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We’re delighted to celebrate Christmas with you! Whether this time of year is ramping-up or starting to wind down for you, we pray you’d be encouraged by the mix of gospel and Christmas themed-music tonight. Relax, enjoy the music and stick around to sing some wonderful traditional carols.
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At this time of year we often think of the meaningful connections we enjoy. For some it’s a moment to catch up with loved ones or old friends, perhaps even distant family. For others it’s a bitter-sweet reminder of loved-ones missed.
Christmas reminds us of our great need for real and loving relationships and connections, and in fact, points us to the most important relational connection of all: Jesus.
Immanuel means God with us. Life and hope has come in the person, Jesus. We need both personally and in the world. We are invited into true life, found in relationship with Jesus. He calls us into his family.
He is also called the Messiah - a Saviour and King. It’s hard to imagine a good and perfect ruler, who sits above all authority and knows and cares for our every need. But this is the wild claim, ‘He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger’.
Take a moment to reflect on who this Jesus of Christmas is from the words of John 1:9-14 (NIV):
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
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This evening is hosted by Scots Church Sydney (where you are right now!). We are a church in the city for the city. Please find out more about us HERE.
We warmly invite you to join our Christmas services:
10:30am Christmas Eve (Sunday) 9:30am Christmas Day (Monday)
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We encourage you duck out before or during the first two sets if you need to pick up some food to eat. You are welcome to eat in the auditorium as you listen. These are the closest take-away restaurants:
Condor Japanese on York St
McDonalds, bottom floor at Wynyard Station
Starbucks outside on the corner
Stacked on Hunter St
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Please help yourself to refreshments at the back of the auditorium.
BANDS:
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Ethan Viglione, Gracie Jean and band are new collaborators in this folk/country project. Their set tonight explores how Jesus gives comfort and strength as we trust him in the joys and hardships of work. Many of the songs in this set come from an album by Porter Gate.
A lesser known carol that highlights the radical humility of Jesus coming as man:
INFANT HOLY INFANT LOWLY
‘Infant holy infant lowly
King of kings and Lord of lords
You have come to us with nothing
As the poorest of the poor
So we come to You in wonder
See You helpless as you slumber
And we lay our gifts before
Christ the Saviour weak and poor’
Band:
Gracie Jean - vocals
Ethan Viglione - vocals/guitar
Josh Dixon - guitars
Luke Sweeting - keys
Sarah Evans - double bass
Michael Peterson - drum kit
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Joel, Caitlin and band are new collaborators who have come together to celebrate the love and kindness of Jesus in the most soul/RnB way possible! Many of the songs they are singing are taken from a wonderful album by Isla Vista called Soul Hymns. It expresses a heart-felt wonder of God’s over-flowing love and kind embrace of sinners. The Christmas music peppered throughout also helps us reflect on the amazing hope that Jesus has come, from cradle to cross, to be our Saviour.
Both bands tonight have been produced by Lo! Behold! Projects, who are on a mission to encourage Christians with the gospel, with a special focus on exploring variety in style and genre. They have more music coming up, you can check them out HERE.
Here’s a wonderful 1980s Christmas Hymn we’ve dug up and put into an RnB style! Wonderful words to reflect on:
THE DARKNESS TURNS TO DAWN
1.The darkness turns to dawn
The dayspring shines from heaven
For unto us a child is born
To us a Son is given
The Son of God most high
Before all else began
A virgin’s son behold Him lie
The new-born Son of Man
2.God’s Word of truth and grace
Made flesh with us to dwell
The brightness of the Father’s face
The child Immanuel
How rich His heav’n ly home
How poor His human birth
As mortal man He stoops to come
The light and life of earth
Bridge
And still God sheds abroad
That love so strong to send
A Saviour who is Christ the Lord
Whose reign shall never end
3.A servants form, a slave
The Lord consents to share
Our sin and shame our cross and grave
He bows Himself to bear
Obedient and alone
Upon that cross to die
And then to share the Father’s throne
In majesty on high
2.God’s Word of truth and grace
Made flesh with us to dwell
The brightness of the Father’s face
The child Immanuel
Band:
Joel Mailei - vocals
Caitlin Malik - vocals
Luke Sweeting - keys
Steve Crain - guitar
Allen Watters - bass
Craig Collier - drums
CAROLS:
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1.Come they me told me
Pa rum pa pum pum
A new born king to see
Pa rum pa pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pa pum pum
To lay before the king
Pa rum pa pum pum
Rum pa pum pum
Rum pa pum pum
When we come
2.Little baby
Pa rum pa pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rum pa pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pa pum pum
To lay before the king
Pa rum pa pum pum
Rum pa pum pum
Rum pa pum pum
Shall I play for him
Pa rum pa pum pum
On my drum
3. Mary nodded
Pa rum pa pa pum
The ox and lamb kept in time
Pa rum pa pa pum
I played my drums for him
Pa rum pa pum pum
I played my best for him
Pa rum pa pum pum
Rum pa pum pum
Rum pa pum pum
Then he smiled at me
Pa rum pa pum pum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
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1.O come O come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That morns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice
Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
O come Desire of nations bind
In one the hearts of all mankind
Bid now our sad divisions cease
And be thou self our king of peace!
