Sunday Service for 21 December 2025, fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday 21 December 2025, Advent 4
Gourock St. John’s Church of Scotland
Service prepared by Rev. Teri Peterson
Manse phone: 632143 
Email: TPeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk
Email Charlene, Parish Assistant: CMitchell (at) churchofscotland.org.uk

Sanctuary Prelude Music (praise band)

Welcome and Announcements

We Gather As God’s Family (As the Bible is brought in, we stand and sing)
A family gathered in love,
striving for justice and joy,
blessing the broken-hearted,
and sharing the hope of God’s kingdom.

Lighting the Advent Candle
1: In the depths of night, God’s grace lights the way.
2: In the shadows before dawn, God’s life lights the way.
3: In the confusion and chaos, God’s truth lights the way.
4: In the longing and waiting, God’s Word lights the way.
All: God is coming, and the world will never be the same!
~candle is lit~

Hymn 304: O Little Town of Bethlehem (Sanctuary v. 3 from new words at GWA103)

Prayer
Loving God, we gather in this season of promise to worship you and sing your praise.
In the beginning, through all the ages, and still today
you are Emmanuel, God with us.
We praise you for your love and for your faithfulness,
for you are the source —
not just creator, not just word, but ground of being, breath of life,
fount of all hope from whom all joy springs.
You are the one we expect, but your coming is always unexpected.
You are the one who turns everything upside down and you make all things new.
God of Christmas surprises, we worship you and we wait for you
to awaken our wonder and astound us with your arrival.
Descend to us, we pray,
in our excitement, in our weariness, in our successes, in our brokenness…
for we know you meet us and hold us:
in and beyond the busyness
in and beyond the glitter
in and beyond the rush.
When we are tired and frayed,
when we lose sight of what it’s all about,
when we put ourselves first and forget that you come to bring love,
when we forget that you came to feed the hungry and welcome the stranger,
to pull down powers and lift up the lowly,
when we turn away from your light that can never be overcome…
come close and restore us and forgive us, we pray.
Loving God, mend our broken hearts and help us to know ourselves forgiven and loved,
and to live in the light of your grace.
Amen

(Adapted from Winter p.84, Louise Gough)

Sanctuary Hymn 313: See in Yonder Manger Low

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1.1-5
When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Sanctuary Children’s Time

Sanctuary Hymn: Light of the World (praise band)

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8.1-3, 22-32
Does not wisdom call
and understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
“The Lord created me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of long ago.
Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
when he had not yet made earth and fields
or the world’s first bits of soil.
When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
then I was beside him, like a master worker,
and I was daily his delight,
playing before him always,
playing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the human race.
“And now, my children, listen to me:
happy are those who keep my ways.”

Online Hymn 313: See in Yonder Manger Low

Sanctuary Hymn 319: Of the Father’s Love Begotten

Scripture Reading: Exodus 3.1-10 — Hamish
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness and came to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight and see why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey… The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. Now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”

Sanctuary Offering Hymn GWA100: Adore (praise band)

Offering Response: Hymn 324 vv. 4 and 5
Though an infant now we view him,
he will share his Father’s throne,
gather all the nations to him;
every knee shall then bow down:
Come and worship
Christ, the new-born King.
Come and worship,
worship Christ, the new-born King.

All creation, join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son,
evermore your voices raising
to the eternal Three in One:
Come and worship
Christ, the new-born King.
Come and worship,
worship Christ, the new-born King.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and shouting.
…
Strengthen the weak hands
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
…
He will come and save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be opened;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp;
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Online Hymn GWA100: Adore

Sanctuary Hymn 322: Good Christians, All Rejoice

Concerns of the Church
*Wednesday Bible Study — off now until after Christmas
*Longest Night service tonight 6pm
*Christmas Eve 7pm, Watchnight; Christmas Day 10am bring a present
*Christmas Lunch book by the end of the day tomorrow
*Prayer groups

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Because of your light, we see light, O God.
We give you thanks for your word that blazes forth
in the darkness
in the wilderness
in the Son
for your wisdom that creates and sustains
for your love that redeems
for your presence with us
shining in every place,
and the shadows did not overcome.
We pray today for your enchanting light
to open the more excellent way,
to be so beautiful that we cannot help but be drawn to it,
to awaken all creation to your goodness.
For many are waiting in darkness, Lord.
Many are living in horrors we dare not imagine,
in suffering we can’t stand to hear about,
in despair that no one cares.
Yet you are the one who lifts up the lowly and brings down the powerful.
You are the one who makes a way where there is no way.
You are the one who takes such delight in creation that you play and frolic.
Bring that power to bear today, O God,
and set this world right.
Let your justice flow down like a mighty river,
and your peace be built on a firm foundation.
Heal every division,
hold your people close,
and bring new life where all seems lost.
We pray today for those who look so faithfully for your coming,
those who speak your word and point to your way,
who prepare us to live in your kingdom here and now.
Encourage their hearts,
give them joy in the midst of their longing,
and strengthen their witness that all may see your glory.
We pray today for those in our community who are vulnerable —
for children who rely on the rest of us to care for them, nurture them, and keep them safe;
for those who are ill or injured or disabled, who need someone to help and look after them,
for those who through age or difficulty find the world more challenging than they used to,
for those who are poor and easily exploited,
for those desperate and uncertain and longing for even the faintest glimmer of hope,
for those who have left all they know in search of a future.
May they know your compassion, and ours.
May they be protected and fed and housed and helped.
May they be surrounded by your grace, and lifted up by your hand.
On the 21st day of the month we join our hearts as your St John’s family to pray
For local community groups — especially for our Community Councils, and for other voluntary organisations in our area. We pray for the community to be strengthened and built up in friendship as we get to know one another and work together for the common good
For the staff of St John’s: for the minister, the organist, and the parish assistant.
For the land, people, and governments of the nations of Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Australia, New Zealand, and the continent of Antarctica.

