Christingle Service Saturday 24 December 5:00pm 1
The Christingle Service Procession - Silent Night 1. Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Opening Sentence Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people; for unto you is born a saviour, which is Christ the Lord. The Greeting The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you And also with you The glory of the Lord has risen upon us Let us rejoice and sing God s praises for ever Carol - O Little town of Bethlehem 2. Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Saviour is born Christ, the Saviour is born 3. Silent night, holy night Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth 1. O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight 2. For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth 2
3. How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in. 4. holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray Cast out our sin and enter in Be born to us today We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel Collect Almighty God, as we prepare with joy to celebrate the gift of the Christ-child, embrace the earth with your glory and be for us a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Reading 1 - The birth of Christ Carol - Away in a manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. 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 cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray; Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there. Reading 2 - The angels come to the shepherds 3
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around, And glory shone around. Fear not! said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind. Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind To you and all mankind. To you, in David s town, this day Is born of David s line A Savior, who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign, And this shall be the sign. The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid, And in a manger laid. Thus spake the seraph and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God on high, Who thus addressed their song, Who thus addressed their song: All glory be to God on high, And to the Earth be peace; Good will henceforth from Heaven to men Begin and never cease, Begin and never cease! Reading 3 - The Wise Men come from the East Talk Peace Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest. 4
The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you. Let us offer one another a sign of peace. We share the peace with each other by shaking hands and saying Peace be with you Offering of the Gifts We ask everyone who has a Christingle candle or envelope to bring this to the front. If you have neither a candle or envelope and would like to make a donation to the Children s Society, please come up and place your gift in one of the baskets. During the offering of gifts, we sing Hark the Herald Angels sing. 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 Son 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!" 5
When all the gifts have been given we say: God of all goodness and grace, receive the gifts we offer; and grant that our whole life may give you glory and praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Prayers Merciful and loving God, You showed us a world where children are welcome. Where they are valued no matter their abilities, where they are loved no matter their failings, where they are included no matter their age or seeming inconsequence. Make me part of this world. Help me to care not just for the children I know, not just for the children I meet, not just for children I love. But through our prayer, our actions and the work of The Children s Society help me to care for all of the children that you love. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ Amen Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 6
Presentation of the Christingles During the presentation of the Christingles, the choir will sing O come, O come, Emmanuel and Infant Holy, Infant Lowly. Blessing May God the Son, who comes to us as redeemer and judge, reveal to you the path from darkness to light. Amen. May the light of Christ shine in our hearts. May we be filled with his joy and peace. And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with us all and those whom we love. Amen Hymn - Shine, Jesus, shine Shine, Jesus, shine Fill this land with the Father's glory Blaze, Spirit, blaze Set our hearts on fire Flow, river, flow Flood the nations with grace and mercy Send forth your word Lord, and let there be light Lord, I come to your awesome presence From the shadows into your radiance By the blood I may enter your brightness Search me, try me, consume all my darkness Shine on me, shine on me As we gaze on your kingly brightness So our faces display your likeness Ever changing from glory to glory Mirrored here may our lives tell your story Shine on me, shine on me Dismissal Go in the peace of Christ, to bring light to all you meet In the name of Christ. Amen 7
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