School Welcome to our Advent Service Date Light

. . . . . School Welcome to our Advent Service Date

Light the Advent candle one Now the waiting has begun We have started on our way: Time to think of Christmas day.

Candle, candle, burning bright, Shining in the cold winter night. Candle, candle, burning bright, Fill our hearts with Christmas light.

Light the Advent candle two. Think of humble shepherds who Filled with wonder at the sight Of the child on Christmas night.

Candle, candle, burning bright, Shining in the cold winter night. Candle, candle, burning bright, Fill our hearts with Christmas light.

Light the Advent candle three. Think of heav’nly harmony: Angels singing “Peace on Earth” At the blessed Saviour’s birth.

Candle, candle, burning bright, Shining in the cold winter night. Candle, candle, burning bright, Fill our hearts with Christmas light.

Light the Advent candle four. Think of joy for evermore; Christ-child in a stable born, Gift of love that Christmas morn.

Candle, candle, burning bright, Shining in the cold winter night. Candle, candle, burning bright, Fill our hearts with Christmas light.

A Reading from the Book of Genesis

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, there was chaos and nothing but darkness. God’s spirit was like a breeze that blows across the water.

Then God said, ‘Let there be light’

And there was light. And God said, Wow! The light is good!

God called the light ‘day’ and the darkness ‘night’.

Then God made the sky and the land.

God called the water ‘seas’. And the dry land ‘earth’.

God said; ‘Wow! These are good!’

God said; ‘Let plants, trees and flowers grow on the earth, each with their seed inside’

God said; ‘Wow! These are good!’

God said, ‘Let there be lights in the sky. God made the Sun, moon and stars. God said; ‘Wow! These are good!’

God created every kind of animal… fish that swim in the sea,

and birds that fly in the air. God said; ‘Wow! These are good!

Then God made all the creatures that live on the land; cattle, reptiles

every kind of wild animal, God said: ‘Wow! These are good!

Then God created human beings. He made them male and female.

God blessed them and sent them forth to multiply and take care of the world.

God looked at everything he had made and he said: ‘Wow! These are really good.

And so the heavens and earth were completed in all their array. God rested on the last day after all the work he had done. God blessed the day and made it holy.

The word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Let us pray

When is he coming, When oh when is he coming, the Redeemer When will we see him When oh when will we see him the Redeemer Come, oh come, from your kingdom up there From your kingdom up there above! Come, oh come, to your people on earth, To your people on earth bring love! Emmanuel!

Long years awaiting Many years here awaiting the Redeemer Ready to greet him always ready to meet him the Redeemer Come, oh come, from your kingdom up there From your kingdom up there above! Come, oh come, to your people on earth, To your people on earth bring love! Emmanuel!

Spare us from evil From the clutches of evil, oh Redeemer Though we are sinners We have known your forgiveness, oh Redeemer Come, oh come, from your kingdom up there From your kingdom up there above! Come, oh come, to your people on earth, To your people on earth bring love! Emmanuel!

A Reading from the Book of Genesis

Let us pray

God Our Father sent a rainbow arching in the sky above and his children understand it as a symbol of his love Thank you Father, thank you Father Thank you Father for your care for your warm and loving kindness to your children everywhere

Through the storm cloud shines your rainbow red and orange, yellow green blue and indigo and violet in the sky by all is seen Thank you Father, thank you Father Thank you Father for your care for your warm and loving kindness to your children everywhere

God Our Father you have promised after rain the sun will shine A many coloured bow in heaven Thank you for this special sign. Thank you Father, thank you Father Thank you Father for your care for your warm and loving kindness to your children everywhere

A Reading from the Book of Genesis

Let us pray

When the Lord returns, singing alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia! He will lead us home Singing alleluia! He will lead us to his Kingdom.

All the sky will glow, singing alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia! All the earth will shake, singing alleluia! He will lead us to his kingdom.

He will come as king singing alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia! Rise and welcome him, singing alleluia! He will lead us to his Kingdom.

Keep your lamp alight singing alleluia, Alleluia , alleluia! Stay awake and watch singing alleluia! He will lead us to his kingdom.

Come Lord Jesus, come singing alleluia, Alleluia , alleluia! Come and lead us home, singing alleluia! Come and lead us to your kingdom.

A Reading from the Book of Genesis

Let us pray

Stay awake, X X be ready, X X You do no know the hour when the Lord is coming Stay awake, X X be ready, X X The Lord is coming soon. Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord is coming soon.

Change your lives, X X He’s coming, X X The one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit, Change your lives X X He’s coming X X The Lord is coming soon. Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord is coming soon.

