Today's Service:
Nativity Service
Leader: Dot Thomson
This is best viewed in Landscape orientation
You will appreciate the sound better if you use earphones or an external loudspeaker, whatever type of device you view on.
Call to Worship
Good Morning and welcome to church.
We start our worship by lighting the fourth advent candle – the candle of Joy.
As we light the candle, we are reminded of the joy of a mother and her newborn son, the joy of the shepherds as they discovered the truth, the joy of the Wise Men as they found their King and the joy that is ours in the birth of Jesus at Christmas
Advent Candle Hymn: Hope is a candle
(tune: Galloway Tam, with Intro., played by Harry Marshall)
1. HOPE is a candle, once lit for the prophets,
never consumed, though it burns through the years;
dim in the daylight of power and privilege
when they are gone, HOPE will shine on.
2. PEACE is a candle to show us a pathway,
Threatened by gusts from our rage and our greed.
Friend, feel no envy for those in the shadows
violence and force, their dead-end course.
3. LOVE is a candle whose light is a circle,
where every face is the face of a friend.
Widen the circle by sharing and giving
God's holy dare: LOVE everywhere.
4. JOY is a candle of mystery and laughter
Mystery of light that is born in the dark
Laughter at hearing the voice of an angel
Ever so near, casting out fear
Richard Leach © 1998
Now . . .
This year is quite different, as you can see, Not quite our usual nativity.
The church is empty, no one is here, unless you’re in our ‘bubble’ you can’t be near.
No last- minute wardrobe strops or malfunctions; No final panics or stomping tantrums.
No dashing shepherds in traditional head wear; No glorious angels with tinsel halos in their hair.
We may miss the sight of junior church in full flow; Telling again the story you so well do know.
That fact is forever true; A saviour born for me and you.
The nativity is not about the way we dress; it’s not about shepherds fighting on the dais
It’s delightful to hear the junior church sing; or watch baby Jesus across the platform fling.
A picnic for the shepherds or a toilet run; all add into its charm and fun
The reason we do it is to let you know that a child was born with a heavenly glow
The service a reminder of the joy Christmas brings; A reminder that Jesus is the centre of things.
In a year filled with the challenge of social distance, facemask and hand gel and many restrictions,
Christmas still happens, as 2000 years ago; a child was born in a stable low.
A child was born to bring Joy to the world; a story of love that would be unfurled.
A story we hear year after year; a story filled with love and not with fear.
So, as we remind ourselves of that first Christmas morn; let us not forget the babe that was born.
A child in a manger, laid in the hay. The child that’s the reason for Christmas Day.
Carol: Joy to the World
tune: Antioch, with Intro.
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing
2. Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns
Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks hills and plains
Repeat their sounding Joy
Repeat their sounding joy
Repeat, repeaat their sounding joy
3. No more let thorns infest the ground
Or sins and sorrows grow
Wherever pain and death are found
He makes His blessing flow
He makes His blessing flow
He makes, He makes His blessing flow
4. He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, and wonders of His love
Isaaac Watts (1674 - 1748)
Let us pray
Dear God . . .
Back then, at the first Christmas:
You knew about the shepherds, working late at night
You knew about the travelers following the light
You knew about the crowds with their hopes and fears
You knew about the stable and poor Mary's tears
So right now, because of Christmas:
You know about outsiders, who feel they don't belong
You know about the stranger who speaks
another tongue
You know about the exile who's forced to
leave her home
You know about the foreigner who feels so
much alone
You know about the poor whom nobody will know
You know about the puzzled who feel they've far to go
You bring them close in Jesus,
each specially loved by him
You turn things inside out and bring outsiders in.
Amen
Senior Angels Reminisce
Phew… not much doing these days.
Not like the good old days - not been the same since the Boss’ Son went down.
I feel for the youngsters - at least we’ve seen some action, we were allowed to show ourselves not like these days when we all stay hidden keeping an eye on all are charges . . . but ‘mustn’t been seen’
Hey, do you remember old Abraham - we had a meal with him - by was he shocked when we told him he was to become a dad!
Yeah, and what about Jacob , those stairs were steep.
And that fight you had with him - never fully recovered, that hip gave him jip for the rest of his life.
I liked it when we got in the way of that donkey - did feel for it though don’t think Balaam was too pleased.
