Welcome to the online service of worship for the Fourth Sunday of Advent & Family Service! The YouTube playlist may be found here Or view below.....
MAYFIELD SALISBURY PARISH CHURCH
EDINBURGH
Sunday Services of Public Worship: 10.15am
Worship Online from 8.00am Every Sunday
Sunday 20 December 2020
Family Service
Fourth Sunday of Advent
AS A DIVERSE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH GATHERS TO WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD
Welcome Hillary Leslie
Welcome to the members, friends and visitors of the congregation of Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church and particularly to families who may be joining us in our worship online for this special Christmas Family Service!
As we continue in this season of Advent, reflecting on the hope, peace, joy and love coming into the world with the birth of Christ, we are also anticipating change to our usual Christmas traditions – both at home with our families, and in church. We understand how important Christmas traditions are, including the ones we share together at Mayfield Salisbury, and we hope to honour that this year with this special Christmas Family Service.
While it won’t be quite like the Christingle service from years’ past, it will have some elements of the Christingle service we know and love, as well as some new traditions that we can cherish this year! We’re very excited to have some of our young people and families helping to lead the service today as well. May this be a special time together this morning as we look forward to Christmas Day.
I invite you all to join me now in a short period of silence in preparation for worship.
Opening Prayer
Dear God, as we gather together this morning, may we be aware of your presence within us and all around us.
During this season of Advent, we give thanks for time to reflect and look forward to Christ’s birth. Though we may’ve found ourselves in darkness this year, we pray that the darkness can be a place of learning, as we grow in our relationship with you in preparation for the birth of Christ. With open hearts and minds we welcome the light of the world.
May we find hope, peace, joy and love in our worship together as we celebrate Christmas by learning about our Advent wreath and Christingles.
Bless this time we have together, as we think about those both near and far, and all of those in need of Christ’s hope, peace, joy and love this year. Amen.
HYMN 282 Christmas is coming! (Advent Ring)
'Christmas is coming!',
the Church is glad to sing,
and let the advent candles
brightly burn in a ring.
The first is for God's promise
to put the wrong things right,
and bring to earth's darkness
the hope of love and light.
The second for the prophets,
who said that Christ would come
with good news for many
and angry words for some.
The third is for the Baptist,
who cried, 'Prepare the way.
Be ready for Jesus,
today and every day.'
The fourth is for the Virgin,
who mothered God's own Son
and sang how God's justice
was meant for everyone.
Sung by Susan White and Nick Springthorpe
John L. Bell (b.1949 )
WE LISTEN FOR THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN SCRIPTURE
Lesson #1 Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
(CEB) (Lucia Garland)
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.
6 A child is born to us, a son is given to us,
and authority will be on his shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be vast authority and endless peace
for David’s throne and for his kingdom,
establishing and sustaining it
with justice and righteousness
now and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.
Advent Wreath Talk & Craft Hillary Leslie
I wonder if anyone can remember what this word ‘Advent’ means? It’s from a Latin word which means ‘coming’ and we are of course looking forward to Christmas Day coming this Friday! Advent is also the beginning of what we at church call the Liturgical year or the Christian year, which looks at stories from the old and new testaments in the Bible as we celebrate holidays specific to our faith over the course of 12 months. Advent is one of those seasons in the Christian year.
Every year during Advent, we light candles on our Advent wreath in church. This year some of you may also have your own Advent candles at home!
I wonder if we might take a closer look at our Advent Wreath.
What shape is the Advent wreath? The circle of the wreath reminds us of God’s eternity, and endless love and mercy which has no beginning or end – like a circle.
What’s the colour of the wreath? And do you know what it’s made out of? It’s often a green wreath made with evergreen branches which speaks of the hope that Christians have in God: the hope of newness and renewal.
How many candles do you see? And what colours? There are 5 candles that each stand for a different day in Advent. We use the Advent candles to celebrate the journey through the Christmas story as we approach Christmas Day. The candles symbolise the light of God coming into the world through the birth of Jesus. Almost all of our candles are purple which is the special colour for the season of Advent because it symbolises that we are in a time of preparation – preparing for Jesus’s birth.
