Avon Dassett with Fenny Compton, Burton Dassett, Farnborough, Gaydon with Chadshunt
Easter Songs of Praise
CP109
IT is a thing most wonderful,
almost too wonderful to be,
that God's own Son should come from heaven,
and die to save a child like me.
And yet I know that it is true:
he chose a poor and humble lot,
and wept and toiled and mourned and died
for love of those who loved him not.
I cannot tell how he could love
a child so weak and full of sin;
his love must be most wonderful,
if he could die my love to win.
I sometimes think about the cross,
and shut my eyes, and try to see
the cruel nails and crown of thorns,
and Jesus crucified for me.
But even could I see him die,
I could but see a little part
of that great love which, like a fire,
is always burning in his heart.
It is most wonderful to know
his love for me so free and sure;
but 'tis more wonderful to see
my love for him so faint and poor.
And yet I want to love thee, Lord;
O light the flame within my heart,
and I will love thee more and more,
until I see thee as thou art.
CP112
MY song is love unknown,
my Saviour's love to me,
love to the loveless shown,
that they might lovely be.
O who am I,
that for my sake
my Lord should take
frail flesh, and die?
He came from his blest throne,
salvation to bestow;
but men made strange, and none
the longed-for Christ would know.
But O, my Friend,
my Friend indeed,
who at my need
his life did spend!
Sometimes they strew his way,
and his sweet praises sing;
resounding all the day
hosannas to their King.
Then 'Crucify!'
is all their breath,
and for his death
they thirst and cry.
Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run,
he gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries!
yet they at these
themselves displease,
and 'gainst him rise.
They rise, and needs will have
my dear Lord made away;
a murderer they save,
the Prince of Life they slay.
Yet cheerful he
to suffering goes,
that he his foes
from thence might free.
In life, no house, no home
my Lord on earth might have;
in death, no friendly tomb
but what a stranger gave.
What may I say?
Heaven was his home;
but mine the tomb
wherein he lay.
Here might I stay and sing:
no story so divine;
never was love, dear King,
never was grief like thine!
This is my Friend,
in whose sweet praise
I all my days
could gladly spend.
CP123
THERE is a green hill far away,
without a city wall,
where the dear Lord was crucified,
who died to save us all.
We .may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.
He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.
There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin;
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven, and let us in.
O dearly, dearly has he loved,
and we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.
CP12 Tune Kingsfold in MP275 2nd Tune
TO mock your reign, O dearest Lord,
they made a crown of thorns;
set you with taunts along that road
from which no one returns.
They could not know, as we do now,
how glorious is that crown:
that thorns would flower upon your brow,
your sorrows heal our own.
In mock acclaim, O gracious Lord,
they snatched a purple cloak,
your passion turned, for all they cared,
into a soldier's joke.
They could not know, as we do now,
that, though we merit blame,
you will your robe of mercy throw
around our naked shame.
A sceptred reed, O patient Lord,
they thrust into your hand,
and acted out their grim charade
to its appointed end.
They could not know, as we do now,
though empires rise and fall,
your kingdom shall not cease to grow
till love embraces all.
CP126
WERE you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble,
tremble, tremble;
were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes tremble,
tremble, tremble;
were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble,
tremble, tremble;
were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
CP127
WHEN I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the cross of Christ my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and -love flow mingled down;
did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown!
His dying crimson, like a robe,
spreads o'er his body on the tree:
then am I dead to all the globe,
and all the globe is dead to me.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
CP130
AN Upper Room did our Lord prepare
for those he loved until the end:
and his disciples still gather there,
to celebrate their Risen Friend.
A lasting gift Jesus gave his own,
to share his bread, his loving cup.
Whatever burdens may bow us down,
he by his Cross shall lift us up.
And after Supper he washed their feet,
for service, too, is sacrament.
In him our joy shall be made complete
sent out to serve, as he was sent.
No end there is! We depart in peace.
