WORSHIP

— THE GATHERING —

 

OPENING SENTENCE

Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. All flesh shall see the salvation of God                                Luke 3.4, 6

 

OPENING HYMN    Come Thou Long -expected Jesus  

                                                                   Blue Book CP88

THE GRACE

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be always with you.

And also with you.

 

WELCOME & TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLES

 

THE COLLECT FOR PURITY

 

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

KYRIE       Kyrie, Kyrie Eleison x3

 

COLLECT OF THE DAY

 

Almighty God, who sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah, inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth, to turn our disobedient hearts to you, that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge, we may stand with confidence before his glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

​

THE WORD 

 

FIRST READING                        Isaiah 11.1–10

PSALM                 Psalm 72.1–7, 18–19

 

Give the king your justice, O God, *

          and your righteousness to the king’s son;

 That he may rule your people righteously *

          and the poor with justice;

 That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *

          and the little hills bring righteousness.

 He shall defend the needy among the people; *

          he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.

 He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *

          from one generation to another.

 He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *

          like showers that water the earth.

 In his time shall the righteous flourish; *

          there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall

          be no more

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, *

          who alone does wondrous deeds!

 And blessed be his glorious name for ever! *

          and may all the earth be filled with his glory.

          Amen.

 

SECOND READING     Romans 15.4–13

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION     

                  Come, come, Emmanuel, come Emmanuel!

GOSPEL READING                  Matthew 3.1–12

SERMON

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH:    Hear O Isreal

 

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,

With all your mind, and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.

The second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

 

Al, Alice, Annette, Beryl, Brenda, Brynlee, Callie, Carol, Darlene, Darrell, Dave & Bev, David-Anthony, Doreen, Dylan, Effie, Emily, Frances, Gabe, Gavin, Gene & Ken, Graham, Heather, Heather, Jackie, Janessa, Janet, Jean, Jodi, Judy, Karen, Kathleen & Team, Ken, Kristina & Family, Lee, Lori, Maureen, Michelle, Nathan & Chloe, Pat, Pauline, Pauline, Peter, Ralph, Sarah, Shelagh, Simone, Spencer & Diana, Sue, Zoë

 

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

 

St Paul says ’Be imitators of God; love as Christ loved; do not grieve the Holy Spirit; put away all anger and bitterness, all slander and malice.’ So let us confess our sins to God, who forgives us in Christ.

Silence is kept.

 

God eternal, giver of light and grace, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour, in what we have thought, in what we have said and done, through ignorance, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We have wounded your love, and marred your image in us. We are sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past; and lead us out from darkness to walk as children of light. Amen.

 

Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

PEACE

 

The peace of Christ be always with you.   And also with you.

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THE HOLY COMMUNION 

 

OFFERTORY HYMN    O Come, Divine Messiah

                                                                         Blue Book CP 95

 

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

 

God our strength, we are nothing without you. Receive all we offer you this day as you sustain us with your mercy; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

 

The Lord be with you.             And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.                 We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.   It is right to give our thank and praise.

…..                                                      

Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might,

Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full, full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest

                                                                     Blue Book CP735

.…

 

 

LORD’S PRAYER                                           Darryl Nixon

 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

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

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever.      Amen.

 

 

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

 

 

God of promise, you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom

Happy are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.

 

The gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God          

       

 

AGNUS DEI (Lamb of God)                    Blue Book CP747

 

Jesus Lamb of God, have mercy on us,

Jesus bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.

Jesus redeemer, redeemer of the world,

give us your peace, give us your peace.

 

 

COMMUNION HYMNS   

                Creator of the Stars of Night              Blue Book CP 96

               Comfort, Comfort Ye My People         Blue Book CP100

 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

 

Faithful God, we thank you for feeding us with this heavenly banquet. Help us always to hear the prophet’s call to turn our hearts to you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.

 

 

THE SENDING

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLESSING

Friends, go forth into the world: be steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and untiring in love all the days of your life; and the blessing of God almighty, the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sustainer, be among you and remain with you always.     Amen.

 

DISMISSAL

As we await our coming Saviour, go in the peace of Christ.

Thanks be to God!

RECESSIONAL HYMN   When the King Shall Come Again       

                                                                             Blue Book CP109