Welcome

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Opening Prayer for Advent

Almighty God,

give us grace to cast away the works of darkness

and to put on the armour of light,

now in the time of this mortal life,

in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;

that on the last day,

when he shall come again in his glorious majesty

to judge the living and the dead,

we may rise to the life immortal;

through him who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Song
O come, O come Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God draws near.

 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

 

O come true branch of Jesse

Free your children from this tyranny

From depths of hell your people save

To rise victorious from the grave.

 

O come, bright daybreak come and cheer

our spirits by your advent here

Dispel the long night’s lingering gloom,

And pierce the shadows of the tomb.

 

O come, strong key of David, come

And open wide our heavenly home

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Words: Public Domain; Music: David Iliff © The Jubilate Group

Lighting of the advent wreath 

Gracious God, as we light the second candle,

fill our hearts with the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord Jesus, light of the world,
the prophets said you would bring peace

and save your people in trouble.
Give peace in our hearts at Christmas

and show all the world God’s love.

Amen.

 

Confession
Heavenly Father,

you have created a universe of light:

forgive us when we return to darkness.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
 

Lord Jesus,

you are the light of the world:

cleanse and heal our blinded sight.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
 

Holy Spirit,

you give us light in our hearts:

renew us in faith and love.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
 

Almighty God,

who in Jesus Christ has given us

a kingdom that cannot be destroyed,

forgive us our sins,

open our eyes to God’s truth,

strengthen us to do God’s will

and give us the joy of his kingdom,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Song
All my days

I will sing this song of gladness

Give my praise

To the Fountain of delights

For in my helplessness You heard my cry

And waves of mercy poured down on my life

 

I will trust

In the cross of my Redeemer

I will sing of the blood that never fails

Of sins forgiven

Of conscience cleansed

Of death defeated and life without end

 

Beautiful Saviour Wonderful Counsellor

Clothed in majesty Lord of history

You're the Way the Truth the Life

Star of the Morning glorious in holiness

You're the Risen One heaven's Champion

And You reign You reign over all

 

I long to be

Where the praise is never ending

Yearn to dwell

Where the glory never fades

Where countless worshippers

Will share one song

And cries of worthy will honour the Lamb

Stuart Townend © 1998 Thankyou Music

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Children & young people leave

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Collect for the 2nd Sunday of Advent

Blessed Lord,
who has caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant that we may in such ways hear them, read, mark, learn,

and inwardly digest them,

that by patience and comfort of your holy Word,
we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

 

Bible reading: Philippians 4: 2 – 9

(click to read or page 1180 in the church bibles)

 

Song
There is an endless song

Echoes in my soul

I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come

I am holding on

To the rock I cling
 

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough

How amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart want to sing

 

I will lift my eyes

In the darkest night

For I know my Saviour lives

And I will walk with You

Knowing You'll see me through

And sing the songs You give

 

I can sing in the troubled times

Sing when I win

I can sing when I lose my step

And fall down again

I can sing 'cause You pick me up

Sing 'cause You're there

I can sing 'cause You hear me Lord

When I call to You in prayer

I can sing with my last breath

Sing for I know

That I'll sing with the angels

And the saints around the throne

 

I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart

I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart want to sing

Yeah I can sing

Chris Tomlin; Ed Cash; Matt Redman © 2006 sixsteps Music

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Bible reading: Luke 12: 22 – 34

( click to read or page 1045 in the church bibles)

Sermon: Adam Isaacs

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Song
There is one Gospel on which I stand

For all eternity

It is my story my Father's plan

The Son has rescued me

Oh what a Gospel oh what a peace

My highest joy and my deepest need

Now and forever He is my light

I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

 

There is one Gospel to which I cling

All else I count as loss

For there where justice and mercy meet

He saved me on the cross

No more I boast in what I can bring

No more I carry the weight of sin

For He has brought me from death to life

I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

 

There is one Gospel where hope is found

The empty tomb still speaks

For death could not keep my Saviour down

He lives and I am free

Now on my Saviour I fix my eyes

My life is His and His hope is mine

For he has promised I too will rise

I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

 

And in this Gospel the church is one

We do not walk alone

We have His Spirit as we press on

To lead us safely home

And when in glory still I will sing

Of this old story that rescued me

Praise to my Saviour the King of life

I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

 

And when in glory still I will sing

Of this old story that rescued me

Praise to my Saviour the King of life

I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Praise to my Saviour the King of life

I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Jonny Robinson; Rich Thompson © 2022 CityAlight Music

 

Prayers
 

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, 

hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, 

your will be done, 

on earth as in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread. 

Forgive us our sins 

as we forgive those who sin against us. 

Lead us not into temptation 

but deliver us from evil. 

For the kingdom, the power, 

and the glory are yours 

now and for ever. Amen. 

Children & youth return
Church family news
 

Song
Jesus hope of the nations

Jesus comfort for all who mourn

You are the source of heaven's hope on earth

Jesus light in the darkness

Jesus truth in each circumstance

You are the source of heaven's light on earth

In history You lived and died

You broke the chains You rose to life

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You are the hope living in us

You are the Rock in whom we trust

You are the light shining for all the world to see

You rose from the dead conquering fear

Our Prince of Peace drawing us near

Jesus our hope living for all who will receive  (Lord we believe)

Brian Doerksen © 2002 Integrity's Hosanna! Music

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Closing Prayer
Father, creator God, you who love us more than we can know
You chose us from the very beginning to be in your family
 

Jesus Christ, God the Son, Word become flesh
You dwelt among us and were sacrificed for us
 

Holy Spirit, sustainer, giver of gifts, present with power in our lives
From the moment that we first believed

Draw us ever closer into your family

that we might know your presence

and sing your praises all the days of our lives.  Amen
 

Prayer Ministry is available at the back of church after the service.

Please join us for coffee in the Parish hall…

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All songs used by permission,  CCLI nr.843338.  Liturgical material in this service is from Common Worship © The Archbishops' Council 2000.