ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
December 29, 2024
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP
Praise the Lord from the heavens and in the heights;
Praise God, sun and moon!
God’s name alone is exalted;
God is above the earth and heaven.
Young and old together, all creatures great and small,
Let us praise God’s holy name, now and evermore!

HYMN 148 It came upon a midnight clear

1. It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold’                                                                                                To all the earth goodwill and peace,
from heaven’s all gracious King’
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.
2. Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
‘er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its babel sounds                                                                                                the blessed angels sing.
3. But with the woes of sin and strife,
the world has suffered long;
beneath the angel strain have rolled
two thousand years of wrong,
but we, through din of war, hear not
the love song which they bring.
Oh hush the noise, Oh still the strife
and hear the angels sing.
4. And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
Oh rest beside the weary road
and hear the angels sing.
5. For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever circling years
shall come the time foretold,
when peace shall over all the earth
God’s promised splendours fling,
and all the world take up the song,
which now the angels sing.
Public Domain

Prayer of Adoration

Loving and everlasting God in whom we live and move and
have our being: great are you; great is your power, greater is
your love, of your wisdom and of your grace there is no end.
By your word that created all things and the love the moves the
sun and moon and stars you created us; you have made us for
yourself, and we are yours. Our hearts are restless until they
come to rest in you.  In this time of worship, receive our prayers
and our praises as we honour your gifts of Light and Love which
shine upon us through Jesus Christ this day and every day by
your grace. As we prepare to welcome in a new year, we reflect
on the past and pray for a hopeful and peaceful future. As we
have gathered together, in this holy place we set our confessions
before you saying….
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of our lives and the time in which we live,
we confess that we prefer our fantasy to your truth,
and our plans to your purposes for us and the world. 
We shrink from costly discipleship and we seek cheap
grace.  Forgive our fleeting enthusiasms and our shallow
commitments, and guide us always so that we might
walk in your way and follow the way of your son now
and always; through the steadfast grace of Christ, Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The mercy of our God is from everlasting to everlasting. Hear
and believe the good news of the Gospel. In Jesus Christ, God’s
generous love reaches out to embrace us. We are forgiven and
set free to begin again. Let us forgive one another just as God
has forgiven us. May the peace of Christ be with us all.
THE PEACE
Let us share a sign of the peace of the Risen Christ

HYMN 152 Still , still, still,

1. Still, still, still,
he sleeps this night so chill!
The Virgin's tender arms enfolding,
warm and safe the child are holding.
Still, still, still, he sleeps this night so chill!
2. Sleep, sleep, sleep,
he lies in slumber deep,
while angel hosts from heaven come winging,
sweetest songs of joy are singing.
Sleep, sleep, sleep, he lies in slumber deep.
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Source of all wisdom and understanding, by your Word you give
wisdom to guide us on the path you set before us. Send your
Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to receive your Word
and strengthen us to follow Jesus into the year that waits before
us. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 148 
Luke 2:21- 40 

HYMN 161 What child is this

1. What child is this, who, laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,

whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary.
2. Why lies he in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce him through,
the cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the babe, the son of Mary.
3. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh;
come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high;
the virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
the babe, the son of Mary.
Public Domain

SERMON
Christmas Eve is a significant event to us but the biblical story
is very sketchy when we really think about it The story of
Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem and the difficulty of
finding a place for a very pregnant woman now going into
labour touches us all. Then there is a bit of a blank.
Eight days have gone by . Surely they have had to make some
big decisions. They could not stay in the cattle stall. I suspect as

