Avon Dassett with Fenny Compton, Burton Dassett, Farnborough, Gaydon with Chadshunt
Christmas Day
CAROL CP61
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.
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.
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.
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,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
THE GREETING
I bring you good news of great joy:
a Saviour has been born to you.Alleluia!
Unto us a child is born. Alleluia!
He is Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
We worship and adore him. Alleluia
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the
darkness of our hearts.
In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins.
Your Son our Saviour was born in poverty in a manger.
Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem.
Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King.
Forgive our reluctance to seek you.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
May God who loved the world so much that he sent
his Son to be our Saviour forgive us our sins and
make us holy to serve him in the world through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
CAROL CP48
CHRISTIANS, awake! salute the happy morn,
whereon the Saviour of the world was born;
rise to adore the mystery of love,
which hosts of angels chanted from above:
with them the joyful tidings first begun
of God incarnate and the Virgin's Son.
Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
who heard the angelic herald's voice, 'Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth
to you and all the nations upon earth:
this day hath God fulfilled his promised word,
this day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.'
He spake; and straightway the celestial choir
in hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire;
the praises of redeeming love they sang,
and heaven's whole orb with alleluias rang:
God's highest glory was their anthem still,
peace upon earth, and unto men good will.
To Bethl'em straight the enlightened shepherds ran,
to see the wonder God had wrought for man,
and found, with Joseph and the blessed Maid,
her Son, the Saviour, in a manger laid:
then to their flocks, still praising God, return,
and their glad hearts with holy rapture burn.
O may we keep and ponder in our mind
God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind;
trace we the babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
from his poor manger to his bitter cross;
tread in his steps, assisted by his grace,
till man's first heavenly state again takes place.
Then may we hope, the angelic hosts among,
to sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song:
he that was born upon this joyful day
around us all his glory shall display;
saved by his love, incessant we shall sing
eternal praise to heaven's almighty King.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
READING by Year 4 the Dassett Primary School
Today Christ is born:
Alleluia!
Today the angels sing on earth:
Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest!
Christ’s birth at Bethlehem draws us
to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:
Alleluia! God is with us!
Today the Saviour has come:
Alleluia!
His message is with us today and for ever more.
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
CAROL - Away in a Manger
sung by Year 4 the Dassett Primary School
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Let us pray in the peace of this Christmas celebration that
our joy in the birth of Christ will last for ever.
Christ Jesus, thank you for letting us share in your birthday
We thank you for the joys of this day:
for the joy of giving and receiving;
the joy of reunion with family and friends;
the joys of feasting and of laughter.
In the midst of our joy we bring before you
the needs of the world.
Christ, born in a stable,
give hope to those who are homeless or outcast.
Inspire us to help those in poverty,
or less fortunate than ourselves.
Christ, at whose birth the angels rejoiced,
comfort those for whom this Christmas
is a sad or lonely season.
Inspire us to share your love.
Christ, worshipped by the shepherds,
receive the worship we offer.
Inspire us to share our faith with others.
Christ, before whom the wise men knelt,
give humility and wisdom to all who govern.
Inspire us to work for justice and peace for all.
Christ, born as a human child, walk with us as friend and
brother; bless our homes and all whom we love.
Inspire us to live as one family.
Christ, who is with us through the joy and sorrow, the good
and the bad, the excitement and despair of our lives.
Be with us in our laughter and our tears, to rejoice and comfort.
We thank you for the many blessings of this past year,
for all the good you have enabled us to do;
for the experiences that have taught us humility
and patience for the hope that your birth inspires
within us. Amen.
Let us pray to the Lord using the words he taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE PEACE
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and his name is called the Prince of Peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
THE BLESSING
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child be yours this Christmas.
May the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.
CAROL CP57
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns!
let all their songs employ;
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
Christmastide
HYMN CP67
See amid the winter's snow,
born for us on earth below,
see, the gentle Lamb appears,
promised from eternal years.
Hail that ever blessèd morn!
hail redemption's happy dawn!
sing through all Jerusalem:
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Lo, within a manger lies
he who built the starry skies;
he who, throned in height sublime,
sits amid the cherubim.
Hail that ever blessèd morn!
hail redemption's happy dawn!
sing through all Jerusalem:
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Say, ye holy shepherds, say,
what your joyful news today.
wherefore have ye left your sheep
on the lonely mountain steep? Hail...
Hail that ever blessèd morn!
hail redemption's happy dawn!
sing through all Jerusalem:
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
"As we watched at dead of night,
lo, we saw a wondrous light;
angels singing 'Peace on earth'
told us of the Saviour's birth."
Hail that ever blessèd morn!
hail redemption's happy dawn!
sing through all Jerusalem:
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Sacred Infant, all divine,
what a tender love was thine,
thus to come from highest bliss
down to such a world as this.
Hail that ever blessèd morn!
hail redemption's happy dawn!
sing through all Jerusalem:
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Teach, O teach us, holy Child,
by thy face so meek and mild,
teach us to resemble thee,
in thy sweet humility.
Hail that ever blessèd morn!
hail redemption's happy dawn!
sing through all Jerusalem:
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
THE GREETING
We meet to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world.
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
After Christmas, Epiphany;
after the shepherds, wise men;
The light which began to shine then is shining still,
as strong and bright as on that first day;
a light which nothing, not even death itself can extinguish.
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
A light to lighten the gentiles. Alleluia!
He is Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
We worship and adore him. Alleluia!
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Let us turn to the Lord and renew our faith in his
promises by confessing our sins in penitence.
Loving God, maker of all things,
we come before you knowing our failings.
