Sunday 22nd December 2024 Advent 4
WELCOME AND NOTICES
LIGHTING ADVENT CANDLE
1: Today we light the candle of love. God created the world, and God so loved the world that he didn’t want to love it from far off anymore. It was love that made us and love that brought God to live with us, live and in person. Love still lights the way.
2: Let us pray: Dear God, are we doing this right? Sometimes we aren’t sure. We think that we are ready for the baby to be born who will lead us in love. Show us how to love our neighbours while we wait. As we welcome the baby Jesus to the world, teach us how to also be like him. Let the light of your love live in us for all to see. Amen
CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Lord we are ready and waiting!
All: The tree might not be perfect, the gifts may not be wrapped, the house is still a mess, but Lord, we are ready!
One: The earth cries out for a saviour, and we are waiting for love to be born
All: All is not calm, all is not bright… we are so ready for love to live among us in the flesh.
One: Come, as you are, says the Lord. Arise and shine, for your light is coming.
All: Come, Lord Jesus. We may not be prepared, but we are ready. Let your light of love shine in the darkness.
HYMN 167 Once in royal David’s city
PRAYERS
Eternal God,
as Christmas approaches,
we lay before you all that weighs heavy on our hearts:
the things we haven’t done;
the people we haven’t contacted;
the sadness that clings so close;
the pressures that threaten to mar
the peace and joy of this special time.
We lay them all before you in the name of Jesus,
Christ-child and Saviour.
Magnificent God,
with Mary we praise your name.
We honour your faithfulness through history;
we celebrate your presence with us today;
we trust your promises for the future
and we pray for the life-giving peace of your Son
for all the world, this Christmas and always.
Amen.
A prayer of confession
God of peace and plenty,
forgive us: when we stifle the peace of Christmas
with our busyness;
when we tarnish the peace of Christmas
with our selfishness;
when we silence the peace of Christmas
with our noise;
when we put presents before your presence.
Grant us your peace.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Assurance of forgiveness
Dear God,
what we most long for is peace, actually.
Peace of heart, mind, and spirit;
peace from burdens, guilt and past mistakes.
So we thank you for your gift of peace,
given through your gracious forgiveness, loving acceptance
and the assurance of your continuing presence with us.
Amen.
READING Luke 1: 26-45
MEDITATION Was it just a coincidence?
SHARING GOOD NEWS
HYMN 164 Go tell it on the mountain
READING Luke 1: 46 - 55
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlp36b_8GgQ
REFLECTION
HYMN 166 Come and join the celebration
PRAYERS
Our souls rejoice in you, O Lord, and we seek your peace in our hearts
Heavenly Father, we pray today that we may know in our lives the quality of peace that Mary knew as she accepted God’s will. May we also rest serene in the knowledge that God has a plan for us and is guiding our lives.
Our souls rejoice in you, O Lord, and we seek your peace in our hearts.
Father, may your house be a haven of peace for those who struggle at this season; for those who slip in at quiet times when the carols are silent, because they long for the blessing of peace without the jollity; for those who lack the energy to rejoice because of bereavement or illness, but who desperately seek peace to still their souls and renew their strength.
Our souls rejoice in you, O Lord, and we seek your peace in our hearts.
Lord of all, we pray that all members of our community will feel included and involved in the events of this season; may the peace of the Christ-child enfold our neighbourhood and our town/village/city. And we pray for peace in a world where so many wars and conflicts continue; may the warmongers fail, and the peacemakers prevail.
Our souls rejoice in you, O Lord, and we seek your peace in our hearts.
Heavenly Father, we pray for peace among people who may not get along with the company they are obliged to keep at Christmas. We pray for the peacekeepers, those who work hard to maintain the façade of family peace when it may be lacking. Father, please heal all divisions and let true peace be known among families and friends gathered round the table. As we ponder these thoughts, we pray for all who will be alone this Christmas, in a society in which extended families are fewer, and relationship breakdowns more numerous. May they know that you are with them and find peace in the knowledge of your presence.
Our souls rejoice in you, O Lord, and we seek your peace in our hearts.
Finally, Lord, we rejoice with Mary in the unfolding of your will for her, and for the world, in the birth of Jesus Christ. May we all know the peace of that moment when your love became flesh on earth, for every year we can replay the miracle in our hearts and minds. Come to us again in this season of hustle and bustle; revisit us with the true meaning of Christmas, so that we may know your peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Our souls rejoice in you, O Lord, and we seek your peace in our hearts.
Amen
LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERING PRAYER
HYMN 170 What child is this?
BLESSING