Come, Lord Jesus — we await your promised day,
when light dawns and all the world rejoices,
when love shines out in every place
and we see your face.
We pray to you, through the power of your Holy Spirit
and in the powerful name of the One who is promised,
the One who is Lord of Lords and prince of Peace, Emmanuel —
Jesus the Christ, who taught us to pray together:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Sanctuary Hymn 316: Love Came Down

Scripture Reading: John 1.1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

For the word of God in Scripture
For the word of God among us
For the word of God within us
Thanks be to God.

Hymn: Love Has Come (words: Ken Bible; tune: Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella)

Sending: Colossians 1.15-19
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

And as you go to live as Christ’s Body, knowing that in him all things hold together, may the Spirit of God go above you to watch over you. May the Spirit of God go beside you to be your companion. May the Spirit of God go before you to show you the way, and behind you to push you into places you might not go alone. And may the Spirit of God go within you, to remind you that you are loved more deeply than you can possibly imagine. May the fire of God’s love burn brightly in you, and through you into the world. Go in peace. Amen.

Sung Benediction Response (John L Bell, tune Gourock St John’s)
Now may the Lord of all be blessed,
Now may Christ’s gospel be confessed,
Now may the Spirit when we meet
Bless sanctuary and street.

Sanctuary Postlude Music (organ)

Announcements

* We worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 11am, and Sunday worship is also online. If you are able, please enter by the front door in Bath street, and only those who need step-free access should use the back door. If you feel unwell, please worship online, to protect both yourself and others in our community.

* The first Sunday of the month at 11am is an all-age service, with different ways of encountering God’s word without a traditional sermon. All people — young and old, different personalities and learning styles, are welcome! You’ll find a more informal service with a variety of music, a Bible story, prayer, and some more interactive elements. The online service for the first Sunday will therefore also be different — there will still be a reading, prayers, and music, but usually not a sermon.

* Starter Packs are in need of Shaving Foam, Shampoo, Soap, Hand Wash. Also in preparation for Christmas they are collecting hats, scarves and gloves for children and adults, selection boxes, chocolates and biscuits.
The FoodBank are short of everything except pasta, so anything you can donate will be gratefully received!
You can bring donations to the church and place them into the boxes in the vestibule. Thank you!

* Bowl & Blether is on the first and third Mondays through the winter, with doors open from 11:30-1:30, and lunch served from noon. All are welcome for a bowl of soup, a toastie, a friendly chat in our warm hall! See you in the new year, 5th of January!

* The Contact Group meets on the 13th of January when Teri will be the speaker. The syllabus of events is available from Fiona Webster or Anne Armour. The syllabus donation of £5 will go towards our charity fundraising.

* TONIGHT at 6pm is our Longest Night service. It’s a quieter candlelight service that is perfect for those who need a bit of a break from all the festive Christmas cheer, or who are struggling with their well-being, or grief, or health. We recognise that not everyone can feel the cheer all the time, and this service makes space for a full range of emotions and experiences. There is a chance to light a candle for your own prayers or in memory of someone, as well as some of the less-exuberant carols, some poetry and reflection, and Silent Night by candlelight. All are welcome.

* We are partnering with the new charity Quinto Community to host a Christmas lunch in the church hall for anyone who doesn’t have people to share a Christmas meal with. For more information and to book your place please phone Dee at 01475 305035.

* Did you know that the ministry we do at St John’s costs about £3000 per week and we are currently running about £500 short? Everything we do is funded by your generous giving — all our support for young people, older people, bereavement care, community outreach, worship, study, spiritual growth, and community work is because of your offering. If you would like to set up a standing order in order to facilitate your spiritual discipline of giving, or if you would like to make an extra gift to support the ministry St. John’s does in our parish, you can give online by clicking here. If you would like to set up a standing order, please contact Teri and she can give you the treasurer’s details. You can also send your envelopes to the church or the manse by post and we will ensure they are received. 
It is also possible to donate to the work of the parish assistant, speak to Anne Love about how to go about directing new donations to that item in the budget.

* Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Youtube, and to sign up for our email newsletter! Midweek you can watch Wine and the Word on Youtube, pray with video devotions on Facebook, and consider a new angle on something with a devotional email. 

* Wednesday Evening Bible Study is on holiday until the new year!

* Free period products are available in the church toilets for anyone who might need them, thanks to Hey Girls and Inverclyde Council.