¶ In Church Welcome to our church and thank you for coming to join us this afternoon. Although we are starting here in church, we shall be travelling to various locations close by. Please follow the directions from members of the cast, so that you will be able to enjoy being part of the proceedings and join in the singing (except the choir parts) – the verses printed in bold. As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold, as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; so, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.
As with joyful steps they sped, Saviour, to thy lowly bed, there to bend the knee before thee whom heaven and earth adore; so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy-seat.
Follow the Town Crier outside to wait for Mary and Joseph to arrive at the inn..
¶ At the Inn 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.
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given! so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin, where meek hearts will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
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. Follow the Town Crier and choir to find the shepherds.
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¶ With the shepherds The first Nowell the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields as they lay, keeping their sheep, on a cold winter's night that was so deep. Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell, born is the King of Israel. Angel Choir: Glory, glory in the highest; glory to the Almighty; glory to the Lamb of God, and glory to the living Word; glory to the Lord! (angels) I give glory, (choir) glory, (angels) glory, (choir) glory, (angels) glory, (all) glory to the Lord! I give glory to the Lord! ‘Fear not’, said he (for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind), glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind. 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: The heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed all meanly wrapped in swathing bands and in a manger laid. Thus spake the seraph and forthwith appeared a shining throng of angel praising God, who thus addressed their joyful song. ‘All glory be to God on high, and to the world be peace! Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men begin and never cease! Follow the angels and choir to meet the kings.
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Âś With the Kings We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to Thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown him again King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.
Myrrh is mine; it's bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh; prayer and praising, all men raising, worshipping God most high.
Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice. Heaven sings alleluia, alleluia, the earth replies.
Follow the kings to find the stable: 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. This star drew nigh to the northwest, o'er Bethlehem it took its rest, and there it did both stop and stay right over the place where Jesus lay Then entered in those wise men three full reverently upon their knee, and offered there in his presence their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
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¶ At the Stable (Children) 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 laythe little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. (Children and female voices) 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. (All) Be near me Lord Jesus: I ask thee to stay close by me for ever and love me I pray; bless all the dear children in thy tender care and fit us for heaven to live with thee there. 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: See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze; we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps: Lo, star-led chieftains, magi, Christ adoring, offer him incense, gold and myrrh; we to the Christ-child bring our hearts’ oblations: Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above, ‘Glory to God in the highest’: Come inside the Village Hall.
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¶ In the Village Hall Hark the herald angels sing glory to the new-born King, peace on earth and mercy mild, god and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic hosts proclaim, ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’ Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Hail the incarnate deity! Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel! Hark! The herald angels sing Glory o the new-born King Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace! Hail the sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen 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. Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King Please enjoy some mulled wine and mince pies with us.
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Please note the deadlines for the Pewsheet over Christmas as follows: Sunday 28 Dec – Wed 24 Dec 11am; Sunday 4 Jan – Sat 27 Dec 11am
11:30am – BELL SERVICE St Peter & St Paul Langham All are welcome along to this short service which celebrates the work of the bell ringing team. And if you can take it, there’s a glass of wine at the end!
This Week
SATURDAY 3 JANUARY
Pewsheet Deadlines
2:30pm – ANNUAL FAMILY PANTOMIME Key Theatre, Peterborough Jack and the Beanstalk.
SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER 8:00am & 10:30am – HOLY COMMUNION All Saints Oakham The 8:00am Traditional Language Communion and the 10:30am Team Communion at Oakham will be the only services in the Team today.
WEDNESDAY 7 JANUARY 1:30pm – MUSIC AT LUNCHTIME All Saints Oakham Stephen Tatlow piano
THURSDAY 8 JANUARY 1:00pm – OAKHAM & BRAUNSTON MOTHERS’ UNION NEW YEAR LUNCH – Oakham Church Hall Please contact Meg Dyer (01572 771564) to confirm you can attend. The cost is £5. Please note the earlier time – see you there!
There is no Lunchtime Concert at Oakham on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
Looking Ahead THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 10:15am – TEAM WALKING GROUP Hambleton Peninsula A walk of about 5 miles around the Hambleton Peninsula followed by a Bring and Share lunch. Meet initially at 8 Peterborough Avenue at 10.15am with your contribution for the Bring and Share then motor to the fishermen's car park at Hambleton for a 10.30 am start. Afterwards return to Peterborough Avenue for lunch. Please contact Sally or Dennis Corton on 01572 722272 to monitor numbers.
FRIDAY 9 JANUARY 7:30pm – RUTLAND THREE ARTS SOCIETY MUSIC GROUP – Methodist Church Hall, Northgate, Oakham African Dream – Diane de Wet Non-members welcome (£3 charge).
TUESDAY 20 JANUARY 10:00am -12:00pm – OPEN HOUSE Home of Beryl & David Kirtland, 25 Brooke Road, Oakham All are welcome to call in for tea or coffee and a friendly chat.
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SATURDAY 24 JANUARY
SUNDAY 25 JANUARY
8:30am – CHURCHES TOGETHER PRAYER BREAKFAST Victoria Hall, Oakham Meeting Jesus at the Rutland Foodbank Speakers from the Foodbank. Tickets (which must be obtained in advance) from Patrick or Marjorie Wilson – 01572 723288.
6:00pm – HEALING EUCHARIST WITH LAYING ON OF HANDS All Saints Oakham A quiet reflective service of Holy Communion, with opportunity for prayer and the laying on of hands and anointing – replaces Evensong.
Appointment of Team Vicar We are delighted to announce that, following interview and with the agreement of representatives of the Oakham Team Ministry (South) Parishes, Bishop Donald and Canon Lee Francis-Dehqani have invited the Reverend Canon Julie Hutchinson, currently Chaplain to Bishop Donald, to become a Team Vicar within the Oakham Team Ministry, with responsibility for the Team Ministry parishes of Braunston, Brooke, Egleton, Hambleton and Langham. Julie has accepted this post and, subject to the normal Church of England legal and administrative procedures, she will be licensed by Bishop Donald to her new role on Tuesday 1 September at 7.30 pm. Bishop Donald, Archdeacon Gordon and the Team Rector are very grateful to all who helped with the preparation of the team profile, all the arrangements for the interview day and for the continuing and encouraging ministry of these parishes in the service of Christ during this time. We ask for your prayers for Julie and Phillip, her husband, as they prepare for their return to Rutland, where they have lived and served before.
Services Next Sunday – 28 December (1st of Christmas) Oakham
08:00 Holy Communion (CW Trad) 10:30 Team Holy Communion
No other services in the Team
Next Week’s Readings at Holy Communion Christmas 1: Isaiah 61.10–62.3; Galatians 4.4-7; Luke 2.15-21
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas from everyone in the Oakham Team Ministry 8