For the times we have closed our ears to your word,
failed to read our bible, or say our prayers.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the times we have closed our eyes to the suffering of
the world, or meant to help someone, but were too busy,
or forgot:
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For failing to share good things with others, or missing the
opportunity to tell other people about Jesus.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the resolutions we break; the bad habits we don’t really
try to give up: our devious ways and wilfulness.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
We thank you, that even if we break our resolutions,
you never break your promise to forgive us
if we are truly sorry. Amen.
May God who loved the world so much that he sent
his Son to be our Saviour forgive you your sins and
make you holy to serve him in the world through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God, our hearts we raise
to you our heavenly King!
We give you thanks, we worship you
as we your praises sing.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
you banish this world’s sin.
Have mercy as we hail your birth
and grant us peace within.
O Spirit strong and yet unseen
by eyes with self so flawed.
Give us the sight that sets us free
to make your name adored.
All glory be to God on high
and on the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
begin and never cease.
Tune ‘O for a thousand tongues’ (Richmond)
THE COLLECT
God in Trinity,
eternal unity of perfect love:
gather the nations to be one family,
and draw us into your holy life
through the birth of Emmanuel,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A READING FROM THE BIBLE
Psalm 117
O praise the Lord, all you nations; •
praise him, all you peoples.
For great is his steadfast love towards us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.
Alleluia.
Reader. This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
HYMN CP55
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and Seraphim
Thronged the air;
But His mother only,
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.
GOSPEL READING
The Word became flesh, and dwelt 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.
1 John 1:14
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 2.15-21
Glory to you, O Lord.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
PROFESSION OF FAITH
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
ending with
We thank you for the many blessings of this past year,
for all the good you have enabled us to do;
for the experiences that have taught us humility
and patience for the hope that your birth inspires
within us. Amen
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
THE PEACE
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and his name is called the Prince of Peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace
HYMN
Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
News! News!
Jesus Christ was born to-day:
Ox and ass before Him bow,
And He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today.
Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Joy! Joy!
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath ope'd the heav'nly door,
And man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Peace! Peace!
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one, and calls you all,
To gain His everlasting hall:
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
PREPARATION OF THE TABLE
Lord, accept your people’s gifts,
not gold, frankincense or myrrh,
but hearts and voices raised in praise
of Jesus Christ, our light and our salvation.
Amen
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
We give you thanks because,
in the mystery of the Word made flesh,
you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts
to give the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross
and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed,
at supper with his friends
he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine
may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts
make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one faith.
THE INVITATION
As the shepherds came to the stable, and the magi from
the East come find the Lord and eat at his table.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray
Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home:
help your Church to live as one family,
united in love and obedience,
and bring us all at last to our home in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
that through us the light of your glory
may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE BLESSING
The Lord be with you
All And also with you.
May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
shine in your hearts and fill your lives
with his joy and peace.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
HYMN Good King Wenceslas looked out
Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel
Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowst it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.
Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When we bear them thither.
Page and monarch, forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weather
Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how
I can go no longer.
Mark my footsteps, good my page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shall find the winters rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.
In his masters step he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye, who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.
God shines in your hearts:
Christ is the light of the world!
Praise to Christ our light!
Go, in the power of the Spirit, to bring light to others:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Epiphany
HYMN CP84
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
star-of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining;
low lies his head with the beasts of the stall;
angels adore him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.
Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,
odours of Edom, and offerings divine,
gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?
Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
vainly with gifts would his favour secure:
richer by far is the heart's adoration,
dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
THE GREETING
We meet to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world.
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
After Christmas, Epiphany;
after the shepherds, wise men;
The light which began to shine then is shining still,
as strong and bright as on that first day;
a light which nothing, not even death itself can extinguish.
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
A light to lighten the gentiles. Alleluia!
He is Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
We worship and adore him. Alleluia!
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Let us turn to the Lord and renew our faith in his
promises by confessing our sins in penitence.
Loving God, maker of all things,
we come before you knowing our failings.
For the times we have closed our ears to your word,
failed to read our bible, or say our prayers.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the times we have closed our eyes to the suffering of
the world, or meant to help someone, but were too busy,
or forgot:
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For failing to share good things with others, or missing the
opportunity to tell other people about Jesus.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the resolutions we break; the bad habits we don’t really
try to give up: our devious ways and wilfulness.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
We thank you, that even if we break our resolutions,
you never break your promise to forgive us
if we are truly sorry. Amen.
May God who loved the world so much that he sent
his Son to be our Saviour forgive you your sins and
make you holy to serve him in the world through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God, our hearts we raise
to you our heavenly King!
We give you thanks, we worship you
as we your praises sing.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
you banish this world’s sin.
Have mercy as we hail your birth
and grant us peace within.
O Spirit strong and yet unseen
by eyes with self so flawed.
Give us the sight that sets us free
to make your name adored.
All glory be to God on high
and on the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
begin and never cease.
Tune ‘O for a thousand tongues’ (Richmond)
THE COLLECT
God our Father,
in love you sent your Son
that the world may have life:
lead us to seek him among the outcast
and to find him in those in need,
for Jesus Christ’s sake.
Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A READING FROM THE BIBLE
Ephesians 1.3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
Reader. This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
HYMN CP83
As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold,
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright;
so, most gracious Lord, may we
evermore be led to thee.
As with joyful steps they sped,
Saviour, to thy lowly bed,
there to bend the knee before
thee whom heaven and earth adore;
so may we with willing feet
ever seek thy mercy-seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
at thy cradle rude and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin's alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to thee our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way,
and, when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed souls at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds thy glory hide.
