Welcome to this Service of Worship
Third Sunday in Advent
Sunday 11 December 2022 at 10.45am
• PDF Order of Service Download HERE
AS A DIVERSE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH GATHERS
TO WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD
Organ Prelude
Welcome & Church News
Minute for Mission - ‘Words and Actions for Peace’
Janet Fenton
Preparatory Silence for Worship
Introit - Adam lay ybounden
Words: 15th Century anon.
Music: Boris Ord (1897 to 1961)
Adam lay ybounden, bounden in a bond; Four thousand winter thought
he not too long. And all was for an apple, an apple that he took, As clerkës
finden written In their book. Ne had the apple taken been, the apple
taken been, then had never Our Lady a-been heavené queen. Blessed be
the time that apple taken was. Therefore we moun singen “Deo gratias!”
Call to Worship
Leader: Those who long for peace, hear the word, and ask
All: Who is the one?
Leader: Those who hunger for freedom, still endure, and ask
All: Who is the one?
Leader: Those who cannot look up, straighten from their burdens, and ask
All: Who is the one?
Leader: Waiting in the Advent, those who are lost, start to wonder, and ask
All: Who is the one?
Leader: Caught by the promise, the world whispers, and says to us
All: This is the one.
Hymn 290 The Race that Long in Darkness Pined
(t. St Magnus)
Prayer of Approach, Praise, Confession and The Lord’s Prayer Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Lighting the Advent
Candle of Love
Hymn Light A Candle Bright and Tall
(t. 326 - Dix)
Reading Isaiah 35:1 - 10
Read by John Graham
(OT p673)
The Return of the Redeemed to Zion
35 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice
and blossom; like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with
joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of
Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of
our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your
God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come
and save you.’
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf
unstopped; 6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the
speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and
streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the
thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean
shall not travel on it but it shall be for God’s people; no traveller, not even
fools, shall go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast
come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk
there. 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion
with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy
and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Anthem Ave Verum Corpus
Words: 14th century Eucharist hymn
Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)
Ave verum corpus, natum
de Maria Virgine,
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine
cuius latus perforatum
fluxit aqua et sanguine:
esto nobis praegustatum
in mortis examine.
Reading Matthew 11:2 - 11
Read by John Graham
(NT p10)
Messengers from John the Baptist
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by
his disciples 3 and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we
to wait for another?’ 4 Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you
hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news
brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’
Jesus Praises John the Baptist
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John:
‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the
wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes?
Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you
go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This
is the one about whom it is written,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.”
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater
than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater
than he.
Reader:
For the Word of God through Scripture.
For the Word of God among us.
For the Word of God within us.
All:
Thanks be to God.
Hymn 316 Love Came Down at Christmas Jesus
(t. Gartan)
Sermon
‘For God So Loved the World’
Revd Dr Sandy Forsyth
Prayer of Dedication and for Others
Hymn 19 ‘Ye Gates, Lift Up Your Heads on High’
(t. St George Edinburgh) (Psalm 24)
Invitation to the Table
Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you
All: And also with you
Leader: Lift up your hearts
All: We lift them to the Lord
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise
Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might
Heaven and Earth are full of Your glory
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
Breaking of Bread
Leader: Jesus, Lamb of God,
All: have mercy on us
Leader: Jesus, bearer of our sins,
All: have mercy on us
Leader: Jesus, redeemer of the world,
All: grant us your peace
Sacrament of Holy Communion
The Peace
Hymn 519 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
(t. Hyfrydol)
Closing Responses
Leader: Into our world of darkness, into our places of weakness
All: Come Lord, in your love, come among us
Leader: Into our homes and to our loved ones, into our joys and our struggles
All: Come Lord, in your love. come among us
Leader: Faithful and gracious God, come
All: Come and live with us
Leader: Come and guide us
All: Come and renew us
Benediction and Threefold Amen
Organ Postlude
THIS MORNING’S CHOIR MUSIC Boris Ord was organist and choirmaster of
King’s College Cambridge from 1929 to 1957 except for a period of service
in the RAF during World War II. The traditional Advent words from the
Fifteenth Century have been set by many composers but this short introit is
one of the most simple yet effective, building to the exclamation of thanks
at the conclusion.
