Lectionary recources Advent 4 Year A

Lectionary -- Advent 4 Year A

Isaiah 7:10-16 Look, the young woman is with child
Psalm 80: 1-7,17-19 let your hand be upon the one at your right hand
Romans 1:1-7 Jesus Christ, descended from David, and Son of God
Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph's dream and the birth of Jesus

Suggested Hymns (From Denis Towner. TIS = Together in Song; AHB = Australian Hymn Book; SA = Sing Alleluia)

lesson Hymns for Advent 4, Yr.A TIS AHB SA

G All hail the power of Jesus' name 224 159

G Angels from the realms of glory 309 235

At the name of Jesus 231 170

s Away in a manger 318 242

E Behold a Rose is growing 294

s Behold the mountain of the Lord 441 366

s Child in the manger, infant of Mary 319 241

Ps Come sing praises to the Lord above 53 24

s Come thou long-expected Jesus 272 200

Ps Dear Shepherd of your people, hear 444 371

O From east to west from shore to shore 217

G From heaven above to earth I come 296 219

G From heaven you came helpless babe 256

G God himself is present 121 47

Ps God is my strong salvation 15 493

O Good Christians all, rejoice 313 238

E Hail to the Lord's anointed 275 203

G Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes 269 197

O/G Hark the herald angels sing 303 227

s Have faith in God, my heart 619 552

E How brightly beams the Morning Star [199] 220

s I want to walk as a child of the light 643

s Infant holy, infant lowly 292 225

E Join all the glorious names 205 135

G Joy to the world! The Lord is come 268 224

G Let earth and heaven combine 305 229

s Lift up your heads, you mighty gates 267

G Lo he comes with clouds descending 273 201

E/G Long ago, prophets knew 283 61

E Lord Christ when first you came to earth/men 208

E Lord Jesus our bright Morning Star 199 [220]

E May the grace of Christ our Saviour 777 373

Ps O come all ye faithful 304 228

O/G O come, O come, Emmanuel 265 193

s O for a thousand tongues to sing 210 141

O/G O little town of Bethlehem 316 240

O O what a gift, what a wonderful gift 278 213

O/E/G Of the Father's love begotten 290 215

Once in royal David's city 312 237

Praise God from whom all blessings flow 768 573 92

O Put all your trust in God 555 464

O Saviour of the nations, come 295

s The advent of our God 271 198

s The angel Gabriel from heaven came 302 222

G The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices 279 212

s The Lord will come and not be slow 194

G The people that in darkness walked 274 202

The Virgin Mary had a baby boy 307 232

s There's a light upon the mountains 276 207

G To the name of our salvation 127

To us a child of royal birth 308 230

Unto us a boy is born 293 218

E We have a gospel to proclaim 245 189

When God almighty came to be one of us 281 214

Ps Ye gates lift up your heads on high 12 286

Ps Your hand, O God, has guided 456 389

Other Possible Hymns
(Numbers refer to The Australian Hymn Book and Sing Alleluia. TIS = Together in Song)
Christ is born [choir with congregation singing the chorus]
A star was his candle
Christmas song

Sermon summary (Click here for complete sermon)

Mary the Mother of Jesus

Look for the character of Mary in these themes in the New Testament record of her life and witness:-
Humble servant and social radical (Luke 1:26-56);
Wife and virgin mother (Matthew 1:16-20; Luke 1:34-35; 2:1-7);
One who shares in the recognition of our Lord (Matthew 2:11; Luke 2:8-39);
Caring and anxious mother (Matthew 2:13-14; 2:20-21; Luke 2:41-51; Matthew 12:46-50 Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21);
One of the early group of disciples (John 2:1-5, 12);
A representative of ordinary humanity (Matthew 13:54-57; Mark 6:3; John 6:41-42);
Witness to Christ's passion and death (John 19:25-27);
Among the apostles at the birth of the church (Acts 1:14).
Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Luke 1:38
Elizabeth exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Luke 1:42
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour." Luke 1:46-47

| RCL Resources Index |

Order of Service
The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP The Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. -- Isaiah 7:14
God with us, we celebrate your coming.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

HYMN O come all you faithful [verses 1,2, 5 and 6] AHB 228 TIS 304

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE: Fourth Sunday
[A family group or individual comes to the table and one reads:]
On this fourth Sunday in Advent we remember Mary, the bearer of the light of the world.
[Four coloured candles are lit, and reading continues.]
Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Luke 1:38
Elizabeth exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Luke 1:42
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour."
Luke 1:46-47