Rejoice, rejoice
Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
Rejoice, rejoice
Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
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1.For this day on Christmas morn
All the world did wait and long
The sacrifice and at great cost
Our God came down to us
2.With our hands so stained with sin
We could not reach up to him
'Ere the gap we could not cross
Our God came down to us
3.Little babe in manger laid
Born into a world he made
King of all, what kind of love
Our God came down to us
4.In this world so stained with sun
Warm your hearts; do not forget
The love from cradle to the cross
Our God came down to us
Words and melody by Sarah Sparks, Arrangement L. Sweeting
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1.God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
2.In Bethlehem, in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
3.From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
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1.Angels from the realms of Glory
Wing your flight o’er all the Earth
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth
Come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King
2.Shepherds in their fields abiding
Watching o’er your flocks by night
God with man is now residing
Yonder shines the infant light
Come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King
3.Sages leave your contemplations
Brighter visions beam afar
Seek the great Desire of nations
You have seen his natal star
Come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King
4.Though an infant now we view Him
He shall fill His Father’s throne
Gather all the nations to Him
Every knee shall then bow down
Come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn
Come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King
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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 cradle til 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.
Verses 1 and 2, anonymous. Verse 3 by John Thomas McFarland
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1. Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th'angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Refrain:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
2. Christ, by highest heav'n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th'incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.
3. Hail the heav'nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Words by Charles Wesley, 1739 (altered)
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1. Joy to the world, the Lord is 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 earth, 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. No more let sin and sorrows grow
Not thorns infest the ground
He comes to make his blessings known
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.
Words by Isaac Watts, 1719
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1.The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
2. They lookèd up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
3. And by the light of that same star
Three Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
4. This star drew nigh to the northwest,
Over Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
6. Then entered in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon the knee,
And offered there, in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
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1. Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine, the night when Christ was born;
Oh night, divine, Oh night, Oh night Divine.
2. Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
3. Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
Oh night, divine, oh night, oh night divine.
Music by Adolphe Adam, words by Placide Cappeau.
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1.O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
2.For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together,
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth!
3.How silently, how silently,
The wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
4. O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!
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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;
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord.
2.God from God,
Light from Light eternal
Lo! He abhors not the Virgin's womb; Only begotten, Son of the Father;
Refrain
3.Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God,
All glory in the highest;
Refrain
4. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing;
Refrain x2
Words by John F. Wade, c1743. Trans. Frederick Oakeley, 1841 & William T. Brooke (1848-1917).
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1.Once in royal David’s city,
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby,
In a manger for his bed,
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.
2.He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And his shelter was a stable,
And his cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.
3.And our eyes at last shall see him,
Through his own redeeming love;
for that child so dear and gentle,
Is our Lord in heaven above,
And he leads his children on,
To the place where he is gone.
Words by Cecil Frances Alexander, music by Henry J. Gauntlett.
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1. Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
2. Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Saviour is born,
Christ the Saviour is born!
3. Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light;
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Words by Josef Mohr, c1817.
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1.We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
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.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
3.Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worship Him God on high.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
4.Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
5.Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
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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 on high
Who thus addressed their 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.
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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 praise
The Babe, the Son of Mary
2. 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 a song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Refrain:
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste, to bring Him praise
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Refrain:
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
If you can sight sing feel free to read and sing harmonies as we go:
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