ORWELL AND PORTMOAK PARISH CHURCH The Church of Scotland Sunday 28th December 2014 Order of Service Welcome and Call to Worship Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels, praise him all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord. Praise the Lord. (from Psalm 148) Hymn: Good King Wenceslas Prayers of Approach and Confession Collect Almighty God, you have shed upon us the new light of your incarnate Word. Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. MP 196: Good Christian men, rejoice Scripture Reading: John 1: 1-14 MP 451: Love came down at Christmas Scripture Reading: Luke 1: 46-55 MP 71: Child in the manger Scripture Reading: Matthew 2: 1-9 and 16-18 MP 714: Unto us a boy is born Reflection Being the Best MP 65: Brightest and best Offering and Prayer of Dedication The Lord’s Prayer Prayers for the World Reflection A Christian view MP 114: Ding dong! Merrily on high Benediction and Threefold Sung Amen Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen, when the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even. Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel, when a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel. Christian Copyright License nos. 1142296 & 1142306 “Hither, page, and stand by me. If thou know’st it telling: yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?” “Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain, right against the forest fence by Saint Agnes’ fountain.” “Bring me flesh, and bring me wine. Bring me pine logs hither. Thou and I will see him dine when we bear them thither.” Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together through the rude wind's wild lament and the bitter weather. “Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger. Fails my heart, I know not how. I can go no longer.” “Mark my footsteps good, my page, tread thou in them boldly: Thou shalt find the winter's rage freeze thy blood less coldly.” In his master's step he trod, where the snow lay dinted. Heat was in the very sod which the Saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing, ye who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing. Pause for Prayer This is how he showed his love among us; he sent his only Son into the world that we might have life through him. (1 John 4: 9) Presbytery Parishes Fowlis Wester, Madderty and Monzie l/w Gask – Rev Eleanor Muir Parish Streets Friar Place, Scotlandwell, Balfour Cresent, Milnathort Areas of Church Life The Guild Local Interest Nurses Recently Baptised Aiden James Queen, Neve Ann Paterson Partners in Mission (David and Lorna Ferguson in Japan) We give thanks for financial support so far this year. The Lord has provided and we rejoice in his goodness in this way. The yen continues to be weak but, while this helps those of us who receive support in Other currencies, it is tough for our Japanese OMF colleagues who work overseas, as they need more support in US dollar terms (on which our budgets are based). Mary's Meals Our Father, give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us for the times when we take more than our share of the bread that belongs to us all. Let us help you fill the starving with good things, not with scraps from our table. Teach us how to share what is not ours to keep. Clothe us with your love that we may complete each good work you created us to do. Place in our hearts Your compassion for each starving child and use our little acts of love so that they starve no more. Amen.