[0:00] Good evening everyone. I want to just begin before we come into our time of worship just with some good news. So you heard the invitation was extended this morning to those who want to come forward for the first time to the Lord's table and two of our young folks came forward this afternoon.
[0:17] So Hannah Killer came forward and she was baptized and professed her faith and now will take the Lord's Supper for the first time this evening.
[0:29] And Daniel John also came forward and he was baptized as a young one but he professed his faith as well.
[0:39] So Daniel also will come to the Lord's table for the first time. So we're thankful to God for the work that he's doing and we see it very much amongst the young people. So let's keep on praying for the young people and for those of us who are a little up in years as well.
[0:57] So let's be encouraged and challenged as we hear the call of God to trust Christ, to profess our faith in Jesus and to seek to live for him.
[1:10] So let's, before we sing, just pray for a moment. Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for this evening and we thank you for this time where we are called to come together in worship.
[1:24] We do so in the name of your Son, the Lord Jesus, the one whose birth we remember at this time of year and the one whose death we remember this evening especially.
[1:37] And whose resurrection also we remember as we gather each Lord's day. We thank you that the Saviour died for our sin. We thank you for those who have come to faith and who are professing that faith for the first time this evening.
[2:04] For Hannah and for Daniel, we thank you for your work in their lives and we pray that as they come to the table for the first time that they and all who come would know your blessing and your presence.
[2:20] And we pray that they and we as your people would seek to live not only for this time, for this day, but for every day. Help us to live for your glory.
[2:32] We pray for any tonight who may have wrestled with the call to come forward and who haven't yet come. Continue to strive with them. Holy Spirit, we pray that we may see many more, young and old, coming to faith in Christ and professing that faith.
[2:52] Taking the bread and taking the wine to remember all that Jesus has done for his people. So hear our prayers. Take away our sin. Empty us of self.
[3:03] Fill us with the Holy Spirit. And enable us to see and hear and come to the Lord Jesus. And we ask this in his name and for his sake. Amen. Well, let's sing to God's praise and we will sing from Psalm 98.
[3:19] Psalm 98 and the first four verses of the Psalm. We'll sing a new song to the Lord. For wonders he hath done, his right hand and his holy arm, him victory hath won.
[3:32] Verses one to four. We'll stand to sing to God's praise. Amen. Amen. Amen.
[3:42] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
[3:54] Amen.
[4:13] The Lord God is salvation. A prophet to the Lord.
[4:28] His justice with the heathen side. He opened me and showed.
[4:44] He mindful of his grace and truth. To his best house have been.
[4:58] And the salvation of our Lord. All ends of earth are seen.
[5:14] Let all the earth unto the Lord. Send forth a joyful noise.
[5:30] Lift up your voice. Allow to him. Sing praises and rejoice.
[5:47] Scott, lead us in a word of prayer now, please. Pray together. Father in heaven, we pray that as we gather together now, that you would give us your peace that passes all understanding.
[6:10] And as we meet like we do tonight, we pray that we would know it our great privilege to do so. Of all the places in this world where we could meet.
[6:24] We thank you that we are here. And we thank you that you have called us to come here. To remember what Jesus Christ has done for us.
[6:38] And if so, to witness what Jesus Christ has done in the lives of others. And to witness their declaration of trusting in the Lord Jesus.
[6:52] And their faithfulness to follow him. For you are a good shepherd that calls us to follow. And you are a shepherd and leader like no other that we can find in this world.
[7:09] You are the good shepherd that knows his sheep. You are the one to who we are to follow in this world.
[7:20] Knowing that there is no other shepherd in this world who we can follow. We know that there is nothing else in this world that can quite satisfy our soul and refresh us and nourish us.
[7:34] And give us hope everlasting. And give us that inner peace and satisfaction. We know that there is no other way to go.
[7:47] And so that's why we are here. Even if we look at ourselves and we acknowledge the sinfulness of who we are.
