Sadly, this church is now closed for worship. From Easter Sunday please join us at North and South Leith Parish Church in the Kirkgate for Sunday worship at 11am

Category: Advent & Christmas

Categories
Advent & Christmas Online Worship worship

25th December 2022

Christmas Day

Service led by:  Tim Bell

Organist: John Riley

Welcome and Intimations

Call to Worship

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For to us a child is born
to us a Son is given.
His name will be called Wonderful counsellor, mighty God
the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Glory to God in the highest
and peace to his people on earth.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
he has come to his people and set them free.
Light has sprung up for the righteous
and joyful gladness for those who are true-hearted.
Glory to God in the highest
and peace to his people on earth.

Lighting of the Fifth Candle   

Hymn  284  Hope is a candle         (Tune:  Galloway Tam)

Gathering and the Lord’s Prayer     Niall Martin

Hymn:    Hills of the north rejoice   Tune:  Little Cornard)

1 Hills of the North, rejoice,
river and mountain-spring,
hark to the advent voice;
valley and lowland, sing. Christ comes in righteousness and love
he brings salvation from above.

2 Isles of the Southern seas
sing to the listening earth,
carry on every breeze
hope of a world’s new birth:
In Christ shall all be made anew,
his word is sure, his promise true.

3 Lands of the East, arise,
he is your brightest morn,
greet him with joyous eyes,
praise shall his path adorn:
your seers have longed to know their Lord;
to you he comes, the final word.

4 Shores of the utmost West,
lands of the setting sun,
welcome the heavenly guest
in whom the dawn has come:
he brings a never-ending light
who triumphed o’er our darkest night.

5 Shout, as you journey home,
songs be in every mouth,
lo, from the North they come,
from East and West and South:
in Jesus all shall find their rest,
in him the universe be blest.

First Thoughts

Scripture Readings:  Reader:  Jimmy Hudson

Old Testament Reading:  Isaiah 11: 1-9  The branch of Jesse
New Testament Reading:  Luke  2:  1-20  The birth of Jesus

Hymn 324  Angels from the realms of glory  (Tune:  Iris)

Christmas Reflections

Hymn 313 See! in yonder manger low  (Tune: Humility) 

Dedication of the Offerings

Prayers for the World

Hymn 306 O come, all ye faithful  (Tune:  Adeste Fidelis)

Benediction and Threefold Amen

Closing Voluntary

INTIMATIONS   

Sunday Services: We are grateful to Tim Bell for leading our Christmas Day service today.

Next Sunday, 1 January 2023, there will not be a service in North Leith church. You are very welcome to attend the service at Newhaven (10:30) or South Leith (11.00).
The next service at North Leith will be at 11.00 as usual on Sunday 8 January.

Christmas Appeal: The Kirk Session has chosen the Red Cross Afghanistan Crisis Appeal to benefit from our ‘away’ Christmas appeal this year.
The appeal will be open through December and into early January.
(For individual anonymous donations up to £30, tax can be claimed through the Gift Aid small donations scheme, if you are giving over £30 please use a gift aid envelope if you can.)

Categories
Advent & Christmas Online Worship worship

18th December 2022

4th Sunday in Advent – Joint Worship

Worship led by: Mrs Karen McKay & Rev Iain May

Organist: Iain Mackinnon

Music:  Music Group and Choir

Welcome and Intimations

Call to Worship

We light this Candle with Joy, knowing that darkness will be overcome by Light; banishing fear and releasing laughter in the hearts of all.

ALL: Lord on this Fourth Sunday of Advent we look to you with Joy in our hearts as the light of this candle
speaks to us of the Joy of Christ’s coming.
May we all be ready and able to welcome Him into our hearts.

Let us worship God

HYMN 284 (v 1, 2, 3 and 4): Hope is a candle (MG)

Gathering Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – Mrs Karen McKay, Interim Moderator, North Leith

Introduction to Service of Lessons and Carols – Rev. Iain May, South Leith

First Lesson:Genesis 1:1-5 – God Creates the World – Read by Rev. John Tait, South Leith

HYMN 324: Angels from the realms of glory

Second Lesson:Isaiah 9: 2; 6-7 – Christ’s birth isforetold by the Prophet Isaiah – Read by Gerry O’Neil, North Leith

HYMN 304: O little town of Bethlehem

Third Lesson: Luke 1: 26-38 – The Angel Gabrielcomes to Mary – Read by Janice Gailani, South Leith

HYMN 296: While humble shepherds watched their flocks

Fourth Lesson:Luke 2:1-7 – Luke tells of thebirth of Jesus – Read by Margo Hudson, North Leith

HYMN 300: The Virgin Mary had a baby boy (MG)

Fifth Lesson:Luke 2: 8-16 – The Shepherdsgo to the manger – Read by Sally Pagan, South Leith

In the bleak mid-winter: (Joint Music Group/Choir)

Sixth Lesson:Matthew 2: 1-12 – The Wise men areled by the star – Read by Stewart Lowe, North Leith

HYMN 312: Away in a manger, no crib for a bed

Seventh Lesson:John 1: 1-14 – John unfolds themystery of the incarnation – Read by Anne Rutherford, South Leith

Prayer of Dedication and for Others – Rev. Iain May, Minister, South Leith Parish Church

HYMN 306:O Come, all ye faithful

                                              Benediction

Closing Voluntary: A Merry Christmas – Arr. Arthur Warrell (1882-1939)

