Call to Worship
Prayer and Praise
Verse 1
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward beaming bright
So most gracious Lord may we
Evermore be led to Thee
Verse 2
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heav’n and earth adore
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat
Verse 3
As their precious gifts they laid
At Thy manger roughly made
So may we with holy joy
Pure and free from sin’s alloy
All our costliest treasures bring
Christ to Thee our heav’nly King
Verse 4
Holy Jesu ev’ry day
Keep us in the narrow way
And when earthly things are past
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide
Where no clouds Thy glory hide
Verse 5
In the heav’nly country bright
Need they no created light
Thou its light its joy its crown
Thou its sun which goes not down
There for ever may we sing
Alleluias to our King
Sing We the Song of Emmanuel
Verse 1
Sing we the song of Emmanuel
This the Christ who was long foretold
Lo in the shadows of Bethlehem
Promise of dawn now our eyes behold
Chorus 1
God Most High in a manger laid
Lift your voices and now proclaim
Great and glorious Love has come to us
Join now with the hosts of heaven
Verse 2
Come we to welcome Emmanuel
King who came with no crown or throne
Helpless He lay the Invincible
Maker of Mary now Mary’s son
Chorus 2
O what wisdom to save us all
Shepherds sages before Him fall
Grace and majesty what humility
Come on bended knee adore Him
Verse 3
Go spread the news of Emmanuel
Joy and peace for the weary heart
Lift up your heads for your King has come
Sing for the Light overwhelms the dark
Chorus 3
Glory shining for all to see
Hope alive let the gospel ring
God has made a way He will have the praise
Tell the world His name is Jesus
(REPEAT)
Bridge
Gloria Gloria
Gloria Gloria
(REPEAT)
Keith Getty/Matt Boswell/Mapp Papa/Stuart Townend
@2015 Getty Music Hymns and Songs
CCLI108183
Sunday School
Pilgrim’s Progress – John Bunyan
Sunday Service
Pastoral Reading
Matthew 2:1-12
2nd Advent – The Magi
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose[b] and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Opening Hymn
O Come All Ye Faithful (TH #208)
1 O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold him,
born the King of angels.
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
2 God from true God, and
Light from Light eternal,
born of a virgin, to earth he comes!
Only-begotten Son of God the Father: [Refrain]
3 Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest: [Refrain]
4 Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: [Refrain]
Prayer
Focus this week: Oliver Mears
Offering Hymn
Good Christian Men Rejoice (TH #207)
1 Good Christian men, rejoice,
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
earth and heav’n before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
2 Good Christian men, rejoice,
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven’s door,
and man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
3 Good Christian men, rejoice,
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
The Lord’s Table
Christ Our Righteousness
Scripture Reading
Genesis 25:19-34
Preaching the Word
The Barren Fig Tree (Part 2)
Luke 13:6-9
Closing Hymn
Joy has dawned upon the world,
Promised from creation:
God’s salvation now unfurled,
Hope for every nation.
Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory.
But a humble gift of love:
Jesus born of Mary.
Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels,
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place,
Shaped the earth in darkness,
Cling now to a mother’s breast,
Vulnerable and helpless.
Shepherds bow before the Lamb,
Gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story.
Gold, a King is born today,
Incense, God is with us,
Myrrh, His death will make a way,
And by His blood He’ll win us.
Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom,
Reconciling God and man,
Christ our mighty Champion.
What a Saviour, what a Friend,
What a glorious mystery:
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of history.