[7:58] We acknowledge that we have failed you in many ways. Still, we may feel inadequate to be here. But still you call us to come.
[8:12] Still you knew all the failures of the disciples. You knew all the failures of your people. Still you came. Calling them. To follow.
[8:25] And so tonight we follow. We follow your commands to do these things in remembrance of you. You are the good shepherd that knows how to feed your sheep.
[8:40] And knows what is best for your sheep. And so let us receive the riches of your grace. May it be an edifying strengthening to each of us this evening.
[8:58] May we know the privilege of being within your flock. Being within the boundaries of your security. Being within the boundaries of your eternal peace.
[9:14] Being within the boundaries of that loving family. Being within the boundaries of your children. Because we are adopted. Because we are adopted. As sons of God.
[9:27] That is our great privilege. To profess and declare Jesus Christ as their Saviour. And maybe there are some.
[9:40] Who know they should be part of this family. That are sitting out with the flock. We pray. That they would not resist the call.
[9:54] Of the gospel. They would not resist the greatest display of. The shepherd. And his great love.
[10:04] In laying down his life for the sheep. We pray. That the gospel. That go forth with your power.
[10:16] We pray. That your spirit. Give us ears to hear. And a heart of understanding. To acknowledge our sin.
[10:28] And the weight of it. And the separation of this cause. But also to hear.
[10:39] The voice of the good shepherd calling us. To come. and to receive and rest in him and to find out peace in him.
[10:51] We pray for young and old. We pray for those that doubt and those that are confident. Those that are full of joy and those that are struggling on the way.
[11:07] We are all here in a different situation and circumstances. Lord, strengthen us and encourage us. We are encouraged and give thanks for young lives professing faith in him.
[11:25] We pray for Hannah and Daniel. We pray for them sitting here for the first time. And we pray that you will be with them, shepherding them and protecting them.
[11:39] Knowing that the devil will make a tax. But they would find the shepherd in the words, in prayer, in the privacy of their own prayer lives and their private reading.
[11:55] They would find confidence in Jesus Christ and all that he has done. Knowing that there's nothing and no one else in this world that can compare. We pray, thinking of those who had their names in the Bible, who are prayerful and bold to trust in God despite every circumstance.
[12:22] despite the world even trying to silence him and despite the judgments of the world upon them. we pray, give them confidence in their young lives to trust him and to rely on the good shepherd and to follow his voice every day.
[12:45] Do that for all of us, we pray, as we come and remember Jesus Christ who died for us, who gave us life. Not only is he the shepherd, but he is also the perfect lamb.
[13:02] The sacrifice offends us from all our stains of sin and washes us and washes us clean. So be with us together as we join in this sacrament.
[13:17] Blessed to all who receive and may it speak volumes of the voice of the shepherd to those who sit and watch. We pray that your spirit may work with great effect on both sides we ask.
[13:36] In all these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. We'll sing again to God's praise.
[13:48] We'll sing this thing from Mission Praise 493 O come, O come, Emmanuel. O come, O come, Emmanuel.
[14:19] I brought some captive Israel. up Bluetooth Bluetooth Bluetooth shall come to thee, O Israel.
[15:02] O come, O come, the Lord of might, who tonight rides on Silas by.
[15:18] Ancient times did give the Lord in blood and majesty and all.
[15:34] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
[15:52] O come, the rod of Jesse flee, thine own cross, Satan's destiny.
[16:05] From depths of hell thy people's pain, and give them victory o'er the name.
[16:22] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
[16:38] O come, thou didst bring calm and cheer, our spirit by thy night and hear.
[16:55] Distressed in whom he bount of night, and death's dark shadows blue to fly.
[17:11] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
[17:28] O come, the King of David, come and open wide an heavenly home.
[17:43] make safe the way that leads all night, and close the path to misery.
[17:57] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
[18:21] If you could turn to Matthew chapter 1, please. When Scott was praying just a moment ago, he was praying for those who maybe felt the call to come and profess faith and yet didn't on this occasion.