He loves beyond our uttermost:
in every room in our Father's house
he will be there, as Lord and host.
CP136
ALLELUIA, alleluia,
give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia,
give praise to his name.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth:
he is the King of creation:
ALLELUIA, alleluia,
give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia,
give praise to his name.
Spread the good news o'er all the earth:
Jesus has died and has risen:
ALLELUIA, alleluia,
give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia,
give praise to his name.
We have been crucified with Christ:
now we shall live for ever:
ALLELUIA, alleluia,
give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia,
give praise to his name.
God has proclaimed the just reward:
Life for all men, alleluia:
ALLELUIA, alleluia,
give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia,
give praise to his name.
Come, let us praise the living God,
joyfully sing to our Saviour:
ALLELUIA, alleluia,
give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia,
give praise to his name.
CP137
ALLELUIA! Alleluia!
Hearts to heaven and voices raise;
sing to God a hymn of gladness,
sing to God a hymn of praise:
he who on the cross a victim
for the world's salvation bled,
Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
now is risen from the dead.
Christ is risen, Christ the first-fruits
of the holy harvest field,
which will all its full abundance
at his second coming yield;
then the golden ears of harvest
will their heads before him wave,
ripened by his glorious sunshine,
from the furrows of the grave.
Christ is risen, we are risen;
shed upon us heavenly grace,
rain, and dew, and gleams of glory
from the brightness of thy face;
that we, with our hearts in heaven,
here on earth may fruitful be,
and by angel-hands be gathered,
and be ever, Lord, with thee.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory be to God on high;
Alleluia to the Saviour,
who has gained the victory;
Alleluia to the Spirit,
fount of love and sanctity;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
to the Triune Majesty.
CP147
JESUS Christ is risen to-day, Alleluia,
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia,
who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia,
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia.
Hymns of praise then let us sing Alleluia,
unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia,
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia,
Alleluia, sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia.
But the pains that he endured Alleluia,
our salvation have procured; Alleluia,
now above the sky he's King, Alleluia,
where the angels ever sing Alleluia,.
CP153
NOW the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
In the grave they laid him, Love whom men had slain,
thinking that never he would wake again,
laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,
he that for three days in the grave had lain,
quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
thy touch can call us back to life again,
fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
CP160
THINE be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won.
Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting:
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of Life;
life is naught without thee: aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above:
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won.
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.
CP557
PRAISE to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise:
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight
and to the rescue came.
O wisest love! that flesh and blood,
which did in Adam fail,
should strive afresh against the foe,
should strive and should prevail;
And that a higher gift than grace
should flesh and blood refine,
God's presence and his very self,
and essence all-divine.
0 generous love! that he, who smote
in Man for man the foe,
the double agony in Man
for man should undergo;
And in the garden secretly,
and on the cross on high,
should teach his brethren, and inspire
to suffer and to die.
Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise:
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
CP157
THE day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness,
the Passover of God;
from death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our God hath brought us over
with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection-light;
and, listening to his accents,
may hear so calm and plain
his own 'All hail', and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful,
and earth her song begin,
the round world keep high triumph,
and all that is therein;
let all things seen and unseen
their notes of gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord is risen,
our joy that hath no end.
MP673
There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
precious Lamb of God,
Messiah, Holy One.
Thank You, O my Father,
for giving us Your Son,
and leaving Your Spirit
till the work on earth is done.
Jesus, my Redeemer,
name above all names,
precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
O for sinners slain:
Thank You, O my Father,
for giving us Your Son,
and leaving Your Spirit
till the work on earth is done.
When I stand in glory
I will see His face,
and there I'll serve my King for ever
in that holy place.
Thank You, O my Father,
for giving us Your Son,
and leaving Your Spirit
till the work on earth is done.
CP376
AND can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Saviour's blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
'Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
let angel minds enquire no more.
He left his Father's throne above
so free, so infinite his grace
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
for, O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach the eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ, my own.
