2018 Christmas Church Service

CHRISTMAS DAY CHURCH SERVICE

The 2018 Christmas Day Service is from the Meadowlands Fiji Methodist Church in Somerville, Auckland. It features the Reverend Joeli Ducivaki as Worship Leader, the choir director Mataiasi Dralimaki, and the church choir and congregation.

The service is announced by a flourish on a traditional Fijian log drum

Introit sung by the choir: Ni Curu mai ere 

Call to Worship by Rev Joeli Ducivaki

Celebrate this day, this Christmas Day! Shout Aotearoa for Christ is with us, Christ is born!

From Whangarei and Invercargill, Gisborne and Greymouth, let the story be told. Let the song be sung.

In the hot dusty paddocks, where sheep and cattle huddle in the shade, let the music be heard.

While people crowd beaches with surf boards and sunscreen lotion, remember his birth.

Around the smoking barbecue and heat of the family hangi with the fragrant aroma of cooking food, talk about the gift from God.

By tables loaded with crisp salads or roast turkey and plum pudding, contemplate God’s love in Christ.

Wherever this birth is announced and this day is honoured.

To you is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord!

Christ Jesus has come among us forever, bring in your new world child of the sun.

Sere: Mai reki edaidai
Hymn: O come all ye faithful

Mai reki edaidai Yalo vata kece, Gu me da lako kina koro koya!, Me da mai raici: Koya sa qai sucu: Mai vakarokoroko vei Karisito.	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, Christ the Lord.
Kalou dina sara, Vu ni lagilagi, Yaco me vakataki keda oqo Luve I Tamada, Sega ni ka buli, Mai vakarokoroko vei Karisito.	God of God, light of light, Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb; True God, begotten, not created: O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Ni sere mai cake, Sere ena reki, Kai lomalgi mo ni sere edai; Ni dokai Koya, Sa cecere sara: Mai vakarokoroko vei Karisito.	Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above! Glory to God, glory in the highest: O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Io, Turaga Ko Ni a mai sucu, Keimami bula tu e Vukumuni, Yalo I mami, Sa qai cabo yani, Vei Kemuni, Turaga, na Karisito. Amen.	Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. Amen.

Welcome and Greetings from Rev Ducivaki

Lighting the Christ Candle read by Viti Tuwere

Over the past four Sundays we have lit our advent candles. They are alight again today and we remember the ways hope, peace, joy and love are always brought to birth in, through and among all creation. Now we light the candle of Christmas.

We welcome the Christ child and our very heart becomes the manger.

The Shepherds' Message read by Wana Leveanasiga

Come all you shepherds and shearers,
Put down your blades,
Kick the fleece into a corner
And hurry on down to the birth place.

Christ is with us.

It is dark right now in Bethlehem
But here the sun blazes in a fanfare of brass
And gulls float like scraps of paper
Announcing to a blue, blue sea:

Christ is with us.

Not in a stable this time,
But a house-truck parked down by the creek
Under a snow of manuka blossom,
Mary, the baby, two cats and dog.
And Joseph making pancakes over a little gas stove,
Go quietly now, for this is a holy time.
Kick your boots off at the step
And go in with open eyes
Ready to be surprised by God.

Christ is with us.

Sere: Na I vakatawa e ra tu
Hymn: While shepherds watched their flocks by night

Nai vakatawa e ra tu, Na sipi moce no, Sa wavoliti ira ga Na I serau ni Kalou Na Agilosi rairai mai, Ka kaya sara tu, “Dou kua ni rere, Sa sucu ko Jisu.”	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, said he, (for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind), Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.
Sa I Koya na Karisito, Ka a yalataki tu, Sa kawa vakatui ga, Sa luve ni Kalou, Dou lako ga ka vaqara, Dou na kunea tu, reki ga”Ni davo mai na vale ca, Na gone ko Jisu.	To you, in David's town, this day Is born of David's line A saviour, who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign. The heav'nly babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid.
Ka sa qai rogo sara mai, Na sere Vakalou, “Mai lomalagi me dokai” Kalou cecere tu, Ki Vuravurakecega, Me yaco na sautu, Veivinakati tale mai, Ni sucu ko Jisu. Amen…	Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a heavenly throng Of angels praising God, and thus Addressed their joyful song: All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace; Goodwill henceforth from heav'n to men Begin and never cease! Amen.

Prayers read by Epeli Bainivalu

Sing to the Holy One, sing a new song!
The One who has done marvellous things!

Your right hand and holy arm gave you victory.

You announced the victory,

And declare true justice to the nations.
You remembered the covenant of love and fidelity
toward the house of Israel.

All the nations of the world have seen your victory, O God.
Let the whole world shout to the Holy One.
And break into joyful shouts and songs of praise.

Sing to the Holy One on the harp.
With harp and lovely song.
With trumpets and horn,
Shout joyfully to our sovereign, the Holy One!

Let the sea roar and all its creatures, the whole world
and all its people.

Let the rivers clap their hands and the
mountains shout together before the Holy One,
who is coming to judge the world.
The Holy One will judge the world with true justice.
And its people with integrity.