[18:50] And I can remember being in that position myself for two or three years. And for anyone who is in that position and knows that they're sitting in the wrong place tonight, don't think that you have to wait for another three months or six months before you actually come and profess your faith.
[19:08] You can come and speak to me or any of the session at any time. You can come and profess faith any week in the year. So if there is that call and you feel that you haven't responded in obedience, don't delay.
[19:26] Do it. Do it now. Do it soon. Don't leave it for a long time. Matthew chapter 1 and verse 18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.
[19:41] When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
[19:55] But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
[20:09] She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet.
[20:22] Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which means God with us. When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.
[20:37] He took his wife, but he knew her not until she had given birth to a son, and he called his name Jesus. Amen.
[20:48] And may God bless that of his word to us. We'll sing again now to God's praise. This time, Mission Praise 597. Silent night. Or still a night.
[20:59] Silent night. Holy night. Sleeps the world hid from sight. Silent night. Silent night. Holy night. Sleeps the world hid from sight.
[21:28] Sleeps the world hid from sight. May our children stay over there.
[21:39] Watch for the child be loving and fair. Sleep in heavenly rest.
[21:52] Sleep in heavenly rest. Silent night. Silent night.
[22:04] Holy night. Shepherds' words saw the light.
[22:15] Heart and hear the angel's soul.
[22:29] Christ the Redeemer is here. Christ the Redeemer is here.
[22:41] Silent night. Silent night. Holy night. Silent night. Holy night. Silent night. Holy night. Son of God. O how bright. Love is smiling from your face. Christ the Redeemer is here.
[22:58] Love is smiling from your face. Christ was now the hour of pain.
[23:11] Savior since you are born Savior since you are born If you could turn back to Matthew chapter 1 please.
[23:41] Again we'll pray. Heavenly Father we thank you for your word. We thank you for the promise of the help of the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and we pray in accordance with your direction that the Holy Spirit would be our teacher this evening.
[23:58] That although this passage may be to us very familiar, a passage we return to year after year, we pray that you would speak to us in a fresh way. And that as we think about the names that were given to the child who was born, we pray that these names would have an impact as we think about them.
[24:19] That we would understand who Jesus is, how much we need him and that we would put our faith in him and profess faith in him as we come towards the Lord's table.
[24:31] Help us we pray in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Now, when we are approached by someone we don't know, all of us have been in that situation where we maybe walk down the street or maybe we're sitting in our own houses, maybe we're out somewhere and we see someone that we don't recognize, someone that we don't know who approaches us.
[24:58] When we're approached by someone we don't know and we feel somewhat suspicious of, we may have a polite conversation with them, but we tend to remain at a distance from them.
[25:16] And we tend not to give them any of our contact details or our names. But when we meet someone and we want to get to know them better, even enter into a relationship with them, we tell them our name.
[25:47] So I can look around and I can see couples. And you can probably think back to the time when you were in the early conversations and you were deciding, will I pass on my number?
[26:06] Will I give them my name? One of the most amazing truths that we can ponder is that the God who made the universe, the God who holds everything together, the God who is eternal, who has no beginning and no end, the God who is eternal, who has no beginning and no end, who has no beginning and no end, who has no beginning.
[26:34] The God who is almighty and always will be and always has been. The God who is holy and pure and true and righteous and just and loving and gracious and good.
[26:54] The one true God. The God. This God is not a God who remains distant from us. This is not the God who holds back from us.
[27:14] But he has revealed himself to us. By telling us his name. Or as we think about this evening. His names.
[27:28] And that's what I want to consider tonight as we just continue in the Christmas story as recorded by Matthew. And as we make our approach to the Lord's table.
[27:40] I want us to think about the names that are given to the child that was born. The child that would live. The child that would live.
[27:50] The child that would die and rise for our salvation. He is Christ. He is Jesus.
