Christmas Day – Order of Service – Birkenhead Presbyterian

<!– @page { margin: 2cm } TD P { margin-bottom: 0cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } A:link { so-language: zxx } –>

Birkenhead Presbyterian

Incorporating the churches of St Andrews and St Philips

Welcome

The Jesse Tree

The Story of Creation to Cross through symbol and song

Our mission is to empower others (and ourselves) through the holy spirit, to live life, in all its abundance, as found in Jesus Christ.

Call to Worship

Angels from the realms of Glory

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story,
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Wise men, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

All creation join in praising,
God the Father, Spirit, Son
Evermore your voices raising,
To the eternal Three in one:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Notices

For thousands of years people waited for a Saviour to come. During Advent, the four weeks before Christmas, we too wait for the coming Saviour, to help us create anew the Spirit of Love in the world.

All: Christ could be born a thousand times in Galilee
but all in vain unless he is born in me …

O Come O come Emmanuel

1. O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

2. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

3. O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

5. O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

4. O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

To celebrate this Christmas season we use the symbol of a Jesse Tree, which is the family tree of Jesus. A family tree is one which shows our ancestors; those who lived before us; who pioneered and prepared the way for us. The family tree of Jesus shows those who followed God’s plan and prepared the way for his coming. We call it the Jesse Tree because Jesus came from the family of King David, and David’s gather was Jesse. The prophect Isaiah wrote (11:1) … From the root of Jesse a sprout shall spring forth, our of his roots a flower shall bloom

Jeremiah the prophet said (23:5) The Lord says “Out of David’s line I will raise up a King who will reign forever.

1^st Symbol Flowers and the Apple

The flowers reminds us of God’s creation, the Garden of Eden, and the good things God had planned for us.

The Apple reminds us of the fall from grace and our determination to go out own way.

Jesus is Lord, creation voice proclaims it

1. Jesus is Lord! creation's voice proclaims it, For by His power each tree and flower Was planned and made. Jesus is Lord! the universe declares it, Sun, moon and stars in heaven Cry, 'Jesus is Lord!'

Chorus:

Jesus is Lord! Jesus is Lord! Praise Him with Hallelujahs For Jesus is Lord!

2. Jesus is Lord! yet from His throne eternal In flesh He came to die in pain On Calvary's tree. Jesus is Lord! from Him all life proceeding, Yet gave His life a ransom Thus setting us free.

3. Jesus is Lord! o'er sin the mighty conqueror, From death He rose, and all His foes Shall own His Name. Jesus is Lord! God sent His Holy Spirit To show by works of power That Jesus is Lord.

2nd Symbol The Ark

The symbol of the ark represents Noah who listened to God and was saved.

3^rd Symbol Many Faces

God called Abraham “the father of many nations” because from him all the people of the world would be blessed.

4^th Symbol The Ten Commandments

The law given to Moses on the tablets of the Ten Commandments was to correct and guide those who choose to seek God and follow him.

Jesus too gave us his law.

A new commandment I give unto you

A new commandment I give unto you
That you love one another as I have loved you

That you love one another as I have loved you

By this shall all men know you are my disciples – if you have love one for another

5^th Symbol The Crown of David

The crown reminds us that David who was a shepherd boy, became king over all Israel. To him the promise was given that the saviour of all the world would be a descendant of David.

Once in Royal David’s City

Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.

3. And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love,
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in Heav’n above,
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

He came down to earth from Heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

4. Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in Heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high;
Where like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

6^th Symbol The Prophets Horn

The horn of the prophet is to remind us of John the Baptist, who came preparing the way for Jesus.

Reading Matthew 3:1-6 Page 1049

At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching.

“Turn away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of heaven is near!”

John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said, “Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’ ”

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair; he wore a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

People came to him from Jerusalem, from the whole province of Judea, and from all over the country near the Jordan River.

They confessed their sins, and he baptised them in the Jordan.

I hear a sound (Solo: Anna, Sung twice)

I hear a sound coming from the mountain

I hear it louder each day

I hear a sound coming from the mountain

and it says “Prepare ye the way

Prepare ye the way, prepare ye the way

Prepare ye the way of the lord”

7^th Symbol A lily

The lily is chosen as a symbol of purity. It is to remind us of the Virgin Mary, chosen to be the Mother of Jesus, who made herself available to God’s Call.

Born in the Night (Choir)

1. Born in the night, Mary’s child,

a long way from your home.

