Welcome to our service - 13 December
This service sheet can be used individually or with households.
We would encourage you to say (or even sing) hymns and songs out loud.
Prayers, other liturgy or readings can be said out loud or silently, corporately or individually.
If you are able, we would also like invite you to join us for our main Sunday service, 10am, live on Zoom. Even if you have never been to St Gabriel’s before we would love you to join you. Please get in touch with the vicar Alistair (vicar@saintgs.co.uk) and he will send you the Zoom details.
Due to the lockdown there will be no service in the church at 11:30 am. You are invited to come to church at the same time for private prayer between 11:30 - 12:30.
SERVICE
Opening
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
and blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever.
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
SING:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIr21lLgFpg
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come then and listen for He brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings.
2. Then cleansed be ev’ry heart from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home,
Where such a mighty guest may come.
3. For You are our salvation, Lord,
Our refuge and our great reward;
Without Your grace we waste away,
Like flow’rs that wither and decay.
4. To heal the sick stretch out Your hand,
Make wholeness flow at Your command;
Sins's devastation now restore
Earth's own true loveliness once more.
5. To Him who left the throne of heaven
To save mankind, all praise be given;
To God the Father, voices raise,
And Holy Spirit, let us praise.
Words: Charles Coffin (1676-1749) tr John Chandler (1806-76)
Music: from Musicalisches HandBuch
altered © 1986 Horrobin/Leavers
CONFESSION
In the name of God, who has delivered us from the dominion of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, we welcome you: grace to you and peace.
We are gathered together to proclaim and receive in our hearts the good news of the coming of God’s kingdom, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate with confidence and joy the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We pray that we may respond in penitence and faith to the glory of his kingdom, its works of justice and its promise of peace, its blessing and its hope.
A voice cries out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’ So let us listen, and turn to the Lord in penitence and faith:
God, through Jesus Christ,
will judge the secret thoughts of all:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Let anyone who has an ear
listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
ABSOLUTION
The almighty and merciful Lord
grant us pardon and forgiveness of all our sins,
time for amendment of life,
and the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Alleluia.
COLLECT
God for whom we watch and wait,
you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son:
give us courage to speak the truth,
to hunger for justice,
and to suffer for the cause of right,
with Jesus Christ our Lord.
SING:
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts,
shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church
gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ, be our light!
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Christ, be our light!
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Christ, be our light!
Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light!
Bernadette Farrell © 1993 OCP Publications
READINGS
Isaiah 35 New International Version - UK
The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendour of our God.
Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
‘Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.’
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
No lion will be there,
nor any ravenous beast;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
and those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Matthew 11:2-11 New International Version - UK
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’
Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.’
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
‘“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.”
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
TALK by Alistair Stevenson
Since having children, the amount of time that Catherine and I spend searching for things has definitely increased. Things, sometimes miraculously, seem to move throughout the house and we spend literally hours looking for them. I recently had to buy a new remote for our TV because we couldn’t find the old one. And of course, the day before the new one arrived in the post we found the old one!
The one thing that Catherine and I spend most of our time searching for is a certain cuddly toy called Rabbity. Rabbity is Benji’s most precious possession. He pretty much can’t sleep without it. We have tried to offer a replacement - a second Rabbity - but nothing comes close.
In fact, some of you will know about Rabbity because I have been late for evening meetings searching for this precious toy. And it is remarkable the places where he turns up. In the corner of the garden, stuffed deep at the back of a bookshelf, hidden in the airing cupboard and stuffed in the nappy bin.
Just the other night Catherine spent about 20 minutes looking for rabbity only to find it in a Noah’s ark wooden box that Catherine’s dad made. Having been insistent that they had no knowledge of its whereabouts - suddenly they all seemed to remember its location after we found it. Thank you children - very helpful.
Advent, as we have been exploring in these recent weeks - is about waiting. A time to remember Jesus who came 2000 years ago and wait and anticipate his coming again. But this morning I also want to suggest that advent is about searching and finding.
There is a strong theme in the birth narratives of people searching and finding. Mary and Joseph, searching for a place to stay. The shepherds, searching for the newborn saviour. Herod searching for this rumoured new king who might challenge his rule and reign. The wise men followed the star and found the promised baby in the manger.
Last week I suggested that what you wait for changes how you wait. Today I want to say that the same is the case for searching. What you search for changes how you search and therefore what you will find.
In our passage this morning we have two different groups searching. Firstly, the disciples of John searching to find out who Jesus really was, and secondly the crowds, the people following Jesus, who had also gone out into the desert to see John.
John’s disciples come to Jesus and ask him: ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’
Put yourself in the place of John the Baptist for a moment. You’ve proclaimed the coming Kingdom of judgement and fire. You’ve criticised the “powers that be” and called them to repentance and radical life-change. You’ve seen Jesus baptised, sent out by the Spirit, and your hopes are well and truly set on him being the fulfilment of hundreds of years of waiting.