MP555
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know My friends.
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Love, perfect love, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Love, perfect love, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know My friends.
Love, perfect love, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Faith, perfect faith, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Faith, perfect faith, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know My friends.
Faith, perfect faith, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know My friends.
Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know My friends.
Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
MP1105
See, what a morning, gloriously bright
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light
As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!"
See God's salvation plan
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!
See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?"
As in sorrow, she turns from the empty tomb
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
This voice that spans the years
Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us
Will sound 'til He appears
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!
One with the Father, Ancient of Days
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with pow'r and authority!
And we are raised with Him
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered
And we shall reign with Him
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!
And we are raised with Him
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered
And we shall reign with Him
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!
MP536
On a hill far away
stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross
where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it some day for a crown.
0, the old rugged cross,
so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God
left His glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it some day for a crown.
In the old rugged cross,
stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see;
for 'twas on that old cross
Jesus suffered and died
to pardon and sanctify me.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it some day for a crown.
To the old rugged cross
I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then He'll call me some day
to my home far away,
when His glory for ever I'll share.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it some day for a crown.
CP128
ALL glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David's royal Son,
who in the Lord's name comest,
the King and blesséd one:
ALL glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
The company of angels
are praising thee on high,
and mortal men and all things
created make reply:
ALL glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
The people of the Hebrews
with palms before thee went:
our praise and prayer and anthems
before thee we present:
ALL glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
To thee before thy passion
they sang their hymns of praise:
to thee now high exalted our melody we raise:
ALL glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou didst accept their praises,
accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest,
thou good and gracious King:
ALL glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
Thy sorrow and thy triumph
grant us, O Christ, to share,
that to the holy city
together we may fare:
ALL glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
For homage may we bring thee
our victory o'er the foe,
that in the Conqueror's triumph
this strain may ever flow:
ALL glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
CP129
RIDE on, ride on in majesty!
Hark, all the tribes hosanna cry:
O Saviour meek, pursue thy road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die:
O Christ, thy triumphs now begin
o'er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The winged squadrons of the sky
look down with sad and wondering eyes
to see the approaching sacrifice.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The last and fiercest strife is nigh:
the Father on his sapphire throne
awaits his own anointed Son.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
bow thy meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, thy power, and reign.
HYMN CP563
Rejoice, the Lord is King,
Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals, give thanks and sing
And triumph evermore:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
Jesus, the Saviour reigns,
The God of truth and love:
When He had purged our stains
He took His seat above:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
His kingdom cannot fail;
He rules o’er earth and heav’n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv’n:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
He sits at God’s right hand
Till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command,
And fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
HYMN CP499
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
Come let they follow where our our captain trod,
our King victorious, Christ the Son of God.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
Let every race and every language tell
of him who saves our souls from death and hell.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
From farthest regions let them homage bring
and on his cross adore their Saviour King.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
Set up thy throne, that earth’s despair may cease
beneath the shadow of its healing peace.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
For thy blest cross which doth for all atone
creation’s praises rise before thy throne:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
HYMN MP746
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear —
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged:
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful,
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness —
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge!
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield thee,
thou wilt find a solace there.
HYMN 362
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!
Lent
HYMN CP 4
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!
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.
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
The first commandment is this:
‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
All Amen. Lord, have mercy.
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit,
returned from the Jordan
and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.
Let us confess our sins remembering before God
the times when we have fallen from temptation into sin.
We confess to you our selfishness and lack of love:
fill us with your Spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
We confess to you our fear and failure
in sharing our faith:
fill us with your Spirit.
Christ, have mercy.
All Christ, have mercy.
We confess to you our stubbornness and lack of trust:
fill us with your Spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
THE COLLECT
Gracious Father,
you gave up your Son
out of love for the world:
lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion,
that we may know eternal peace
through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
A READING FROM THE BIBLE
Hebrews 5.5-10
So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you’;
as he says also in another place,
‘You are a priest for ever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.’