Our first candle is the candle of HOPE. Our second candle is the candle of PEACE. Our third candle is the candle of JOY, which is special because it is pink for Gaudete Sunday – the word ‘Gaudete’ meaning ‘rejoice’ in Latin. Our fourth candle which we lit this morning is the candle of LOVE. And on Christmas Day, we get to light the white candle in the middle which is the CHRIST candle.
What I love about Advent is that it is a time to slow down and reflect. Now that might seem like a silly thing to say at Christmas time when it seems like our lives are really busy – at school or work, buying Christmas gifts, decorating and celebrating in various ways with friends and family – but I suspect this year looks different for all of us. We might not be as busy as we normally would be, but we might feel just as tired and exhausted because it’s been a really difficult year for all of us in different ways.
The weather in Scotland reflects the darkness that also exists during this Christian season of Advent, and as much as we might be longing for the bright days of spring, we find ourselves here in this time and in this place, seeking ways to increase our hope, peace, joy and love. We’ve had to adapt to many changes in our lives this past year and it hasn’t always been easy. Advent reminds us to value every state in which we find ourselves, especially as we stand waiting in the dark.
Last week in my children’s talk, I talked about how in our Christmas story before Jesus is born, Mary and Joseph are traveling to Bethlehem. We don’t know exactly how difficult it was for them, or the specific challenges they faced, but we can imagine that they often found themselves traveling in the darkness quite a few times. Throughout all of the challenges, and the many miles of walking they did, they trusted God with each step. Whether they were wandering in the daytime or in the darkness of night, they never gave up hope in God.
As we take our own journeys through the darkness to Christmas Day, may this time of Advent continue to be a fruitful time of resting, imagining, learning and growing in the dark. May we trust that God is in the darkness working within us, bringing hope, peace, love and joy into our world through Jesus’ birth.
Jingle Bell Wreath Craft
We are creating Jingle Bell Wreaths which remind me of our Advent wreath!
You will need two pipe cleaners, and 4 jingle bells to make your wreath. Take one pipe cleaner and one by one slide on a jingle bell, evenly spacing them around the pipe cleaner. Then close the pipe cleaner by twisting the ends together. You can also add a bow to the end of your pipe cleaner to make it look even more like a wreath! When we use it, we can be reminded of our candles which stand for hope, peace, joy and love.
Church Family Christmas Video
- What is your favourite family Christmas tradition you normally do either at church or at home?
- What is your favourite Christmas carol we sing in church?
- What is going to be different for you at Christmas this year?
- How can we share God's love during Christmas this year?
Repeated Prayer Lucy and Louisa Anderson
Dear God,
We thank you for this wonderful time of the year,
For joy, peace, hope and love and for sending us your Son,
And for this exciting countdown to Christmas.
Thank you for our family and friends and for our Church congregation.
We may not be able to be together in person this year
But we will always be together in spirit.
We ask you to be with those who are less fortunate or who are ill or hurting
And to spread the light of Christ always
In Jesus name we pray
Amen.
Lesson #2 St Luke 2: 1 - 7
(CEB) Cameron Wild-Wood
In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. 2 This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. 3 Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. 4 Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. 5 He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.
Lesson #3 St Luke 2: 8 - 15
(CEB) Adam Jackson
The Shepherds
8 Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. 9 The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. 11 Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. 12 This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, 14 “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
15 When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.”
Christingle Talk and Prayer Hillary Leslie
Christingles originated in Germany in 1747. The word ‘Christingle’ is the English version of ‘Christkindl’ which means ‘Christ Child’ in German.
The idea behind the first Christingle in Germany was to find a way to represent Jesus as the light of the world, and to encourage a flame to be kindled in other’s hearts, that they would have a heart like Jesus.
The Christingle first came to the UK in England in 1968 – so it’s actually a relatively new tradition for us here!
Growing up in the United States, it wasn’t traditional to make Christingles. When I moved to Scotland, I was really curious to learn about the symbolism behind each element of our Christingles. It’s been a new tradition for me that’s become a part of my Christmas celebrations in Scotland.