In the heavenly country bright
need they no created light;
thou its light, it’s joy, its crown,
thou its sun which goes not down;
there for ever may we sing
alleluias to our King.
GOSPEL READING
Epiphany:
Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ was revealed in flesh, proclaimed among
the nations and believed in throughout the world.
Alleluia Timothy 3:16
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 1:[1-9] 10-18
Glory to you, O Lord.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.(John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
PROFESSION OF FAITH
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
ending with
We thank you for the many blessings of this past year,
for all the good you have enabled us to do;
for the experiences that have taught us humility
and patience for the hope that your birth inspires
within us. Amen
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
THE PEACE
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and his name is called the Prince of Peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace
HYMN
Created in God's image, God's likeness we can see
in each and every person, no matter who they be.
So many things divide us; we go our separate ways.
When we should be united in common hymns of praise.
Created in God's image, no matter what our race.
We see our Lord's true colours, in each and every face.
It matters not our colour, or whether short or tall.
We all are God's own children; God loves us one and all.
Created in God's image, how can we be so blind.
That we don't see God's image in all of humankind.
God made us male and female, to show us how to love.
We're partners in creation, a gift from God above.
Created in God's image, yet we are not the same.
Though each of us is different, God knows our every name
Our Parent, our Creator, gave birth to me and you.
So when we pray, "Our Father," we pray to Mother too.
W. Rchard Turner (Meter 76.76D)
PREPARATION OF THE TABLE
Lord, accept your people’s gifts,
not gold, frankincense or myrrh,
but hearts and voices raised in praise
of Jesus Christ, our light and our salvation.
Amen
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
We give you thanks because,
in the mystery of the Word made flesh,
you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts
to give the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross
and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed,
at supper with his friends
he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine
may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts
make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one faith.
THE INVITATION
As the shepherds came to the stable, and the magi from
the East come find the Lord and eat at his table.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray
Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home:
help your Church to live as one family,
united in love and obedience,
and bring us all at last to our home in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
that through us the light of your glory
may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE BLESSING
The Lord be with you
All And also with you.
May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
shine in your hearts and fill your lives
with his joy and peace.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
HYMN CP90
Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesu, Lord, to thee we raise,
manifested by the star
to the sages from afar;
branch of royal David's stem
in thy birth at Bethlehem:
anthems be to thee addrest,
God in man made manifest.
Manifest at Jordan's stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
and at Cana wedding-guest
in thy Godhead manifest;
manifest in power divine,
changing water into wine:
anthems be to thee addrest,
God in man made manifest.
Manifest in making whole
palsied limbs and fainting soul;
manifest in valiant fight,
quelling all the devil's might;
manifest in gracious will,
ever bringing good from ill:
anthems be to thee addrest,
God in man made manifest.
Sun and moon shall darkened be,
stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine,
all will see his glorious sign;
all will then the trumpet hear,
all will see the Judge appear:
thou by all wilt be confest,
God in man made manifest.
Grant us grace to see thee, Lord,
mirrored in thy holy word;
may we imitate thee now,
and be pure, as pure art thou;
that we like to thee may be
at thy great Epiphany;
and may praise thee, ever blest,
God in man made manifest.
God shines in your hearts:
Christ is the light of the world!
Praise to Christ our light!
Go, in the power of the Spirit, to bring light to others:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Baptism of Christ
HYMN CP435
GLORIOUS things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
he whose word cannot be broken
formed thee for his own abode.
On the Rock of ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
thou may'st smile at all thy foes.
See, the streams of living waters,
springing from eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters,
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint while such a river
ever flows their thirst to assuage:
grace which, like the Lord the giver,
never fails from age to age?
Round each habitation hovering,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a covering,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus they march, the pillar leading,
light by night and shade by day;
daily on the manna feeding
which he gives them when they pray.
Saviour, if of Zion's city
I through grace a member am,
let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in thy name.
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
all his boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasure,
none but Zion's children know.
THE GREETING
We meet to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world.
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
After Christmas, Epiphany;
after the shepherds, wise men;
The light which began to shine then is shining still,
as strong and bright as on that first day;
a light which nothing, not even death itself can extinguish.
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
A light to lighten the gentiles. Alleluia!
He is Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
We worship and adore him. Alleluia!
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Let us turn to the Lord and renew our faith in his
promises by confessing our sins in penitence.
Loving God, maker of all things,
we come before you knowing our failings.
For the times we have closed our ears to your word,
failed to read our bible, or say our prayers.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the times we have closed our eyes to the suffering of
the world, or meant to help someone, but were too busy,
or forgot:
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For failing to share good things with others, or missing the
opportunity to tell other people about Jesus.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the resolutions we break; the bad habits we don’t really
try to give up: our devious ways and wilfulness.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
We thank you, that even if we break our resolutions,
you never break your promise to forgive us
if we are truly sorry. Amen.
May God who loved the world so much that he sent
his Son to be our Saviour forgive you your sins and
make you holy to serve him in the world through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God, our hearts we raise
to you our heavenly King!
We give you thanks, we worship you
as we your praises sing.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
you banish this world’s sin.
Have mercy as we hail your birth
and grant us peace within.
O Spirit strong and yet unseen
by eyes with self so flawed.
Give us the sight that sets us free
to make your name adored.
All glory be to God on high
and on the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
begin and never cease.
Tune ‘O for a thousand tongues’ (Richmond)
THE COLLECT
Heavenly Father,
at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:
may we recognise him as our Lord
and know ourselves to be your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A READING FROM THE BIBLE Acts 19.1-7
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ They replied, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ Then he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ They answered, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— 7altogether there were about twelve of them.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
HYMN CP93
WHEN Jesus came to Jordan
to be baptised by John,
he did not come for pardon,
but as his Father's Son.