The motet “Ave verum corpus” (K 618) is a late work of Mozart being
composed in the last six months of his life. It was written for his friend
Anton Stoll, the music director of a parish of Baden bei Vien, near Vienna.
The original manuscript is devoid of any dynamic or expression marks
other than the initial “sotto voce”. Although only 46 bars long it contains
extreme intensity and beauty.
***
NEWS AND INTIMATIONS
1. GIVING – QR CODE Our Quick Response code is a handy way of
using your smart ‘phone or tablet’s QR app to link you to our Giving Page.
Once you have joined the Giving Page safeguards are still operative.
PLATES: Those who would have wished to use it may make use of the
offering plates situated in the vestibule and halls entrance, at the close of
the service. Regular and one-off donations are possible online at
www.give.net/20311853 (scan the QR code) or please contact our Freewill
Offerings Treasurer, Hugh Somerville on 0131 466 2446 or
2. MUSICAL CONCERT FOR ADVENT - TONIGHT! Our Choir and
Chamber Group will present a concert of Advent and Christmas music
tonight at 7.30pm at Mayfield Salisbury. The Choir and Chamber Group will
be augmented with further singers from Mayfield Salisbury, Priestfield and
Craigmillar Park and accompanied by our organist and a string quartet.
Admission is free and all are welcome, so please do come along on the
night for a musical celebration in Advent.
3. OPEN TO ALL Coffee and tea will be served in the McDonald Hall at
the close of the Sunday morning services. Everyone is very welcome.
4. MEDICATION PACKETS – COLLECTION PAUSED Earlier this year, we
started a collection of medication blister packs which where then sent off
for recycling. The project was extremely successful - thank you for your
fantastic support!
Unfortunately, the company to whom we send the packets has stopped
accepting donations until further notice. Therefore, for the moment, we
must also stop collecting here at the church as we simply have nowhere to
send them. We hope to resume collection as soon as possible, once
recycling resumes or alternative destination is found. Alternative ideas are
very welcome – do get in touch if you know of any similar projects. William
Mearns – 0131 667 1522 –
5. YOUTH GROUP Sunday 11 December: All ages are invited from 5:30-
7:30pm in the Youth Room for our Christmas Party! There will be pizza and
snacks provided, as well as lots of Christmas-themed activities. Please bring
a wrapped gift valued no more than £5 for our gift exchange (try to get one
from a charity shop, or recycle something you have at home!). After the
party, youth (and parents!) are invited to attend the Christmas Choir
concert in the church which starts at 7:30pm.
Christingle Helpers We are looking for youth and adult helpers for the
Christingle service on 18 December. Please get in touch with Hillary to sign-
up to help!
6. MIDWEEK PRAYERS You are most welcome to attend a time of
peace, prayer and reflection in the church sanctuary, this Tuesday at 10.00am.
7. PARISH CHRISTMAS LEAFLET – Now Ready! Are you able to assist with
the distribution of the parish Christmas leaflet? It contains information
regarding our forthcoming Christmas services and will be put through
every door in the parish area (street lists are available to avoid duplication)..
If you can help, please collect a street list and some cards from the
entrance vestibule. Your help is greatly appreciated! William Mearns
8. PASTORAL CARE If you would like to have a regular home visit or
telephone call from one of our pastoral care team, please contact me and I
will arrange that for you. If you would like to be held in prayer, or would
like us to pray for someone you know, please make your request to Kay. If
you would like to participate in our confidential prayer chain praying for
these requests, please get in touch; prayer chain emails are sent out once a
week. You can email Kay on 07587 043 191 or
9. THURSDAY CLUB Takes place on Thursdays at 2.00pm. This week, we
have our Christmas Party. All are very welcome!
***
Forthcoming Deadlines
Order of service for next week: Thursday – 6.00pm
Next parish magazine Grapevine: Friday 27 January at 6.00pm
Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church holds a CCLI Streaming License: #88916
Some images from Pixabay under licence.
***
Welcome!
We are glad to see you worship with us today
and hope to see you again soon.
We would love to get to know you better!
If you like, please send an email to:
With your name, email address
We have several lists/ Let us know if you would like to receive:
1 - A phone call/email from the Minister/ Pastoral Assistant
2- Information on house groups and ways of getting involved
3- Weekly news emails
4- Monthly parish magazines
www.mayfieldsalisbury.org
Scottish Charity Number SC000785
www.give.net/20311853