Welcome to our Carol Service for Action for Children.

Welcome to our Carol Service for Action for Children

A time of quiet

A call to worship

What time is it?Have you got the right time?You’re late!I don’t have time for this;There aren’t enough hours in the day.Is it nearly time?This is a waste of time.

A call to worship

I’m having the time of my lifeI’m here!And about time too.I’m running out of time.Where has the time gone.If only I had more timeTime fliesTime drags

A call to worship

Stop! Listen to what God says!

‘Take comfort, my people.There’ll be no more punishmentfor you!That time is over.It’s time now for good things.’

Stop! Listen to what God says!

‘Take comfort, my people.There’ll be no more punishmentfor you!That time is over.It’s time now for good things.’

A call to worship

Hear a voice crying in the desert:

‘Make way for the Lord!Make Him a straight highway inthe desert.God’s glory shall shine out,And every one will see it.’

Hear a voice crying in the desert:

‘Make way for the Lord!Make Him a straight highway inthe desert.God’s glory shall shine out,And every one will see it.’

A call to worship

Once in royal David’s city

Once, in royal David’s city,

Stood a lowly cattle shed,

Where a mother laid her baby

In a manger for His bed.

Mary was that mother mild,

Jesus Christ, her little child.


He came down to earth from heaven,

Who is God and Lord of all,

And His shelter was a stable,

And His cradle was a stall:

With the needy, poor and lowly

Lived on earth our Saviour holy.


And our eyes at last shall see Him,

Through His own redeeming love,

For that child so dear and gentle

Is our Lord in heaven above;

And He leads His children on

To the place where He is gone.


Not in that poor lowly stable,

With the oxen standing by,

We shall see Him; but in heaven,

Set at God’s right hand on high;

There His children gather round,

Bright like stars, with glory crowned.

Cecil F. Alexander (1818-95)


BethlehemBethlehem


A prayer

Almighty God, great Creator,We worship You.You made our world, with all its varietyOf colours, textures, tastes, smells, sounds

and shapes.You were there at the beginning when

everything came into being;When everything comes to an end, You will

also be there.

A prayer

You have made time and space,So that we can make sense of what is

around us.Almighty God, great Creator,We worship You.

A prayer

Almighty God, Living Word,We worship You.Although people turned away from You,You always had a plan to bring them home.At just the right time, You came to us in

Jesus.Like every person here,You spent months inside Your mother,Growing and developing as a human being.

A prayer

You grew to manhood, and went about doing good,

Living in a way that pleased God.You died on the cross so that we might be

forgivenAnd have a new start.You rose from the dead,And now You are alive for evermore.Almighty God, Living Word,We worship You.

A prayer

Almighty God, Holy Spirit,We Worship You.You have drawn all of us hereAnd You have something to say to us.You are the same Spirit who hovered over

the waters of creation;You are the same Spirit who guided heroes

of old;You are the same Spirit sent for all peopleOn the day of Pentecost.

A prayer

You are present with us here and now,Making this very moment special.Almighty God, Holy Spirit,We worship You.

A prayer

Almighty God, Great Creator, LivingWord, Holy Spirit,We worship You.This time is Yours;We dedicate it to You;As we listen again to the familiarChristmas story,Help us to see it through Your eyes,And wonder again at Your gift of love.

A prayer

Almighty God, Great Creator, LivingWord, Holy Spirit,We worship You.Amen

A prayer

A calendar

Isaiah 9:2,6-7

Long ago, prophets knew


Christ would come, born a Jew,

Come to make all things new;

Bear His people's burden,

Freely love and pardon:


Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!

Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!

When He comes,

When He comes,

Who will make Him welcome?


God in time, God in man,

This is God's timeless plan:

He will come, as a man,

Born Himself of woman,

God divinely human.




When He comes,

When He comes,



Mary, hail! Though afraid,

She believed, she obeyed.

In her womb, God is laid,

Till the time expected,

Nurtured and protected:




When He comes,

When He comes,



Journey ends! Where afar

Bethlem shines, like a star,

Stable door stands ajar.

Unborn Son of Mary,

Saviour, do not tarry!




Jesus comes,

Jesus comes,

We will make Him welcome!

F. Pratt Green

© 1971 Stainer & Bell Ltd.



A pregnancy testing kit

Luke 1:26-38

The Angel Gabriel from heaven came

The Angel Gabriel from heaven came,

His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;

'All hail', said he, 'thou lowly maiden Mary,

Most highly favoured lady.'

Gloria!


'For known a blessed Mother thou shalt be,

All generations laud and honour thee,

Thy son shall be Immanuel, by seers foretold:

Most highly favoured lady.'

Gloria!


Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,

'To me be as it pleaseth God,' she said,

'My soul shall laud and magnify His holy name':

Most highly favoured lady;

Gloria!


Of her, Immanuel, the Christ was born

In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,

And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say

'Most highly favoured lady'

Gloria!

Basque Carol paraphrased by

Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)



A telephone

Matthew 1:18-25

As Joseph was a-walking

As Joseph was a-walking, he heard an angel sing:

'This night shall be bornèd our heavenly King.


'He neither shall be bornèd in housen nor in hall,

Nor in the place of Paradise, but in an ox's stall.


'He neither shall be clothèd in purple nor in pall,

But in fair white linen, as usen babies all.


'He neither shall be rockèd in silver nor in gold,

But in a wooden cradle that rocks upon the mould.


'He neither shall be christenèd in white wine nor red,

But with the fair spring water with which were christenèd.'

Ancient Mysteries Described



An appointment card

Luke 1:39-56

Tell, out, my soul

Tell, out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!

Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;

Tender to me the promise of His word;

In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell, out, my soul

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His name!

Make known His might, the deeds His arm has done;

His mercy sure, from age to age the same;

His holy name, the Lord, the mighty One.

Tell, out, my soul

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His might!

Powers and dominions lay their glory by;

Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,

The hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell, out, my soul

Tell out, my soul, the glories of His word!

Firm is His promise, and His mercy sure:

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord

To children’s children and forever more!

© 1961 Timothy Dudley-Smith

Adm Oxford University Press

Tell, out, my soul

Tell, out, my soul

A scan

Psalm 139:1-18

In the bleak midwinter

In the bleak midwinter,

Frosty wind made moan;

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone.

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,

Snow on snow;

In the bleak midwinter,

Long ago.


Heaven cannot hold Him,

Nor the earth sustain,

Heaven and earth shall flee away

When He comes to reign.


A stable-place sufficed

God, the Lord Almighty,

Jesus Christ.


Angels and archangels

May have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim

Thronged the air.

But His mother only,

In her maiden bliss,

Worshipped the Belovèd

With a kiss.


What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd,

I would bring a lamb.

If I were a wise man,

I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give Him—

Give my heart.

Christina G. Rossetti



Something bought for the nursery

Matthew 13:55

O little town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,

How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight.


O morning stars, together

Proclaim the holy birth,

And praises sing to God the King,

And peace to all the earth!

For Christ is born of Mary;

And, gathered all above,

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love.


How silently, how silentlyThe wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming; But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him,

still The dear Christ enters in.


O holy Child of Bethlehem,

Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in;

Be born in us today!

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us,

Our Lord Immanuel!

Philips Brooks (1835-93)



A bag packed for hospital

Luke 2:1-7

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed

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.


The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes:

I love You, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky

And stay by my side until morning is nigh.


Be near me, Lord Jesus: I ask You to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray;

Bless all the dear children in Your tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with You there.

Verses 1 & 2 unknown.

Verse 3 J. T. McFarland. (c. 1906)



Cards of congratulation

Luke 2:8-20

Hark! the herald angels sing


Glory to the new-born King,

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners 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!

Pleased as man with men 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.



Charles Wesley



Prayers for others

Lord, all time is Yours;Show us how best to use it.

Prayers for others

Dear God,Thank you for the lovely family that we have.

Please help the children that aren’t like us. Please give everyone lots of food.

Amen.

Prayer (by Amy Needham)

We thank You, Lord, not just for our family at home, but for the church family gathered around us. At this busy time, show us how to make time for one another. As we enjoy ourselves, it’s hard to remember those for whom Christmas is not a happy time. May Your church be a place where all are valued and cared for.


Prayers for others

Dear God,Help us on this day to think about these

children in pain and all of the people who help them to live happier lives.

Amen

Prayer (by Alexandra Cooper)

We pray for all children who suffer at this time, whether from illness, or because of neglect. We pray for all charities, which, like Action for Children, work to help children and families have better lives. Be with them, and help them to keep trusting in You, even when times are difficult.


Prayers for others

Dear God, Help protect neglected children. Give them a

safe place to stay and a respectful carer. Don’t let them get hurt through neglect. In Jesus’ name.

Amen

Prayer (by Sean Armstrong)

We pray for charities like Childline, who are often the first to hear if children are in difficulties. Give them a listening ear, and show them how to respond.


Prayers for others

Dear God,Help us to remember to treat each other with

respect and how we would like to be treated ourselves. Thank you for our lovely families.

Amen

Prayer (by Eva Turner)

Lord, we pray for our own families at Christmas time; for those who will be with us, and for those who will be far away; for those too young to understand all the excitement, and for those who feel sad because of memories of those who are no longer with us. Help us to be patient with one another, and show us how we can put the love of Jesus at the heart of Christmas.


Prayers for others

Dear Lord,Make sure all of the neglected children find a

new and better home. Thank you to Action for Children for making it happen.

Amen

Prayer

We bring all these prayers to You, together with the prayer given to us by the one who said ‘Let the children come to me’; even Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen

Prayers for others

We say the Lord’s Prayer

We say together the prayer that Jesus gave us:

Our Father in heaven,Hallowed be Your Name,Your kingdom come,Your will be done,On earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.

We say the Lord’s Prayer

Forgive us our sinsAs 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 for ever. Amen.

Offering

Lord, everything that we have is Your gift.At this special time,When we remember that most precious gift

of Your Son,We bring to You our own gifts in

thankfulness.As we offer You our money,Give us grace to give You our lives as well,So that all we have and areMay be used for Your glory.Amen

Offering

O come, all ye faithful

O come, all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold Him,

Born the King of angels:

O come, all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold Him,

Born the King of angels:


O come, let us adore Him,



Christ the Lord!




Christ the Lord!


True God of true God,

Light of light eternal,

Lo, He abhors not the virgin’s womb;

Son of the Father,

Begotten, not created:

True God of true God,

Light of light eternal,

Lo, He abhors not the virgin’s womb;

Son of the Father,

Begotten, not created:





Christ the Lord!




Christ the Lord!


See how the shepherds,

Summoned to His cradle,

Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;

We too will thither

Bend our joyful footsteps:

See how the shepherds,

Summoned to His cradle,

Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;

We too will thither

Bend our joyful footsteps:





Christ the Lord!




Christ the Lord!


Lo, star-led chieftains,

Magi, Christ adoring,

Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;

We to the Christ-child

Bring our hearts' oblations:

Lo, star-led chieftains,

Magi, Christ adoring,

Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;

We to the Christ-child

Bring our hearts' oblations:





Christ the Lord!




Christ the Lord!


Sing, choirs of angels,

Sing in exultation,

Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above:

‘Glory to God

In the highest’:

Sing, choirs of angels,

Sing in exultation,

Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above:

‘Glory to God

In the highest’:





Christ the Lord!




Christ the Lord!


Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,

Born this happy morning,

Jesus, to Thee be glory given:

Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing:

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,

Born this happy morning,

Jesus, to Thee be glory given:

Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing:





Christ the Lord!

Tr. Frederick Oakeley (1802-80)




Christ the Lord!

Tr. Frederick Oakeley (1802-80)



The Church of the Nativity, BethlehemThe Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Blessing

As we go and prepare for the coming of Jesus

Lord, all time is Yours

May we use our time wellAs we prepare for the coming of

the baby in the manger;

Blessing

And the blessing of God,Father, Son and Holy Spirit,Be upon you and remain with youThis Christmas time and always.Amen

Blessing

Blessing

These resources were produced by the Family Friendly Churches Trust for Action for Children.

For more resources see www.ffctideas.org.uk

© 2014 IDEAS. All material is copyright, but you are welcome to make use of these resources for Action for Children services

These resources were produced by the Family Friendly Churches Trust for Action for Children.

For more resources see www.ffctideas.org.uk

© 2014 IDEAS. All material is copyright, but you are welcome to make use of these resources for Action for Children services

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Welcome to our Carol Service for Action for Children.

Documents