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
HYMN CP105
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land;
a home within a wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat,
and the burden of the day.
Upon that cross of Jesus
mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of one
who suffered there for me;
and from my smitten heart, with tears,
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of his glorious love,
and my own worthlessness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow,
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss;
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all, the cross.
GOSPEL READING John 12.20-33
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.'
‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
THE CREED
All I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Scripture assures us that God our Father hears the prayers of those who come in faith and hope. In the power of the Spirit and in the name of the Son, let us present our intercessions to him.
Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.
Ever faithful God, you hear the prayers of those who turn to you in faith and trust: hear these our prayers that our Lenten journey may bring us closer to you and each other. We ask this though Jesus Christ our Lord,
All accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
THE PEACE
Since we are justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has given us access to his grace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
HYMN MP746
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear —
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged:
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful,
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness —
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge!
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield thee,
thou wilt find a solace there.
PREPARATION OF THE TABLE AND OFFERTORY
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord God of all, accept our material offerings
but also the offering of our lives.
Help us to live simply, generously and courageously,
that our lives may point to you.
All Amen
Wise and gracious God,
you spread a table before us;
nourish your people with the word of life
and the bread of heaven.
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 in these forty days
you lead us into the desert of repentance
that through a pilgrimage of prayer and discipline
we may grow in grace
and learn to be your people once again.
Through fasting, prayer and acts of service
you bring us back to your generous heart.
Through study of your holy word
you open our eyes to your presence in the world
and free our hands to welcome others
into the radiant splendour of your love.
As we prepare to celebrate the Easter feast
with joyful hearts and minds
we bless you for your mercy
and join with saints and angels
for ever praising you and saying:
All Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
All glory be to you, our heavenly Father,
who, in your tender mercy,
gave your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption;
who made there by his one oblation of himself once offered
a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction
for the sins of the whole world;
he instituted, and in his holy gospel
commanded us to continue,
a perpetual memory of his precious death
until he comes again.
Hear us, merciful Father, we humbly pray,
and grant that, by the power of your Holy Spirit,
we receiving these gifts of your creation,
this bread and this wine,
according to your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution,
in remembrance of his death and passion,
may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood;
who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after supper
he took the cup and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.
Jesus Christ is Lord.
All Lord, by your cross and resurrection
you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.
Therefore, Lord and heavenly Father,
in remembrance of the precious death and passion,
the mighty resurrection and glorious ascension
of your dear Son Jesus Christ,
we offer you through him this our sacrifice of praise
and thanksgiving.
Grant that by his merits and death,
and through faith in his blood,
we and all your Church
may receive forgiveness of our sins
and all other benefits of his passion.
Although we are unworthy,
through our manifold sins, to offer you any sacrifice,
yet we pray that you will accept this
the duty and service that we owe.
Do not weigh our merits, but pardon our offences,
and fill us all who share in this holy communion
with your grace and heavenly blessing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
by whom, and with whom, and in whom,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
All Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
All 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.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
All Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one faith.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world,
grant us peace.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Draw together with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.
All Lord, I come not because I must
but because I may;
I come, not to declare that I am righteous,
but because I desire to be a true disciple of you,
our Lord Jesus Christ:
I come, not because I am strong,
but because I am weak;
not because I have any claim on heaven’s rewards,
but because in my frailty and sin
I stand in constant need of heaven’s mercy and help. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Loving God,
as a mother feeds her children at the breast
you feed us in this sacrament with the food and drink of eternal life:
help us who have tasted your goodness
to grow in grace within the household of faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen
All Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Lord be with you
All and also with you.
Christ give you grace to grow in holiness,
to deny yourselves, take up your cross,
and follow him;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
HYMN 362
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!
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All In the name of Christ. Amen.