But this year unlike years in the past, we aren’t able to have a Christingle service as we normally would because of the coronavirus pandemic. We aren’t squashed together in the pews next to our friends and family, we aren’t able to sing carols together, and there isn’t any hot chocolate to share together after the service. It’s really sad to be unable to do these things together this year, and we grieve the loss of these traditions. But it also gives us the opportunity to create new memories together, learning new ways to celebrate hope, peace, joy and love during a difficult year.
Let’s learn how to build a Christingle together this morning and learn what each part of our Christingle means. On Christmas Day, you can build your own Christingle at home and we will light them together during our online worship service.
First let’s make sure we have all of our supplies. We need an orange or a satsuma, a candle, foil, cocktail sticks, jelly tots and raisins.
Orange: Our orange or satsuma is round like the world; it represents us, a world full of people.
Candle: Our candle represents God’s love and light entering the world through the birth of Jesus.
Cocktail sticks: Our cocktail sticks symbolise the directions North, South, East, and West. These show us that no one is apart from God, no matter where they may be in the world. God is with us, everywhere.
Fruit and sweets: The raisins and jelly tots symbolise the fruits of the earth and God’s creation, and each season of the year which contributes to their growth - summer, autumn, winter, and spring. They show us that no season in our life is without God – not just the seasons of the year, but also the different seasons we experience in life - times of sadness, happiness, joy, suffering, life and death. God is with us through each moment in time.
It’s amazing to think about the beauty of the Christmas story – the birth of Jesus bringing light and love into the world, who later grows up to become an amazing human being: a teacher, role model and friend.
The Christingle is a beautiful tradition which reminds us of this story. It reminds us of the peace, love, joy, and hope that enters the world with the birth of Christ. We are reminded that God is with us, always, in every corner of the world, and in every moment of time.
We are reminded that even in times of darkness, God is with us, teaching us and showing us the treasure that exists in the dark.
God is growing within us the ability to increase our hope in times of despair, rejoice in times of sadness, find peace in times of stress, and plant seeds of love for ourselves and all of those around us; we are being prepared for the light of Christ entering the world, creating and growing ourselves into the person God has created us to be.
Let us rejoice that Christ is born, and the light of life has come to guide our feet into the way of hope, peace, love and joy!
Let us pray:
Dear God,
we thank You for Christmas:
for this happy and exciting time of year in the midst of a difficult year,
for Christmas trees and decorations,
for cards and presents and good food,
for fun with family and friends whether gathering in person or online,
for listening to the Christmas story,
and we pray for those who are sad while we rejoice.
We pray that we can be aware of your presence around us, within us and between us this Christmas. We pray to know the love, peace, joy and hope that comes with the time of year.
In Jesus’ name we pray: Amen.
Hymn 302 It was on a starry night
It was on a starry night when the hills were bright,
earth lay sleeping, sleeping calm and still;
then in a cattle shed, in a manger bed,
a boy was born, King of all the world.
And all the angels sang for him,
the bells of heaven rang for him;
for a boy was born, King of all the world.
And all the angels sang for him,
the bells of heaven rang for him;
for a boy was born, King of all the world.
Soon the shepherds came that way, where the baby lay,
and were kneeling, kneeling by his side,
to celebrate his birth bringing peace on earth;
a boy was born, King of all the world.
Joy Webb (b.1932)
Reproduced from CH4 CD-ROM edition, number 302
Words and Music: (c) Salvationist Publishing and Supplies Ltd.
Closing Prayer The Mole Family
Thank you for the Christmas season, the lights and decorations.
Thank you for this opportunity to worship together in person, and together whether watching online or listening to the service today.
Thank you for our church family, the support and friendship we share
with each other, and the hope that we will be able to worship together soon.
Thank you for our families, for the security and warmth that our homes provide. Thank you for the peace you bring to our hearts, and thank you for showing us how to share that peace with those around us.
