Patronal Festival Worship

St Nicholas Day
6 December
God's people celebrate the generosity of God through our patron saint

Hands held up to God . . . in prayer and worship . . . Together
Hands held in unity . . . learning, caring and sharing . . . Together
Hands held out . . . as Christ's servants and ambassadors . . . Together

Please will the children leave their shoes outside in the coffee lounge
(The children return at the end of the service to find their shoes full of sweets!)

Parishioners bring gifts for children in the care of Gloucestershire social services.

We gather together to worship God

God is spirit.
Let us worship him in spirit and truth.
The Lord is with us.
Let us praise his name together.
cf. John 4.24

Song

We say sorry to God

Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts.
In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins.

In a dark and disfigured world
we have not held out the light of life:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
In a hungry and despairing world
we have failed to share our bread:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
In a cold and loveless world
we have kept the love of God to ourselves
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

We receive God's forgiveness again

May the God of love
bring us back to himself,
forgive us our sins,
and assure us of his eternal love
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

We listen to God's word

We share stories for the Jesse Tree

The lighting of the Advent Candle

Hymn

3 Nich'las heard Jesus' call
From God's gift in stable stall
An example for us all
Bless your friend and neighbour
Family and stranger
Chorus

A Story of Nicholas of Myra

A Talk with craft activity

Song

An offering of money is taken

We pray to God on behalf of others

Bidding & Response

Bidding: O Lord hear our prayer
Response: Listen Lord, Listen Lord Iona

Being made one by the power of the Spirit, as our Saviour taught us so we pray

Our Father in heaven . . . .

Notices and Birthdays

Hymn

We prepare to leave with God's blessing of Peace

Go in peace to bless your neighbour and your community
In the name of Christ.
Amen.
The Peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you

(The blessing is accompanied with a box of quality sweets being 'thrown' over the congregation!)

We finish by sharing a sign of peace

Take the sweets and balloons and share them with your friends & neighbours

Some material is from Common Worship, President's Edition, copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000, The Church of England

From St Nicholas, the Ecumenical Parish of Yate New Town, Abbotswood, Yate, Gloucestershire, England. Used by permission.

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