And it was a little hot in that fiery furnace with Daniel's friends.
Yes, but I had to cope with the lions remember?
We did get some great jobs, didn’t we?
All changed after that BIG year - still remember it like it was yesterday.
Ohhhh yessss - what a night that was! They’re still singing about it down on earth.
Carol: See Him lying on a bed of straw
tune: Calypso Carol, with Intro.
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
Oh, 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 sky
Show where Jesus in the manger lies
Shepherds swiftly from your stupor rise
To see the saviour of the world
CHORUS
3. Angels sing again the song you sang
Bring God’s glory to the heart of man
Sing that Bethlem’s little baby can
Be salvation to the soul
CHORUS
4. Mine are riches form thy poverty
From thine innocents, eternity
Mine forgiveness by thy death for me
Child of sorrow, for my joy
Michael Perry (1942 - )
Senior Angels Reminisce again
Boy did we tell them, but, I get ahead of myself;
Now then how did it all begin? Oh yes - it was Gabriel that started it all off.
You’re right it did start months before that night - wasn’t Mary a lovely girl and so full of faith?
She didn’t seem phased by Gabriel at all did she?
Not like Joseph - he was a tough nut to crack, didn’t think he would listen to Gabriel but he did
And then that fabulous night. Oh did we shine then! Oh boy did we shine!
Yep felt for those shepherds, think we took them quite by surprise but then there were a lot of us.
‘Glory to God in the highest’ - can still hear the choir singing.
It was a good night. The boss took it well being born as a baby, especially as the Big Boss decided it should be in a manger bed.
Carol: Away in a manger
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 look 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 forever and love me I pray
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there
Anon. c. 1885-92
Senior Angels Reminisce, again, again
It was a cold night if I remember rightly but He had plenty of hay and there were a lot of visitors, the shepherds (and of course their sheep), us (a very heavenly host if I say so myself), and eventually those wise men from the East.
Yeh, they took their time, arrived a little late to the party but then they didn’t have us to guide them, just that brilliant star.
I'm so pleased the Big Boss had the story written down. I love to hear it being read; never tire of those familiar words.
Reading: Luke 2: 1 - 20
6 And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”
15 And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
And again . . .
Year on year those words still bring hope, peace, love and joy to mankind.
Yeah, you’re right it’s an event worth remembering - a birthday celebration bringing joy to all mankind.
Carol: Come and join the celebration
tune: Celebrations, with Intro.
Come and join the celebration
It’s a very special day
Come and share our jubilation
There’s a new King born today
1. See the shepherds hurry down to Bethlehem,
Gaze in wonder at the Son of God who lay before them:
[Chorus]
2. Wise men journey, led to worship by a star,
Kneel in homage, bringing precious gifts from lands afar so
[Chorus]
3. God is with us round the world the message bring
He is with us, ‘Welcome’ all the bells on earth are pealing.
[Chorus]
Valerie Collison (1933 - )
Blessing
May the excitement of the shepherds
The perseverance of the kings
The Joy of the angels
And the love of the child named Jesus
Be yours this Christmas season.
Next week, will will be holding our Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
The service consists of Lessons read by different contributors which have been recorded in church and Carols performed by Zöe, recorded at her home.
These have been compiled into a YouTube video which you be able to view on the Northgate URC Darlington
channel from 27th December. NOTE not Facebook!
The YouTube link will be posted on a page taking the place of the usual service web-page service next weekend
Don't forget the live streamed hymns on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. from Zöe (via Facebook)
These are available to view later as well. (via YouTube, for those without Facebook, and also Facebook)
The streamings are proving to be a great success - well done, Zöe!
The recorded streamings are now, thanks to Harry Marshall, available to all on YouTube - search for 'Northgate URC Darlington'.
Ask Harry to invite you to the Northgate Facebook Group 
and you will get a notification of the live stream.
- Or you can just search for 'Northgate URC Darlington' in Facebook.
The URC denominational church audio Services (podcasts) at https://devotions.urc.org.uk/ are excellent, with well-delivered prayers and readings using a selection of voices and well-presented hymns.
Do give these a try - they are excellent.
(Just start the sound playing and scroll down to the written words)
Why not put the time aside for Zoe at 10:45, our preacher's service after that and follow up with the podcast - you will feel as if you had been IN church, as well as WITH church.