Before Worship / Organ Prelude (Please use this time to prepare your hearts for worship) Lighting of the Candle of Love (see screen)

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1 ST. ANDREW S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 484 Water Street, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 1M5 Phone: (905) Website: Minister: Rev. Dr. Neal Mathers nealmathers@standrewsnewmarket.org Associate Minister: Rev. Laura Duggan lauraduggan@standrewsnewmarket.org Director of Music: Edward F. Luka Office: info@standrewsnewmarket.org December 20, :00am 4 th Sunday in Advent THE CHURCH GATHERS Before Worship / Organ Prelude (Please use this time to prepare your hearts for worship) Scripture Narration by Peter Ross Organ Prelude Announcements Video Mary and Joseph Lighting of the Candle of Love (see screen) Congregational Carol: Hymn #166 Once in Royal David s City (vs. 1-3) Choir: Noel, Noel Randall Thompson Prayer Page 1

2 Choir: When Will Messiah Come? Coventry Carol (Solo: Sue Phillips) arr. J.M. Martin Almighty God, we cry to You; when will Messiah come? When will You wipe our tears away? When will Messiah come? Spirit of truth, we call unto You; when will Messiah come? When will our sorrow turn to joy? When will Messiah come? O come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel. O come, O come Emmanuel. Lord of the promise, hear our plea; when will Messiah come? When will we greet Emmanuel? When will Messiah come? Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:3-11 Choir: A Voice in the Wilderness F.D. Heins O Zion, that bringeth good tidings, get you up to the heights and sing! Proclaim to a desolate people the coming of their King. Like the flowers of the field they perish, like grass our works decay; the power and the pomp of nations shall pass, like a dream, away. But the word of our God endureth, whose arm is ever strong; God stands in the midst of nations, and soon will right the wrong. He shall feed the flock like a shepherd and fold the lambs to his breast; in pastures of peace will lead them, and give to the weary rest. Page 2

3 There s a voice in the wilderness crying, a call from the ways untrod: prepare in the desert a highway, a highway for our God! The valleys shall be exalted, the lofty hills brought low; make straight all the crooked places, where the Lord our God may go. Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 Congregational Carol: Hymn #122 O Come, Emmanuel (vs. 1, 2, & 4 ) Scripture Reading: John 1:1-5, Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39-45 Solo & Choir: Magnificat Edward Luka (Leah Whitfield) My Soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of his hand maiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation unto generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of the hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich He hath sent empty away. My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Saviour. For He is mighty; He hath done great things. Magnify the Lord. Page 3

4 Choir: Still, Still, Still Austrian Carol Arr. N. Luboff Still, still, still one can hear the falling snow. For all is hushed, the world is sleeping, Holy Star, its vigil keeping, Still, still, still one can hear the falling snow. Sleep, sleep, sleep tis the eve of our Saviour s birth. The night is peaceful all around you, Close your eyes, let sleep surround you, Sleep, sleep, sleep tis the eve of our Saviour s birth. Dream, dream, dream of the joyous day to come. While guardian angels without number Watch you as you sweetly slumber. Dream, dream, dream of the joyous day to come. Children s Time Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-7 Congregational Carol: Hymn #153 Joy to the World (vs. 1, 2 & 4) Choir: The Angels Sang Edward Luka (Solo: Elizabeth Whitfield & Sonny D Mello) The angels sang, glad tidings rang When Christ was born. Those Christmas days they sang in glorious praise, And heaven s voices raised in joyous song. A new born King, New hope to bring. I ll join and sing forever more. A Saviour came and Jesus was His name. And so the angels sang. Page 4

5 Trio & Choir: King of My Heart D. Outcherlony (Fiona, Sophie & Leah Whitfield) I have no gold, my baby Jesus, I have no wealth, no precious stone; All I can bring to my Jesus, A King with a manger His throne, Is Gloria Deo. King of the whole earth, King of my own. If I had toys, my baby Jesus, Worthy of Thee, with them I d part; But I have nothing that s worthy, Lord Jesus, how blessed Thou art, Sing Gloria Deo. King of the whole earth, King of my heart. My Life I give to you, Jesus, poor though it is, no longer mine. What can I do, my Lord Jesus, I promise, my life will be guided by Thine. Sing Gloria Deo. King of the whole earth, My King divine! Presentation of Offerings Congregational Carol: Hymn #159 O Come All Ye Faithful (seated) Prayer of Dedication Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-14 Page 5

6 Duet: Come Join the Angels Singing C. Dickensen (Karen Shepherd & Elizabeth Whitfield) With joyful hearts, come join the angels singing; Throw cares away. Come celebrate the day; for Christ is born! This day the promise is come true; our God to earth has come. Noel! we sing this holy night. Look high above, a big, new star is shining. Its rays bring joy; it shines as light of day. The way is bright, the darkness of the night is gone; The earth is filled with joy. Noel! we sing this holy night. The shepherds go, they leave their flocks and follow. With starry eyes, they travel through the night, We too would go to see the child, the Lord of all; to worship and adore. Noel! we sing this holy night, Noel! Noel! Scripture Reading: John 3:17 Choir: If Christ Had Not Come Edward Luka If Christ had not come there would be no rejoicing, For life without Him would be filled with despair. The blackness of sin would be ever upon us: No way to escape if He had not cared, If Christ had not come, there would be no forgiveness; Existence of life would go hopelessly on. The snare of the world then would be our destruction, And hope would be gone, if Christ had not come. Page 6

