December 24, 2017
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
On this day, the day before, we still wait
Though we know the result, it is a holy anticipation
of light in darkness
of vulnerability within a power play
of poverty and presence
of the symbolism, that the divine knows what it is like to be human.
We anticipate all this and more
PROCESSIONAL HYMN WOV 221 ‘The first Nowell’
Words anon English c. 17th century (alt)
Music: English trad melody, harmony David Evans
The first Nowell the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell.
Born is the Sovereign of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued, both day and night. Refrain
And by the light of that same Star
Three Wise Men came from country far,
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the Star wherever it went. Refrain
Then enter'd in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offer'd there, in his presence,
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Refrain
Then let us all with loving hearts
Sing praises loud on every part;
And celebrate full this happy day,
When Jesus was born to lead the way. Refrain
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Susan Jones
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE The Candle of Love
HYMN ‘Open, open, open the stable door’
Words and Music © 1993 Colin Gibson
Refrain
Open, open, open, the stable door,
welcome, welcome, welcome, the baby's born,
enter, enter, join in the celebration,
fear not, here is room for us all.
There's a flock of sheep and a cow and a donkey,
welcome, welcome.
Here's a puffing shepherd, three wise men wonky,
welcome, welcome. Refrain
What a crowd of folk come to see the baby,
welcome, welcome.
One of them is drunk and another's crazy,
welcome, welcome. Refrain
Fallen off the back of a skip just lately?
welcome, welcome.
Feeling rather bruised, yes, and shook up greatly,
welcome, welcome. Refrain
Can't afford a coat and the kids are crying,
welcome, welcome.
Haven't found a friend yet, but I'm still trying,
welcome, welcome. Refrain
BLESSING THE CHILDREN (All stand)
We hope you will enjoy the activities in the activity bags today.
We bless you. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
Feel free to pass the peace with those nearby or move to greet others further away. Passing the peace consists of shaking hands and saying “Peace be with you.” The response is “Peace be with you” or just “And with you.” Or, simply saying “Hello” is a good idea. Also feel free to simply observe if you wish!
LIGHTING CANDLES FOR THOSE WE REMEMBER WITH LOVE
THE WORD IN TEXTS Jem Traylen
Gospel Luke 1: 67,68, and 76-80
Contemporary reading POMPALLIER LECTURE 2007: THE GREEN SEASON
(for the Catholic Institute of Theology, Aotearoa/New Zealand)
by Joy Cowley
I believe that every soul comes from God and can never be lost to God. I believe that we all have that little spark of the Divine in us that yearns to be reunited with God. I believe that from time to time in human history, larger sparks of the Divine have come to help and inspire us in our struggles. We call those people saints. Two thousand years ago, the great fire of God joined us in the person of Jesus Christ. He went through everything we could ever expect, including torture and death, to show us the truth of the way. I believe that he still companions us every part of the way and his love has the power to dissolve our fears. When we know that, we are in the Kingdom of Heaven, which in the Judaic tradition means enlightenment
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture, for the Word among us,
for the Word within us, we give thanks
REFLECTION ‘Waiting for the right moment’ Susan Jones
HYMN AA 159 ‘Who is the Child?’
Words: © 1992 Shirley Erena Murray. Music by Colin Gibson
Music © 1992 Hope Publishing Company
Who is the child that is to be born,
who is the child?
Less than a wisp of straw in a stable,
brighter than the sun, the light from his candle,
this is the Christ,
this is the Christ,
this is the Christ!
Who is to sing the song of his birth,
who is to sing?
All whom the story touches and changes,
hopeful and healed, whom love rearranges,
these know the song,
these know the song,
these know the song.
Who is to dance the dance of his birth,
who is to dance?
Limbs that are leased a life into freedom,
hands that will hold the world in a welcome,
these know the dance,
these know the dance,
these know the dance.
Who are to be the bearers of Christ,
who are they now?
All who give birth to lively compassion,
carrying peace as dearest possession,
these bear the Christ,
these bear the Christ,
these bear the Christ.
OFFERING AND OFFERING PRAYER (said together)
On this Christmas Eve we particularly remember those who will need a church and a foodbank this holiday season for their season will not be as festive as others. May they find the help and community they need and may this money and this food help towards that So may it be Amen
We recognise and bless the gifts brought to the table, and those which wing
their way electronically from our banks to the church’s account for its work
AFFIRMATION by Rev. Rebecca F. Harrison,
Transitional Pastor, Spanish Springs Presbyterian Church, Sparks, NV
We are an Advent people,
a people of hope.
For us, Advent is a time of waiting,
and so we wait.
We wait for the coming of the One
who is the fulfillment of God’s promise,
the fulfillment of hope,
the declaration that we have been redeemed.
Even so, we are not a naïve people.
We know that the world in which we live
will continue to be filled with pain and sorrow.
We know that hatred and violence will continue to exist.
We know that death and separation
will continue to be a part of our lives.
But because we are an Advent people,
we know that none of these things will win in the end.
The Holy One is coming,
to make holy once again
all that was, is, and ever will be.
And in our waiting and our hoping,
we work and worship,
pray and play,
in all things hoping that peace, love and joy will reign
in our lives and in our world,
now and forever.
LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY OF ST ANDREW’S
People share notices and visitors are welcomed. If you have a notice, please move to the front row, ready to speak briefly from the lectern.
For the benefit of newcomers, please introduce yourself before you begin.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Wendy Matthews
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia and Mauritania. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Nikki Kaye of Auckland Central electorate and Matt King of Northland electorate. Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Rongotea - St Luke's Uniting Church.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN AA 9 ‘Carol our Christmas’
Words: © 1986 Shirley Erena Murray. Music by Colin Gibson
Music © 1992 Hope Publishing Co.
Carol our Christmas, an upside-down Christmas;
The snow is not falling and trees are not bare.
Carol the summer, and welcome the Christ Child,
Warm in our sunshine and sweetness of air.
Sing of the gold and the green and the sparkle,
Water and river and lure of the beach.
Sing in the happiness of open spaces,
Sing a nativity summer can reach!
Shepherds and musterers move over hillsides.
Finding not angels but sheep to be shorn;
Wise ones make journeys whatever the season.
Searching for signs of the truth to be born.
Right side up Christmas belongs to the universe,
Made in the moment a woman gives birth;
Hope is the Jesus gift, love is the offering,
Everywhere, anywhere, here on the earth.
Carol our Christmas, an upside-down Christmas;
Snow is not falling and trees are not bare.
Carol the summer, and welcome the Christ Child,
Warm in our sunshine and sweetness of air.
BLESSING
SUNG AMEN
THANK YOU Peter Franklin
Our Musician today
Unless otherwise stated all hymns are used by permission CCLI Licence 341550
Words/music to new hymns and gathering statement, prayers and affirmation are original unless acknowledged. If Susan Jones is the worship leader any such liturgy will have been written by her. These words can be used in other worship and small group situations without seeking permission. Please acknowledge the source.