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The Audio Recording 23rd December
URC Sunday Worship 23rd December 2020
Carol Service
Led by Karen Campbell
O come, O come Emmanuel
To free your captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel
Veni, veni, Emmanuel
Captivum solve Israel
Qui gemit in exilio
Privatus Dei Filio
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel
Introduction and Prayer
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 tonight
O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King and Peace to men on earth
For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love
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 to us today
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us our Lord Emmanuel
Psalm 80
Prayer
Luke 1 : 46 – 55
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, oh, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Reflection
Born in the night, Mary’s Child,
a long way from your home;
coming in need, Mary’s Child,
born in a borrowed room.
Clear shining light, Mary’s Child,
your face lights up our way;
light of the world, Mary’s Child,
dawn on our darkened day.
Truth of our life, Mary’s Child,
you tell us God is good;
prove it is true, Mary’s Child,
go to your cross of wood.
Hope of the world, Mary’s Child,
you’re coming soon to reign;
Savior of all, Mary’s Child,
walk in our streets again.
Luke 7 : 31 – 35
Reflection
Come and join the celebration
It’s a very special day
Come and share our jubilation;
There’s a new King born today!
See, the shepherds
Hurry down to Bethlehem,
Gaze in wonder
At the Son of God who lay before them
Come and join the celebration…
Wise men journey,
Led to worship by a star
Kneel in homage
Bringing precious gifts from lands afar, so
Come and join the celebration…
“God is with us”
Round the world the message bring
He is with us
“Welcome”, all the bells on earth
are pealing
Come and join the celebration…
Isaiah 11 : 1 – 9
Reflection
See him lying on a bed of straw:
a draughty stable with an open door;
Mary cradling the babe she bore
the prince of glory is his name.
O now carry me to Bethlehem
to see the Lord of love again:
just as poor as was the stable then,
the prince of glory when he came.
Star of silver, sweep across the skies,
show where Jesus in the manger lies;
shepherds, swiftly from your stupor rise
to see the saviour of the world!
O now carry me to Bethlehem…
Angels, sing again the song you sang,
sing the glory of God’s gracious plan;
Sing that Bethl’em’s little baby can
be the saviour of us all.
O now carry me to Bethlehem…
Mine are riches, from your poverty,
from your innocence, eternity;
mine, forgiveness by your death for me,
child of sorrow for my joy.
O now carry me to Bethlehem…
Offering
Prayers for the World : Could it be…?
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing.
2 Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns;
Let all their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sin and sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love.