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 of the human race!
But the skies were filled with the praise of heav’n,
shepherds listen as the angels tell
of the Gift of God come down to man
at the dawning of Immanuel!

King of heaven now the friend of sinners,
humble servant in the Father’s hands,
filled with power and the Holy Spirit,
filled with mercy for the broken man.
Yes he walked my road and he felt my pain,
joys and sorrows that I know so well;
yet his righteous steps give me hope again,
I will follow my Immanuel!

Through the kisses of a friend’s betrayal,
he was lifted on a cruel cross;
he was punished for a world’s transgressions,
he was suffering to save the lost.
He fights for breath, he fights for me,
loosing sinners from the claims of hell;
and with a shout our souls are free –
death defeated by Immanuel.

Now he’s standing in the place of honour,
crowned with glory on the highest throne,
interceding for his own beloved
’til his Father calls to bring them home!
Then the skies will part as the trumpet sounds
hope of heaven or the fear of hell;
but the bride will run to her lover’s arms,
giving glory to Immanuel!

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The splendour of the king;
clothed in majesty;
Let all the earth rejoice,
all the earth rejoice.

He wraps himself in light;
and darkness tries to hide
and trembles at his voice,
and trembles at his voice.

How great is our God! Sing with me,
How great is our God! And all will see
How great, how great is our God!

And age to age he stands
and time is in his hands;
beginning and the end,
beginning and the end.

The Godhead, three in one:
Father, Spirit, Son;
The Lion and the Lamb,
the Lion and the Lamb.

How great is our God!…

Name above all names,
Worthy of all praise;
My heart will sing
How great is our God!

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CONFESSION
Father eternal, giver of light and grace,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,
in what we have thought,
in what we have said and done,
through ignorance, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We have wounded your love,
and marred your image in us.
We are sorry and ashamed,
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and lead us out from darkness
to walk as children of light.
Amen.
Leader: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 NIV

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Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall,
There is still one King reigning over all.
So I will not fear, for this truth remains:
That my God is the Ancient of Days.

None above Him, none before Him,
All of time in His hands,
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand.
All the power, all the glory;
I will trust in His name,
For my God is, the Ancient of Days.

Though the dread of night overwhelms my soul,
He is here with me, I am not alone.
Oh, His love is sure and He knows my name,
For my God is the Ancient of Days.

None above Him…

Though I may not see what the future brings,
I will watch and wait for the Saviour King.
Then my joy complete, standing face to face,
In the presence of the Ancient of Days.

None above Him…

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There is a higher throne
than all this world has known,
where faithful ones from every tongue
will one day come.
Before the Son we’ll stand,
made faultless through the Lamb;
believing hearts find promised grace:
salvation comes.

Hear heaven’s voices sing,
their thund’rous anthem rings
through emerald courts and sapphire skies,
their praises rise.
All glory, wisdom, power,
strength, thanks and honour are
to God our King who reigns on high,
for evermore.

And there we’ll find our home,
our life before the throne;
we’ll honour Him in perfect song
where we belong.
He’ll wipe each tear-stained eye,
hunger and thirst will die.
The Lamb becomes our Shepherd-King:
we’ll reign with Him.

Hear heaven’s voices sing…

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O King, you are most worthy, of men you are the best
Your words are true and gracious, you are forever blessed
Take up your sword in splendour, ride forth in majesty
For justice and mercy and true humility
Your arrows pierce your enemies, you march across the land
The peoples and the nations against you cannot stand

Your throne will last forever, with justice you shall reign
You love all that is righteous and hate all evil gain
So God has richly blessed you with joy abundantly
Your robes are all fragrant, your courts are ivory
There princesses attend you, sweet music from of old
Your future queen awaits you arrayed in finest gold

O bride forsake all others, don’t give your love abroad
The king desires your beauty; so honour him your Lord
The gown he gives is glorious, the threads are twined with gold
In shimmering colours the envy of the world
A joyful crowd is with her, with gladness now they sing
And finally she enters the palace of the king

This king will reign forever, his sons upon the earth
And ev’ry generation will tell of his great worth
All nations will soon praise him and fall down at his feet
His kingdom established, where truth and mercy meet
O Jesus we adore you, our lover and our king
Your church, your bride is waiting and so to you we sing

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