Christmas Eve – All Age Service

We are one people with all kinds of pasts and backgrounds, graciously forgiven at the cross and called together by God encouraging one another to be faithful to our risen Saviour Jesus in the power of the Spirit by living our whole lives according to his word, and by making Him known throughout Willerby and Kirk Ella, and beyond.

WELCOME

1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
the stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

2. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.

3. Be near me, Lord Jesus: I ask thee to stay
close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.

Traditional 19th Century American carol © Public Domain

Reading: Philippians 4:12:
The reading can be found on page 1181 in the pew bibles.

1. Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!

3. Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Franz Xavier Gruber (1787-1863)
© Public Domain

Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
The reading can be found on page 1179 in the church bibles.

1. See him lying on a bed of straw:
a draughty stable with an open door;
Mary cradling the babe she bore-
the prince of glory is his name.

O now carry me to Bethlehem
to see the Lord appear to men:
just as poor as was the stable then,
the prince of glory when he came.

2. Star of silver, sweep across the skies,
show where Jesus in the manger lies;
shepherds, swiftly from your stupor rise
to see the saviour of the world!

O now carry me to Bethlehem…

3. Angels, sing again the song you sang,
sing the glory of God’s gracious plan;
sing that Bethl’em’s little baby can
be the saviour of us all.

O now carry me to Bethlehem…

4. Mine are riches, from your poverty,
from your innocence, eternity;
mine, forgiveness by your death for me,
child of sorrow for my joy.

O now carry me to Bethlehem…

Michael Perry (1942-1996) © 1965 Michael Perry – The Jubilate Group (Admin. by Jubilate Hymns Ltd, sub to Hope Publishing for various regions)

1. It was on a starry night, when the hills were bright
Earth lay sleeping, sleeping calm and still.
Then in a cattle shed, in a manger bed
a boy was born, king of all the world.

And all the angels sang for him,
the bells of heaven rang for him
for a boy was born, king of all the world.
And all the angels sang for him,
the bells of heaven rang for him
for a boy was born, king of all the world.

2. Soon the shepherds came that way where the baby lay
and were kneeling, kneeling by his side.
And their hearts believed again for the peace of men,
for a boy was born, king of all the world.

And all the angels sang for him…

Joy Webb (1932-2023)
© Salvationist Publishing and Supplies Ltd (Admin. Salvation Army Trading Co Ltd)

Prayers

1. The world belongs to God.
He spoke and there it was.
Though it was very good
it all went bad because
the man that God had made,
and the woman there with him,
turned their back on God to get
a deadly taste of sin. But…

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Jesus is the Way.
Jesus is the saviour –
You can come to him today. Hey!
Jesus saves! Jesus saves
people from their sin.
You will find forgiveness when
you put your trust in him.

2. Well if you look around
you’ll see how sin has spread:
turning light to dark
and living things to dead.
But God still rules the world,
he always had a plan
to send his Son to save us
in the likeness of a man. So…

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!…

3. Well if you come to God
(you still have time you know)
he’ll wash your sinful heart
and make it white as snow.
Come, taste eternal life:
death will have no sting.
All who trust in Jesus are
the children of the King! So…

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!…

Colin Buchanan
© 2004 Wanaaring Road Music (Admin. Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd)

May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of
the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ
child be yours this Christmas; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

After the service, refreshments are available at the back of the church. Please help yourselves.

We wish you a merry Christmas and hope to see you again in the new year

Copyright material included under CCL licence 249420

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