Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday 23 Dec 2012
Welcome to Greyfriars, Tolbooth and Highland Kirk
You are warmly invited to remain behind for coffee and sandwiches, served at
the back of the church beneath the organ at the end of the service.
Hymns, and other numbered items, can be found in the purple hymnbooks
located in the seats in front of you. We invite you to join in saying and singing
the parts of the service printed in italics, and to say Amen after the prayers.
Call to Worship
Hymn 319: Of the Father’s love begotten
Tune: Corde Natus
Call to Prayer & Prayers of Approach, Confession and Pardon
Sung Response:
Wait for the Lord, his day is near.
Wait for the Lord: keep watch, take heart.
Tune at Hymn 276
Collect for the day: God and maker of all, to redeem the world
you chose the most unsuspecting of women to mother your Son and
by your choice gave a new glory to human flesh and earthly parenting.
With the joy that was Mary’s, may we magnify the Lord, and our
bodies be the means through which you continue the mighty work
of salvation for which Christ came.
Amen
The lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle
Hymn 285: The Angel Gabriel from heaven came
Tune: Gabriel’s Message
The Journey of Life
Mary’s Journey to Elizabeth: When two hearts meet
First Reading: St Luke 1: 26 – 33, 39 – 45
Hymn 300: The Virgin Mary had a baby boy
NT, p. 69
Reader: Sandra Keegan
Tune: The Virgin Mary
Mary and Joseph’s Journey: Exile and homelessness
Second Reading: St Luke 2: 1 – 7
NT, p. 71
Anthem: Magnificat Collegium Regale
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour, for he hath
regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from hence forth all generations shall
call me blessèd. For he that is mighty hath magnified me; and holy is his name. And his
mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath shewn strength with his
arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the
mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath fillèd the hungry
with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath
holpen his servant Israel, as he promisèd to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
St Luke 1: 46-55
Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
The Journey of the Magi: Their search is our search
Third Reading: St Matthew 2: 1 – 12
NT, p. 4
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord,
All:
Thanks be to God.
Musical item from the young people of the church
“I give you the end of a golden string; only wind it into a ball,
It will lead you in at Heaven’s gate, built in Jerusalem’s wall.”
William Blake (1757-1827)
Hymn 325: Bethlehem, a noble city
Tune: Stuttgart
(during which, The Offering)
Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession and Dedication
Leader: Lord, in your mercy,
All:
Hear our prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer
Words at Hymn 652
Hymn 291: When out of poverty is born a dream
Tune: Kingsfold
Benediction
Amen
Tune at Hymn 825
Organ Music: “Meine Seele erhebt den Herren”,
Fuge über das Magnificat BWV 733
J S Bach (1685-1750)
NOTES
The Kirk web site is at www.greyfriarskirk.com. Please visit it for up-to-date
information on all our activities.
The Minister, Richard Frazer, is happy to meet anyone to discuss any matter.
Please telephone him at 667-6610 to arrange an appointment, or our office at
225-1900 to arrange for a visit from him, whether you are a member or not.
Forthcoming Services
24 December: Christingle Service at 3.00 pm at St Columba’s-by-the-Castle.
24 December: Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols at 5.00 pm, with
organ music from 4.40 pm.
25 December: Holy Communion at 10.30 am - Rev Dr Richard Frazer
30 December: Holy Communion at 11.00 am - Rev Dr Richard Frazer
6 January 2013: Morning Service at 11.00 am – led by members of the congregation.
Gaelic Service at 12.30 pm – Mr John Archie MacMillan
10 January 2013: our Mid-Week Prayer services resume at 1.10 pm.
At the congregational Carol Ceilidh last Sunday, there was a surplus of £120 from
the generous donations received for refreshments, and this has been given to our
Grassmarket Community Project. Many thanks to all who contributed.
Gift Aid Your Open Collection Donation
Are you a UK tax payer? If so, use Gift Aid to make your open collection
donation even more valuable to Greyfriars Kirk. “Gift Aiding” your donation is
simple, and it costs you nothing. Please put your open collection donation in the
Gift Aid envelopes provided - these can be found in the backs of the chairs, or ask
one of the duty elders. When you gift aid your donation, Greyfriars Kirk will claim
25p from HM Revenue & Customs for every £1 you donate.
Greyfriars, Tolbooth and Highland Kirk, Edinburgh (Church of Scotland), Scottish Charity number SC003761