PRAYER OF ADORATION
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Lord Jesus, preaching good tidings to the people, proclaiming release to captives, setting at liberty those who are bound:
We adore you.
Lord Jesus, friend of the outcast and the poor, feeder of the hungry, healer of the sick:
We adore you.
Lord Jesus, denouncing the oppressor, exposing the hypocrite, overcoming evil with good:
We adore you.
Lord Jesus, pattern of gentleness, teacher of holiness, prophet of the kingdom:
We adore you.
Lord Jesus, dying to save us from our sin, rising to give us eternal life, ascending to prepare our heavenly home:
We adore you. [From Uniting in Worship]

CONFESSION [Three parts concluding:-]
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

If we confess our sins,
God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9]
Hear then Christ's word of grace to us:
Your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" -- Luke 2:14

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME
CHILDREN'S PRESENTATION [Including HYMN 242 Away in a manger]
A WORD TO THE CHILDREN

OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 7:10-16 Look, the young woman is with child
[PSALM 80: 1-7,17-19 let your hand be upon the one at your right hand]
[EPISTLE Romans 1:1-7 Jesus Christ, descended from David, and Son of God]
GOSPEL Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph's dream and the birth of Jesus

HYMN Christ is born

O he is born, he is born.
Let us all rejoice and be glad for Jesus Christ is born.
[repeat]

Mary knew a beautiful thing;
A visit from the Lord.
The Holy Spirit came upon her,
Promising her a child.

Joseph was a righteous man
To whom an angel came -
"Do not be afraid for Mary,
She has been blest of God.

"She will bear a holy child,
The only son of God -
Jesus Christ Immanuel:
God is to be with us."

Then, at last, the moment came
And Mary bore the child.
Wise men, shepherds, come and worship:
Joy is ours today.
Felicia R. Edgecombe.

SERMON

HYMN Once in royal David's city AHB 237 TIS 312

OFFERING [Choir: A star was his candle]
DEDICATION
SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations, requests for intercessions]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Choir: Christmas Song
COLLECT FOR THE DAY
THE LORD'S PRAYER [Front of the Hymn Book]
The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN The Virgin May had a baby boy AHB 232 TIS 307
WORD OF MISSION
They named him Emmanuel, which means "God with us."
As the angel said, this is good news of great joy for all the people.

BLESSING
DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

| RCL Resources Index |

lesson	Hymns for Advent 4, Yr.A	TIS	AHB	SA
G	All hail the power of Jesus' name	224	159
G	Angels from the realms of glory	309	235
	At the name of Jesus	231	170
s	Away in a manger	318	242
E	Behold a Rose is growing	294
s	Behold the mountain of the Lord	441	366
s	Child in the manger, infant of Mary	319	241
Ps	Come sing praises to the Lord above	53		24
s	Come thou long-expected Jesus	272	200
Ps	Dear Shepherd of your people, hear	444	371
O	From east to west from shore to shore		217
G	From heaven above to earth I come	296	219
G	From heaven you came helpless babe	256
G	God himself is present	121	47
Ps	God is my strong salvation	15	493
O	Good Christians all, rejoice	313	238
E	Hail to the Lord's anointed	275	203
G	Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes	269	197
O/G	Hark the herald angels sing	303	227
s	Have faith in God, my heart	619	552
E	How brightly beams the Morning Star	[199]	220
s	I want to walk as a child of the light	643
s	Infant holy, infant lowly	292	225
E	Join all the glorious names	205	135
G	Joy to the world! The Lord is come	268	224
G	Let earth and heaven combine	305	229
s	Lift up your heads, you mighty gates	267
G	Lo he comes with clouds descending	273	201
E/G	Long ago, prophets knew	283		61
E	Lord Christ when first you came to earth/men		208
E	Lord Jesus our bright Morning Star	199	[220]
E	May the grace of Christ our Saviour	777	373
Ps	O come all ye faithful	304	228
O/G	O come, O come, Emmanuel	265	193
s	O for a thousand tongues to sing	210	141
O/G	O little town of Bethlehem	316	240
O	O what a gift, what a wonderful gift	278	213
O/E/G	Of the Father's love begotten	290	215
	Once in royal David's city	312	237
	Praise God from whom all blessings flow	768	573	92
O	Put all your trust in God	555	464
O	Saviour of the nations, come	295
s	The advent of our God	271	198
s	The angel Gabriel from heaven came	302	222
G	The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices	279	212
s	The Lord will come and not be slow		194
G	The people that in darkness walked	274	202
	The Virgin Mary had a baby boy	307	232
s	There's a light upon the mountains	276	207
G	To the name of our salvation		127
	To us a child of royal birth	308	230
	Unto us a boy is born	293	218
E	We have a gospel to proclaim	245	189
	When God almighty came to be one of us	281	214
Ps	Ye gates lift up your heads on high	12	286
Ps	Your hand, O God, has guided	456	389