Dalserf Parish Church
16/12/2017
3rd Sunday of Advent
The Sunday of JOY
Gift Service
Entry of God’s Word
(Please stand if you are able)
Welcome and Intimations
Introit: Alleluia Hurray the Lord is near
Call to Worship
Lighting the Advent Candle
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.
Hymn: 234 ‘Tis winter now; the fallen snow
Prayer of Approach
Hymn: 631 A little child the Saviour came
(vs 1-3)
Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Hymn: 631 O give thine angels charge good Lord
(vs 4-5)
Talk to Young Folks Don’t be too late
Hymn: 310 See Him lying on a bed of straw
Readings:
Zephaniah 3: 14 – 20 Karyn Scotland
Philippians 4: 4 – 7 Abby Gilchrist
Luke 3: 7 – 18 Revd. John Stevenson
Hymn: 599 Holy Spirit, hear us
Sermon: JOY
Anthem: Born in the night, Mary’s child
Offering and Prayer of dedication
Prayers for others
Hymn 478 Behold the amazing gift of love
Benediction
Threefold Amen
The Meaning of Christmas
Author Unknown
Far away in Bethlehem, a baby boy was born,
Born with neither riches, nor with fame,
Yet wise men came from all around to bring Him their gifts,
And peace was felt by all who heard His name.
Angels watched him as he slept, and gently rocked His bed,
Their voices singing softly in His ear;
His mother and his father both gave thanks to God above
For the greatest gift of all, their Son, so dear.
They knew His life upon this earth would not be filled with wealth,
They also knew He would encounter strife;
But most of all, they knew that He would be a loving Child,
And teach the love of God throughout His life.
At Christmas we celebrate this birth of Jesus Christ,
Let’s keep in mind the truth of Christmas Day;
For it’s not the Christmas wrappings, nor not the gifts that lie within,
But our gift of love to others in every way…
No. 628 in CH4
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen