Boxing Day
St Stephen’s Day

In Western Christianity, 26 December is called "Saint Stephen's Day", the "Feast of Stephen" mentioned in the English Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas". It is a public holiday in many nations that are of historic Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran traditions, including Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Poland, Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Catalonia and the Balearic Isles. In Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom, the day is celebrated as "Boxing Day".

Readings: 
Luke 2:41-52
Colossians 3:12-17 

The title of this week's sermon is "Journeys", and the recorded version can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/0w6Zx2TQla4

This morning is our service of Service of Readings and Carols & Christmas music. Because there is more musical content to the service this week, there is no recorded sermon.

Our choir master has picked out a good selection of pieces for the Choir and soloists to sing. For those not able to join us, here are some YouTube links to versions of the pieces they are singing
 
Recitative and Air, from Messiah, G. F. Handel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dDjva1ecYo
 
Jesu, Joy of man’s desiring, from Cantata 147:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6OgZCCoXWc
 
Angel Tidings. Moravian traditional carol, arr. John Rutter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNvCKZ6EX3I
 
The Virgin’s Slumber Song. Text Michael Forster, Music Max Reger:
https://www.kampenboyschoir.nl/nl/video/249-reger.html
 
Cowboy Carol. Words and Music Cecil Broadhurst:
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=145TOliMr_8

All Age Family Advent Service
​
Bible Reading: Isaiah 12:2-6
2 Surely God is my salvation;
    I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water
    from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done,
    and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
    let this be known to all the world.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
    for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
 
Today’s theme is Joy, and the church service will feature our young people performing “New Star”, a Christmas Pageant.
 
A recorded message for the day can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/l0USLqDkdjY

Second Sunday of Advent

Readings: Malachi 3:1-4 & Luke 3:1-6

Theme: Messengers of God

The recorded sermon for this week can be accessed here: ​https://youtu.be/KYGcgVVyImE