Intimations

Christmas Services In Newhaven, North Leith and South Leith Parish Churches

Christmas Eve
Family Service at 4 pm – Newhaven
Christingle Service at 6 pm – South Leith
Watchnight Service at 11.30 pm – South Leith and Newhaven

Christmas Day
Family Service at 10.30am – Newhaven
Family Service at 11am – South Leith
and North Leith

Sunday, 1st January 2023
Morning Worship at 10.30am – Newhaven
Morning Worship at 11 am – South Leith

Categories
Advent & Christmas Online Worship worship

11th December 2022

Third Sunday in Advent

Minister: Rev. Ron Smith

Organist: Iain Mackinnon

Welcome and Intimations

Lighting of Advent Candle

Hymn 284 (v1-3)  (Hope is a candle; Peace is a candle; Love is a candle)
Prayer

Hymn 314  Child in the manger

Prayer of Approach and Lord’s Prayer

First Thoughts

Hymn 318  Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour

Scripture Readings:              Reader: Annie Addison

Gospel Reading:  Luke  1: 9-13;  26-32
New Testament Reading:  James 5:  7-11

Sermon

Hymn 285  The Angel Gabriel from heaven came

Doxology and Dedication Prayer

Sing to the Lord of heaven and earth,
whom angels serve and saints adore,
the Father, Son, and Spirit blest
to whom be praise for evermore.

Prayers of Intercession

Hymn 316  Love came down at Christmas

Benediction and Threefold Amen

Closing Voluntary: Christmas Piece  (Op.72 No. 1)   Felix Mendelssohn  (1809-1847)

INTIMATIONS   

Sunday Services: We are pleased to welcome Rev Ron Smith to conduct our service today.

Next Sunday, 18th December, will be a joint service of Lessons and Carols with South Leith members, held here in North Leith church. Newhaven members are having their Children’s Nativity and Carol service in Newhaven church at 10.30am.

We are collecting Christmas gifts for the Citadel children and families today.

Christmas Appeal: The Kirk Session has chosen the Red Cross Afghanistan Crisis Appeal to benefit from our ‘away’ Christmas appeal this year.
The appeal will be open through December and into early January.
(For individual anonymous donations up to £30, tax can be claimed through the Gift Aid small donations scheme, if you are giving over £30 please use a gift aid envelope if you can.)

Church Magazine: The latest magazine is available for distributors and others who want a paper copy and have not yet picked up their copies.

Refugees clothing appeal: Thank you to everyone who donated warm clothes.
Pauline says she has enough for now.

Categories
Advent & Christmas Online Worship worship

4th December 2022

Second Sunday in Advent

Minister: Rev. Dr. Martin Scott

Organist: Iain Mackinnon

Welcome and Intimations

Opening Responses
Arise! Shine! Your light has come
PRAISE GOD FOR THE COMING LIGHT
Get ready! Stay awake! Your hope is near
PRAISE GOD FOR THE COMING HOPE
Rejoice! Rejoice! Your joy will be complete
PRAISE GOD FOR THE COMING JOY
Be still and listen: your peace is assured
PRAISE GOD FOR THE COMING PEACE

Hymn 290  The race that long in darkness pined

Prayer of Approach and Confession [closing with]…

God in heaven, your name is to be honoured
MAY YOUR NEW COMMUNITY OF HOPE
BE REALISED ON EARTH AS 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 YOUR EMBRACING JUSTICE, LOVE AND PEACE;
NOW AND TO THE END OF TIME.   AMEN.

We light this candle for peace, promised to us by
God’s loving presence.

Lighting of the Advent Candle

God, in this Advent season we look to you for peace.  Help us as we prepare again for your coming among us.  May the light of this candle remind us of Jesus, the Prince of Peace whose kindness and compassion we seek to mirror in our lives.  Amen.

Hymn 284  (verses 1 & 2)  Hope is a candle and Peace is a candle

Scripture Readings:              Reader: Tim Bell

Old Testament Reading:  Isaiah 11: 1-10

Hymn 334  On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry

Gospel Reading:  Luke 3: 1-9

Sermon

Hymn 291  When out of poverty is born (no copyright)

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Response:    Watch, watch and pray, Jesus will keep to his word

Hymn 286  Tell out my soul the greatness of the Lord

Benediction and Threefold Amen

Closing Voluntary – Gloria.   Johann André.  (1742-1799)

INTIMATIONS   

Sunday Services: We are pleased to welcome Rev Dr Martin Scott to conduct the service today.
Next Sunday, 11 December, Rev Ron Smith will be with us again to lead our worship.

Leith Churches Together Lunch-time service: The December service is at North Leith, in the Session House, this Thursday, 8th, at 1pm. Remember to bring your own lunch, hot drinks will be provided.

We are collecting Christmas gifts for the Citadel children and families today and on 11th December.
Welcome gifts include board games, books, craft materials, toys, toiletries (for all the family, male and female), winter pyjamas (for 3 to 12 year-olds), clothes, and treats such as selection boxes.

Christmas Appeal: The Kirk Session has chosen the Red Cross Afghanistan Crisis Appeal to benefit from our ‘away’ Christmas appeal this year.
The appeal will be open through December and into early January.
(For individual anonymous donations up to £30, tax can be claimed through the Gift Aid small donations scheme, if you are giving over £30 please use a gift aid envelope if you can.)

Church Magazine: The latest magazine is available today for distributors and others who want a paper copy.

Refugees clothing appeal: Thank you to everyone who donated warm clothes.
Pauline says she has enough for now.