[28:04] And he is Emmanuel. So let's think through these names. First of all, Christ. Verse 18.
[28:16] Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. As we think about our own names. As we look around and we think about the names of the people who are in this room even.
[28:31] We have a first name. And we have a surname. So as we think about each other. We're used to hearing two names.
[28:42] To try to describe and identify a person. But as we think of this name Christ. Christ was not the surname. Of Jesus.
[28:54] One commentator says Christ comes from the Greek word Christos. Christos. Meaning anointed one. Or chosen one. In the Hebrew the equivalent word is Messiah.
[29:07] So who is this child that Matthew writes of. That was born. That is to be born. Well Matthew tells us he is the Christ. He is the Messiah.
[29:22] He is the one who was promised right through the Old Testament. And we can trace that promise. From almost at the beginning of the Bible.
[29:35] In Genesis chapter 1 we see the creation. God creates the world. And everything is good. But by the time we get to Genesis chapter 3.
[29:47] That which God made good. Was spoiled. Because Adam and Eve. They fell. They didn't listen to God.
[30:00] They didn't trust God. They listened to Satan. And they did what Satan tempted them to do. And as they disobeyed God. And listened to the devil.
[30:13] Sin came into the world. Genesis chapter 3. And death came with that sin. And everything by Genesis chapter 3. That was so bright.
[30:23] And so light. And so perfect. Was falling apart. Everything looked so dark. Everything looked so hopeless. And then God made a promise.
[30:34] God said from the offspring. From the family line. Of the woman. That's Eve. A child would be born.
[30:46] And this child. Would crush. The head. Of Satan. This child.
[30:57] Would make an end. Of sin. This child. Would pick. Fallen mankind. Back up. And that child.
[31:11] That was promised. Was the Christ. Or we could go to. Isaiah chapter 9. You'll hear both these passages read.
[31:24] Next Sunday evening. As we go through. All these texts. And the Christmas story. Isaiah chapter 9. What's going on there? Well we see God's people. And again. They're in a state of darkness.
[31:35] They're surrounded by enemies. They're far away from God. And the reason they're far away from God. Is because they want to be far away from God. They're in sin.
[31:46] They're in rebellion. And everyone was in despair. And then the promise of God.
[31:58] Is spoken out again. Isaiah chapter 9. It says. The people who walked in darkness. Have seen a great light. Those who dwelt.
[32:09] In a land of deep darkness. On them. A light shone. And then it says. For to us. A child is born.
[32:23] To us. A son. Is given. And here. In this passage that we read. Matthew says. That child.
[32:33] That son. Has been given. And he. The Christ.
[32:43] And he. Is. The Christ. I don't know how much planning goes into your gift giving at Christmas I'm sure our girls are planning meticulously the gifts that they're preparing to give to their family members but sometimes when we're planning a gift we just want that gift that we're going to give to be perfect we want the gift that we're going to give to be just what that person wants and needs and the reason that we put so much planning is because we love the person and as we think about the promise of and as we think about the birth of the Christ we are reminded of the great love of God for us and we need that reminder I was reading and listening to a sermon yesterday on John chapter 16 and in verse 27 there is this amazing statement where Jesus says to his disciples his followers back then and to us tonight the Father himself loves you and we doubt that so often we don't feel like we're loved so often we're trying to do things because we think we're not enough we think we can't be loved when we see our own hearts when we know what we do and what we don't do we think surely the Father doesn't love me maybe he just is able to put up with me maybe he can just about tolerate me but surely he doesn't love me and Jesus says to his disciples he says to us this evening the Father himself loves you and we see how much we are loved in the Christmas story that God the Father would go to such great lengths sending his son giving gifting his son to us to take us from the darkness of sin into the light of his salvation no wonder the angel sang in the Christmas story think about the the words of the carol
