We hope you feel welcome, enjoy the carols and readings, and are inspired by the Christmas message from our special guest speaker Nicky Gumbel.
There are refreshments in the marquees and public toilets next to the children’s play park. If you have questions, please ask one of the stewards in fluorescent jackets and they will be able to point you in the right direction.
Start time is 4.30pm
Verse 1:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Verse 2:
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail the incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Verse 3:
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Chapter 2, Verses 8 to 20 (NIVUK)
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests."
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Verse 1:
Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus
laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the night sky
looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus
asleep on the hay.
Verse 2:
The cattle are lowing,
the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus
no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus,
look down from the sky
and stay by my side
until morning is nigh.
Verse 3:
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
close by me forever,
and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children
in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven,
to live with Thee there.
Verse:
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground;
The angel of the Lord came down
and glory shone around.
“Fear not,” he said, for mighty dread
had seized their troubled minds,
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and all mankind.”
“To you in David’s town this day
is born of David’s line,
The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord
and this shall be the sign.”
“The heavenly Babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swathing bands
and in a manger laid.”
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
of angels praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song.
“All glory be to God on high
and to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
begin and never cease!”
A message by Nicky Gumbel
A solo from the Gospel Collective's Tim Uffindell
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
you've kissed the face of God
Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
the deaf will hear
and the dead will live again;
The lame will leap
the dumb will speak
the praises of the Lamb.
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am.
Oh, Mary, did you know?
Verse 1:
O little town of Bethlehem
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
Verse 2:
For Christ is born of Mary
and gathered all above.
While mortals sleep the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together
proclaim the holy birth;
And praises sing to God the King
and Peace to men on earth.
Verse 3:
How silently, how silently
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human heart,
the blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him, still
the dear Christ enters in.
Verse 4:
O holy Child of Bethlehem
descend to us, we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in
be born to us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us
our Lord Emmanuel.
Verse 1:
O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him,
born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!
Verse 2:
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo, he abhors not the virgin’s womb;
Very God,
Begotten, not created:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!
Verse 3:
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
Glory to God,
in the highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!
We want everyone to discover more about Jesus and the Christian faith in a relaxed atmosphere. In January many churches are coming together to run the 11 week Alpha course here in Farnham. Ask questions and talk about life's big questions such as Is there more to life? What's my purpose in life? Who is Jesus?
This December dozens of Christmas services and events hosted by churches in Farnham will be happening this across the town. You'd be welcome to join us at any of them...
Christingles, Nativity Services, Carol Singing, Christmas Markets
There will be no offering taken during the service. There is an information point in the bandstand with information about the various projects that churches run, like Farnham Foodbank, Farnham Money Advice, Bereavement Support, Schools Work, Youth Work, and various other groups. If you would like to donate to this work, please do this online.
From all the churches involved
in making this Carol Service happen,
our special thanks to the Alder Valley Brass band,
the Gospel Collective and our guest speaker Nicky Gumbel,
and we wish you all a