We pray for those who this Christmas aren’t able to be with their families, and those without the security of a home and warmth this winter. May they find joy in the beauty of your world during these hard times, and may they receive the support and comfort they need.
We pray for those who have lost someone close to their heart, and pray that they find peace in the knowledge that you are with them during this hard journey.
We ask you to be with us in the coming weeks and months, and help us to share your love.
Amen
Hymn 306 O come, all ye faithful [v 1-3]
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,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
God of God,
Light of light,
Lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
very God,
begotten, not created;
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above,
'Glory to God
in the highest':
Latin, 18th century, possibly by
John Francis Wade (c.1711-1786)
and others
Benediction Hillary Leslie
May the joy of the angels,
The humility of the shepherds,
And the peace of the Christ-child
Be God’s gift to you and to all people
This Christmas season, and always.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the father, son and holy spirit,
be with you now and forevermore. Amen.
HYMN 825 Amen
Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen.
INTIMATIONS
****
Level 4 Restrictions As you will know, all areas of Scotland are to enter level 4 lockdown restrictions from Saturday 26th December for a period of at least three weeks. Further information on the pattern of worship at Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church during this time will be announced later this week via the congregational email list and this website.
Update: The service of worship for Sunday 27th December will be online only. There will be no worship in the sanctuary.
To join the congregation email list, please send a request to
****
YOUTH NEWS
Youth Group: Tonight we will have our last Youth Group session of the year. All ages will join together at 7pm for a Christmas Film Netflix Watch Party! Please be sure to vote on our doodle poll for what film you'd like to watch. You need a Google Chrome browser and the 'Teleparty' extension to join in the watch party, or you can log-in on Zoom and screen share with Hillary if you don't have a Netflix account. We will resume Youth Group in January - details to come soon!
Youth Fundraiser: Our Youth Group is joining forces to fundraise for Social Bite over the months of November and December. Due to the current covid restrictions, we are unable to attend or host a sleep out this year, and instead will be setting our own individual or family challenges and goals. For more information please go to our Justgiving team page: Mayfield Salisbury Youth Team Page
Christian Aid at Christmas
Do you remember the Christmas cards with personal greetings in your own handwriting that were shared around the congregation in previous years to benefit Christian Aid? Unfortunately, such a card isn’t possible this year because of Covid-19 restrictions. But instead, we’d like to offer you the chance to send your greetings in a different way which will, we think, look very festive and feel inclusive too!
All you do is compose a brief Christmas Greeting – preferably not more than ten or so words. It’s an opportunity to show concern for our neighbours in the wider community, known and unknown, as well as members of our congregation.
Add your name if you wish, but no surnames please, for security reasons.
Send your message to us, and we’ll transcribe it on to a cheerful red ribbon and attach it to the railings around the church over the festive season.
Groups such as housegroups may also like to have a ribbon so that passers-by can get a flavour of the many different activities which happen in our church.
Either email your message to Kate O’Brien,
You may wish to combine your greetings with a contribution to Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal, which focuses on the effects of the climate crisis on some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Donations can be made via the Christian Aid website at www.christianaid.org.uk or by telephone on 020 7523 2269.
And, why not send your loved ones a Christmas present with a difference? Choose from sponsoring an emergency shelter, clean water, cocoa saplings and many more options. Type ‘Christian Aid charity gifts’ into Google or your preferred search engine and follow the link - or phone 0333 555 2025 to request a paper copy of the catalogue.
We give thanks for every single contribution to Christian Aid over this past year. We look forward to receiving your messages to transcribe on to the red ribbons very soon – please feel free to send as many as you wish! And don’t worry – it’s not too late!
