Cruden Parish Church
The Third Sunday of Advent 10.00am
Sunday 13th December 2020
(Photo used the with kind permission of Fred Coutts)
Community Advent Candle Lighting
The Candle of Joy
Introduction - The Shepherds and the angels
Lighting the third candle – the Candle of Joy
Prayer
As we light our advent candle
We thank you for the joy you give.
As we prepare for Christmas time
Light of the world, shine on us.
In our lives of hurriedness and stress
Bring joy to our hearts.
To all the people who don't know you,
Light of the world, shine through us.
In this world of pain and darkness
Help us to share the joy you give.
In our service here today,
Light of the world, light the way.
Advent Candle Song
A candle is burning, a candle of joy.
A candle to welcome brave Mary's new boy.
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
Blessing
And in this season of Advent,
may the joy of the angels, the wonder of the shepherds
and the peace of the Christ Child,
fill yours hearts and home. Amen.
Our morning service continues
Hymn: While humble shepherds
- While humble shepherds watched their flocks
On Bethlehem's plain by night,
An angel sent from heaven appeared,
And filled the plains with light.
- .“Fear not,” he said, for sudden dread
Had seized their troubled mind:
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
- “To you in David's town, this night
Is born, of David's line,
The Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:
- The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
And meanly wrapped in swaddling band,
And in a mange laid.”
- Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of Angels, praising God, and there
Addressed their joyful song;
- All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Good will is shown by heaven to men,
And never more shall cease.
Bible Reading
Luke 2:8-20
‘The Shepherds and the Angels’
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Sermon ‘Shock & Awe!’
Picture © Free Bible Images
Church News
Prayers
The Lord’s prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
you 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.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen
Hymn: Hark the Herald Angels sing
- Hark! the Herald Angels sing,
‘Glory to the new-born King,
peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinner reconciled!’
Joyful all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies,
with the angelic host proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’.
Hark! the Herald Angels sing,
‘Glory to the new-born King’.
- Christ, by highest Heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail the Incarnate Deity,
please as Man with man to dwell,
Jesus our Immanuel!
- Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give them second birth
Dismissal & Blessing
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
(Henri J.M. Nouwen)
Now we take our worship out into the world
May the God of love fill Your heart with peace
and send You into the world to live it.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
be with You and those You love,
Amen
CHURCH NEWS
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care-Please advise the minister or member of the pastoral care team if you know of anybody would appreciate a visit or phone call. Sean can be contacted on 07791 755976 or sswindells@churchofscotland.org.uk
Walking for Health and Well-being
Meets on Tuesday 15th December at 10.30 am outside the St Olaf Hotel, Cruden Bay. Everybody welcome. (This is a permitted activity under the current Covid-19 rules and an officially recognised ‘Health Walk.’) Group members are requested to make use of the track and trace smartphone app. Sorry no canine companions. In case of bad weather, please double check the group Facebook page.
Worship
W
e meet every Sunday at 10.00 am. To provide a safe environment, we are strictly following the appropriate rules and guidance, including social distancing.
Facebook
Our morning service will be broadcast live via the Church Facebook Page. To follow the service, you may have to reload the page just before the broadcast begins at 10.00 am.
Celebration of Holy Communion
There will be a virtual celebration of Holy Communion at 7.00 pm , Sunday 20th December. Please contact Sean or Robert for the link.
Angels, angels everywhere! - Advent & Christmas @ Cruden Parish Church
Every Day
Daily Advent Calendar During the Season of Advent will be offering a daily Bible Reading, Reflection and Prayer. Sean would welcome input from members and friends of the congregation. If you have any thoughts, stories, or memoires, that may be suitable, please contact Sean. Or why not write one of the daily reflections. (A max length of 500 words please!)
Every Sunday
Community Advent Reflection at 10.00 am to 10.15 am.
Each of the four Sunday’s of Advent & Christmas Day there will be a short family friendly reflection and the lightning of an candle on the Advent Ring. On Christmas Day we light the final candle – the Christ Candle. Copies of the template and instructions are available in church, Hatton Market and Cruden Bay Post Office.
10.00 am – In our Morning Worship we will be reflecting on the appearances of Angels in the Christmas story.
Christmas Eve
6.30 pm ‘Virtual’ Christingle Family Service for all the family.
Join us on Christmas Eve to make and light your very own Christingle and celebrate the story of Jesus birth. Christingle Kits containing everything required (except an orange or large satsuma) will shortly be available.
11.50 pm ‘Virtual’ Watchnight Reflection
Christmas Day
10.00 am – we light the final candle on the Advent Ring.