[35:37] I think we're singing that at the end hark the herald angels sing glory to the newborn king peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled this is how through what Jesus would do joyful all ye nations rise join the triumph of the skies with the angelic hosts proclaim Christ Christ is born in Bethlehem so the first name that we hear given to the son that was born is Christ the second name is Jesus verse 21 she will bear a son Joseph has told this she Mary will bear a son and you shall call him you shall call his name Jesus now we know that when couples are expecting a child there's much in the way of discussion about the the names or the name that would be given to this child as mother and father think about what to call this child there's a whole lot of discussion and debate and then the wider families get to know of the pregnancy and they start to give their opinion about the the name that should be given to this child call him after his grandfather of course you're going to call him after his grandfather call him Archie after his grandfather but what if it's a girl well just call her after her grandfather call her Archie Aina or something you get all the opinions this is the the debate about the name now note in the verses that we read as Mary and Joseph anticipate the birth there's no discussion about the name of the child usually in that custom the father's name would be taken forward or at least a family name would be taken forward but you can trace the line back that we read through this morning and we don't find anywhere in that line the name Jesus so people after the birth would come to Joseph and they would ask the question why is the boy not called Joseph or at least why did you not choose a name from the family line and the answer to that question was because the child that was born wasn't
[38:11] Joseph's son and so the name that was given well it wasn't Joseph's decision verse 18 when his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph before they came together she was found to be with child not from Joseph but from the Holy Spirit that's what's going on behind the scenes that's what Joseph and that's what no one else can see the conception is the miraculous thing the birth of Jesus would be absolutely natural it's the conception that's supernatural and Joseph's told that in the dream the angel of the Lord said to Joseph in verse 20 that which is conceived in her in Mary is from the Holy Spirit Alistair Begg says
[39:14] Mary was his mother Mary was Jesus' mother but he had no human father Mary was a virgin Jesus had to grow up just in the same way as we did but unlike us Jesus didn't start to exist just a few months before he was born he was God's eternal son and because he was not Joseph's but God's eternal son God sent a messenger an angel to tell Joseph this is the name that has been chosen for this child verse 21 she will bear a son says the angel to Joseph and you shall call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins the name Jesus meant the name Jesus means the Lord saves that's what the name means and Jesus absolutely fully comprehensively lived up to his name we all have names but we don't always live up to our names the name David means beloved but you can ask
[40:53] Mary and she'll tell you I'm not always easy not always that easy to love don't always live up to my name I was looking at a few names Scott one of the names one of the meanings of the name Scott is Gaelic speaker but we're still waiting I looked up the name Duncan it means brown haired warrior the point is we don't always live up to our name but Jesus lived up to his name he was born into this world to be the saviour and he lived for us that life without sin that we cannot have not will not ever live he willingly went to a cross to die for us to take away our sin why so that we could be saved so who will be saved by
[42:12] Jesus that's the question will everyone be saved by Jesus this is a promise of universal salvation well no it's not not everyone will be saved Jesus it says in verse 21 he will save his people and who are his people his people are those who believe in him his people are those who trust him his people are those who ask him to be their personal saviour to take away their personal sin and so as we come to the table this evening we come confessing that we are great sinners but that Jesus is our great saviour and that we are his people and we come to the table not only to remember his birth but his death for us because through his death we are saved through his death we have life
[43:37] Christ Jesus and finally Emmanuel verse 22 says all this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel which means God with us and I want to just think that through just for two or three more minutes let's think about this name Emmanuel which means God with us who is the child he is Emmanuel and the first thing we can note about that is that by the definition of that name we are told that he is God who is this child he is
[44:41] God not just another prophet not just a good teacher not just a miracle worker not just another religious guru not just a super Pharisee God but he!