7 If Christ had not come there would be no compassion, One s searching for peace would be ever in vain. The dread of today and the fear of tomorrow Would point to the fact life has nothing to gain. If Christ had not come, there would be no allegiance; Real love in the world could never be found, And life without love would be but rejection. In sin we d be bound, if Christ had not come. Solo & Choir: I Wonder as I Wander Appalachien Carol (Sue Phillips) arr. J. Niles & L. Horton I wonder as I wander out under the sky, How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die. For poor on'ry people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander out under the sky. When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall, With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all. But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall, And the promise of ages it then did recall. If Jesus had wanted for anything, A star in the sky or a bird on the wing, Or all of God's Angels in heaven for to sing, He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King. I wonder as I wander out under the sky, How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die. Congregational Carol: Your Coming, Lord, to Earth Your coming, Lord, to earth in Bethlehem revealed your gracious will that all might live, by your example and your sacrifice, in that salvation you alone can give. Page 7

8 That free gift of God s grace bestowed on us remains a fountain head of joy and peace; and yet by evil tempted and enslaved we need to know you near, and find release. Though often thus you came to save and bless, at last, we know, in glory you will come, in cloud and fire, with angels trumpets sound, to judge, and triumph, and to claim your own. Choir: Who on Earth Could Know? Valerie MacKenzie The world lay waiting in darkness, God s people long oppressed. They looked to heaven to break their chains, to find peace and rest. In this land of shadows, the faithful prayed for light; In Your mercy, Lord, justice soon restore, by Your power, save us from the night. Who on earth could know, who on earth could see, God s love would be revealed through a tiny baby? Only God could know, only God could see His kingdom would come through this promised One, and this child would grow to change the world. God heard the cry of Israel. God said, Prepare the way, for my glory will be made known, through one whose love will save. He ll not destroy your enemies. nor earthly kingdoms reign. Through his humble birth, I ll proclaim your worth. Through this child you ll receive my grace. Who on earth could know... Page 8

9 And still we wait for the Saviour, Just as the world waited then. We place our hope in the child born long ago. Salvation begins at Bethlehem. For we on earth will know, we on earth shall see God s love will be revealed through a tiny baby. All of us will know, all of us shall see God s kingdom will come through this promised One, for this child will grow to change the world. Silent Personal Prayer If you have not already accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, we encourage you to consider accepting His gift of love and salvation now. Congregation & Choir: Hymn #136 Festival First Nowell (vs 1, 2 & 6) Prayer Verse 1 Congregation & Choir (seated) Verse 2 Choir Only Verse 6 Choir & Congregation (standing) Choral Benediction: Christmas Benediction Edward Luka O Holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today. Amen. Please remain seated during the following short postlude Organ Postlude: Solfeggietta C.P.E. Back (Anthony Henein) Susan Guido, Trumpet Sharon Martin, French Horn John Jackson, Bass Trombone Brandon D'Mello, Percussion Instrumental Ensemble Copyright Information: CCLI # Becky Von Schwern, Trumpet Garrett Boake, Trombone Carol Law, Tympani Page 9

10 N E X T S U N D A Y : D E C. 2 7 Worship at 10:00am T H I S W EEK Monday Dec. 21: EPIC Longest Night Service at 7:15pm. Tuesday Dec. 22: Church Office Open 9:00am - Noon Wednesday Dec. 23: Church Office Open 9:00am - Noon Thursday Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Services 5:00pm Young Children & Families 7:00pm Family Christmas Candlelight Service 9:00pm Lessons, Carols & Communion Friday Dec. 25: Merry Christmas! Church Office Closed. L O O K I N G A H E A D Dec. 27: 1 st Sunday after Christmas Day at 10:00am. Dec. 28: Church Office Closed. Dec. 29: Church Office Open 9:00am - Noon. Dec. 30: Church Office Open 9:00am - Noon. Dec. 31: Church Office Closed. Jan. 1: Happy New Year 2016! Church Office Closed. Jan. 3: Epiphany Sunday Worship 10:00am. Jan. 4: Church Office Closed. Jan. 7: Children s Choirs Resume. Jan. 10: Baptism of the Lord Service at 10:00am. Jan. 11: Annual Reports are due into the office. Thanks! Jan. 15 & 16: Adult Child Spirituality Retreat. Page 10

11 Please join us as we celebrate Advent & Christmas at St. Andrew s Sunday, December 20 at 10:00am Choir Christmas Presentation Monday, December 21 at 7:15pm EPIC Longest Night Service Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services: 5:00pm Young Children & Families 7:00pm Family Christmas Candlelight Service 9:00pm Lessons, Carols & Communion Sunday, December 27 at 10:00am 1 st Sunday after Christmas Day