St. Peter’s Christingle 2015 29th. November: Advent 1

We will watch for the Lord; we will wait confidently for God, who will save us. We are in darkness now, but the Lord will give us light. O Lord, you give us light. You dispel our darkness.

Christ has brought us out of darkness: to live in his marvellous light.

Today we remember Jesus And the story of his birth: Jesus is our King Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Jesus is our Way

With Jesus even dark places are light: Jesus is the truth In Jesus we shall live for ever: Jesus is our Life

Hymn: ‘The Christingle begins with an Orange’ (T. AMNS 459)

1. The Christingle begins with an orange, telling us of the world God made. For creation is full of his glory; all around we see his love displayed.

Sing Christingle! It’s the light of Christ Sing Christingle! Sing Christingle! Sing Christingle! It’s the light of Christ Sing Christingle light of Christ

2. Every year we give thanks for the seasons, and the fruits of the earth to share. The Christingle is here to remind us that the love of God is everywhere.

Sing Christingle! Sing Christingle! Sing Christingle! It’s the light of Christ Sing Christingle light of Christ

3. God of love, we give thanks now for Jesus; we remember his birth again. But the red ribbon round the Christingle tells the story of his cross and pain.

Sing Christingle! Sing Christingle! Sing Christingle! It’s the light of Christ Sing Christingle light of Christ

4. To complete the Christingle: a candle, shining out in the darkest night. Jesus promised to lead us and guide us; come and celebrate the world’s true light!

Sing Christingle! Sing Christingle! Sing Christingle! It’s the light of Christ Sing Christingle light of Christ

Receiving of Toys for Salvation Army This year we are donating the toys you have brought to the ‘Salvation Army Christmas Toy Appeal.’ These will be distributed locally to needy families in the Bedford area.

Hymn: ‘Longing for Light’ (HON 401)

1. 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.

2. Longing for food,. many are hungry. Longing for water, 2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong. Let us be servants to one another, making your kingdom come.

Readings: Reading: Isaiah 60 Vs. 1 – 5. Poem: ‘The Christingle’

Hymn: ‘We are marching in the light of God’ (Tune: HON 692)

1. We are marching in the light of God. We are marching in the light of God. (Repeat) We are marching --------, We are marching Ooooh, We are marching in the light of God. (Repeat)

2. We are living in the love of God. We are living in the love of God. (Repeat) We are living ------, We are living Ooooh, We are living in the love of God. (Repeat)

3. We are moving in the pow’r of God. We are moving in the pow’r of God. (Repeat) We are moving -------, We are moving Ooooh, We are moving in the pow’r of God. (Repeat)

The Talk: The Good Samaritan

The Talk: Megan’s Story

Prayers: Please kneel or sit for our prayers.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as in heaven. The Lord’s Prayer

Give us today our daily bread Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

The Peace: God is Love And those who live in love live in God and God lives in them The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. We offer one another a sign of peace.

During the singing of our next hymn ‘Jesus Bids us Shine’ we will collect the Children’s Society envelopes and the ‘Candle’ money boxes.

1. Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light, Like a little candle burning in the night. In this world is darkness: so we must shine, You in your small corner , and I in mine.

2. Jesus bids us shine first of all for him, Well he sees and knows it, if our light grows dim. He looks down from heaven to see us shine, You in your small corner , and I in mine.

3. Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around; Many kinds of darkness in the world abound Sin, and want and sorrow; so we must shine You in your small corner , and I in mine.

The Christingle

We light our Christingles.

As you receive this light, remember that Christ is the Light of the world. Whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

May these Christingles remind us to shine as lights in the world, bringing light and hope to those who walk in darkness. (We now sing Be Still)

1. Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here 1. Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here. Come, bow before Him now, with reverence and fear.

In Him no sin is found, we stand on holy ground. Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.

2. Be still, for the glory of the Lord, is shining all around. He burns with holy fire, with splendour He is crowned. 2/5

How awesome is the sight, our radiant King of Light! Be still, for the glory of the Lord, is shining all around.

3. Be still, for the power of the Lord, is moving in this place. He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister His grace.

No work too hard for Him, in faith receive from Him. Be still, for the power of the Lord, is moving in this place.

The Blessing of the Travelling Crib

The Dismissal: Let us go in the light of Jesus to bring light to everyone we meet. Amen. The Blessing.

Hymn: ‘Lord the Light of your love is shining.’ (HON 416)

1. Lord, the light Of your love is shining In the midst of the darkness. shining: Jesus, light of the world shine upon us. Set us free by the truth you now bring us; Shine on me, shine an me.

land with the Father's glory: 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.

2. Lord, I come to your awesome presence, From the shadows into your radiance; By your Blood may I enter your brightness; Search me, try me, consume all my darkness: Shine on me, shine on me.

land with the Father's glory: 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.

3. 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.

land with the Father's glory: 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.

The Christingle

Thank you very much for coming along today. We wish you a safe journey home and a Merry Christmas