[45:02] God God the Son and he is God with us not God far away from us not God distant from us not God who is remote and untouchable but he is the God who has come into this world to be with us he is the God who wants us to know him sometimes we make the mistake we hear it often spoken about in spiritual literature and discussion sometimes people make the mistake of thinking that we are the ones who have to search for God so we see people who go on spiritual pilgrimages and they dabble in all kinds of mysticism they get sucked into strange cults and when you ask them what are you doing they say well
[46:06] I'm searching for God I've given up my job I bought myself a pair of sandals I'm searching for God but the truth is we don't have to search for God because he has come to search for us we sing in the carol sometimes this line he came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all John in John chapter 1 verse 14 says the word that's Jesus became flesh and made his dwelling among us so who is this child to be born he is Emmanuel he is God he is God with us in terms of time and geography and space and he is
[47:10] God with us in terms of love and salvation he is not God against us if he was God against us we would be doomed but he is God with us and we see that in the birth of Jesus but we see that even more powerfully in the death of Jesus as he gave his body to be broken as he shed his blood he is showing us how much he is with us he is Emmanuel God with us and the question that we are asked and the question that we will answer as we see the table spread is the question of are we with him let's pray
[48:33] Lord God we thank you for who you are we thank you for the fact that you have revealed yourself to us and as we think about these names Christ we thank you for the promise that was fulfilled in death and life and death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus so we think about the name Jesus we thank you that there is only one name through which we can be saved God as we think about Emmanuel we thank you that you are God and the God who is not unreachable unknowable but the God who reveals himself to us who comes to us and who is with us help us to trust you we pray and we ask it in
[49:44] Jesus name amen we'll sing as we prepare now to come to the table from mission praise 1045 mission praise 1045 from the squalor of a borrowed stable by the spirit and a virgin's faith to the anguish and the shame of scandal came the saviour to the human race we'll stand to sing in just a moment to God's praise Bluetooth Bluetooth the human race but the skies were filled shepherds listen as the angels of the gift of God come down to man at the dawning of Emmanuel
[51:03] King of heaven now the friend of sinners humble servant in the Father's house filled with power on the Holy Spirit filled with mercy for the broken man is the holy help I give joys and sorrows that I know so well that is righteous give me hope again I will call my man through the kisses of a friend's betrayal he was lifted on a new cross he was punished for a war up up up up up up up and the glory of the highest rule interceding for its all-beloved children's father calls to give them home but the skies will part as the trumpet sounds hope of heaven or the fear of hell but the pride will run to our lover's arms giving glory to the highest of the highest just as we come to the table
[53:20] I want to just read one more verse that we never thought about in the sermon and it's at verse 24 so Joseph he's heard God speak through the messenger in his dream and then it's morning and it says when Joseph woke from sleep he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him so what did Joseph do?
[53:50] well he did three things one he trusted the word of God two he received Jesus the son of God and three he was obedient and as we come to the table we come like Joseph we come trusting the word of God and what does the word of God say to us about us it says that we are great sinners and those who sit at the table that's what we're saying we're admitting the fact that we are great sinners and what does the word of God say about Jesus it says that he is the great saviour and as we come to the table we are saying not only is he the great saviour but he's my great saviour so we come trusting the word of God we come receiving the son of God we say as we take the bread his body was given for me and we say as we take the wine his blood was shed for me we receive him as we come to the table and we come in obedience to the word of Jesus because what did he say to those who were trusting him he said do this don't think about it don't debate it don't wait 20 years before you get around to it but do this in remembrance of me so let's read now the warrant that we're given to do this 1st Corinthians chapter 11 the apostle
[56:04] Paul said for I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and said this is my body which is for you do this in remembrance of me in the same way also he took the cup after supper saying this cup is the new covenant in my blood do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me for as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes so as we are called to follow his example let's now pray and give thanks for this meal our heavenly father we thank you for the Lord's supper we thank you for this meal that reminds us of all that was done for our salvation in some ways we are ashamed as we think about the fact that we need this reminder and yet we know that we do need this reminder because we are quick to forget all that