He came to share repentance
with all who mourn their sins,
to speak the vital sentence
with which good news begins.
He came to share temptation,
our utmost woe and loss;
for us and our salvation
to die upon the cross.
So when the Dove descended
on him, the Son of Man,
the hidden years had ended,
the age of grace began.
Come, Holy Spirit, aid us
to keep the vows we make,
this very day invade us,
and every bondage break.
Come, give our lives direction,
the gift we covet most:
to share the resurrection
that leads to Pentecost.
GOSPEL READING
Baptism of Christ
Alleluia, alleluia.
This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.
Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest! Matthew 3:17
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark 1.4-11
Glory to you, O Lord.
John the baptiser appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptised you with water; but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
PROFESSION OF FAITH
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
ending with
We thank you for the many blessings of this past year,
for all the good you have enabled us to do;
for the experiences that have taught us humility
and patience for the hope that your birth inspires
within us. Amen
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
THE PEACE
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and his name is called the Prince of Peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace
HYMN CP411
DEAR Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word
rise up and follow thee.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love!
Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still small voice of calm.
PREPARATION OF THE TABLE
Lord, accept your people’s gifts,
not gold, frankincense or myrrh,
but hearts and voices raised in praise
of Jesus Christ, our light and our salvation.
Amen
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
We give you thanks because,
in the mystery of the Word made flesh,
you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts
to give the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross
and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed,
at supper with his friends
he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine
may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts
make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one faith.
THE INVITATION
As the shepherds came to the stable, and the magi from
the East come find the Lord and eat at his table.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray
Lord of all time and eternity,
you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father
in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son:
by the power of your Spirit
complete the heavenly work of our rebirth
through the waters of the new creation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
that through us the light of your glory
may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE BLESSING
The Lord be with you
All And also with you.
May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
shine in your hearts and fill your lives
with his joy and peace.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
HYMN CP437
GO forth and tell! O Church of God, awake!
God's saving news to all the nations take:
proclaim Christ Jesus, Saviour, Lord and King,
that all the world his glorious praise may sing.
Go forth and tell! God's love embraces all,
he will in grace respond to all who call:
how shall they call if they have never heard
the gracious invitation of his word?
Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide:
share God's good gifts — let no one be denied;
live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose,
your ransomed powers for his sole glory use.
Go forth and tell! O Church of God, arise!
Go in the strength which Christ your Lord supplies;
go till all nations his great name adore
and serve him, Lord and King for evermore.
God shines in your hearts:
Christ is the light of the world!
Praise to Christ our light!
Go, in the power of the Spirit, to bring light to others:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
HYMN CP 444
GOD is working his purpose out,
as year succeeds to year,
God is working his purpose out,
and the time is drawing near;
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.
From utmost east to utmost west,
wherever feet have trod,
by the mouth of many messengers
goes forth the voice of God,
'Give ear to me, ye continents,
ye isles, give ear to me,
that the earth may be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.'
What can we do to work God's work,
to prosper and increase
the love of God in all mankind,
the reign of the Prince of peace?
What can we do to hasten the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea?
March we forth in the strength of God,
with the banner of Christ unfurled,
that the light of the glorious gospel of truth
may shine throughout the world;
fight we the fight with sorrow and sin,
to set their captives free,
that the earth may be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.
All we can do is nothing worth
unless God blesses the deed;
vainly we hope for the harvest-tide
till God gives life to the seed;
yet nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.
THE GREETING
We meet to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world.
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
After Christmas, Epiphany;
after the shepherds, wise men;
The light which began to shine then is shining still,
as strong and bright as on that first day;
a light which nothing, not even death itself can extinguish.
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
A light to lighten the gentiles. Alleluia!
He is Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
We worship and adore him. Alleluia!
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Let us turn to the Lord and renew our faith in his
promises by confessing our sins in penitence.
Loving God, maker of all things,
we come before you knowing our failings.
For the times we have closed our ears to your word,
failed to read our bible, or say our prayers.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the times we have closed our eyes to the suffering of
the world, or meant to help someone, but were too busy,
or forgot:
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For failing to share good things with others, or missing the
opportunity to tell other people about Jesus.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the resolutions we break; the bad habits we don’t really
try to give up: our devious ways and wilfulness.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
We thank you, that even if we break our resolutions,
you never break your promise to forgive us
if we are truly sorry. Amen.
May God who loved the world so much that he sent
his Son to be our Saviour forgive you your sins and
make you holy to serve him in the world through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God, our hearts we raise
to you our heavenly King!
We give you thanks, we worship you
as we your praises sing.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
you banish this world’s sin.
Have mercy as we hail your birth
and grant us peace within.
O Spirit strong and yet unseen
by eyes with self so flawed.
Give us the sight that sets us free
to make your name adored.
All glory be to God on high
and on the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
begin and never cease.
Tune ‘O for a thousand tongues’ (Richmond)
THE COLLECT
Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A READING FROM THE BIBLE
Revelation 19:6-10
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunder-peals, crying out,
‘Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready;
to her it has been granted to be clothed
with fine linen, bright and pure’—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.’ Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow-servant with you and your comrades who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
HYMN CP489
JESUS, Lord, we look to thee,
let us in thy name agree:
show thyself the Prince of peace;
bid all strife for ever cease.
Make us of one heart and mind,
courteous, pitiful, and kind,
lowly, meek in thought and word,
altogether like our Lord.
