Family Carol Service
at
St. Augustine's

1999 December

Key :

directions
instructions for congregation
movements during service
prayers and readings
sections of the service

Other information :

There are some notes on our production of the service.

A rough plan of the church is available.

A note on copyright.

THE SERVICE.

St. Augustine's Carol Service

LeaderWelcome
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
LeaderPlease stand for the Carol :

O Come All Ye Faithful.

1. 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:

Chorus :

   O come, let us adore Him,
   O come, let us adore Him,
   O come, let us adore Him,
   Christ the Lord.

2. God of God,
   Light of light -
   Lo! He abhors not the virgins womb.
   Very God,
   Begotten, not created :

Chorus

3. Sing, choirs of Angels,
   Sing in exultation -
   Sing all ye citizens of heaven above !
   Glory to God
   In the highest :

Chorus

Pray-erPlease sit or kneel for the prayer.

Prayer.

Please sit.

Youth GroupPlay :

The Christmas Card

.
Mary and Joseph come in with the baby and arrange themselves in front of the Christmas card.
Joseph:Shh! There's someone coming!
They make sure they are arranged to look well on the card.
Enter shoppers chattering to each other. The shoppers come in with plastic bags full of gifts they have just bought including bag of sweets, scent spray.
1st Shopper:Oh, isn't this beautifully decorated ?
2nd Shopper:I like that. Boy, I'm so laden down I feel like a camel, but we've got some great stuff for pressies and yummy things to eat.
1st Shopper:Look at these. I got this ( holds up her gift ) for ?. Cool, eh ?
They show each other various presents they have bought and discuss them.
2nd Shopper:Hey, what do you think of these ?
1st Shopper:I got this jumbo bag of sweets for the kids. Here - have one ! ( She gives one to her friend, and then turns to the congregation ) Would any of you like some ? ( Throws handfuls of sweets out into the congregation. )
2nd Shopper:Take a whiff of this ! ( she gets out a spray perfume and sprays it first on her friend and then on herself. )
1st Shopper:I like that. What's it called ?
2nd Shopper:Nights in White Satin.
1st Shopper:Wow! ( They both giggle and start spraying it around. )
2nd Shopper:We must be nearly finished by now. All I really need is Christmas Cards. It's so hot in here and my feet are really aching.
Joseph:So were mine that first Christmas, when we arrived in Bethlehem. I'd walked for several days leading a donkey with Mary on it.
2nd Shopper:( Looks round in surprise, everywhere but at the card. ) I thought I heard a voice but I couldn't have. ( Glances at the card. ) There's a card over there but cards can't talk.
Joseph:You did hear a voice. It was me, Joseph. A lot of people think we are just a fairy tale for Christmas - but it is all true.
2nd Shopper:Come - my back is killing me. ( She tugs at her friend's arm. )
Mary:Oh, I feel sorry for you. I know what it is to have an aching back. I'll never forget how bad mine was when we arrived in Bethlehem. Of course the time for the baby was so close. We'd have never travelled but for the fact that the Emperor Augustus had called for a census and everyone had to go back to their home town.
2nd Shopper:That's terrible!
Joseph:Yes. It was so crowded there.
1st Shopper:Well, that's one thing that hasn't changed.
Joseph:The innkeeper had no room at the inn but he was a kindhearted fellow. He saw the condition Mary was in and took pity on us. He let us use his stable.
Mary:There was no "Nights in White Satin" - more like "smell among the animals". We were so glad to be there and get some rest, we didn't mind.
Joseph:You were saying it was so hot, but it was so cold that night. What a relief to be sheltered against the cold night air. The warmth of the animals was as good as central heating if a bit more aromatic. So that was how the baby, Jesus was born in a stable.
1st Shopper:But I thought He was the Son of God.
Mary:He is.
2nd Shopper:Then why wasn't He born in a palace ?
Mary:Because He is for everyone.
Joseph:If He'd been born in a palace only rich people would have known. But this way anyone can know Him. So many people came at that time. Stay and we'll show you.
The shoppers sit down to one side.
LeaderPlease stand for the 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 looked 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.

