As you read this may we first of all wish all our readers a very happy and blessed Christmas. May you all celebrate the birth of Jesus first and then enjoy a great time with family and/or friends.
Major Karen Smith was the leader for ‘nine lessons and carols’ on Sunday morning beginning with the bidding prayer.
Major Karen Smith
The following readings (lessons) were included (readers in brackets):
- Genesis 3 (Rob Christie representing Scouts)
- Genesis 22:1-18 (Kate and Bethany Boughton)
- Isaiah 9:2-7 (Lesley Bell representing Parent and Toddler Groups)
- Isaiah 11:1-9 (Joshua Davis representing Youth)
- Luke 1:26-38 (Debbie Abbott)
- Luke 2:1-7 (Brian Day assisted by Marilyn Watson representing the Adult Literacy Programme)
- Luke 2:8-20 (Iris Wells)
- Matthew 2:1-12 (Graham Hatton representing the Foodbank)
- John 1:1-18 (Major Karen representing the Life Project)
Carols included:
- Once, in Royal David’s city (soloists Isaac Woodman and Sam Boughton)
- O come, Immanuel (soloist Lisa Davis)
- Come, thou long expected Jesus
- O little town of Bethlehem
- See him lying in a bed of straw
- We three kings
- O come, all ye faithful
- Hark! The herald angels sing
The Singing Company (children’s choir) contributed ‘All about you’
The Songsters (adult choir) contributed ‘Noel, sing Noel’
The Band concluded the service with ‘Good Christian men, rejoice.’
Major Karen spent some time with the children and continued the theme of opening doors in the Advent calendar. This week seven letters were withdrawn making the word ‘Saviour’, the greatest gift of all.
There was no normal evening meeting but instead a late night (11pm) gathering welcomed the Christ child in worship led by Major Nigel Schultz.