Let us for each other care,
each the other's burden bear;
to thy church the pattern give,
show how true believers live.
Free from anger and from pride,
let us thus in God abide;
all the depths of love express,
all the heights of holiness.
GOSPEL READING
Alleluia, alleluia.
He called you to this through our gospel,
that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:14
Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest!
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 2:1-11
Glory to you, O Lord.
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
PROFESSION OF FAITH
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
ending with
We thank you for the many blessings of this past year,
for all the good you have enabled us to do;
for the experiences that have taught us humility
and patience for the hope that your birth inspires
within us. Amen
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
THE PEACE
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and his name is called the Prince of Peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace
HYMN CP305
I come with joy, a child of God,
forgiven, loved and free,
the life of Jesus to recall,
in love laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ's communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread,
and bids each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.
The Spirit of the risen Christ,
unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known,
alive among us here.
Together met, together bound
by all that God has done,
we'll go with joy, to give the world
the love that makes us one.
PREPARATION OF THE TABLE
Lord, accept your people’s gifts,
not gold, frankincense or myrrh,
but hearts and voices raised in praise
of Jesus Christ, our light and our salvation.
Amen
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
We give you thanks because,
in the mystery of the Word made flesh,
you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts
to give the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross
and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed,
at supper with his friends
he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine
may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts
make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one faith.
THE INVITATION
As the shepherds came to the stable, and the magi from
the East come find the Lord and eat at his table.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life:
fill us with your Holy Spirit
that trough us the light of your glory
may shine in the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
that through us the light of your glory
may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE BLESSING
The Lord be with you
All And also with you.
May God who revealed himself through the miracles of Christ
by transforming water into wine,
reveal himself to us and transform our lives;
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
HYMN CP418
Father, Lord of all creation,
ground of being, life and love;
height and depth beyond description
only life in you can prove:
you are mortal life's dependence:
thought, speech, sight are ours by grace;
yours is every hour's existence,
sovereign Lord of time and space.
Jesus Christ, the Man for others,
we, your people, make our prayer:
help us love - as sisters, brothers -
all whose burdens we can share.
Where your name binds us together
you, Lord Christ, will surely be;
where no selfishness can sever
there your love the world may see.
Holy Spirit, rushing, burning
wind and flame of Pentecost,
fire our hearts afresh with yearning
to regain what we have lost.
May your love unite our action,
never more to speak alone:
God, in us abolish faction,
God, through us your love make known
God shines in your hearts:
Christ is the light of the world!
Praise to Christ our light!
Go, in the power of the Spirit, to to share the message of his call:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Follow Me
HYMN CP4
LORD, as the day begins
lift up our hearts in praise;
take from us all our sins,
guard us in all our ways:
our every step direct and guide
that Christ in all be glorified!
Christ be in work and skill,
serving each other's need;
Christ be in thought and will,
Christ be in word and deed:
our minds be set on things above
in joy and peace, in faith and love.
Grant us the Spirit's strength,
teach us to walk his way;
so bring us all at length
safe to the close of day:
from hour to hour sustain and bless,
and let our song be thankfulness.
Now as the day begins
make it the best of days;
take from us all our sins,
guard us in all our ways:
our every step direct and guide
that Christ in all be glorified!
THE GREETING
We meet to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world.
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
After Christmas, Epiphany;
after the shepherds, wise men;
The light which began to shine then is shining still,
as strong and bright as on that first day;
a light which nothing, not even death itself can extinguish.
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
A light to lighten the gentiles. Alleluia!
He is Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
We worship and adore him. Alleluia!
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Let us turn to the Lord and renew our faith in his
promises by confessing our sins in penitence.
Loving God, maker of all things,
we come before you knowing our failings.
For the times we have closed our ears to your word,
failed to read our bible, or say our prayers.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the times we have closed our eyes to the suffering of
the world, or meant to help someone, but were too busy,
or forgot:
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For failing to share good things with others, or missing the
opportunity to tell other people about Jesus.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the resolutions we break; the bad habits we don’t really
try to give up: our devious ways and wilfulness.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
We thank you, that even if we break our resolutions,
you never break your promise to forgive us
if we are truly sorry. Amen.
May God who loved the world so much that he sent
his Son to be our Saviour forgive you your sins and
make you holy to serve him in the world through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God, our hearts we raise
to you our heavenly King!
We give you thanks, we worship you
as we your praises sing.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
you banish this world’s sin.
Have mercy as we hail your birth
and grant us peace within.
O Spirit strong and yet unseen
by eyes with self so flawed.
Give us the sight that sets us free
to make your name adored.
All glory be to God on high
and on the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
begin and never cease.
Tune ‘O for a thousand tongues’ (Richmond)
THE COLLECT
Eternal Lord,
our beginning and our end:
bring us with the whole creation
to your glory, hidden through past ages
and made known
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A READING FROM THE BIBLE
Revelation 5.1-10
Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’
Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song:
‘You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God
saints from every tribe and language and people and nation;
you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God,
and they will reign on earth.’
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
HYMN CP308
JUST as I am, without one plea
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve:
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, thy love unknown
has broken every barrier down;
now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come.
Just as I am, of that free love
the breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come.
GOSPEL READING
Alleluia, alleluia.
He called you to this through our gospel,
that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:14
Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest!
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 1.43-end
Glory to you, O Lord.
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
PROFESSION OF FAITH
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
ending with
We thank you for the many blessings of this past year,
for all the good you have enabled us to do;
for the experiences that have taught us humility
and patience for the hope that your birth inspires
within us. Amen
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
THE PEACE
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and his name is called the Prince of Peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace
HYMN CP233
JESUS calls us: o'er the tumult
Of our life's wild restless sea,
day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
saying, 'Christian, follow me':
As of old Saint Andrew heard it
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred
leaving all for his dear sake.
Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world's golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, 'Christian, love me more.'
In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
that we love him more than these.
Jesus calls us: by thy mercies,
Saviour, make us hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience,
serve and love thee best of all.
PREPARATION OF THE TABLE
Lord, accept your people’s gifts,
not gold, frankincense or myrrh,
but hearts and voices raised in praise
of Jesus Christ, our light and our salvation.
Amen
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
We give you thanks because,
in the mystery of the Word made flesh,
you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts
to give the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross
and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed,
at supper with his friends
he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine
may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts
make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one faith.
THE INVITATION
As the shepherds came to the stable, and the magi from
the East come find the Lord and eat at his table.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life:
fill us with your Holy Spirit
that trough us the light of your glory
may shine in the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
that through us the light of your glory
may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE BLESSING
The Lord be with you
All And also with you.
God who called you to work with him,
strengthen you by the power of his Spirit,
that you may be worthy of his calling;
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
HYMN
CP622
WILL you come and follow me,
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know
and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my love be known,
will you let my life be grown
in you and you in me?
Will you leave yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer
in you and you in me?
Will you let the blinded see
if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free
and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean,
and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean
in you and you in me?
Will you love the 'you' you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found
to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me?
Lord, your summons echoes true
when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
and never be the same.
In your company I'll go
where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow
in you and you in me.
God shines in your hearts:
Christ is the light of the world!
Praise to Christ our light!
Go, in the power of the Spirit, to to share the message of his call:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Candlemass
HYMN CP513
LORD, the light of your love is shining,
in the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,
set us free by the truth you now bring us,
shine on me: shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father's glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with love and mercy;
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light!
Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
from the shadows into your radiance;
by the blood I may enter your brightness,
search me, try me, consume all my darkness:
shine on me: shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father's glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with love and mercy;
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light!
As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
so our faces display your likeness,
ever changing from glory to glory,
mirrored here, may our lives tell your story:
shine on me: shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father's glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with love and mercy;
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light!
THE GREETING
We meet to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world.
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
After Christmas, Epiphany;
after the shepherds, wise men;
The light which began to shine then is shining still,
as strong and bright as on that first day;
a light which nothing, not even death itself can extinguish.
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
A light to lighten the gentiles. Alleluia!
He is Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
We worship and adore him. Alleluia!
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Let us turn to the Lord and renew our faith in his
promises by confessing our sins in penitence.
Loving God, maker of all things,
we come before you knowing our failings.
For the times we have closed our ears to your word,
failed to read our bible, or say our prayers.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the times we have closed our eyes to the suffering of
the world, or meant to help someone, but were too busy,
or forgot:
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For failing to share good things with others, or missing the
opportunity to tell other people about Jesus.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the resolutions we break; the bad habits we don’t really
try to give up: our devious ways and wilfulness.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
We thank you, that even if we break our resolutions,
you never break your promise to forgive us
if we are truly sorry. Amen.
May God who loved the world so much that he sent
his Son to be our Saviour forgive you your sins and
make you holy to serve him in the world through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God, our hearts we raise
to you our heavenly King!
We give you thanks, we worship you
as we your praises sing.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
you banish this world’s sin.
Have mercy as we hail your birth
and grant us peace within.
O Spirit strong and yet unseen
by eyes with self so flawed.
Give us the sight that sets us free
to make your name adored.
All glory be to God on high
and on the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
begin and never cease.
Tune ‘O for a thousand tongues’ (Richmond)
THE COLLECT
God of heaven,
you send the gospel to the ends of the earth
and your messengers to every nation:
send your Holy Spirit to transform us
by the good news of everlasting life
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A READING FROM THE BIBLE
Revelation 12.1-5a
A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth.
Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne;
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
HYMN CP80
When candles are lighted on Candlemas Day
the dark is behind us, and spring's on the way.
A glory dawns in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fullness of grace.
The kings have departed, the shepherds have gone,
the child and his parents are left on their own.
A glory dawns in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fullness of grace.
They go to the temple, obeying the law,
and offer two pigeons, the gift of the poor.
A glory dawns in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fullness of grace.
But Anna and Simeon recognise there
the Christ-child who came at the turn of the year.
A glory dawns in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fullness of grace.
The old who have suffered and waited so long
see hope for the world as they welcome the young.
A glory dawns in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fullness of grace.
They gaze at God's wonderful answer to prayer,
the joy of the Jews and the Gentiles' desire.
A glory dawns in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fullness of grace.
"The light is increasing and spring's in the air.
Look back with thanksgiving! Look forward with awe!
A glory dawns in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fullness of grace.
Great Spirit of Jahweh, with courage inspire
your everyday saints who face up to despair.
A glory dawns in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fullness of grace.
The candles invite us to praise and to pray
when Christmas greets Easter on Candlemas Day.
A glory dawns in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fullness of grace.
GOSPEL READING
Alleluia, alleluia.
He called you to this through our gospel,
that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:14
Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest!
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark 1:21-28
Glory to you, O Lord.
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
PROFESSION OF FAITH
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
ending with
We thank you for the many blessings of this past year,
for all the good you have enabled us to do;
for the experiences that have taught us humility
and patience for the hope that your birth inspires
within us. Amen
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
THE PEACE
The peace which the world cannot give,
the deep peace of him who stilled the storm;
the peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace
HYMN CP346
O CHRIST, the Healer, we have come
to pray for health, to plead for friends.
