By tradition here at Agnew Road the First Sunday in Advent is a ‘Christingle & Toy Service’. And this year it was a witness to extraordinary generosity.
The congregation was swelled by visitors and the by rows of youngsters, parents, friends and leaders from our own Sunday School and 16th Fleetwood Scout Group. The porch welcomers, who came close to being swept off their feet, were May & Alec Hall. And the duty elders for the morning were Robert & Jean Wadsworth.
16th Fleetwood, led by Venture Scout, Ben Kennedy, paraded their flags. They were received for safe keeping in the chancel by Sandra Davies. Early in the service the first Advent candle was lit by Caitlin Diver and her mum and dad. (They had a bit of a struggle because the candle was reluctant to be lighted!) This was followed by the most generous giving of toys and monetary gifts to be used by the church supported charity, FEED THE CHILDREN. (Ann Shadbolt transported the gifts to Audrey Armour, the local coordinator.) For that giving from every quarter of the church was so generous and magnificent. (Thank you, each and every one of you.)
The service was brought to a conclusion when the youngsters returned having made their Christingles. (Thanks, Sandra Davies for the materials and the leaders for the help in the making.) This year they included all the symbolism of the traditional decorated orange but this year without a lit candle (see note below). The looked for candle light was provided by artificial candle light thanks to the efforts of Denise Berry & Sandra Davies. The youngsters shared their Christingles with the members of the congregation. Before the blessing the 16th Fleetwood flags were returned from safekeeping and were carried by the leaders of the sections of the Group.
John Gibson, in his own inimitable style, provided a brilliant accompaniment to every part of the service which was led by Tom Birch.
NOTE: There were concerns expressed over the youngsters carrying lit candles. Therefore, this year, though a candle topped the usual orange representing the world and skewered fruit acknowledging God’s bounty, pairs of youngsters carried a battery powered group of candles – the Light of the World. The effect was just as meaningful. To Denise & Sandra who emptied local shops and stores of Christmas candles go thanks!
GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD
- THE CALL TO WORSHIP
We come together to worship God,
to sing, to pray, to listen to the Bible and to learn its message for us today.
May the words of our mouths and the thoughts of our minds be acceptable to you,
O Lord,
our strength and redeemer.
- HYMN: All over the world (Tune: Anon. Music: Roy Turner arranged by Andrew Moore. Words: Roy Turner.)
- ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
- SONG: Light the Advent Candle (Tune: Humility (R&S 157). Music: John Goss. Words: Unknown.)
- PRAYERS OF ADORATION AND CONFESSION
- HYMN: Come and see the shining hope (Tune: Marching through Georgia. Music: American traditional melody arranged by David Wilson. Words: from Revelation 4 & 5 by Christopher Idle.)
- NOTICES FOR THE COMING WEEK AND WE OFFER OUR MORNING GIFTS
OFFERING PRAYER
With the Spirit of the Lord,
may these gifts be used to announce good news to the poor,
to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind;
to let the victims go free,
AMEN
THE WORD OF GOD
- HYMN 90: O Lord, all the world belongs to you (Tune: O Lord, all the world belongs to you. Music: Patrick Appleford. Words: Patrick Appleford.)
- OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah, Chapter 2, Verses 1 to 5
Bench ‘Good News Bible’ Old Testament page 672: The poem is a vision moving us on from good intentions to a journey in God’s presence and where God’s rule rules. For what purpose? The whole earth and its people are transformed by human energies being reassigned.
- GOSPEL: Matthew, Chapter 24, Verses 36 to 44
Bench ‘Good News Bible’ New Testament page 36: Advent is a time of waiting and watching. Our task is to listen carefully to the texts and allow the symbols to evoke the sense of urgency and expectancy at God’s future.
- A WORD IN SEASON
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
- HYMN 265: I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship (Tune: Londonderry Air. Music: Traditional Irish melody arranged by Noel Rawsthorne. Words: WY Fullerton.)
- PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING, REMEMBERING OTHERS AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
- HYMN: The holly and the ivy (Tune: The Holly & The Ivy. Music: Melody from English folk carol. Words: Traditional.)
- THE BLESSING
Go now:
Put on forever the beauty of the glory of God;
for God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low,
so that his people may walk safely in the glory of God.
We go,
to walk in his way.`