soon as a room became available, the inn keeper got them into
much better shelter. But decisions came fast and hard. Should
they return to their Nazareth home as soon as possible ? Well
not yet! Mary and Joseph are faithful Jews who are careful to do
everything that the Law requires. Luke 2:23 explains that the
firstborn male is set aside as holy
Baby is just over a week old. He is named and circumcised — a
rite that marks Jesus as Jewish, a part of the people that God has
called. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant relationship that
God established first with Abraham (Genesis 17) and then with his
descendants, the people of Israel. This firstborn with the name
Jesus, “God saves,” opens up a new chapter in the relationship
between the God who delivers and all of God’s people — both
Jews and Gentiles.
Forty days after his birth, Jesus’ parents take him to the temple
in Jerusalem. Leviticus 12:1-8 lays out the instructions for a
woman who has given birth. After 40 days she is to come to the
temple with a sacrifice. Those who could not afford to bring a
lamb could bring two turtledoves or pigeons, as Mary and
Joseph do
Now there are two characters that take center stage in the rest of
the story: Simeon and Anna. These two are described in ways
that highlight their righteous and devout living. Simeon has been
given special insight by the Holy Spirit along with a promise
that before he dies, he will be allowed to see the one whom God
has chosen to rescue the world. Thus the Holy Spirit brings
Simeon to the temple at the right time – a part of this unfolding
world. It will be the Holy Spirit that rests on Jesus and enables
his ministry and who will give power for witness and growth to
the church. When Simeon lifts up Jesus, he makes an amazing

declaration about this six-week-old baby. This baby is the one
who will be the salvation of the whole world — not just Jews
but also Gentiles.
After he finishes his song of praise, Simeon blesses Joseph and
Mary. Then he says directly to Mary, “Behold, this child is
destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and
to be a sign that will be spoken against so that thoughts of
many hearts will be revealed” (2:34-35). and a sword will pierce
your own soul also.”
In his great mercy God addressed these words through Simeon
to Mary so that she would prepare herself for what was to come.
Apparently, Joseph would not be around to witness the hostility
that would come to Jesus.
Anna confirms the salvation message of Simeon by giving
thanks to God and speaking about this child to all those who
were looking for “the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Luke provides these eyewitnesses accounts to let us know that
Jesus was not some made up fairy tale or some mythological
character. He wants us to know that Jesus was God’s gift to the
world from the very beginning.
The church has a lengthy history of understanding peacemaking
broadly as working for a just and equitable end to the causes of
conflict and harm. Peace is not something that happens by
chance. Instead, it is an intentional way of being, working, and
relating that must be cultivated and nurtured—often in the face
of forces heavily invested in conflict that are actively
undermining peace possibilities.

Conflict takes many forms, and we are again seeing a distressing
increase in armed conflict today in many places around the
world. Armed conflict is not the only obstacle to peace. The
roots of conflict that just as surely undermine peace include
injustices such as oppression and occupation, systemic inequities
such as racism, and gender-based violence. True peace and
oppression cannot co-exist: without justice, there can be no
peace. This is why the church affirms in Living Faith, “God is at
work when people are ashamed of the inhumanity of war and
work for peace with justice.” (8.5.3)
It is often in our darkest times that God makes His presence
known most clearly. That dark night in Bethlehem gave way to
the song of the angels to the shepherds, and the fears of Mary
and Joseph gave way to the benediction of Simeon about their
Son. And, yes, his benediction was not all joy. He foretold of the
cross and crucifixion that awaited Jesus, but, because of that
action by the Heavenly Father, sin, death, and devil would be
forever defeated. Light overcame darkness! It is often in our
darkest times that God makes His presence known most clearly.
Here is the story of our faith, the story of our journey, the way in
which our lives have been changed and shaped and transformed
that will be able to point others toward the light of Christ.
While you may be still be excited about Christmas story with all
the joy that comes with it, and are looking forward to a new
year, it is important to remember THE REST OF THE STORY
is telling others that Christ Jesus came to save us from our sins
and will come again to gather His faithful into God’s heavenly
kingdom. Thanks be to God. AMEN

HYMN 155 That boy-child of Mary

That boy child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
1. What shall we call him, child of the manger?
What name is given in Bethlehem?
That boy child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
2. His name is Jesus, God ever with us,
God given for us in Bethlehem.
That boy child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
3. How can he save us, how can he help us,
born here among us in Bethlehem?
That boy child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
4. Gift of the Father, to human mother,
makes him our brother of Bethlehem.
That boy child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
5. One with the Father, he is our Saviour,
heaven sent helper of Bethlehem.
That boy child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
6. Gladly we praise him, love and adore him,
give ourselves to him of Bethlehem.
That boy child of Mary was born in a stable,                                                                     a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
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OFFERING
The letter to the Colossians reminds us that whatever we do, in
word or deed, we do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God through him. May our offering this day
show our gratitude to God in Jesus’ name.

DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost

OFFERTORY PRAYER
God of love, we give thanks for the many blessings you have
given us throughout our lives. We are grateful to celebrate the
birth of your greatest gift, our Saviour Jesus, once again. Bless
the offerings we make in his name, and use them and us to serve
you well in the coming year. Amen

HYMN 153 Joy to the world

1. Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
let earth receive its 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 earth! the Saviour reigns:
let us our songs employ,

while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
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, wonders of his love.
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Loving God, creator of heaven and earth, we bring you our
prayers with glad and grateful hearts in this season of hope and
joy. For your image set within us all, calling us to love one
another and to care for your creation, we give you thanks. For
the gift of your Son who redeems us and guides us to serve you
in the world, we give you thanks. For the energy and inspiration
of your Holy Spirit, who equips us to meet the challenges we
face, we give you thanks.
By your Holy Spirit, empower us to show your love to those for
whom we pray this day:

For the Church and those who lead in it in complex and difficult
times. . .
For the world that you have asked us to care for amid the
challenges the climate crisis creates…
For those who rule in the nations of the world, that they will
attend to the needs of the most vulnerable and cries for justice in
their lands . . .
For those who serve as teachers, instructors, and mentors, and
for students who face a world of constant change and challenge .
. .
For those who serve others as healers and caregivers, especially
those feeling exhausted by the demands placed upon them . . .
For those struggling with poverty, homelessness, and hunger,
and the horror of war and occupation. . .
For those who mourn the loss of someone dear and those who
feel alone or neglected…
For those imprisoned for defending truth and justice, and all
who experience exclusion, powerlessness and oppression . . .
We thank God for our congregational treasurers who are
working hard this month to finalize financial books and issue tax
receipts, and we celebrate all the gifts people give to enable
ministry to happen. We celebrate the folks who meet here both
in our own congregation and in the Grace congregation as we go
out and share the wonderful gospel story

As the year draws to a close, give us grateful hearts for what has
been loving and life-giving; give us peace about things that have
been painful; and focus our attention on emerging opportunities
to grow closer to you and to each other. Keep us faithful in all
we do in the name of Jesus Christ, our friend and saviour, who
taught us to pray together:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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. Forgive us our debts, as we
forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN 811 Standing at the portal

Standing at the portal Of the opening year,
Words of comfort meet us, Hushing every fear;
Spoken thru the silence by God’s loving voice,
Tender, strong and faithful, Making us rejoice.
Refrain
Onward, then, and fear not, Children of the day;
For God’s Word shall never, Never pass away.
I, your God, am with you, do not be afraid;
I will help and strengthen, do not be dismayed.
For I will uphold you with my own right hand;
You are called and chosen in my sight to stand.
Refrain
Onward, then, and fear not, Children of the day;
For God’s Word shall never, Never pass away.

God will not forsake us and will never fail
God’s eternal covenant ever will prevail
Resting on the promise, What have we to fear?
God is all sufficient for the coming year.
Refrain
Onward, then, and fear not, Children of the day;
For God’s Word shall never, Never pass away.
Francis R. Havergal, January 4, 1873. Public Domain

BENEDICTION
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts , since as a member of
one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish
one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms , hymns and
spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And
whatever you do, wither in word or deed, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus giving thanks to the father through him Let the
grace of God, the Love of Christ and the wisdom of the Holy
Spirit shower HAPPY NEW YEARS BLESSINGS upon you
today and for the coming year of 2025

CLOSING SONG 114

Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
His name is called Emmanuel,
God with us, revealed in us.
His name is called Emmanuel
[ sing twice ]
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN