture Readings:  Reader:  Jimmy Hudson

Psalm 36: 5-9

⁵ Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
⁷ How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ They feast in the abundance of your house;
    you give them drink from your river of delights.
⁹ For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.

John 2: 1-11
Jesus changes water into wine

 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, ² and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’

⁴ ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’
⁵ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’
⁶ Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from eighty to a hundred and twenty litres.
⁷ Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.
⁸ Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, ⁹ and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside ¹⁰ and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’
¹¹ What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Hymn 336 Christ is our light!

Address

Hymn 700 As man and woman we were made

Doxology –spoken together
All creation, join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son,
evermore your voices raising
to the eternal Three in One.

Prayers for the World

Hymn 622 We sing a love that sets all people free

Blessing
May God keep us safe each and every day
May Jesus be our constant companion along life’s way
May the Spirit be our guide in all we do and say
So may we always know
the blessing of God the Three in One

Threefold Amen

Closing Voluntary – Fughetta in F.  Georg P. Telemann (1681-1767)

Intimations

Services – We are pleased to welcome Rev Douglas Paterson to lead our worship this morning.
Next Sunday, 23 January, we welcome back Rev Ron Smith to take the service.

Kirk Session – The Session will meet online this coming Wednesday evening, (19 January) at 7:30pm.

Church family: The congregation will be sad to hear that our former member Tom Wood died on 3 January at the age of 97. The funeral took place at Warriston Crematorium on Friday (14/01). Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret and the family.

A prayer of adoration from the Church of Scotland website

Our loving God,
like the Psalmist, we have entered your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praise. This is the day that You have made; we rejoice and are glad in it.
For You O Lord, are a good God and Your love endures for ever,
Your faithfulness continues through all generations.
On this Baptism of the Lord’s Sunday,
we recognise our connectedness with You, and with one another.
We praise You, Almighty God, for You establish the times and seasons.
This is a new month, a new year; it is a new beginning,
and You are still God in charge of Your world.
Blessed be Your holy name for ever and ever
through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Joint Epiphany Service link https://fb.watch/aqUQUZZlC5/

There is no recording of this mornings worship

Second Sunday after Christmas

Minister: Rev. Ron Smith
Organist: Iain Mackinnon

Opening Voluntary – Pastoral Symphony from the Messiah GF Handel (1685-1759)

Welcome and Intimations

Call to Worship
Light looked down and saw darkness
I will go there said Light
Peace looked down and saw war
I will go there said Peace
Love looked down and saw hate
I will go there said Love.
So He, the Lord of Light, the Prince of Peace, the King of Love
Came down and crept in beside us.

Hymn 159 Lord for the years your love has kept and guided

Prayer of Approach, ending with Lord’s Prayer

First Thought

Hymn 318 Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour

Scripture Readings:  Reader:  Gerry O’Neil

Isaiah 60: 1-5 – The Glory of Zion

‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. ² See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. ³ Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

⁴ ‘Lift up your eyes and look about you: all assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip.
⁵ Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.

John 1: 1-5, 14-18 –The Word became flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, ‘This is the one I spoke about when I said, “He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.”’) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Sermon

Hymn 331 Unto us a boy is born

Doxology –spoken together
Glory to God the Father,
the unbegotten One;
all honour be to Jesus,
his sole-begotten Son;
and to the Holy Spirit –
the perfect Trinity.
Let all the worlds give answer,
‘Amen, so let it be.’

Prayer of Dedication for the Offering

Prayer of intercession

Hymn 320 Joy to the world

Benediction 

Closing Voluntary – Trumpet Voluntary.  Henry Purcell. (1659-1695)

INTIMATIONS

Sunday Services – We welcome back the Rev. Ron Smith who is taking our service today.
Next Sunday, 9 January is the joint Epiphany Service at Pilrig St. Paul’s Church.

First Sunday after Christmas

Minister: Rev. Russell McLarty
Organist: Iain Mackinnon

Opening Voluntary
Jesu joy of man’s desiring  JS Bach (1685-1750)

Welcome & Intimations
Call to Worship
Hymn 306  O come, all ye faithful

Prayer of Approach, ending with Lord’s Prayer

Lighting the Christmas Day Candle

Hymn 282 Christmas is coming

Scripture Reading:  Luke 2: 1-21  – Stewart Lowe

The birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to 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. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying¹⁴ ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’
¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’
¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Hymn 320 Joy to the world

1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

2 Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns!
let all their songs employ;
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3 He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of His love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.

A Story for Christmas

Hymn 300 The Virgin Mary had a baby boy

1 The Virgin Mary had a baby boy,
the Virgin Mary had a baby boy,
the Virgin Mary had a baby boy,
and they say that his name is Jesus.

He come from the glory,
He come from the glorious kingdom.
He come from the glory,
He come from the glorious kingdom.
O yes, believer! O yes, believer!
He come from the glory,
He come from the glorious kingdom.

2 The angels sang when the baby was born,
the angels sang when the baby was born,
the angels sang when the baby was born
and they sang that his name is Jesus.

3 The shepherds came where the baby was born,
the shepherds came where the baby was born,
the shepherds came where the baby was born,
and they say that his name is Jesus

Doxology –spoken together

‘All glory be to God on high,
and to the earth be peace;
good will is shown from heaven above
and never more shall cease.’

Prayer of Dedication for the Offering

Prayers for the World

Hymn 301 Hark the Herald Angels

1 Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”
peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations rise
join the triumph of the skies,
with the angelic hosts proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the new-born King’.

2 Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail the Incarnate Deity,
pleased as Man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel!

3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give them second birth:

Benediction 
Threefold Amen

Closing Voluntary – And the Glory of the Lord –  from the Messiah   GF Handel (1685-1759)

Link to our live recording on facebook https://fb.watch/a886Lo55K4/

INTIMATIONS

Sunday Services – We welcome Rev Russell McLarty, our Interim Moderator, to take our service today, and we wish him well for his retirement.
Next Sunday, 2 January 2022, Rev Ron Smith, 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. There is a retiring offering today for the appeal.
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.

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.

A prayer from the Church of Scotland website:

Loving God,
we remember that from the very start,
the Good News of Jesus was not just for a select few,
but for all.

You were born and grew and lived on this earth.
Help us in the heights and depths of our lives,
to not only know where to look for You,
but to recognise You in our midst.

Help us to look into the difficult places of our lives,
and to know You present with us.

Help us to recognise You in all people,
welcoming, including and caring for all.

Help us to think and act beyond ourselves,
loving Your creation and making choices that are unselfish, generous
and compassionate toward all living things.

In our praying and singing,
speaking and listening,
giving and receiving,
may You be honoured and glorified,
and all people be dignified and acknowledged as Yours.

Amen

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

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)