The coming of the Son of Man

(words for hymns and bible readings can be found below the order of service)

Welcome and Notices
Call to Worship
MP 493 – O come, O come Emmanuel
Call to Advent and Lighting the Advent Candle
Bible Reading:  Mark 13: 24-27  & 32-37
MP 445 – Shine Jesus shine
‘Reflection’
Prayers for the world & Lord’s Prayer
CH4 543 – Longing for light we wait in darkness
Benediction

Call to Worship

Even if we cannot all gather in person
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if some Christmas traditions have had to go
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if we might not get to hug family and friends
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if we cannot sing carols beside each other
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if Christmas cheer is harder this year
Emmanuel, God with us

MP 493 – O come, O come Emmanuel

1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Isreal,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Song of God appear.

Chorus Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

2 O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,

who to Thy trices, on Sinai’s height
in ancient times didst give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Chorus

3 O come, Thou rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from SAta’s tyranny;
from depths of hell Thy people save,
and give them victroy o’er the grave.
Chorus

4 O come, Thou dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by Thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Chorus

5 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.
Chorus

Call to Advent and Lighting the Advent Candle

Leader:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadow but now light is shining on them. (Isaiah 9:2)

In this season of Advent, we are here to watch and wait and pray for the coming of the light into the world. We long for the day when the things of darkness shall be no more

Light the Advent Candle

ALL
Lord, by your presence, light up the past
that we might learn from it with thankfulness

Light up the present,
that we might live in it, in love

Light up the future
that we might prepare for it in hope

As we watch and wait and pray
may we always be ready to encounter the Lord
who is already and always with us. Amen.

Mark 13: 24-27 & 32-37
The coming of the Son of Man

But in those days, following that distress,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’

MP 445 – Shine Jesus shine

1 Lord, the light of Your love is shining,
in the midst of the darkness, shining:
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us:
set us free by the truth You now bring us –
shine on me, shine on me.

Chorus Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father’s glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire;
flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with grace and mercy;
send forth Your word, Lord,
and let there be light!

2 Lord, I come to Your awesome presence,
from the shadows into Your radiance;
by Your blood, I may enter Your brightness:
search me, try me, consume all my darkness –
shine on me, shine on me.
Chorus

3 As we gave on Your kingly brightness
so our faces display Your likeness,
ever changing from glory to glory;
mirrored here, may our lives tell your story –
shine on me, shine on me.
Chorus

CH4 543 – Longing for light we wait in darkness   [omit verses 3 & 4]

1 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.

Chorus Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your Church gathered today.

2 Longing for peace, our world  is troubled.
Longing for hope, many dispair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Chorus

3 Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making you kingdom come.
Chorus

Blessing

Look forward in hope
to the coming of your Saviour
prepare the way for Christ your Lord
welcome him with love and faith
when he comes in glory.