WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH
A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
Wesley Sanctuary, 23 December 2024, 8.00pm (Live-streamed)
A History of Nine Lessons and Carols
The first festival of lessons and carols was composed by E. W. Benson, then Anglican Bishop of Truro, England in 1880, based on ancient sources for Christmas Eve. In 1918, it was adapted for the chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, by its Dean, Eric Milner-White, who also wrote The Bidding Prayer.* A revision of the Order of Service was made in 1919, and from that date the service has always begun with the hymn ‘Once in Royal David’s City’. Since then, the tradition has spread. Over the years, the content of the readings and the traditional way of conducting the service with its simplicity have become very meaningful to many congregations. The service has been edited for United Methodist congregations.
* The bidding prayer is an intercessory prayer covering a variety of concerns such as the church, the state, the living and the dead, and public and private needs.
I. GATHERING
PRELUDE
WELCOMERev Raymond Fong
PROCESSIONAL HYMN*
Once in Royal David’s City UMH 250
THE BIDDING PRAYER*Rev Raymond Fong
Beloved in Christ,
it is our duty and delight to prepare ourselves
to hear again the message of the angels,
and to go in heart and mind to Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass,
and the Babe lying in a manger.
Therefore, let us hear again from Holy Scripture
the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our sin
until the glorious redemption brought us by this holy Child;
and let us make this house of prayer glad with our carols of praise.
But first, because this of all things would rejoice Jesus' heart,
let us pray to him for the needs of the whole world, and all his people;
for peace upon the earth he came to save;
for love and unity within the one Church he did build;
for goodwill among all peoples.
And particularly at this time let us remember
the poor, the cold, the hungry, the oppressed;
the sick and them that mourn; the lonely and the unloved;
the aged and the little children;
and all who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not,
or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.
Lastly let us remember all those who rejoice with us,
but upon another shore and in a greater light,
that multitude which no one can number,
whose hope was in the Word made flesh,
and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.
These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven,
in the words that Christ himself has taught us.
THE LORD’S PRAYER * Tune: ASAS
BLESSING * Rev Raymond Fong
May the Almighty God bless us with divine grace,
may Christ give us the joy of everlasting life,
may the Spirit of love bring us all
into the fellowship of the citizens above. Amen.
CAROL
Of the Father's Love BegottenUMH 184
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLESRev Lim Jen Huat
Tonight, we light all the candles as we open our eyes to the glory of Christ's birth. As we light the first candle, we celebrate the hope that transcends our hurting world. The second candle celebrates the peace that tears the veil of hostility and division. The third candle celebrates the love that covers our guilt.
And as we light the fourth candle, we celebrate the joy that can dry every tear. The flame of the Christ candle opens our eyes to God's everlasting light, as we celebrate the way to worship Christ, our newborn King.
FIRST LESSONChild – Anna Lam
Genesis 3:8 –15, 17–19
God announces in the Garden of Eden
Adam and Eve's punishment for their rebellion
and that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent's head.
CAROL
Come, Thou Long–Expected JesusUMH 196
SECOND LESSONChild – Mihin Perera
Genesis 22:15 –18
God promises to Abraham that by his descendants
all the nations of the earth shall obtain blessing.
CAROL
O Come, O Come, EmmanuelUMH 211, St. 1, 2, 6, 7
THIRD LESSONYouth – Jonah Lim
Isaiah 9:2, 6–7
The prophet announces the birth of a King and Saviour to a people in darkness.
CAROL
All Earth Is WaitingUMH 210
FOURTH LESSONYoung Adult – Natania Leow
Isaiah 11:1–4a, 6–9
The King is coming and will usher in a reign of justice for the poor
and peace for all of God's creation. The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.
CAROL
O Little Town of BethlehemUMH 230
FIFTH LESSONAssociate Pastoral Team Member of Youth Ministry – Timothy Ho
Luke 1:26 –35, 38
The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary
that she will give birth to God's promised Son
whose kingdom shall never end.
CAROL
My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout (Canticle of the Turning)
SIXTH LESSONChairperson of BeTween Ministry – Liana Seah
Matthew 1:18-23
Matthew tells of the birth of Jesus.
CAROL
Away in a MangerUMH 217
SEVENTH LESSONAssociate Lay Leader – Gordon Tan
Luke 2:8 –16
The shepherds go to see the Savior of the world, lying in a manger.
CAROL
On Christmas Night All Christians
EIGHTH LESSONPastor – Rev Benjamin Lau
Matthew 2:1 –12
The wise men follow a star to find the child Jesus, the King of the Jews.
CAROL
We Three KingsUMH 254
NINTH LESSON *Pastor – Rev Lilian Ang
John 1:1 –14
John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
CAROL *
Silent Night, Holy NightUMH 239
II. SERMONRev Gladwin Lee
He Will Be Our Peace!
Scripture: Micah 5:2–5a
III. WELCOME & OFFERINGRev Adrian Ng
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
OFFERTORY PRAYER
INSTRUMENTAL OFFERING
DOXOLOGY *
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Tune: VENI EMMANUEL
IV. SENDING FORTH *
CLOSING CAROL *
Joy to the WorldUMH 246
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING *
| L: | The Lord be with you. |
| P: | And with thy spirit. |
| L: | Let us pray. |
| L: | O God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your only son, Jesus Christ: Grant that as we joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold him, when he shall come to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. |
| All: | Amen |
| L: | May he who by his incarnation, gathered into one, things earthly and heavenly, grant you the fullness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. |
| All: | Amen |
POSTLUDE
2024 CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
A SERVICE OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
READERS
1. Anna Lam, 2. Mihin Perera, 3. Jonah Lim, 4. Natania Leow, 5. Timothy Ho, 6. Liana Seah, 7. Gordon Tan, 8. Rev Benjamin Lau, 9. Rev Lilian Ang
WORSHIP LEADERS
Rev Raymond Fong, Rev Lim Jen Huat, Rev Adrian Ng
Candlelight Combined Choir
Sunbeams Children’s Choir
ORGANIST
Terence Tan
PIANIST
Yuko Kamimoto
PREACHER
Rev Gladwin Lee
AV TEAM
Sound: Keefe Quek
Camera: Wong Chi Kong
Slides: Loh Wai Meng
Livestream: Vanessa Wee, Goh Kheng Guan
HEAD USHER
Peter Chow
SERVICE MANAGERS
Ivonne Lo, Serene Teo, Dorcas Kwok