Fourth Sunday of Advent
18th December 2022
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in reguar typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Carol:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we begin our celebration of Lessons and Carols.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Use your mouse to scroll through the contents of each window.
Clicking on the buttons across the tops of the windows below will allow you to zoom in\out,
search, switch to full screen, print, and download the contents to your computer.
The Pewsheet:
Call to Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
We meet in the name of Jesus,
Word made flesh,
saviour of fallen humanity, lover of all. Amen.
We meet in the name of the Holy Spirit,
Lord and giver of life,
midwife of new humanity,
inspirer of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness
(click the "play" button, below:)
The Sentence for the Day
You heavens above rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up.
The Collect
Let us pray together.
God, your purpose exceeds our understanding; grant us the grace you gave to Mary. Help us recognise your presence, and, at our end, know the joy of your embrace. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Carol:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to join in with another great carol:
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Let us pray.
Happy are those whose sins are forgiven,
whose wrongs are pardoned.
I will confess my sins to the Lord
I will not conceal my wrongdoings.
A period of silence - for personal reflection
God forgives and heals us
We need your healing merciful God,
give us true repentance.
Some sins are plain to us,
some escape us,
some we cannot face.
Forgive us,
set us free to hear your word to us;
set us free to serve you.
<Pause>
Never forget, that it is through the cross of Christ
that you are forgiven.
Forgive others.
Forgive yourself,
and may you come to know God's peace.
Reading 1
(click the "play" button, below:)
Reading 2
(click the "play" button, below:)
Carol:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to join in with another great carol:
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Reading 3
(click the "play" button, below:)
Reading 4
(click the "play" button, below:)
Reading 5
(click the "play" button, below:)
Reading 6
(click the "play" button, below:)
The Journey of The Magi by T S Eliot
Carol:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to join in with another great carol:
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Reading 7
(click the "play" button, below:)
Listen to the Advent Reflection:
(click the "play" button below when you are ready to begin)
or, if you prefer, you can read to the reflection, below:
AN ADVENT REFLECTION : 18th DECEMBER 2022
May the words of my mouth and the meditations in our heart be acceptable in Your sight O Lord, our strength and redeemer. <Amen>
We come today to the final Sunday of the great liturgical season of Advent, a season in the church year that I have always loved. To me, it’s a very spiritually powerful season and it might be because there’s sort of a permanent Advent quality to the Christian life.
“Adventus”, the “coming” of the Lord. He came among us, it’s true, and He’s coming into our hearts now, but we’re also longing for His coming again.
That means all of Christian history, now over 2000 years, is going to go on (who knows how much longer) and there’s always a ‘vigil quality’ to it. We’re waiting. We’re watching.
There’s something unfulfilled about this earthly life. We want something we know that we don’t fully understand, something that we don’t fully have and I think the Advent season calls all this to mind.
Our readings through Advent have taken us on journeys with Isaiah, John The Baptiser, and Mary. These readings are so powerful, helping us to get ourselves focused spiritually for the gift we are about to be given.
The gift of the Christ-child and, that’s what we’re waiting for with the ‘Adventus’ of the Lord, and this Christ-child, this Jesus, this Son of God - and I’ve said this many times before - wants to be the Lord of your life. <PAUSE>
Not a minor figure in your life. Not a peripheral figure. Not one inspiring person among many. He wants to be the ‘Dominus’ - the “Lord” of your life.
Concentrate, everybody, during this Advent, on the ways in which YOU need to make Christ the Lord of YOUR life. What needs to be added? What needs to change? … and for me personally at this time but relevant to us all … What needs to be left behind - no matter how sad that may be? <PAUSE>
So everybody, Advent is a time of attention. Wake up. He’s coming. Keep vigil. Keep watch.
Don’t fall asleep. Don’t succumb to this bland commercialism and indifference of our current culture.
No. No. No! Wake up. Get your life prioritised and get ready to REALLY make Christ the Lord of your life.
In the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow the words of Holy Scripture that have been read to us today and and this reflection on Christ, who wants to be The Lord of YOUR life, speak to you.
... and now ... let us pray for the Church and for the World, giving thanks for God's goodness.
(click the "play" button below when you are ready to begin)
The Lord's Prayer
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ has taught us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as 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.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
Carol:
Let us conclude by watching, and please do feel free to join in with another great carol:
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Dismissal
Go now to love and serve The Lord,
Go in peace.
Amen, we go in the name of Christ.