Edinburgh Northwest Kirk
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT – LOVE
SUNDAY, 22 DECEMBER 2024
SERVICE OF NINE LESSONS & CAROLS
10.00 am
Congregational Team : The Kirk Choir
Organist : Simon Bertram
* * * * * *
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all
(congregation to stand as the Bible is brought into church)
CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN 315 Once in royal David’s city (v 1 : solo, v 2 : choir, v 3 & 4 : all)
WELCOME, INTRODUCTION & INTIMATIONS
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December’s dark night,
while angels sing blessings from heaven’s dark sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease.
For Jesus is coming to show us the way,
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
A candle is burning, a candle of joy,
a candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy,
our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow,
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
A candle is burning, a candle of love,
A candle to point us to heaven above,
A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth,
For Jesus is bringing God’s love to our Earth.
PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER
1st READING Genesis 3 : 8 – 15 Simon Bertram
The Garden of Eden
CHOIR CAROL Adam lay y bounden
2nd READING Genesis 22 : 15 – 18 Alasdair MacPherson
God promises to Abraham that in his seed the nations of the earth will be blessed
CHOIR CAROL This is the truth from above
3rd READING Isaiah 9 : 2 - 7 Fraser Hume
Isaiah foretells Christ’s birth
HYMN 281 People, look east
4th READING Isaiah 11 : 1 – 9 Chris Cotter
The peace which Christ will bring is foreshown
CHOIR CAROL I know a flower (Es ist ein Ros’)
5th READING Luke 1 : 26 – 38 Gillian MacPherson
The Angel Gabriel salutes Mary
HYMN 285 The Angel Gabriel from heaven came
6th LESSON Luke 2 : 1 – 7 Diana Brebner
St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus
CHOIR CAROL Sans Day Carol
7th LESSON Luke 2 : 8 – 16 Judy Arrowsmith
The shepherds go to the manger
SOLO The Shepherd’s Pipe Carol
HYMN
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around.
‘Fear not’, said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
‘Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
‘To you, in David's town this day
Is born of David's line
A Saviour who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:
‘The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands
And in a manger laid.’
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:
‘All glory be to God on high,
And on the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease.’
8th LESSON Matthew 2 : 1 – 11 Sarah-Louise Donnelly
The wise men are led by the star
CHOIR CAROL Star Carol
9th LESSON John 1 : 1 – 14 Adam Cumming
St John unfolds the great mystery
HYMN 301 Hark! the herald angels sing (please remain seated)
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done;
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.
PRAYER
HYMN 306 O come, all ye faithful (v 1 – 3 only)
BLESSING Amen, amen, alleluia, amen
Edinburgh Northwest Kirk : Cramond & Pennywell
www.edinburghnorthwestkirk.org.uk Charity No : SC006457
Twitter : @cramondkirk1 Facebook : @cramondkirk2
CCL Licence No : 833142 MRL Licence No : 833166