Patronal Festival Worship
St Nicholas Day
6 December
God's people celebrate the generosity of God through our patron saint
![]() Photo: Anglican World Used by permission |
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
Silence
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
Here ends the reading
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 IonaBeing 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.