Category: Worship

During the minister’s annual leave, this Sunday our worship will be led by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland:

Call to Worship

This old year is almost done;

but before we say farewell…

let us pause and watch and wait,

with the patience of Simeon and Anna,

for the dawning of the promise.

As one year ends, one life, one time,

we continue,

we come to God,

we bring our memories,

our hopes for the future.

We bring our worship.

HYMN – As With Gladness

All-Age Prayer

Lord Jesus,

who took children in your arms

and blessed them;

you touched all sorts of people

and let them touch you.

You did not mind if they were clean or unclean,

male or female, rich or poor,

one of your own people or complete strangers.

Your touch was intimate, but always safe,

and we have missed all that this year.

We have missed the cuddles and handshakes;

the tussles and messing up of hair;

we have missed high fives and holding hands,

and coorying up on the sofa to watch TV.

In our mind’s eye we can see you as a baby

being passed around

from one set of loving arms to another:

from your mum to the old priest Simeon;

and to Anna, who would have loved a grandchild,

but who loved you more.

We can feel the warmth and weight of you,

smell the milk-and-baby-lotion smell.

Hold us in your arms, most loving God,

when we feel uncertain and alone.

And when you need us to hold you safe,

may our arms be open and strong.

Amen.

Reading – Luke 2:22-40

Reflection:

HYMN – Thou who was Rich Beyond all Splendour

Reflective Prayer

Now, Lord, let your servant go in peace,

according to your Word.

Gentle God, we can see the smile

spread across old Simeon’s face,

his eyes soften and all tension leaves him

as he holds the child who embodies

all that he has ever hoped or dreamed of,

the fulfilment of your promise to the world.

In our imaginations, if we can do so safely

(and not if we can’t) we take ourselves forward

to the moment of our own death,

many years in the future or just around the corner.

What would it take for us–for me–to be able to say,

“I’m ready now—I can die in peace”?

Would it be to see our children settled,

to have passed on our stories to the next generation?

Are there places still to be visited,

dreams to be fulfilled, or ambitions achieved?

Do we want to leave a mark behind,

to have made a difference somehow…

not to be forgotten?

Are we still hoping to find the answers, at last,

to the big, imponderable questions:

Who am I? What does it all mean?

is there something more?

Silence

Have I lived enough… loved enough…

learned enough to be able to let go?

Will there be loving arms to hold me

when I do?

Silence

God, our beginning and our ending,

our life’s source and its goal,

may it be enough for us, as it was

for your faithful servant Simeon,

to know that you are there;

that the promises of our faith are true,

fulfilled differently in each generation,

but not an illusion.

They are real,

and you are real,

and we and our loved ones are safe

in your care,

now and for ever.

Amen

HYMN – Angels from the Realms of Glory

Sending

Our shared time of worship has come to an end,

and we are dismissed to go in peace,

thankful for the examples of those

who have served you in patience and hope,

and looking forward with anticipation

to the living Lord

to work within us to the end of this year and beyond. Amen.

and through us. Amen.

Call to Worship
We gather on this glorious
Christmas morning,
whether in person in the pew/seat
or online via zoom/facebook/youtube.
This year we celebrate a little differently
but we still celebrate
for the child who has long been foretold
was born all those years ago
bringing joy and hope to the world.
So we come as we are
wherever we are and offer our worship
to Jesus.
Lord, come close to us as we come close to you.

HYMN – O Come all Ye Faithful

Prayer
Holy God,
what a brilliant day this is,
a day of celebration,
of giving and receiving
of sharing with loved ones,
of eating too much
and perhaps having a sherry
(or insert whatever drink you like)
too many!
Today we party,
we let our hair down
and celebrate
as we remember
the birth of Jesus,
God is with us
now and always.
Jesus came to turn the world upside down
and those early days with a new baby
must have turned the world upside down
for Mary and Joseph.
A precious new life was their responsibility,
a child made in the image of God,
who also was God, what a mystery!
I’m sure they made mistakes,
got muddled up and longed
for a good night’s sleep,
but like all new parents
they put the child’s needs
before their own
as they would all their lives.
God, you created families
and we are glad you did.
Some of us may not have large families or do not have contact with relatives
but we are all part of your family, the church
and pray for all those in our community who feel alone today.
Forgive us for the times when we
have failed to be loving to our family,
or when we have hurt them in any way.
May today be a day when we remember
how fortunate we are to have each one
of our family, whether they be near or far from us
may we endeavour to make time
to tell them we love them
and may we be grateful for
all they mean to us.

In the name of Christ we pray.
Amen.

Sending
From a time of worship,
a moment of celebration,
may we take the joy of Christmas
into our homes and community,
continuing the heavenly song
and celebrating in quiet ways or loud,
with others or by our selves,
that Jesus is with us,
God is with us,
Immanuel. Amen