St. Stephen s Uniting Church Christmas Day Order of worship and news sheet

Transcription

1 ! 1! Welcome to St. Stephen s Uniting Church in the city. 25 December, Christmas Day. th Founded in 1842 in the Presbyterian tradition, now a congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia. Built upon the one Lord Jesus Christ. Whoever you are, wherever you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the first inhabitants of this place. We acknowledge them for their custodianship of the land on which we gather today. Christmas Day If you would like your offering to go to the Christmas Bowl Appeal, please use the envelope inside your order of worship and place in today s offering.! Order of worship and news sheet Today s worship is led by: Rev. Ken Day (Minister - St Stephen s Uniting Church) Rev. Dr. Raymond Joso (Mission Initiatives Consultant - Uniting Mission and Education) St Stephen s Uniting Choir, and the congregation.

2 ! 2 ORDER OF WORSHIP! Organ Prelude! Prelude on Forest Green (O Little Town of Bethlehem) Dale Wood ( ) Call to worship The Christ Candle is lit. During the following hymn the Christ Candle will be lit. The day of Christ has come! Processional Hymn O come, all ye faithful (Adeste Fideles) 1. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold him, born the King of angels; Refrain O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 2. God of God, Light of Light, lo! He abhors not the Virgin's womb: very God, begotten, not created; Refrain 3. See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle, leaving their flocks, draw nigh with holy fear; we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; Refrain 4. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; glory to God in the highest; Refrain 5. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be glory giv n; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: Refrain

3 ! A Christmas prayer. 3 Hymn please remain seated Away in a manger (Cradle Song) 1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 2. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh. 3. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay close by me for ever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven, to live with thee there. Welcome and The peace. Hymn The north wind (North Wind) 1 The north wind is tossing the leaves. The red dust is over the town; the sparrows are under the eaves, and the grass in the paddock is brown; as we lift up our voices and sing, to the Christ-child the heavenly King. 2 The tree ferns in green gullies sway; the cool stream flows silently by; the joy bells are greeting the day, and the chimes are adrift in the sky, as we lift up our voices and sing, to the Christ-child the heavenly King.

4 ! The Service 4 of the Word A reading from the Hebrew Scriptures Isaiah 52: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns. 8 Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. 9 Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. In this is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Laudamus Te (from Gloria ) Antonia Vivaldi ( ) Sopranos: Ruth Lockley and Georgia Melville Laudamus Te Benedicimus Te Adoramus Te Glorificamus Te We praise you We bless you We adore you We glorify you A reading from the Christian Scriptures Matthew 1: Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah * took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 22 All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us. 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; * and he named him Jesus. For the gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

5 ! 5 Anthem Sans Day Carol Cornish traditional carol arranged by John Rutter ( ) 1. Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk, And Mary she bore Jesus, who was wrapped up in silk: Chorus: And Mary she bore Jesus our Saviour for to be, And the first tree that's in the greenwood, it was the holly. 2. Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass, And Mary she bore Jesus, who died on the cross: Chorus 3. Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal, And Mary she bore Jesus, who died for us all: Chorus 4. Now the holly bears a berry, as blood is it red, Then trust we our Saviour, who rose from the dead: Chorus Our word of action Offering Hymn Joy to the world (Antioch) If you would like your offering to go to the Christmas Bowl Appeal, please use the envelope inside your order of worship and place in today s offering. 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 men their songs employ. While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sound joy.

6 ! 6 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 and wonders of his love. Prayers of the people The Lord s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen. Choir Carol Torches Text: Translated from the Spanish Carol by J.B. Trend Music: John Joubert ( ) Torches, torches, run with torches All the way to Bethlehem! Christ is born and now lies sleeping; Come and sing your song to Him! Ah, Roro, Roro, my baby, Ah, Roro, my love, Roro; Sleep you well, my heart's own darling, While we sing you our Rorro. Sing, my friends, and make you merry, Joy and mirth and joy again; Lo, He lives, the King of heaven, Now and evermore. Amen.

7 ! 7 The Incarnate Word - A statement of faith. (If you are able, please stand.) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens every one, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of a father s only son, full of grace and truth; From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; it is God the only Son, who is close to the Father s heart, who has made him known. (John 1:1-5, 9-14, 16-18)!

8 ! 8 unannounced Hymn Hark! The herald angels sing (Mendelssohn) 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 host proclaim: Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!" 2. Christ, by highest heav'n 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 Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King! 3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, ris'n 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. Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King! Benediction Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Threefold Amen

9 ! 9 Organ and Brass Postlude Toccata from 5 th Symphony Charles M Wider ( ) If you are interested in joining the choir, please contact the Director of Music, Mark Quarmby on or by mark@ssms.org.au On Fridays you are most welcome to attend our Friday Music concerts, featuring many of Sydney s leading young musicians (Feb - Dec). Please check the church web site for more details. Bible Readings taken from the New Revised Standard Version (1989) Cover&photo:&Forming&a&nativity&at&our&Greening&of&the&Church&service.& Expressions of interest: Choral Director MINISTRY VACANCY: Choral Director Permanent part time - St. Stephen s Uniting Church. St Stephen s Uniting Church is seeking expressions of interest for an experienced Choral Director. The Choral Director will have the ability to work in a team environment. They will be asked to demonstrate an effective track record of: * being a talented choral conductor with the ability to work with an amateur choir, some professional singers, choral scholars and a professional brass ensemble * experience in the standard choral church music, liturgy and hymnody The Choral Director will have the ability to: * work with the Director of Music in planning the repertoire * conduct extra rehearsals for special events and work with occasional massed choirs * encourage and grow the size of the choir This position requires the Choral Director to be available for Sunday morning rehearsals and worship services plus Christmas, Easter and occasional special events such as the annual HymnFest. There will be meetings with the Minister, to whom they will report, as well as Director of Music and the choir. The Choral Director must have an appreciation of the Christian faith and willingness to work within the ethos of the Uniting Church in Australia. A working with children check will be required. Expressions of interest to be ed to minister@ssms.org.au by 15 th January The flowers today are the gift of Charlie and Carmel Smithers in thanksgiving for all God has done.

10 ! 10 MISSION: helping beyond St. Stephen s Uniting. Some of the mission and community groups that St Stephen s Uniting Church actively supports. Narromine Uniting Church! Campbelltown Uniting Mission MINISTRIES : contacting us. Location: 197 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW Minister: Rev. Ken Day mintuc@fastmail.com.au Church Office: office@ssms.org.au Administrative Assistant to the Minister: Deborah Mildwater (Wed Fri) Director of Music: Mark Quarmby mark@ssms.org.au Choral Director: Dr David Hood davidhood@ssms.org.au Organ Scholar: Benjamin McKenzie Choral Scholars: Georgia Melville; Geoffrey Carman Tertiary Students Worker: Kathryn Lynch kathrynlynch2@yahoo.com.au Lay Preacher: Alan Harper aharpereastwood@optushome.com.au Secretary to Church Council: Christine Morling secretary@ssms.org.au / Secretary to Congregation: David Mutton davidandroger@optusnet.com.au 0421%258%494% Secretary%to%the%Elders:%Belinda%Fisher%%%%bfisher@naimanclarke.com.au Website: Facebook: St Stephen's Uniting Church, Macquarie St, Sydney

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