[57:26] Jesus did for us father we are quick to doubt if it's really true that you love us but we thank you that as we see the bread we remember the body of Jesus given for us as we see the wine we remember the blood of Jesus shed for us we remember the vastness of the love of the father that he would send his only son to make wretches like us his treasure so as we partake of the supper as we do this we pray that we would remember the Lord Jesus and that once more our hearts would be moved as we consider your love for us Holy Spirit move amongst us we pray that we would not be distracted but that we would once more know that you are God
[58:31] Emmanuel God with us and we ask this in Jesus name Amen Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread and when he had blessed it and given thanks he broke it and said this is my body which is for you do this in remembrance of me and in the same way he took the cup and said this cup is the new covenant in my blood do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the
[59:37] Lord's death until he comes let's pray our heavenly father once more we thank you for the privilege that we have had of being able to gather at the Lord's table and remember the death of Jesus until he comes we thank you that we have read of the first coming of Jesus into this world of the wonder of the God who was bigger than the whole world being laid in a manger we thank you for his life that perfect life lived for us as our substitute because we could not live a life that was sinless we thank you that he lived for us that he died to pay the price to pay the debt to our sin we thank you that he rose from the dead we thank you that every time we come around this table we are reminded of the fact that one day soon Jesus will return we do this only until he comes and so we pray that we would be found ready even this evening we thank you that the offer of the gospel goes out widely we pray for any who have heard it once more and have not yet come we pray for a sense of urgency we pray
[61:15] Lord God that in your mercy you would draw more people to trust in Jesus to remember Jesus and to know the salvation that he alone can bring we pray for those who are struggling tonight for those who may be struggling emotionally even we sit at this table where once we sat with many others who have gone on ahead of us and we thank you that when they are in Christ there is no need for this sacrament because they experience in greater measure that communion with Jesus we pray for your comfort to be given to those who mourn those who have gone on ahead of them and Lord we pray that you would be working in the hearts of those who have no desire to be at the table maybe once who sat here in the past or sat elsewhere in the past and were moved and remembered all that
[62:28] Jesus did and yet at this moment in time are far from Jesus with no thought or desire to be here we recognise that only a move of the Holy Spirit can change that and so we pray Holy Spirit that you would bring back the prodigals that those who are far off you would draw near and those who are still asleep in sin that you would awake that they with us would see that they are great sinners and that Christ is the great saviour so hear our prayers and part us with your blessing again we pray especially for Hannah and for Daniel and as they go out into their own experiences in this life we pray that they would be ambassadors for Christ and that they would know the blessing of God upon them and protection from the enemy of their souls we thank you that he is defeated and yet we know that we in ourselves are not strong enough to withstand his assaults but we thank you that in
[63:37] Christ we are secure so we pray for them as we pray for ourselves asking that you would bless us be with the young ones as they head now to Stornoway we ask Lord that as the gospel messages preached that you would open their minds and their hearts and that they would see in a fresh way the Lord Jesus and once more experience the wonder of the story of Emmanuel hear our prayers cleanse us from sin we ask in Jesus name Amen we'll sing to conclude now the carol mission praise 211 hark the herald angels sing glory to the new born king news news news!
[64:27] news news! news! news! news news! news news! news! news! news! news! news! up Glory to the newborn King.
[65:31] But my highest heaven adore, Christ the everlasting Lord.
[65:41] Leaped in time behold him come, all spring of a virgin's birth. Hail the flesh, the Lord at sea.
[65:57] Hail the incarnate deity. Pleased as one with one to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.
[66:13] Hark the herald angels sing. Glory to the newborn King.
[66:25] The head of Prince of Peace. Hail the Son of Righteousness. Light and light to all he brings.
[66:39] Blessed when he lives in his ways. While he lays his glory high.
[66:51] Born of love, no more may die. Born to raise the sun's on earth. Born together, second birth.
[67:06] Hark the herald angels sing. Glory to the newborn King.
[67:16] And now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of God the Holy Spirit, be with us all now and forevermore.
[67:29] Amen.