The Gospel (John 1: 1-14) read by Litia Vakasoqo​

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Christmas Stories read by Margaret Nurminen

Christmas Anthem

Reflection on Christmas by Rev Joeli Ducivaki

Sere: Mai Peceliema
Hymn: Away in a Manger

Mai Peceliema sa sucu e liu Na Gone Turaga ko ya ko Jisu Na veikalokalo sa cila ga mai Ni davo ko Jisu, na Gone lailai	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; the stars in the heavens looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Na veimanumanu sa tagi tu ga. ka sega ni rere na gone koya Jisu au loloma kivei kemuni Mai tiko kei au, ni'u sa qai nomuni.	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.
Ni toro mai Jisu, me'u qai tiko dei; mo ni volekati au tiko e ke; nanumi keimami na gone lailai na yalo i me mami savai.	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.

Prayers for Christmas Day read by Lois Senibiau

This is the moment, this is the day of gladness, the rebirthing of love!
We will listen for the sounds of joy.
Here, among our everyday places,
Here among our ordinary lives, is the emerging of grac.
We will watch for the signs of the Holy.
In this time, in every time,
We hold our breath in awe for the wonder of the Christ;
for this Christmas Day!
All around us we find situations which take away our
faith in the birth of love among us.
If we have lost our sense of wonder and delight:
If we limit such things to the stuff of children’s stories
God of sunrises and angel songs, forgive us.
If we no longer expect surprises.
If we take the gifts of others and ourselves for granted.

God of babies in animal-troughs and shepherds in fields, forgive us.

When love for the world seems an impossible dream and we succumb to a spirit of cyncism or defeat. God of shining stars and hope, forgive us.

Forgive us and reconnect us with the spirit of Jesus within us and between us, whose birth and ongoing life we celebrate when we live as we pray.

Assurance of Love and Welcome:

Jesus Christ was born into the world, just as it was so that in every generation just as it is, people like us can give and receive hope, peace, joy and love and keep making Jesus’ kind of difference in the world.

This Christmas day we give thanks for God’s love
revealed in Jesus; we show our gratitude by
sharing the warmth of that love around.

The Lord's Prayer

Tamai keimami mai lomalagi, me vakarokoroko taki na yacamuni, me yaco mai na nomuni matanitu, me yaco na lomamuni a vuravura me vaka sa yaco tiko mai lomalagi, ni solia mai vei keimami a daidai na kakana a rauti keimami, ni vosata na neimami caka-cala me vaka ni keimami sa vosoti ira ka caka-cala ki vei keimami, ni vakabulai keimami ena gauna ni vei vakatovolei, ka vagalalataki keimami mai na ca.

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. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

Sere: Tokota qai vakaciriloloma
Offertory Hymn: O Holy NIght

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Chorus:
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night divine.

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from the Orient land.
The king of kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.

Chorus

Truly he taught us to love one another;
His law is love and his gospel is peace.
Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother;
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise his holy name.

Chorus

Dedication of the offering

On this day of giving and receiving gifts, when we give thanks for gifts of love and hope and peace, we bring this money and this food from our week of work, or  from what we have. These gifts are not wrapped in  bright coloured paper or labelled with the name of someone we know, but they are wrapped in our love, intended to lighten the lives of people we may never meet or know.

It is our prayer that these gifts and those who will benefit from them. May be both blessed and blessing becoming signs of light and life on this and every day. Amen

Sere: Tukuna tiko mada
Hymn: My Jesus I love thee

Tukuna tiko mada, Me rogo yawa tu Na I tukutuku levu, Sa sucu ko Jisu: Sai Koya na Mesaia, Na Luve ni Kalou, Sa yaco me tamata E na vukudatou.	My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine; for thee all the follies of sin I resign; my gracious redeemer, my Saviour art thou; if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
Chorus: Sa sucu na Mesaia, Na Luve ni Kalou; Sa mai sereki keda Ka vesu tu oqo.	I love thee because thou hast first loved me and purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree; I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow; if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
Tamata vakabauta Ko bula rawa tu, Mo vakacaucautaka Na Yaca I Jisu Na kena uasivi Mo vakatakila, Dulaka voli tiko, Ka kaya tiko ga. Chorus	I'll love thee in life, I will love thee in death, and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath, and say when the death dew lies cold on my brow: If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
Mo gumatua sara Ena talai oqo; Me tikoga kei iko Na Yalo ni Kalou; Vosota na rarawa, Na oca, kei na ca; Mo loma katakata Ka vunautaka ga. Chorus Amen	In mansions of glory and endless delight, I'll ever adore thee in heaven so bright; I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow: If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

A Blessing for Christmas Day

May the love that breathes life into all of creation be born in you today.
May the love that brings healing be born in you today.
May the love that overcomes hatred be born in you today.
May the love that forgives and renews be born in you today.
May the love that brings the blessing of peace be born in you today and every day. Amen.

The Grace

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the community of the Holy Spirit, be with us all.

Amen.

Final anthem

This recording was made in partnership with the Pacific Media Network, and Radio 531pi.