But then, suddenly, you’re thrown in jail. And Jesus, although brilliant, isn’t quite doing all the things you expected him to. The Romans are still in power. Corrupt priests and teachers are still in charge of the temple. You’re not seeing the vengeance and divine retribution promised by Isaiah and then repeated by you. John isn’t seeing the future he had imagined.
Perhaps we can empathise with him in the areas of life where the future hasn't turned out as we expected. Maybe our relationship with God hasn’t turned out as we hope.
Jesus is a different kind of King to the one everyone expected then and even today. His Kingdom is not about power and might, but love and self-sacrifice. A life with him isn’t about achievement and position but about giving up and giving way. His victory doesn’t come with swords and chariots, instead, it lifts up the poor and sick and vulnerable. He doesn’t force or coerce people to follow him, instead, he reveals the heart of God to them and invites them to freely choose him as their Lord. So Jesus responds to John:
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Matthew 11:4-5)
These are all fulfilments of Isaiah’s prophecy but they are not the judgement and victory that maybe John and Israel were hoping for and so even John doubts whether Jesus is the Messiah.
Has John so fixed his mind on his idea of the destination that he is missing the journey? He imagined a future of judgement and justice which has not yet arrived. Is he allowing this to distract him from the signs of the Kingdom of God which Jesus is already displaying?
When we put God within our perceived notions and understandings we can restrict him - we put him in a box and so miss what he is actually doing to bring about his Kingdom.
Jesus turns to the crowd and asks them what they were searching for when they went to see John in the wilderness. Royalty? A man with riches and fine clothes?
John was what they were expecting then and Jesus isn’t who they are expecting now. As they came to John in the desert with wrong expectations so they are now coming to Jesus with this same attitude. While the Gospels tell story after story of lives physically and spiritually being transformed by Jesus we also see examples of people coming to Jesus and then leaving having completely missed who he was or not willing to accept the full consequences of a relationship with him. The Rich Young Rule, for example, leaves Jesus grieving because he has been asked to give up what he cared for most.
It is a challenge to us all. How has this year changed your view of Jesus? How have you turned to him when times are tough? What has he asked or is asking of you that you just can’t accept or give up or away?
We are a culture that is continually searching, desperate to find that thing that will give us life and fulfilment. Many modern commentators have said that Britain is more spiritual than it has ever been - people are searching for meaning, for something that goes beyond the day to day, things of life. And this has been even more the case in 2020. The number of those attending an Alpha course across the UK has increased massively over 2020. People searching and longing to know if there is an answer and meaning to life in the midst of pain and trouble. A survey conducted by Tearfund in May of this year found that a quarter of adults in the UK watched or listened to a religious service since the coronavirus lockdown began, and one in 20 have started praying during the crisis.
People are searching but often the searching is being done blindfolded - reaching out for things, desperate that they might be the stability that we need. Whether that's other human relationships, money, recognition and fame, safety and security - all things that can never be truly secure and never truly satisfy in the way we hope and expect.
But we can imagine that once we know Jesus, our blindfold will be removed and suddenly we are able to see clearly. Well, actually the Bible paints a different picture. We don’t see things in full, 1 Corinthians 13: 12: ‘For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.’
A relationship with Jesus is not one about knowing more or having a life planned out in the way that we would hope or expect. No - a relationship with Jesus is one where we reach out in trust, take hold of his hand and trust that he will guide us. We rarely, if ever, see the full picture.
Some of us have waited on God and expected him to act and move, but he hasn’t done so in the way we would want or expect. Perhaps you have experienced disappointment with God, if prayers, hopes and dreams haven’t come to fruition or haven’t lived up to your expectations. Some are hungry for meaning, purpose, and joy in their lives. Some ache for a world of justice where all are treated fairly. It is important that, rather than ignoring our struggles, we bring them to God. God can handle us being honest with him about how we feel.
This Advent, when we come back to this all too familiar Christmas story - the message of Jesus’ incarnation - are we expecting to see and hear the same as we have done so many times before? Or are we open to Jesus revealing himself to us in a new way?
During Advent, yes we wait. But waiting can be quite passive. If Catherine and I simply waited for a precious cuddly toy to be found it would have been lost a long time ago. Waiting can give the impression that you are pausing, that you are looking for something to happen, that you are waiting for another person to act. However, searching is much more active. It implies that you are looking, taking steps to find out, trying to find the truth. So how are you searching for God this Advent. What steps are you taking to seek his presence and will for your life?