LeaderPlease sit for the Reading :
Reader

The Birth of Jesus

( Luke 2: 1, 3-7 )

LeaderPlease stand for the Carol :

While Shepherds Watched.

1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night
   All seated on the ground,
   The angel of the Lord came down,
   And glory shone around.

2. "Fear not," said he ( for mighty dread
   Had seized their troubled mind ),
   "Glad tidings of great joy I bring
   To you and all mankind.

3. To you in David's town this day
   Is born of David's line
   A Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord;
   And this shall be the sign:

4. The heavenly Babe you there shall find
   To human view displayed,
   All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
   And in a manger laid."

5. Thus spake the seraph: and forthwith
   Appeared a shining throng
   Of angels praising God, who thus
   Addressed their joyful song:

6. "All glory be to God on high,
   And to the earth be peace;
   Good will henceforth from heaven to men
   Begin and never cease."

LeaderPlease sit.
Kids' Club

The Shepherds Come to Jesus.

NarratorTalk about shepherds sitting around campfire feeling cold, wondering about settling down for the night.

Suddenly an Angel appeared and the Glory of the Lord shone around. ( Head Angel "flies" into centre position. ) The shepherds were really frightened and cowered down on the ground.

The angel said :

Head AngelDon't be afraid, for I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for all people : the Saviour, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus has been born tonight in Bethlehem and you will find Him in a manger wrapped in cloth.
Other angels "fly" from back of church and stand next to Head Angel; Narrator points to them as they come down the church saying :
Narrator:Wow, look at these angels - Gosh, wow !!!!!!!
When all angels are in position at the front, on a nod from the Narrator together they say :
All Angels( raise hands and say ) Glory to God in the highest heaven !
- and peace on earth to all who please Him. ( offer peace to people in church )
Pause until Narrator nods again;
Angels move to position round the manger.
NarratorTells remainder of Shepherd story.
Angels stay around manger until the singing of the last Carol "Joy To the world".
LeaderPlease stand for the Carol, during which a voluntary collection will be taken :

We three kings of orient are.

1. We three Kings of Orient are;
   Bearing gifts we traverse afar
   Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
   Following yonder star:

Chorus :

   O - star of wonder, star of night,
   Star with royal beauty bright,
   Westward leading, still proceeding,
   Guide us to thy perfect light.

2. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,
   Gold I bring to crown Him again
   King forever, ceasing never
   Over us all to reign.

Chorus

3. Frankincense to offer have I;
   Incense owns a Deity nigh.
   Prayer and Praising,
   All men raising,
   Worship Him, God most high.

Chorus

4. Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
   Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
   Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
   Sealed in the stone-cold tomb;

Chorus

5. Glorious now, behold Him arise,
   King, and God, and sacrifice
   Heaven sings "Alleluya"; "Alle-
   -luya" the earth replies.

Chorus

LeaderPlease sit.

Message

Please sit or kneel for the prayers.

Pray-erPrayers
1st Shopper:Then, He really is the Son of God ?
Mary:He is. Today you have met Him. You will never be the same again.
LeaderPlease stand for the Carol :

Joy to the World

As the carol is sung, the shoppers step aside and Mary and Joseph walk down the aisle with the angels, shepherds and wise men following and the shoppers in the rear.

1. Joy to the world, the Lord has 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 men their songs employ;
   While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,
   Repeat the sounding joy,
   Repeat the sounding joy,
   Repeat Repeat the sounding joy.

3. 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.

LeaderPlease remain standing for the blessing.

Blessing.

LeaderPlease remain standing for the hymn :

May the Lord, mighty God.

May the Lord, mighty God,
Bless and keep you forever;
Grant you peace, perfect peace,
Courage in ev'ry endeavour.
Lift your eyes and see His face
And His Grace forever.
May the Lord, mighty God,
Bless and keep you forever.

We wish you, your friends and families a blessed and joyous Christmas.

PERFORMERS

Angel of the Lord
Joseph
Mary
1st Shopper
2nd Shopper
Angels
Shepherds
Wise Men
Pray-ers