Welcome

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, 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, 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, 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! Timothy Dudley-Smith © 1961

Genesis 1:1-5 God creates the light

The God of Abraham Praise, Who reigns enthroned above, Ancient of everlasting days, and God of love. Jehovah! Great I AM! By earth and heaven confessed; I bow and bless the sacred name For ever blessed.

The God of Abraham praise, At whose supreme command From earth we rise, and seek the joys at His right hand. We all on earth forsake, Its wisdom, fame, and power; And Him our only portion make, our shield and tower.

The God of Abraham praise, Whose all-sufficient grace Shall guide me all our happy days in all our ways. He is our faithful friend, He is our gracious God; And He shall save us to the end through Jesus’ blood.

He by Himself hath sworn, We on His oath depend: We shall, on eagles’ wings upborne, to heaven ascend; We shall behold His face, We shall His power adore, And sing the wonders of His grace For evermore.

The whole triumphant host Give thanks to God on high; ‘Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!’ They ever cry. Hail, Abraham’s God, and ours! We join the heavenly lays; And celebrate with all our powers His endless praise. Thomas Olivers alt.

Psalm 13 Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death

Restore, O Lord, Restore, O Lord, The honour of Your name, In works of sovereign power Come shake the earth again; That men may see And come with reverent fear To the living God, Whose kingdom shall outlast the years.

Restore, O Lord, Restore, O Lord, In all the earth Your fame, And in our time revive The church that bears Your name. And in Your anger, Lord, remember mercy, O living God, Whose mercy shall outlast the years.

Bend us, O Lord, Bend us, O Lord, Where we are hard and cold, In Your refiner’s fire Come purify the gold. Though suffering comes And evil crouches near, Still our living God Is reigning, He is reigning here. Graham Kendrick & Chris Rolinson © 1981 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music.

Isaiah 45:2-8 I will form light and create darkness

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry Announces that the Lord is nigh; Come then and listen for he brings Glad tidings of the King of Kings

Then cleansed be every heart from sin; Make straight the way for God within; Prepare we in our hearts a home, Where such a mighty guest may come.

For You are our salvation, Lord, Our refuge and our great reward; Without Your grace we waste away, Like flowers that wither and decay.

To heal the sick stretch out Your hand, Make wholeness flow at Your command; Sin’s devastation now restore Earth’s own true loveliness once more.

To Him who left the throne of heaven To save mankind, all praise be given; To God the Father, voices raise, And Holy Spirit, let us praise. Charles Coffin altd.

Isaiah 60:1-5 Arise, shine, for your light has come

Come Thou Long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, You are sons of light

He comes the prisoners to release, In Satan’s bondage held; The gates of brass before Him burst, The iron fetters yield.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim; And heaven’s eternal arches ring With Thy belovèd name. Philip Doddridge, altd.

John 3:16-21 Light has come

A Meditation of a Disciple

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here; come bow before Him now with reverence and fear: in Him no sin is found – we stand on Holy ground. Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here.

Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around; He burns with holy fire, with splendour He is crowned: how awesome is the sight – our radiant King of light! Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place: He comes to cleanse and heal, To minister His grace – no work too hard for Him. In faith receive from Him. Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place. David J. Evans. Copyright © 1986 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music.

The Mothers’ Union Prayer Loving Lord, we thank You for Your love so freely given to us all; We pray for families around the world. Bless the work of the Mothers’ Union as we seek to share Your love through the support and strengthening and support of marriage and family life.

The Mothers’ Union Prayer Empowered by Your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as Your hands across the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

O Come, O Come, Immanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice, rejoice! Immanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times didst give the law In cloud, and majesty, and awe. Rejoice, rejoice! Immanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny; From depths of hell Thy people save And give them victory o’er the grave. Rejoice, rejoice! Immanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice, rejoice! Immanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice, rejoice! Immanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. Tr. John Mason Neale, altd.

We hope you have enjoyed being with us today. Please stay for tea. If anything in today’s service (or anything else) leads you to want to pray with someone, please speak to the leaders of the service.