How can we fail to be restored,
when reached by love that never ends?
From every ailment flesh endures
our bodies clamour to be freed;
yet in our hearts we would confess
that wholeness is our deepest need.
How strong, O Lord, are our desires,
how weak our knowledge of ourselves!
Release in us those healing truths
unconscious pride resists or shelves.
In conflicts that destroy our health
we diagnose the world's disease;
our common life declares our ills:
is there no cure, O Christ, for these?
Grant that we all, made one in faith,
in your community may find
the wholeness that, enriching us,
shall reach the whole of humankind.
PREPARATION OF THE TABLE
Lord, accept your people’s gifts,
not gold, frankincense or myrrh,
but hearts and voices raised in praise
of Jesus Christ, our light and our salvation.
Amen
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
We give you thanks because,
in the mystery of the Word made flesh,
you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts
to give the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross
and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed,
at supper with his friends
he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine
may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts
make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one faith.
THE INVITATION
As the shepherds came to the stable, and the magi from
the East come find the Lord and eat at his table.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray
Generous Lord,
in word and eucharist we have proclaimed the mystery of your love:
help us so to live out our days
that we may be signs of your wonders in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
that through us the light of your glory
may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE BLESSING
The Lord be with you
All And also with you.
The Lord of Light and love,
cleans you by the power of his Spirit,
protect you from all danger from within and without,
keep you forever in his caret;
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
HYMN CP494
KING of glory, King of peace,
I will love thee;
and, that love may never cease,
I will move thee.
Thou hast granted my request,
thou hast heard me;
thou didst note my working breast,
thou hast spared me.
Wherefore with my utmost art
I will sing thee,
and the cream of all my heart
I will bring thee.
Though my sins against me cried,
thou didst clear me,
and alone, when they replied,
thou didst hear me.
Seven whole days, not one in seven,
I will praise thee;
in my heart, though not in heaven,
I can raise thee.
Small it is, in this poor sort
to enrol thee:
e'en eternity's too short
to extol thee.
Praise to Christ our light!
Go, in the power of the Spirit;
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Candlemass
HYMN CP513
LORD, the light of your love is shining,
in the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,
set us free by the truth you now bring us,
shine on me: shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father's glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with love and mercy;
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light!
Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
from the shadows into your radiance;
by the blood I may enter your brightness,
search me, try me, consume all my darkness:
shine on me: shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father's glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with love and mercy;
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light!
As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
so our faces display your likeness,
ever changing from glory to glory,
mirrored here, may our lives tell your story:
shine on me: shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father's glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with love and mercy;
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light!
LORD, the light of your love is shining,
in the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,
set us free by the truth you now bring us,
shine on me: shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father's glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with love and mercy;
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light!
Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
from the shadows into your radiance;
by the blood I may enter your brightness,
search me, try me, consume all my darkness:
shine on me: shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father's glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with love and mercy;
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light!
As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
so our faces display your likeness,
ever changing from glory to glory,
mirrored here, may our lives tell your story:
shine on me: shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father's glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with love and mercy;
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light!
THE GREETING
We meet to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world.
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
After Christmas, Epiphany;
after the shepherds, wise men;
The light which began to shine then is shining still,
as strong and bright as on that first day;
a light which nothing, not even death itself can extinguish.
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
A light to lighten the gentiles. Alleluia!
He is Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
We worship and adore him. Alleluia!
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Let us turn to the Lord and renew our faith in his
promises by confessing our sins in penitence.
Loving God, maker of all things,
we come before you knowing our failings.
For the times we have closed our ears to your word,
failed to read our bible, or say our prayers.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the times we have closed our eyes to the suffering of
the world, or meant to help someone, but were too busy,
or forgot:
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For failing to share good things with others, or missing the
opportunity to tell other people about Jesus.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
For the resolutions we break; the bad habits we don’t really
try to give up: our devious ways and wilfulness.
we are sorry, Lord. Forgive us our failings.
We thank you, that even if we break our resolutions,
you never break your promise to forgive us
if we are truly sorry. Amen.
May God who loved the world so much that he sent
his Son to be our Saviour forgive you your sins and
make you holy to serve him in the world through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God, our hearts we raise
to you our heavenly King!
We give you thanks, we worship you
as we your praises sing.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
you banish this world’s sin.
Have mercy as we hail your birth
and grant us peace within.
O Spirit strong and yet unseen
by eyes with self so flawed.
Give us the sight that sets us free
to make your name adored.
All glory be to God on high
and on the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
begin and never cease.
Tune ‘O for a thousand tongues’ (Richmond)
THE COLLECT
God of all mercy,
your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,
release to the captives,
and freedom to the oppressed:
anoint us with your Holy Spirit
and set all your people free
to praise you in Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A READING FROM THE BIBLE
Revelation 5.1-10
Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’
Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song:
‘You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God
saints from every tribe and language and people and nation;
you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God,
and they will reign on earth.’
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
HYMN CP55
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and Seraphim
Thronged the air;
But His mother only,
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.
GOSPEL READING
Baptism of Christ
Alleluia, alleluia.
This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.
Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest! Matthew 3:17
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 1.43-end
Glory to you, O Lord.
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
PROFESSION OF FAITH
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
ending with
We thank you for the many blessings of this past year,
for all the good you have enabled us to do;
for the experiences that have taught us humility
and patience for the hope that your birth inspires
within us. Amen
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
THE PEACE
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and his name is called the Prince of Peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace
HYMN
Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
News! News!
