Your Ace reporter was somewhat distracted on this extraordinarily special Sunday and missed some names of those who contributed to a fitting start to the Christmas Season. Apologies to those of your terrific youngsters, members of 16th Fleetwood, who were heard but not seen by your reporter. Your contribution was brilliant. Thanks for those contributions. Of the adults in a service led by Ann Shadbolt those taking part were: Rene Stevenson, Janice Verity, Jane Rimmer, Jean Wadsworth, Jean Roby and Wendy Slattery.
AN ORDER OF SERVICE FOR
CHRISTINGLE & TOY SERVICE ON THE
1st SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
An Advent Prayer
God of mystery and might,
God of wonder and watchfulness,
God of life and light,
God of birth and belonging,
be with us in our waiting and in our worship.
Draw us in our longing and in our living.
Welcome us in expectation and in anticipation.
Amen.
- HYMN 126: O come, O come, Immanuel
LIGHTING OF THE FIRST ADVENT
CANDLE
We light this candle as the people of God; for
past, present and future generations. We light it
as a symbol of hope for an end to injustice and
fear, poverty and hunger.
First candle is lit
May the light of hope shine through the darkness
of our world.
Christ will come as the light of the world, bringing
Hope.
- HYMN 573: God is working his purpose out
AN EXPLANATION OF CHRISTINGLE
The word Christingle means ‘Christ-light’. The custom of making Christingles comes from the Moravian Church in Germany. It was in 1747 that a Pastor called John de Watteville, wanting to help his congregation understand the love of God for the world, came up with the idea of an
orange with red ribbon around it, sweets stuck in it and a candle on top. The orange he said represented the world, the sweets remind us of God’s gifts in creation, while the red ribbon signified the death of Jesus on the cross and our salvation. The candle is the light of Christ
* * *
Today the Christingle has been adopted by the Children’s Society as a way of reminding people of God’s love for all the children of the world. Special services are held where collections take place for deprived and abused children.
- HYMN 371: Take my life and let it be
AN OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord God, we recall your love for us
In all that you have done,
From the beginning of creation until now.
May these gifts we offer, and the lives offered with them,
declare your love for all the world,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
- HYMN 601: Christ is the world’s true light
- THE OLD TESTAMENT READING IS FROM ISAIAH, Chapter 64, Verses 1 to 9. This reading is from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, 1873 edition. It can also be found in your bench Bible on page 727.
- THE EPISTLE READING IS FROM 1 CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER 1, VERSES 3 – 9. It can be found in the bench bible, page 205.
- HYMN 265: I cannot tell why he whom angels worship
- THE GOSPEL READING IS FROM MARK, CHAPTER 13, Verses 24 – 37. It can be found in the bench bible on page 65.
- A WORD IN SEASON
- PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING, INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
- HYMN 518: Father, I place into you hands
- CHRISTINGLE PRAYERS
ORANGE
Creator God,
Who made this incredible universe
and gave us intelligence for wonder:
forgive us for the wounds we have inflicted on it,
help those who suffer in it;
and guide to gentler ways those who try to manipulate it,
that we may learn to care for your world
as good servants of yours,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
RIBBON
God of all your children,
who through your Son Jesus Christ
reclaimed the world for yourself
as he broke the power of evil and death on the cross:
give us the spirit of determination
to serve you to the utmost of our ability,
not being distracted by sin either to right or to left,
but seeking the way that leads to your kingdom. Amen
FRUITS
God of bounty,
you have given us life
and enough to sustain it.
In our fellowship and service of one another
teach us to appreciate our gifts,
to share where others lack
and receive what they have to give
that the world may become a fair place to live
for all people,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
CANDLE
God of light,
who shines through the darkness
and teaches us to appreciate the daylight:
may we set the gospel of Jesus
where all may see it in our lives,
in our ways and in our thoughts,
that our souls may be lit
with joy, praise and thanksgiving,
through Christ our Lord.
Amen
- PRAYER OF DISMISSAL