Advent Carol Service

10 December 2009

Opening	Come, O God, of all the earth (Marty Haugen)
Reading	1 Cor 13:4–x, y–13
Responding in Faith
Song	No wind at the window (John Bell)
Reflection
Response	Gift of God (Marty Haugen)
Living in Hope
Reading	Philippians 1:3-6. 8-11
Psalm 24	To you, O Lord (Marty Haugen)
Reflection
Choir	Cantique de Jean Racine (Gabriel Fauré)
Acting in Love
Reading	1 John 4:7-10
Song	Love one another (mtgf)
Gospel	Luke 1:39-44
Song	I say 'yes', my Lord (Donna Pena)
Intercessions	Response: Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Presentation of Carol Singing Cheques
Concluding Prayer
Final Song	Joy to the world

Our Carol Service is an Advent Carol Service though I do have some sympathy with idea that this might be the only proclamation of Christmas that some people might hear. In practical terms this is about as late we hold it as the students will soon have disappeared and I have always wondered about the time given to practising a Christmas repertoire which we would not use.

For the last few years we have included the presentation of the cheques to local charities with monies raised by the student's carol singing. This becomes a factor in the planning. Preparing this year's service the conversation started from what we say yes to - what we are positive about - to the idea of faith, hope and love. This gave the service a structure though I am not sure the idea is pursued forensically.

One intended characteristic of this year's service which I think came over is that it was meant to be a joyful celebration. This is in contrast to other years which have been more reflective

A textual note for those interested. Love one another which I wrote for the 150th anniversary of College uses verse from John's Gospel for the verses and was first used in the Easter season. For this celebration I adapted some texts from the first letter of St John.