Prepare! X X He’s coming! X X The one who will give peace to the world is coming! Prepare! X X He’s coming! X X The reign of God is near. Alleluia, alleluia! The reign of God is near.

By the power, X X of the Spirit X X Mary will give birth to a son called Jesus. By the power, X X of the Spirit, X X Emmanuel is near. Alleluia, alleluia! Emmanuel is near.

A Reading from the Book of Genesis

Let us pray

If my brother does me wrong how should I forgive him? ‘Sev’n times sev’n o!’ That’s what Jesus says you know ‘Sev’n times sev’n o!’ That’s what Jesus says.

If my sister lets me down how should I forgive her? ‘Sev’n times sev’n o!’ That’s what Jesus says you know ‘Sev’n times sev’n o!’ That’s what Jesus says.

If my friends won’t play with me how should I forgive them? ‘Sev’n times sev’n o!’ That’s what Jesus says you know ‘Sev’n times sev’n o!’ That’s what Jesus says.

A Reading from the Book of Genesis

Let us pray

I close my eyes, drew back the curtain To see for certain, what I thought I knew Far far away, someone was weeping But the world was sleeping Any dream will do

I wore my coat (I wore my coat), with golden lining (Ahhh) Bright colours shining (Ahhhh), wonderful and new And in the east (and in the east), the dawn was breaking (Ahhh) And the world was waking (Ahhhh) Any dream will do

A crash of drums, a flash of light My golden coat flew out of sight The colours faded into darkness I was left alone

May I return (May I return) to the beginning (Ahhh) The light is dimming (Ahhhh), and the dream is too The world and I (The world and I), we are still waiting (Ahhh) Still hesitating (Ahhhh) Any dream will do

A crash of drums, a flash of light My golden coat flew out of sight The colours faded into darkness I was left alone

May I return (May I return) to the beginning (Ahhh) The light is dimming (Ahhhh), and the dream is too The world and I (The world and I), we are still waiting (Ahhh) Still hesitating (Ahhhh) Any dream will do

A Reading from the Book of Exodus

Let us pray

This is my command to you love one another just as I the Lord love you love one another Amen so shall it be

A Reading from the Book of Ruth

Let us pray

Where ever you go, I will go Your people will be my people And your God will be my God too.

A Reading from the First Book of Samuel

Let us pray

Your word is like a lamp, shining in the night, shining in the darkness golden bright.

A Reading from the Book of Psalms

Let us pray

The angel, Gabriel, from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, His eyes as flame. ‘All hail, ’ said he, ‘Thou lowly maiden, Mary Most highly favoured lady. Gloria!

For know, a blessed mother thou shall be! All generations laud and honour thee. Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, Most highly favoured lady. Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head. ‘To me be as it pleaseth God, ’ she said. ‘My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name!’ Most highly favoured lady. Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn; And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say: Most highly favoured lady. Gloria!

A Reading from the Gospel according to St Matthew

Let us pray

Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, And blessed is the fruit Of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God Pray for us sinners, Now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Rejoice in the Lord always And again I say rejoice! Rejoice! And again I say rejoice!

Light of Christ guide us

Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us your own, your holy people. Light for the world to see. Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled. Longing for hope, many despair. Your word alone has pow’r to save us. Make us your living voice. Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for food, many are hungry. Longing for water, many still thirst. Make us your bread, broken for others, shared until all are fed. Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for shelter, many are homeless. Longing for warmth, many are cold. Make us your building, sheltering others, walls made of living stone. Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong Let us be servants to one another, making your kingdom come Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

Come Lord Jesus, come again

The Blessing

Hark now hear the angels sing A new king born today And we will live forever more Because of Christmas day. Trumpets sound and Angels sing Listen to what they say, that we will live forever more because of Christmas day.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night They see a bright new shining star They hear a choir of angels sing Music seemed to come from afar

Hark now hear the angels sing A new king born today And we will live forever more Because of Christmas day. Trumpets sound and Angels sing Listen to what they say, that we will live forever more because of Christmas day.

Now, Joseph and his wife, Mary, Come to Bethlehem that night, They find no place to lay her child, Not a single room was in sight.

Hark now hear the angels sing A new king born today And we will live forever more Because of Christmas day. Trumpets sound and Angels sing Listen to what they say, that we will live forever more because of Christmas day.

By and by they find a nook In a stable so forlorn And in a manger cold and dark Mary’s little boy was born

Hark now hear the angels sing A new king born today And we will live forever more Because of Christmas day. Trumpets sound and Angels sing Listen to what they say, that we will live forever more because of Christmas day.

Thank you for coming this evening. Have a safe journey home.