Welcome to this Service of Worship
Fourth Sunday in Advent - Joy
Sunday 18 December 2022 at 10.30am
• PDF Order of Service Download HERE
AS A DIVERSE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH GATHERS
TO WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD
Musical Prelude
Welcome & Church News
The Grace
Call to Worship
Leader: God of hope, be with us in our Advent journey
All: … to the stable and beyond.
Leader: Be with us in our meeting
All: … and in our travelling together.
Leader: Be with us in our gathering
All: … and in our worshipping together.
Leader: Be with us in our Advent journey
All: … to the stable and beyond, our God of hope.
Hymn 315 Once in Royal David's City
(t. Irby ) Note: first verse solo
Opening Prayer & 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 of the Fourth Advent Candle (of Joy)
Hymn Light a Candle Bright and Tall
(t. 326 - Dix) Tune: Conrad Kocher, 1838
Words David Wood, 2012, adapted by Sandy Forsyth
First Lesson Isaiah 11: 1 - 10
Read by Alvin Jackson (OT p.650)
Prophecy of the Coming of Jesus
Poem - Christmas and Common Birth
Read by Christine de Luca
By Anne Ridler (1912 - 2001)
Hymn 324 Angels from the Realms of Glory
(t.Iris)
Second Lesson Matthew 1:18 - 23
Read by Elizabeth McColl (NT p.1)
An Angel Appears to Joseph
Choir Carol A maiden most gentle
Words: Andrew Carter;
Music: French Traditional arr Andrew Carter (b. 1939)
A maiden most gentle and tender we sing;
Of Mary the mother of Jesus our King. Ave Maria.
How blessed is the birth of her heavenly child,
Who came to redeem us in Mary so mild. Ave Maria.
The Archangel Gabriel foretold by his call
The Lord of Creation, and Saviour of all. Ave Maria.
Three kings came to worship with gifts rich and rare,
And marvelled in awe at the babe in her care. Ave Maria.
Rejoice and be glad at this Christmas we pray;
Sing praise to the Saviour, sing endless ‘Ave’. Ave Maria.
Third Lesson Luke 2: 1 – 7 Read by Catriona Graham
(NT p. 55) The Birth of Jesus
Choir Carol Christmas Lullaby
Words and music: John Rutter (b.1945)
Clear in the darkness a light shines in Bethlehem:
Angels are singing, their sound fills the air.
Wise men have journeyed to greet their Messiah;
But only a mother and baby lie there.
Ave Maria: Hear the soft lullaby the angel hosts sing.
Ave Maria, Maiden, and mother of Jesus our King.
Where are his courtiers, and who are his people?
Why does he bear neither sceptre nor crown?
Shepherds his courtiers, the poor for his people,
With peace as his sceptre and love for his crown.
Ave Maria: Hear the soft lullaby the angel hosts sing.
Ave Maria, Maiden, and mother of Jesus our King.
What through your treasures are not gold or incense?
Lay them before him with hearts full of love.
Praise to the Christ child, and praise to his mother
Who bore us a Saviour by grace from above.
Ave Maria: Hear, O hear the lullaby angels sing.
Ave Maria: Hear the soft lullaby the angel hosts sing.
Ave Maria, Maiden, and mother of Jesus our King.
Hymn 313 See! In Yonder Manger Low
(t. Humility - Oxford)
Fourth Lesson Luke 2:8 - 20
Read by Stuart Mitchell (NT p. 56)
The Shepherds Go to The Manger
Choir Carol Whence is that Goodly Fragrance
Music arranged by David Willcocks (1919 -2015)
Whence is the goodly fragrance flowing
Stealing our senses all away,
never the like did come a-blowing,
Shepherds, in flow'ry fields of May,
Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing,
Stealing our senses all away.
What is that light so brilliant, breaking
Here in the night across our eyes.
Never so bright, the day-star waking,
Started to climb the morning skies!
What is that light so brilliant, breaking,
Here in the night across our eyes.
Bethlehem! there in manger lying,
Find your Redeemer haste away,
Run ye with eager footsteps vieing!
Worship the Saviour born today.
Bethlehem! there in manger lying,
Find your Redeemer haste away.
Fifth Lesson Matthew 2:1 - 11
Read by Walter Thomson (NT p.1)
The Wise Men Visit Jesus
Choir Carol We Three Kings of Orient are
Words and melody J Hopkins ( 1820-1891)
Music arranged: David Willcocks (1919 -2015)
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star.
Refrain: Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high.
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light.
Hymn 306 O Come All Ye Faithful
(t. Adeste Fideles)
Sixth Lesson Matthew 2:13 - 15, 19 - 23
Read by Hugh Pollock (NT p.2)
The Flight to Egypt
Poem Refuge
Read by George Whyte
By Malcolm Guite,
from ‘Sounding the Seasons’ Canterbury Press (2012)
Hymn 320 Joy to the World
(t. Antioch - Comfort - Mason)
Prayer for Others
Seventh Lesson John 1:1 - 14 Read by David Williams
(NT p.88) Jesus, Human and Divine
Hymn 301 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
(t. Mendelssohn - Bethlehem)
Closing Responses
Leader: God of hope, who brought love into this world
All: Be the love that lives amongst us.
Leader: God of hope, who brought peace into this world,
All: Be the peace that lives amongst us.
Leader: God of hope, who brought joy into this world,
All: Be the joy that lives amongst us.
Blessing
Amen
Musical Postlude
FORTHCOMING SERVICES OF WORSHIP
TONIGHT! – 18 December
6.30pm - Christingle Service
Saturday 24 December - Christmas Eve
11.30pm - Watchnight Service
Sunday 25 December - Christmas Day
10.30am - All-Age Service of Worship
Sunday 1 January 2023
10.30am - Joint Service of Worship at Priestfield Church
No morning service at Mayfield Salisbury
***
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. CANDLE ARCHES Candle arches for the Watchnight Service will be set
upright this Tuesday at 9.15am. If you are able to help with this, please
speak with William Mearns. It will take around 45 minutes. Many thanks!
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 Youth Group will be taking a break over the
Christmas holidays and returning on Sun. 8 January.
University student reunion - On Tues 20 Dec, any young people of
university age who are or were previously involved in MSPC/youth group
are invited to a brunch meet up at Snax Cafe on Buccleuch St. at 12pm.
There are no reservations, so just come along if you can make it! Contact
Hillary if you need more details.
6. 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. MIDWEEK PRAYERS You are most welcome to attend a time of
peace, prayer and reflection in the church sanctuary, this Tuesday at
10.00am. Please note: there will be no Morning Prayers on 27 December.
***
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