Copyright: Liturgical material: primary sources, The Archbishops Council 2000
Palm Sunday
HYMN CP129
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry;
O Saviour meek, pursue thy road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die:
O Christ, thy triumphs now begin
o'er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The angel armies of the sky
look down with sad and wond'ring eyes
to see th'approaching sacrifice.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;
the Father on his sapphire throne
awaits his own anointed Son.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
bow thy meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, thy pow'r and reign.
We Gather to Worship God
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
All and also with you
Dear friends in Christ, during Lent we have been preparing for the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the church throughout the world. Christ entered Jerusalem this day in triumph, a triumph that led through suffering and death to resurrection and new life. Let us go with him in faith and love, so that, united with him in his sufferings, we may share his risen life.
All the people gathered to welcome Jesus, their king, into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
And so I ask, as we gather this morning, will you welcome Jesus who comes among us?
All We will.
Holding high the palm crosses and palms.
All Jesus, we welcome you into the midst of us today.
Let these palms be for us signs of your victory;
and grant that we who bear them in your name
may for ever honour you as our King in all we do and say,
and follow you in the way that leads to eternal life.
Jesus came among us. He was one of us.
Christ came to show us the way.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world
We say sorry to God
Let us think for a moment about the way we have lived our lives in the past few days, remembering as we do that God loves us and wants to forgive the times when we forget his teaching and have failed to love others.
Lord, have mercy.
All when we have not welcomed you as we should.
Christ, have mercy
All when we have not recognised your presence with us.
Lord, have mercy.
All when we have not given you praise,
instead being too busy looking down.
Collect
True and humble king,
hailed by the crowd as Messiah:
grant us the faith to know you and love you,
that we may be found beside you
on the way of the cross,
which is the path of glory. Amen.
HYMN CP563
Rejoice, the Lord is King,
Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals, give thanks and sing
And triumph evermore:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
Jesus, the Saviour reigns,
The God of truth and love:
When He had purged our stains
He took His seat above:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
His kingdom cannot fail;
He rules o’er earth and heav’n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv’n:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
He sits at God’s right hand
Till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command,
And fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
We hear God's word:
The Lord be with you
All And also with you
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
At the end, the reader says
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Talk
We profess our faith
All I believe in God the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
I believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love.
I believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us with power from on high.
I believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
We say our prayers
Lord, we pray
that we may be faithful stewards of your good news:
encouraging others to look to you,
acting as agents of comfort and healing,
acting not with our own agenda but out of love for you,
summoning others with our shouts of praise.
Open our lips, O Lord of lords,
that we may praise with one accord.
Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer
Lord, we pray
for your mercy in our broken world:
for strength to break the bonds of darkness,
for tenderness to gather and hold the hurting.
We pray these things in earnest hope,
and longing for peace to reign.
Have mercy on what you have made.
Glory to the God who saves!
Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer
Lord, we pray
for all those whose enjoyment of life
has been impaired by sickness, by tragedy or by human sin.
May your love comfort and sustain them in their suffering
and may they find peace and healing in you.
Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer
We finish our prayers by saying together the Dassett Magna Prayer
All Come, Holy Spirit:
fill the hearts of your faithful people
and kindle in us the Fire of your love.
Strengthen your church here in Dassett Magna:
increase our numbers,
deepen our faith
and pour out your love, through us in our communities
We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
We share the sign of peace
Christ came and proclaimed the gospel,
peace to those who are far off
and peace to those who are near.
Let us then pursue all that makes for peace
and builds up our common life.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of God's peace.
HYMN CP112
My song is love unknown,
My Saviour's love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I,
That for my sake
My Lord should take
Frail flesh, and die?
He came from His blest throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
The longed-for Christ would know:
But oh, my Friend,
My Friend indeed,
Who at my need
His life did spend.
Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then "Crucify!"
Is all their breath,
And for His death
They thirst and cry.
They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they save,
The Prince of life they slay.
Yet cheerful He
To suffering goes,
That He His foes
From thence might free.
In life, no house, no home
My Lord on earth might have;
In death, no friendly tomb,
But what a stranger gave.