Jesus Christ was born to-day:
Ox and ass before Him bow,
And He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today.
Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Joy! Joy!
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath ope'd the heav'nly door,
And man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Peace! Peace!
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one, and calls you all,
To gain His everlasting hall:
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
PREPARATION OF THE TABLE
Lord, accept your people’s gifts,
not gold, frankincense or myrrh,
but hearts and voices raised in praise
of Jesus Christ, our light and our salvation.
Amen
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
We give you thanks because,
in the mystery of the Word made flesh,
you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts
to give the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross
and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed,
at supper with his friends
he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;
do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him:
his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine
may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts
make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one faith.
THE INVITATION
As the shepherds came to the stable, and the magi from
the East come find the Lord and eat at his table.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life:
fill us with your Holy Spirit
that trough us the light of your glory
may shine in the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
that through us the light of your glory
may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE BLESSING
The Lord be with you
All And also with you.
May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
shine in your hearts and fill your lives
with his joy and peace.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
HYMN Good King Wenceslas looked out
Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel
Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowst it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.
Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When we bear them thither.
Page and monarch, forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weather
Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how
I can go no longer.
Mark my footsteps, good my page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shall find the winters rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.
In his masters step he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye, who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.
God shines in your hearts:
Christ is the light of the world!
Praise to Christ our light!
Go, in the power of the Spirit, to bring light to others:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
ADVENT
Advent is the traditional time of year leading up to Christmas.
Advent means 'Coming". There are three meanings of 'coming' that Christians describe at Christmas.
Join in the story and sing your way to Christmas at this years services on zoom.
4th Advent Sunday
THE GREETING
HYMN CP 44
ANGELS from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
ye who sang creation's story
now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship Christ the new-born King,
come and worship,
worship Christ the new-born King.
Shepherds in the field abiding,
watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
yonder shines the infant Light:
Come and worship Christ the new-born King,
come and worship,
worship Christ the new-born King.
Sages, leave your contemplations;
brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of Nations;
ye have seen his natal star:
Come and worship Christ the new-born King,
come and worship,
worship Christ the new-born King.
Saints before the altar bending,
watching long in hope and fear,
suddenly the Lord, descending,
in his temple shall appear:
Come and worship Christ the new-born King,
come and worship,
worship Christ the new-born King.
Though an infant now we view him,
he shall fill his Father's throne,
gather all the nations to him;
every knee shall then bow down:
Come and worship Christ the new-born King,
come and worship,
worship Christ the new-born King.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
When the Lord comes,
he will bring light to the things now hidden in darkness,
and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of Peace:
All Lord have mercy
Christ Jesus,
you are Son of God and Son of the holy Virgin Mary:
All Christ have mercy
Lord Jesus,
you are Word made flesh and splendour of the Father.
All Lord have mercy
May God who loved the world so much
that he sent his Son to be our Saviour
forgive you your sins
and make you holy to serve him in the world,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE COLLECT
Eternal God,
as Mary waited for the birth of your Son,
so we wait for his coming in glory;
bring us through the birth pangs of this present age
to see, with her, our great salvation
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
Sisters and brothers,
in this holy season we prepare ourselves for the Lord’s coming.
Let us now be open in
heart and mind as the Lord comes to us through his holy
Word.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A READING FROM THE BIBLE
Romans 16.25-end
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
HYMN A&M 242
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord :
unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name :
make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name, the Lord, the Mighty One.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might:
powers and dominions lay their glory by;
proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word:
firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore.
I am your servant, Lord.
Let your will be done to me.
All Jesus is Lord, alleluia!
Jesus shall come, alleluia!
GOSPEL READING
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 1:26-38
All Glory to you, O Lord.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
All Glory to you, O Christ.
SERMON
THE CREED
Let us affirm our faith in the all holy God who is Father,
Son and Holy Spirit:
I believe in God the Father, who created all things:
All for by his will they were created and have their being.
I believe in God the Son, who was slain:
All for with his blood, he purchased us for God, from
every tribe and language, from every people and
nation.
I believe in God the Holy Spirit:
All the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’
Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Since Christ will come in glory to gather all things to the Creator,
let us make our needs known so that our world might be ready
for the day of the Lord.
After each prayer, one of the following responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
All Hear our prayer
The prayers conclude with the following:
Hasten, Lord, the day when people will come
from east and west, from north and south,
and sit at table in your kingdom
and we shall see your Son in his glory.
Merciful Father,
All accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
THE PEACE
From on high the Father has sent a Son to dwell among us
that we may know and share his peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of Christ’s peace.
HYMN CP 242
The Angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
'All hail,' said he, 'thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favoured lady.' Gloria!
'For known a blessed Mother thou shalt be,
all generations laud and honour thee,
thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold;
most highly favoured lady.' Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
'To me be as it pleaseth God,' she said,
'My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name':
most highly favoured lady. Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ was born
in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say
'Most highly favoured lady.' Gloria!
PREPARATION OF THE TABLE
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
As the grain once scattered in the fields and the grapes
once dispersed on the hillside are now reunited on this
table in bread and wine, so, Lord, may your whole
Church soon be gathered together from the corners of
the earth into your kingdom.
All Amen.
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise,
almighty God and everlasting Father, through Jesus
Christ your Son. For when he humbled himself to come
among us in human flesh, he fulfilled the plan you
formed before he foundation of the world to open for us
the way of salvation. Confident that your promise will be
fulfilled, we now watch for the day when Christ our Lord
will come again in glory. And so we join our voices with
angels and archangels and with all the company of
heaven to proclaim your glory for ever praising you and
saying: