You are invited to stay for mince pies and mulled wine after the service

Let’s Stand To Sing: “Once In Royal David’s City”

Once in royal Davids city, Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her Baby, In a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ, her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable, And His cradle was a stall: With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

Not in that poor lowly stable With the oxen standing by We shall see Him, but in heaven Set at God’s right hand on high. When like stars His children crowned All in white shall wait around

Christmas Video #1

The Christmas Poem

1st Christmas Reading: Luke 2:1-7 “The Birth Of Christ”

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Please Stand To Sing: “O Little Town Of Bethlehem”

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 to-night.

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.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in: Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell: O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.

2nd Christmas Reading: Isaiah 9:2 & 6-7 “Light In The Darkness”

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness a light will shine.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.

The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”

Christmas Dance

Dance choreographed by Ruth. Danced by Ruth with Dani, Holly and Sarah to the song “Mercy” by Amanda Cook, it is a response to words and music which speak of God’s transforming work in our lives because of His amazing love and awesome mercy. Jesus came, born in a stable, to enable God’s love and mercy to be experienced in our lives no matter who we are!

3rd Christmas Reading: Luke 2:8-14 “The Angels Announcement”

”And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Christ, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all on whom his favour rests.”

Christmas Video #2

The Shepherds

Please Stand To Sing: “Angels From The Realms Of Glory”

Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth; Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth:

Come and worship, Worship Christ the King, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light;

Come and worship, Worship Christ the King, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star;

Come and worship, Worship Christ the King, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear:

Come and worship, Worship Christ the King, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Christmas Video #3

The Wise Men

4 th Christmas Reading: Matthew 2:1-12 “Arrival Of The Magi”

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Please Stand To Sing: “We Three Kings” (The Choir will come on stage during the singing of this carol)

We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star: O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a king on Bethlehem plain, Gold I bring, to crown him again - King for ever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign: O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh: Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship him, God most high: O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in a stone-cold tomb: O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Glorious now, behold him arise, King, and God, and sacrifice! Alleluia, alleluia; Peals through the earth and skies: O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

The New Community Choir 1.Bridge Over Troubled Water 2.Breath Of Heaven

Please Stand To Sing: “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”

Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born 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 new-born King.

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 us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings; Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King.

Christmas Songs

Talk From Rev Steve “Walls & Bridges”

The Wall Blocks Our Way

The Wall Is Of Our Own Making

The Wall Is Too High To Climb

The Wall Stops Us Reaching Our Goal

The Wall Is Smashed Down At Christmas

You Have To Walk Across The Bridge

(Your Name Goes Here!) Happy Christmas! To:

Christmas Video #4

“Without Walls”

Please Stand To Sing: “O Come All Ye Faithful”

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him, Born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light, Lo! He abhors not the Virgin's womb: Very God, Begotten, not created.

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

See how the shepherds Summoned to His cradle Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze We too will thither, bend our joyful footsteps

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God In the highest.

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

We’ll give You all the glory! We’ll give You all the glory! We’ll give You all the glory! Christ the Lord.

For You alone are worthy! For You alone are worthy! For You alone are worthy! Christ the Lord.

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Please remain standing for our final prayer:

“Dear Father God, thank You for Christmas. May we know the joy of the angels, The excitement of the shepherds, And the worship of the wise men…

Be with all those we love and care for, Be their light in darkness, Be their hope in distress, Be their calm in anxiety, Be their strength in weakness,

Be their comfort in pain, be their song in the night, Through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen”

Happy Christmas Everyone! (Celebrate With Us On Christmas Day at 10.00)

Please stay for mince pies and mulled wine. We meet here every Sunday at 10.00am including Kids Church and a Crèche for babies & toddlers. You are always welcome!