What may I say?
Heav’n was His home;
But mine the tomb
Wherein He lay.
Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King,
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend,
In whose sweet praise
I all my days
Could gladly spend.
We prepare the table
Jesus, true vine and bread of life,
ever giving yourself that the world might live,
let us share your death and passion:
make us perfect in your love.
All Amen.
We give our thanks and praise
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.
Question Why is it right to give thanks and praise?
Answer Listen, and we will hear.
Lord of all life, you created the universe,
where all living things reflect your glory.
You give us this great and beautiful earth,
to discover and to cherish.
You give us happy times and things to celebrate.
In these we taste your kingdom,
a feast for all your children.
You made us all, each wonderfully different,
to join with the angels and sing your praise:
All Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
in the highest.
We thank you, loving Father,
because, when we turned away,
you sent Jesus, your Son.
He gave his life for us on the cross
and shows us the way to live.
Send your Holy Spirit
that these gifts of bread and wine
may be for us Christ’s body and his blood.
Question Why do we share this bread and wine?
Answer Listen, and we will hear.
On the night before he died,
when darkness had fallen,
Jesus took bread.
He gave thanks, broke it,
and shared it with his disciples, saying:
'This is my body, given for you. Do this to remember me.'
After they had eaten, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks,
and shared it with his disciples, saying:
'This is my blood, poured out for you and
for many, for the forgiveness of sins.’
So Father, with this bread and this cup
we celebrate his love, his death, his risen life.
As you feed us with these gifts,
send your Holy Spirit,
and change us more and more
to be like Jesus our Saviour.
Question How do we follow Jesus Christ?
Answer Listen, and we will hear.
Help us, Father, to love one another,
as we look forward to that day
when suffering is ended,
and all creation is gathered in your loving arms.
And now with all your saints we give you glory,
through Jesus Christ,
in the strength of the Spirit,
today and for ever.
All Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
All 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.
Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup,
All proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again.
The Prayer after Communion
Lord Jesus Christ,
you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant,
and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation:
give us the mind to follow you
and to proclaim you as Lord and King,
to the glory of God the Father.
All Amen.
We receive God's blessing
The Lord be with you
All And also with you.
May you be drawn together, with all the church,
into one great company of disciples,
together following our Lord Jesus Christ
into every walk of life,
together serving him in his mission to the world,
and together witnessing to his love.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
HYMN CP499
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
Come let they follow where our our captain trod,
our King victorious, Christ the Son of God.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
Let every race and every language tell
of him who saves our souls from death and hell.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
From farthest regions let them homage bring
and on his cross adore their Saviour King.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
Set up thy throne, that earth’s despair may cease
beneath the shadow of its healing peace.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
For thy blest cross which doth for all atone
creation’s praises rise before thy throne:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adores his sacred name.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All In the name of Christ. Amen.
Holy Week Meditation
A Time of Prayer and Meditation
God, as we walk through holy week towards the cross,
may we remember the wonder of who you are.
Beyond sin your love is in exhaustible,
beyond brokenness your forgiveness is incomprehensible,
beyond betrayal your grace is poured out eternally,
beyond death your life is an imaginable,
beyond human understanding your ways are always higher than ours.
Amen
Come to us this evening, O God,
All Lighten our darkness.
the
Speak to us this evening, O God,
All Speak to us your truth.
the
Dwell with us this night, O God,
All Dwell with us in love.
the
Our help is in the name of the Lord
All Who made heaven and earth
It is evening after a long day,
what has been done has been done:
what has not been done has not been done;
hand it to God and let it be.
the
All Most merciful God,
All we confess to you,
All before the whole company of heaven and one another,
All that we have sinned in thought, word and deed
All and in what we have failed to do.
All Forgive us our sins,
All heal us by your Spirit
All and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.
the
O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
the
All Glory to the Father and to the Son
All and to the Holy Spirit;
All as it was in the beginning is now
All and shall be for ever. Amen.
