Welcome to the Sunday Online Worship 20/12/2020 of the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. It is based on the ‘Lessons & Carols’ format, and we will also include some carols by the Coota Combined Churches choir.
CAROL: “O little town of Bethlehem”
The opening carols is, “O little town of Bethlehem”. The video is below and a link to Youtube is also included in case you have problems connecting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAU5Xg-o-eM
OPENING PRAYER
The opening video includes: welcome, candle lighting, and an opening prayer. The words are underneath the video below.
Welcome to the Sunday online worship for 20/12/2020 of the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. Today’s worship is based on the ‘Lessons & Carols’ format and will also include some carols by the Cootamundra Combined Churches Choir.
Let us go, just as we are. Let us go with the shepherds: to find the One of whom the angels sang. Let us go with those who are wise: to find the One who brings God’s truth to us.
Let us go with the poor in spirit: to find the Glory of God born in a stable and placed in a feeding trough. Let us go with friends and family, with neighbours and strangers, to find the One who comes to lead us home to God’s kingdom.
Our Advent journey is almost complete, and Christmas Day will soon be here. As we light the fourth Advent candle, we are reminded of the love that was meant for everyone.
Light candle
We now sing the carol, “A Candle is burning” to the tune of “Away in a Manger”.
A candle is burning, a candle of love,
a candle to point us to heaven above
A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth
for Jesus is bringing God’s love to our earth.
As we begin our worship, let us also acknowledge the Wiradjuri people. They are the first inhabitants of our region, and part of God’s good creation. We honour them for their custodianship of the land, on which we live today.
Let us pray,
Most Gracious God, we have come because we need to be reminded of your love and your expectations for our living. We are like the vine you planted, watered and protected. We know in our hearts that we need, want and desire your presence in our lives. So we come in prayer and listen for your Word; may it speak to our hearts and reveal your desires for us. May we never forget that you became like us, to live and die for us, and that you live again, and now breathe new life into all those that follow you. In your name, Emmanuel, Jesus, God with us, the one who saves, we pray. Amen.
FIRST LESSON & CAROL
The first reading is from Luke 1:26-38, “The birth of Jesus foretold”, and this is followed by the carol, “Once in Royal David’s City”, which is sung by the Coota Combined Churches choir. Both are included in the video below.
SECOND LESSON & CAROL
The second reading is from Isaiah 9:2-7, and this is followed by the carol, “Silent Night”, which is sung by the Coota Combined Churches choir. Both are included in the video below.
THIRD LESSON & CAROL
The third reading is from John 1:1-14, “John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation”, and this is followed by the carol, “Away in a manger”, which is sung by Sarah Whitteron from Cootamundra. Both are included in the video below.
MESSAGE
The message today is from the Saltbush service for the fourth Sunday in Advent and is based on Luke 1:26-38, “The birth of Jesus foretold”. The speaker is Natasha He.
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/advent-4-marys-gift-luke-1-26-38/
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, CAROL & BLESSING
Go to the video below for the ‘Prayers of the people’, which is led by Ros Robinson, and a closing blessing by Keith.
HYMN: “People look East”
The opening carols is, “People look east”. The video is below and a link to Youtube is also included in case you have problems connecting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8GNlRcBdvs&list=RDofk2UM724TA&index=7
POSTLUDE: “O HOLY NIGHT”
Today’s postlude is, “O Holy Night”, sung by Josh Grogan. The video is below & a separate link is provided if you are asked to go directly to YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjOMoZe9wg4
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The carols sung by Sarah Whitteron and the Cootamundra Combined Churches Choir were recorded at the Cootamundra Community Carols on 13 Dec 2020.