Coming in need, Mary’s child
Born in a borrowed room.

3. Hope of the world Mary’s child.

You’re coming soon to reign,

King of the earth Mary’s child,

walk in our streets again.

2. Truth of our life, Mary’s child

you tell us God is good.

Prove it is true, Mary’s child.

Go to your cross of wood.

4. Born in the night, Mary’s child,

a long way from your home.

Coming in need, Mary’s child
Born in a borrowed room.

8^th Symbol The Inn

The symbol of a house, the inn reminds us that at his birth there was no room; that he emptied himself of power and glory, that he came to us, knowing poverty and rejection by men.

Away in a manger

1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus a sleep ion the hay

2. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love thee, Lord Jesus! Looked down from the sky,

And stay by my beside until morning is nigh.

3.Be near me, Lord Jesus: I ask thee to stay,

Close by me forever and love me I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.

9^th Symbol The sheep

The declaration of the angels to the shepherds is shown in this symbol.

Let us sing Luke 2: 8-20

While humble shepherds watched their flocks

1. While humble shepherds watched their flocks

In Bethlehem’s plains by night

An angels sent from heaven appeared

And filled the plains with light.

3. To you in David’s town, this day

Is born, of David’s line,

The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord:

And this shall be the sign.

5. Thus sake the seraph; and forthwith

appeared a shining throng

of angels praising God; and thus

addressed their joyful song:

2. ‘Fear not,’ he said, for sudden dread

Had seized their troubled mind,

Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all mankind.

4.The heavenly Babe you there shall find

To human view displayed,

All meanly wrapped in swathing-bands

And in the manger laid.

6.All glory be to God on high

And to the earth be peace.

Good will is shown by heaven to men

And never more shall cease.

10^th Symbol The Star of Bethlehem

The star of Bethlehem proclaimed from
the heavens the birth of a great
and mighty king.

Calypso Carol

1. Star of silver sweep across the skies,

show where Jesus in the manger lies.

Shepherds swiftly from your stupor rise

to see the Saviour of the world.

Chorus:

Oh, now carry me to Bethlehem

to see the Lord appear to men;

Just as poor as was the stable then,

The prince of glory when he came.

2. See him lying on a bed of straw;

draughty stable with an open door,

Mary cradling the babe she bore;

The prince of glory is his name.

3. Angels, sing again the song you sang,

bring God’s glory to the heart of man;

Sing the Bethl’hem’s little baby can

be salvation to the soul.

11^th Symbol The Wise Man’s Gift

The gift of gold reminds us of the Wise Men, travelling from far away lands to bring their most precious possessions to lay at the feet of Jesus. The Wise men also remind us that Jesus came for all the world; rich and poor, far and near.

As with gladness men of old.

During the singing of this song the offering is collected and brought forward to the communion table.

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 glorious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

3. As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

2. As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before
Him Whom Heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

Prayer of dedication for the offering

12^th Symbol The Ultimate Symbol

Our Jesse Tree is now full. These are the symbols that remind us of Jesus’ coming. The ultimate symbol of the Cross constantly reminds us that Jesus’ birth is only important because of his death and resurrection. To remember and celebrate his birth and forget the rest is to miss out on what God was trying to tell us; to miss the riches of his grace.

And can it be that I should gain

1. And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

3. He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

5. No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

2. ’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Benediction

Please join with us for morning tea in the church lounge.

Birkenhead Presbyterian

Incorporating the churches of St Andrews and St Philips

We wish you all a very merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year.

Birkenhead Presbyterian

Incorporating the churches of St Andrews and St Philips

Holiday Services

28^th December 9:00am @ St Andrews
Rev Roy Pearson

4^th January 2009 9:30am @ Zion Hill Methodist

11^th January 9:00am @ St Andrews
Rev Lester Simpson

18^th January 9:30am @ Zion Hill Methodist

25 January 9:00am @ St Andrews

Rev Ray Galvin

1^st February 2009 Back to Normal

9:00am @ St Andrews
172 Hinemoa Street

11:00am @ St Philips
136 Birkdale Road

Parish Office (closed until February 2009)

172 Hinemoa Street

Birkenhead

Phone 480 5745

Website: www.sasp.church.org.nz

email: [email protected]

Christmas Day – Order of Service

One Reply to “Christmas Day – Order of Service”

Leave a Reply