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Bishop Justus Church of England School Bring in at least £1 per person for Wednesday’s “Own Clothes” Day Money raised for Chemba Project and Variety Children’s Hospital Morning Worship The Shepherds 20th December 2016 Bishop Justus Church of England School  

Let the light of Christ shine in our lives Gather The Lord be with you And also with you Let the light of Christ shine in our lives

Receive There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. The angel of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Saviour was born - Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”… Continues on next slide

Receive … Suddenly a great army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from then back into heaven, the shepherd said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger… Continues on next slide

Receive … When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them. From the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 2, verses 8 to 20

Engage The story of the shepherds is about outsiders, humility and obedience… Shepherds were rather rough in their day—they were seen by many as unclean because they were unable to clean and do the ritual cleansing a Jewish person would need to do. Shepherds are a symbol of outsiders, or lowliness. It would be like having all the local refuse collectors visit a new-born celebrity as soon as it was born!

Engage Some discussion ideas … Who are the ‘outsiders’ in today’s society? What are the important messages to the world that we learn from the Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus? Activity suggestion … Maybe organise a tutor group party for tomorrow … (Remember the reasons for having parties at Christmas - the joy that Christians share remembering God being with us in Jesus). Video suggestion … Scenes from “The Nativity Story” set to a version of “Silent Night” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlL9dAuzq6A

Respond Amen Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem draws us to kneel with the shepherds in wonder at heaven touching earth: accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you, our Saviour and our eternal God. Amen

Go Let us bless the Lord Thanks be to God Go out into the world with the light of Christ Don’t forget … Bring in at least £1 per person for Wednesday’s “Own Clothes” Day fundraising Money raised for Chemba Project and Variety Children’s Hospital