God we gather this evening to thank you for the many blessings of this day and in our lives. We praise you for your generous goodness new every day.
All To you our God we offer praise and thanks.
the
We pause to remind ourselves of all we have to be thankful for.
the
To you who created the earth and the heavens,
To you who are always merciful and forgiving,
To you who call us into relationship with yourself,
All Thanks and praise to God our creator.
the
For entering human history as one of us,
For your life poured out in sacrifice for us,
For dying that we might live,
All Thanks and praise to Christ our redeemer.
the
For the comfort of your indwelling presence,
For the wisdom of your guidance and direction,
For drawing us together as one family,
All Thanks and praise to the Holy Spirit our enabler.
the
Through your will we are made whole,
Through your love we are renewed in body, mind and spirit
Through you we become one community from every tribe and nation.
All Thanks and praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Word of the Lord
the
O God, as these words are read,
All In our hearts may we feel your presence.
Reading
Almighty God, we thank you for the gift of your holy word.
May it be a lantern to our feet, a light upon our paths,
and a strength to our lives.
Reflection and meditation
Prayers of Intercession
We have a moment of silence to offer up our own personal prayers
Father God, we thank you
for the many blessings you gave us this day,
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 life, death and resurrection
inspire within us. Amen.
Let us now pray together using the words Jesus taught us.
All Our Father, who art in heaven,
All hallowed be thy name;
All thy kingdom come, thy will be done;
All on earth as it is in heaven.
All Give us this day our daily bread.
All And forgive us our trespasses,
All as we forgive those who trespass against us.
All And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
All For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
All for ever and ever. Amen.
Save us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ
and asleep may rest in peace.
Come with the dawning of the day
and make yourself know to us
in the faces and actions of those we meet.
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet evening and a perfect night.
All Amen.
Easter Sunday
We Gather to Worship God
Our Lord Jesus Christ, did the most amazing thing, he died for our sins and then miraculously came back to life. His death and resurrection give us confidence that we shall share his victory over death and live with him for ever in God. We are here today to celebrate, and to worship him.
the
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
All He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
the
The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you
All and also with you.
the
The glory of the Lord has risen upon us.
All Let us rejoice and sing God's praise for ever.
the
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
All He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Hymn
the
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!
the
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!
the
But the pain which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation hath procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!
We say sorry to God
the
Let us think for a moment about the way we have recently lived our lives in the past few days, remembering as we do that God loves us and wants to forgive the times when we forget his teaching and have failed to love others.
the
Christ our passover lamb has been sacrificed for us.
Let us therefore rejoice by putting away all malice and
evil and confessing our sins with a sincere and true heart.
A moment of silence for personal confession.
Like Mary at the empty tomb,
we fail to grasp the wonder of your presence.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
the
Like the disciples behind locked doors,
we are afraid to be seen as your followers.
Christ, have mercy.
All Christ, have mercy.
the
Like Thomas in the upper room, we are slow to believe.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
the
Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
Prayer for the day
God of glory,
by the raising of your Son
you have broken the chains of death and hell:
fill your Church with faith and hope;
for a new day has dawned
and the way to life stands open
in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
All Amen.
The word of God
At the end of each reading the reader says
the
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
the
Hymn
The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness,
the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory.
the
Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and listening to his accents,
may hear so calm and plain
his own "All hail!" and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.
the
Now let the heavens be joyful!
Let earth her song begin!
The round world keep high triumph,
and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen,
our joy that hath no end.
Talk
Profession of faith
All We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
the
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
the
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
the
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayers of intercession
In Easter joy and hope, let us pray to the Father.
At the end of each prayer, the following responses may be used.
Life giving God
All Give us new life in you.
the
Our prayers of intercession conclude with the following:
Jesus, the resurrection and the life,
we give you thanks for all who have lived and
believed in you. Raise us with them to eternal life.