Moreover, when Catherine and I spend time looking for a lost cuddly toy we usually go back to the places it has been before, or to the obvious places. But often it turns up in the most unexpected places. Often, when we are searching for more of God in our lives we go back to our favorite or familiar bible stories, worship songs, or prayers - and there is definitely strength in the regular habits of our faith. But I want to challenge you this advent to look for Jesus in the forgotten, in the unexpected places and people, even in the struggles and pain. As Jesus responds in our passage - he is not in the places of position or power or wealth. No, he is with the blind, the lame, those who have leprosy, the deaf, the poor.
In his letter, James uses an image of seeds planted in the ground to help us with this
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” (James 5:7-8)
God has shown us the seeds of his Kingdom. We’ve seen glimpses of the new life that came with Jesus, and hope for the restoration of all of God’s creation. But right now, most of our seeds are still in the ground, and we won’t see the fullness of the crop until Jesus returns. So God calls us to be faithful farmers - imitating Jesus wherever we find ourselves: using our gifts, caring for the sick, reaching out to the lonely, tending God’s planet, proclaiming the good news - and trusting in that glorious day when the fullness of the harvest will come, and our disappointment will be no more.
THE BENEDICTUS:
You will guide us with your counsel, O God, and afterwards receive us with glory.
Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,
who has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets God promised of old
to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all that hate us,
To show mercy to our ancestors,
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of all their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
O LORD, HEAR MY PRAYER,
O Lord, hear my prayer:
When I call answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer:
Come and listen to me.
Jacques Berthier/Taizé.
Copyright © 1982 Ateliers et Presses de Taize (France).
PRAYERS - written by LIz Cannell
Advent, a time of waiting and expectation. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Saviour we look to the light and hope of the world, at a time when the needs of the world are so much on our minds. We give thanks that the churches are open again, and for the fellowship at St. Gabriels, and ask your blessing on activities taking place during Advent, for the Family Adventure this afternoon, and that many will experience the Nativity Trail around Greystones starting tomorrow. We pray too for the preparations for the Christmas services, and the Natingle.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
We give thanks for the start of the vaccination programme against Covid; for the scientific knowledge, inspiration and hard work that has brought us to this point. We pray that each type of vaccine will prove safe and effective and will be widely available. We pray too for all the organisaton needed over the coming weeks and months for this to be carried out.
We pray for all who are unwell, whether with Covid or other illnesses, and for the many people involved in caring, advising and helping in their recovery. In a short silence let us bring to God those we know in special need.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Please guide all who are concerned with the Brexit negotiations, and the implications and changes this will bring throughout Europe. In spite of our differences and whatever the outcome, may we have a good relationship with our European neighbours.
We pray for all the nations of the world, each with its individual problems. Give wisdom and guidance to their leaders, We pray for the preparations of the new administration in USA, may it be one that will help to bring people together and take a positive lead in world events.
As we prepare for Christmas we bring to you the uncertainties and anxieties of this year, and the prospects for next year. We give thanks for all who are helping their local communities by providing and delivering food, and for the inspiration of those who have raised money for the NHS and for charities. Lord, come as the light in our darkness. In this time of uncertainty let us remember that your love is unchanging,
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen
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
SING:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MmRGSEG2LM
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness.
Opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me
2. King of all days
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor
Here I am to worship…
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross (rep.)
Here I am to worship…
Tim Hughes ©2001 Thankyou Music
OFFERTORY - Take a moment to consider how you are going to continue to give to the life of the church and support other aid agencies and mission organisations.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the splendour, and the majesty;
for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
All things come from you, and of your own do we give you.
SING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YksTeR61O1I
From the squalor of a borrowed stable,
by the Spirit and a virgin’s faith,
to the anguish and the shame of scandal
came the saviour of the human race.
But the skies were filled with the praise of heaven,
shepherds listen as the angels tell
of the gift of God come down to man
at the dawning of Immanuel.
King of heaven now the friend of sinners,
humble servant in the Father’s hands,
filled with the power of the Holy Spirit,
filled with mercy for the broken man.
Yes, he walked my road, and he felt my pain,
joys and sorrows that I know so well;
yet his righteous steps give me hope again –
I will follow my Immanuel!
Through the kisses of a friend’s betrayal,
he was lifted on a cruel cross;
he was punished for a world’s transgressions,
he was suffering to save the lost.
He fights for breath, he fights for me,
loosing sinners from the claims of hell;
and with a shout our souls are free –
death defeated by Immanuel.
Now he’s standing in the place of honour,
crowned with glory on the highest throne;
interceding for his own beloved
till his Father calls to bring them home!
Then the skies will part as the trumpet sounds,
hope of heaven or the fear of hell
but the bride will run to her lover’s arms,
giving glory to Immanuel.
Stuart Townend © 1999 Thankyou Music
FINAL BLESSING:
Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you,
scatter the darkness from before your path,
and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.