19th December 2021 is the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
The main reading this week is from the Old Testament book of Micah. The text below takes in verse 1 of Chapter 5, though the official Lectionary reading only begins at verse 2.
Rev. Geoff McKee explains why various Biblical references to the counting of people is significant in understanding the signs associated with the birth of Jesus – someone who essentially ‘slipped through the net’.
In this week’s service, we welcome ‘old friends’, Emily and Craig, for their song performance after the Children’s Address. Just before that, we mark Vida’s retirement from the choir – after 62 years. Well done to all of you.
Eagle-eyed viewers will note that the background screen which is normally in use during services was not in use here. That was due to a computer failure scuppering the SongPro (PowerPoint equivalent). The service has still recorded okay – it’s a different laptop for that – but the recording ends abruptly because the laptop battery ran out…
The Church has a new laptop on its Christmas ‘list’ 🙂
Main reading for this week
Micah 5:1-5 (New International Version)
1 “Marshal your troops now, city of troops,
for a siege is laid against us.
They will strike Israel’s ruler
on the cheek with a rod.
2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
5 And he will be our peace
when the Assyrians invade our land
and march through our fortresses.
We will raise against them seven shepherds,
even eight commanders,
Order of Service
Welcome and Intimations
Call to Worship
Praise: MP539 Once in royal David’s city
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Lighting the Candle: A candle is burning vv 1-4
Children’s Address
Praise: Mary did you know? (Emily and Craig)
Praise: JP327 Crackers and turkeys
JP396 It was on a starry night
Readings: Micah 5:2-5a & Luke 1:46b-55
Praise: MP589 See him lying on a bed of straw
Readings: Hebrews 10:5-10 & Luke 1:39-45
Sermon
Praise: MP337 In the bleak mid-winter
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Praise: MP588 See amid the winter snow
Benediction & Threefold Amen
Video service
There was no way in which a lowly Judean was going to threaten (the census) plans. But God slipped through the power of the world to bring the good shepherd of the sheep to his flock.
rev. geoff mckee
Musical Selection
