Small Children are welcome to play in St Thomas's Chapel, near the porch
Baptised Communicants of other Churches are encouraged to receive communion
Children and other non-communicants are invited to come to the altar for a blessing
The Ministry of Healing is offered in the Chapel, after Communion is given

Happy Christingle! The Christingle has its origins in a Moravian children's service held in a castle in Germany on Christmas Eve in 1747.  The bishop conducting the informal service gave each child a lighted candle, tied with a red ribbon, in memory of the Saviour's coming which he said has kindled a flame in each heart which keeps burning "to His joy, and our happiness". Much later, this simple candle was replaced by a more elaborate Christingle which is rich in symbolism.  Our modern Christingle consists of:
   an orange - representing the world
   a red ribbon, tied round the orange - representing the blood of Jesus
   fruits and sweets, skewered on 4 cocktail sticks which are pushed into the orange - representing God's good gifts - the fruits of the earth and the four seasons
   a lighted candle, pushed into the centre of the orange - representing Christ, the light of the world

Processional Hymn     24 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.

First Reading                 Jeremiah 33.14-16                            (p.755)
14The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’

Gradual Hymn               39 Wake of Wake with Tidings Thrilling

GOSPEL                         Luke 21.25-36                                    (p.757)
Jesus said to his disciples: 25‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’  29Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.  34Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, 35and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

INTERCESSIONS
Please pray for
- The sick and suffering: especially Felix Okike, Lucilda Bernard, Joan Andrew, Elizabeth Dorsett, Clive Heywood, Ron & Ivy Smith, Susie Leach, Norbert Edwards, Brother Paul Anthony, Sylvia Steed, John Asbridge, Caroline Nevill, Ruth and Tracey Davies.

Offertory Hymn             32 O Come O Come Emmanuel 

Gracious God, we give you thanks and praise for Jesus Christ our Lord:
for he was the word before all creation.  Through him all things come to be, not one thing has its being but through him.
Jesus, light of the world, we worship and adore you.
His life is the light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness cannot overpower.
Jesus, light of the world, we worship and adore you.
The Word was the true light coming into the world.  He was in the world
that had its being through him,  and the world did not know him.
Jesus, light of the world, we worship and adore you.
He came to his own, and they did not accept him.  But to all who accept him he gives power to become children of God.
Jesus, light of the world, we worship and adore you.
The Word was made flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus, light of the world, we worship and adore you.
To God our creator, born as one of us, be all praise and glory. With all the company of heaven, we worship, saying:
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is, and is to come; to him be glory and honour for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to Christ, Son of Mary; born a child, you share our humanity:
Glory to God in the highest.
Glory to Christ, Son of David; born to rule, you receive gifts from the wise:
Glory to God in the highest.
Glory to Christ, Son of Man; born our Saviour, you are the light of the world:
Glory to God in the highest.
We celebrate the coming of our God
with all the voices of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Communion Hymn      Be Still and Know That I am God    

Post Communion Prayer
O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Recessional Hymn      31 Lo He comes with Clouds descending

Coffee in church after the service

Invitation to Confession (1st Sun. of Advent to Christmas Eve) ©  1988 Continuum (Mowbray) (Adapted). Some material included in this service is copyright: ©  1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA. Some material included in this service is copyright: ©  The Archbishops' Council 2000

NOTICES

THIS WEEK:

NEXT SUNDAY:        10 December 2006    Second Sunday of Advent

10 am SUNG EUCHARIST
Celebrant and Preacher – The Reverend Dr Bob Mayo
Baruch 5.1-9 (p758), Luke 3.1-6 (p 761)

Sunday 10th December – Newcomers’ Tea – 4pm at the vicarage.  For anyone who has recently joined the church.  A chance for us to get to know one another.

St Stephen’s Christmas party.
Sunday 17th December at 12.30 straight after the morning service – wine and mince pies, bring and share. This will either be in the vicarage or in the church hall (depending on how many people come).
Talk to Ana (07946140363) or Brenda (0208 741 0151) for arrangements

Be still and know that I am God,
be still and know that I am God,
be still and know that I am God.

I am the Lord that healeth thee,
I am the Lord that healeth thee,
I am the Lord that healeth thee.

In thee, O Lord, I put my trust,
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust,
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust.

Visit the church web site at www.ststephensw12.org