The Christian Aid Committee
PASTORAL CARE Do you now feel that you would like to have your own pastoral visitor? Or would you like someone to phone you over the winter months? Please get in touch with me and I will organise an appropriate match for you with one of our pastoral care team. Kay McIntosh. Email:
OFFERING The Church is very grateful to all those who continue to support it through their regular and one-off donations, now possible through standing order or the ‘give.net’ facility on the website give.net/20311853 So many members have kindly changed from Freewill Offering Envelopes to standing order that envelopes will not be distributed in future. Because of ongoing concerns regarding Covid19 it is not known when open plate offerings will recommence. If you wish to discuss the manner of your future offerings please feel free to contact me using the details shown on the last page of the Grapevine parish magazine. Hugh Somerville
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT MAYFIELD SALISBURY PARISH CHURCH
Wednesday 23 December
Service of Readings and Carols - Revd Helen Alexander
7.30pm onwards Online Worship: Website
7.30pm onwards Phone Worship: Dial-a-Sermon
7.30pm Worship in the Sanctuary (fully booked!)
Thursday 24th December
Reflection and Carols for Christmas Eve - Revd Helen Alexander
7.00pm onwards Online Worship **no service in the church**
7.00pm onwards Phone Worship: Dial-a-Sermon
Friday 25th December
Online Carols and Greetings from the Staff
8.00am onwards Online Worship: Website
8.00am onwards Phone Worship: Dial-a-Sermon
10.15am to 11.45am Sanctuary open for private prayer **prayers only**
Sunday 27th December
Service of Readings and Carols - Anne Mulligan DCS
8.00am onwards Online Worship: Website
8.00am onwards Phone Worship: Dial-a-Sermon
10.15am Morning Worship in the Sanctuary
MIDWEEK PEACE AND PRAYERS
10.00am – 11.00am every Wednesday in the Sanctuary (not 23, 30 December or 6 January)
- Have you been considering visiting the sanctuary for Five Minutes’ Peace on a Wednesday evening but are deterred by the dark and the cold?
- Are you missing Tuesday Morning Prayers?
If so, then we have good news! Mayfield Salisbury are launching a new midweek daytime initiative which will combine these two activities! During the winter months, members of the congregation will have the opportunity to spend a time of silent prayer/meditation in the sanctuary during daylight hours and also participate in worship and fellowship in communal prayers led by our Pastoral Assistant Kay McIntosh.
- 10:00 - 10:30am Prayers led by Kay McIntosh
- 10:30 - 11:00am Sanctuary open for silent meditation and private prayer
If you wish to, please feel free to bring along your own bible and pew cushion. Come along for either or both this Wednesday.
THANK YOU FOR OUR PRESENCE AT THE SERVICES. The church will be open at 10.00 on Sunday mornings for those who have booked to come to the service.
Please note that there may be member(s) of the congregation who are exempt on health grounds from wearing a mask. If this applies to you, it would be helpful if you wear a lanyard or badge. If you would like to bring a cushion to place in your pew, please feel free to do so but do take it home with you.
At the close of the service, please remain in your place until stewards invite you to leave at the end of the closing voluntary, and maintain social distancing as you leave the church premises. If you wish to speak to Helen Alexander or Kay McIntosh, you are asked to indicate this as you pass. Helen will join you on the pavement once everyone else has left.
Booking system:
Phone: On Wednesdays, from 11.00am to 1.00pm, you may reserve a space by phoning the Church Office (0131 667 1522).
Internet: We would encourage anyone with internet access to use the Eventbrite booking system, which will be open from 4pm on Wednesdays. The system can be accessed from our website via this link: www.mayfieldsalisbury.org/attend
CORNERSTONE BOOKSHOP
Recommended Daily Meditations: Fr Richard Rohr at www.cac.org Also, see www.pray-as-you-go.org
Books for the Journey
***
Forthcoming Deadlines
Order of service for next week: Tuesday at 6.00pm.
Next Grapevine: Friday 29 January 2021 at 6.00pm.
Please send submissions to the Church Manager, William Mearns.
Phone: 0780 801 1234 or email:
***
Copyright Notices
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the Common English Bible Copyright 2012 by Common English Bible and/or its suppliers. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church holds a CCLI Streaming License: #88916
Images – Some courtesy of Pixabay
***
Social Media
www.facebook.com/MayfieldSalisbury
www.youtube.com/user/MayfieldSalisbChurch
www.flickr.com/photos/98063709@N06/
Scottish Charity Number SC000785
