The Song of Zechariah ‘Benedictus’

11 o’clock English Service Hymn 55 ' O come all ye faithful ' Prayer followed by Young People’s talk Bible Reading Luke 1:46-55 ( NIV) Mary’s song And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors Hymn 53 ‘ Child in the manger’ Sermon - The Song of Mary ‘ The Magnificat ‘ Mary’s famous song ‘ The Magnificat ‘ sings the praise of God in a wonderfully personal as well as public way ; Rejoicing in the Redeemer Raising up and Remembering His people No Gaelic service today No Sunday school today 6 pm Evening English Service Ps 100 ‘ All people that on earth do dwell’ Para 19 ‘ The race that long in darkness pin’d ’ Bible reading Luke 1: 67 - 76 ( NIV) Zechariah’s song His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace Ps 148 ( 2nd version) ‘ The Lord of heav’n confess ‘ Sermon - The song of Zechariah ‘ Benedictus ‘ Para 39 ‘ Hark the glad sound the saviour comes ’ Hymn 69 ‘ Once in royal David’s city ‘