Jesus, Lord of life,
All accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
All 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 of God
The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said,
'Peace be with you.’ Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia.
the
Alleluia. The peace of the Lord be always with you
All and also with you. Alleluia.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
Hymn
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
the
Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
the
Spread the good news o'er all the earth:
Jesus has died and has risen.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
the
We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live for ever.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
the
God has proclaimed his gracious gift:
Life eternal for all who believe.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
the
Come, let us praise the living God,
Joyfully sing to our Saviour.
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his Name.
May you know that the Lord is with you.
All And also with you.
the
May you open your heart to him today.
May you know his love within you.
May his light shine upon you.
the
Heavenly Father,
When we turned away you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in your Son.
All You embraced us as your children
and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
the
In Christ you shared our life
that we might live in him and he in us.
All He opened his arms of love upon the cross
and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed he had supper with his friends.
Whilst they were eating, he took bread,
and when he had given thanks,
he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,
'Take it; this is my body.'
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks,
He told them:
'This is my blood of the covenant,”
which is poured out for many
for the forgiveness of their sins;
do this in remembrance of me.’
Christ invites us to share in a meal together.
Christ invites us to share in service and humility.
Christ invites us to share in strength and renewal.
the
We gather in faith.
We share a meal together in love.
All Father, we eat and drink in remembrance of him.
We share a meal together in love.
Loving God, host and guest,
Come to us, commune with us, connect us;
make us true companions
with all who seek your meaning and truth,
beauty and love.
All May we find community together.
We receive God's blessing
and go out to serve Christ in the world
The Lord be with you
All And also with you.
the
May we be drawn together, with all the church,
into one great company of disciples,
together following our Lord Jesus Christ
into every walk of life,
together serving him in his mission to the world,
and together witnessing to his love.
the
And may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
All Amen.
Hymn
Thine be the glory,
Risen, conquering Son,
Endless is the victory
Thou o'er death hast won;
Angels in bright raiment
Rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave-clothes
Where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory,
Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory
Thou o'er death hast won!
Lo, Jesus meets us,
Risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us,
Scatters fear and gloom;
Let the Church with gladness
Hymns of triumph sing,
For her Lord now liveth,
Death hath lost its sting.
Thine be the glory,
Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory
Thou o'er death hast won!
No more we doubt thee,
Glorious Prince of life;
Life is naught without thee:
Aid us in our strife;
Make us more than conquerors
Through thy deathless love;
Bring us safe through Jordan
To thy home above:
Thine be the glory,
Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory
Thou o'er death hast won!
Go out to serve Christ in the world. Alleluia, alleluia.
All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Eastertide
Prayers of Intercession
We have a moment of silence to offer up our own personal prayers
Father God, we thank you
for the many blessings you gave us this day,
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 life, death and resurrection
inspire within us. Amen.
Let us now pray together using the words Jesus taught us.
All Our Father, who art in heaven,
All hallowed be thy name;
All thy kingdom come, thy will be done;
All on earth as it is in heaven.
All Give us this day our daily bread.
All And forgive us our trespasses,
All as we forgive those who trespass against us.
All And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
All For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
All for ever and ever. Amen.
Save us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ
and asleep may rest in peace.
Come with the dawning of the day
and make yourself know to us
in the faces and actions of those we meet.
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet evening and a perfect night.
All Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
We have a moment of silence to offer up our own personal prayers
Father God, we thank you
for the many blessings you gave us this day,
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 life, death and resurrection
inspire within us. Amen.
Let us now pray together using the words Jesus taught us.
All Our Father, who art in heaven,
All hallowed be thy name;
All thy kingdom come, thy will be done;
All on earth as it is in heaven.
All Give us this day our daily bread.
All And forgive us our trespasses,
All as we forgive those who trespass against us.
All And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
All For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
All for ever and ever. Amen.
Save us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ
and asleep may rest in peace.
Come with the dawning of the day
and make yourself know to us
in the faces and actions of those we meet.
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet evening and a perfect night.
All 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
Sha