Times and Seasons

EUCHA RIST of LIGHT for ADVENT SUNDAY Please stand, and face West The Challenge

A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ The Gathering

The ministers and choir process to their places The Greeting The president greets the people G r a c e ,

m e r c y

a n d

p e a c e s f C r h o r m i s G t o d b e o u w r i t F h a t y h o e u r All The Lord bless you. a Hymn 39, Wake, O wake! e us n our Confession un- d The presiding minister says readin t When the Lord comes, he ess to h will bring to light things receiv e now hidden in darkness, e him. and disclose the Lord, purposes of the heart. have L Trusting in his mercy, we mercy o confess our sins. . r Lord, d An assistant minister says have Heavenly Father, you call mercy J us to prepare for the . e coming of your Son: s For u giv Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world: cleanse and heal our blinded sight. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Holy Spirit, you give us light in our hearts: renew us in faith and love. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Advent Wreath As the first candle is lit, the assistant minister says We light this light in the name of the word of grace burning with fire in the mouth of the prophets to renew our lives in the love of God. Take away judgement, O God our Redeemer. Give us joy instead of mourning and restore your image in us; that we may shine with your glory and know you as the one who saves and, bearing the fruits of true repentance, may speak the good news of your coming with great rejoicing. O God, who in Christ comes to save, in the strength of the Spirit, our hope is in you for ever! Amen

We give thanks today for the love of our God, for love which knows us, forgives us and heals; for love which delights in us and brings us back home; which knows the world’s sorrow and stands with us there. Give us courage and grace to live lives of love; bearing witness to God who makes all things whole. Amen.

The presiding minister says People of God: be glad! Your God delights in you, forgiving your sins, giving you joy for sadness, and turning the dark to light. Be strong in hope, therefore; for your God comes to save. You are God’s children.

And all respond Lord, make us one in the love of Christ today and forever. Amen. Collect for the Day Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light now, in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility: so that, on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Hymn 26 Hark, a thrilling voice is sounding

The Liturgy of the Word Please sit First Reading At the end the reader says This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.

Reflection — ’Preparations’ Yet if His Majesty, our sovereign Lord, Should of his own accord Friendly himself invite, And say ‘I'll be your guest to-morrow night,’ How should we stir ourselves, call and command All hands to w o r k! ‘Let no man idle stand. ‘Set me fine Spanish tables in the hall; See they be fitted all; Let there be room to eat And order taken that there want no meat. See every sconce and candlestick made bright, That without tapers they may give a light. Blessing and Dismissal The presiding minister says ‘Look to the presence: are the carpets spread, You are and what reveal Christ is, since he in you was what and in you are! this church All respond commu Lord nity Jesus, Light of the light, you promis have e of his glory. come In the among name us, of the help us Father, who and of live by the Son your and of light to the shine as Holy lights in Spirit. your Amen. world. Glory to God in Notices may be the given out; banns read; highest. other The president announcement prays s made. May God who is in Recessional you and Hymn 31 Lo, shines he comes from you, with clouds bless you, descending to love T faithful a re and say a and T h departe f prayer serve h e d , t e the e through c Lord in r the o everyo t d mercy n ne you h a g of God, meet. e z r rest in i e peace s e and rise In the g e in a name r glory. o t of v Amen. ' i Christ. i e o T c r n h Amen. e e , f l t a a P i h c s l g e e s e h i a t h w s s i e t e e t a a t s t d t n a h , t k e The Lord e be with m ‘ T you And i y h with n o e your i u spirit. s r c t Let us ’ u bless the e c r s Lord. a n h Thanks s d i be to a l o God. y e n May the s h s o souls of Go in m the peace i e n All Alleluia. the 'twer But like a An acclamation chairs e at stran heralds the Gospel , good the ger, reading. When the And reas comi And Alleluia, Gospel is all the on ng of as at alleluia. announced the reader says candl too; the first Prep Hear the es For King still are Gospel lighte 'tis a of l od g e the of our d on dute Heav him way Lord the ous en in the of Jesus stairs thing All's mang the Christ ? To set er. Lord, Thomas Ford, 16 accordin Perfu show at make g to St me all six his N. the hono and G paths All Glory to cham ur to seve o straig you, O Lord. bers, an n: s ht, eart and and in We p At the end all any hly wall e This is case king, ow flesh Let l the And in shall each R Gospel after our see man e of the all sin, the give a Lord. our Chris salva All Praise to atten d trava t tion you, O Christ. dance il cann i of in his and ot n God. place. SERMON our find g ’ c o s t , P So a cha l Thus he e if the be mbe r in a king pleas s the were ed, e i n n . comin to We g think s ente would no t rtain we labo a him n do, ur alwa d And lost. ys Reflection — ’Love ‘ Lead us not into temptation Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, but deliver us from evil. Guilty of dust and sin. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack now and for ever. From my first entrance in, Amen. Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning If I lacked anything. Breaking of the Bread ‘A guest’, I answer'd, ‘worthy to be here.’ The presiding minister breaks the consecrated bread. Love said, ‘You shall be he.’ Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup We proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. ‘I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear, I cannot look on thee.’ Love took my hand, and smiling did reply, The Agnus Dei may be said or sung ‘Who made the eyes but I?’ All Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. ‘Truth Lord, but I have marr'd them; let my shame Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, Go where it doth deserve.’ ‘And know you not’, says Love, ‘who bore the blame?’ have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, ‘My dear, then I will serve.’ ‘You must sit down,’ says Love, ‘and taste my meat.’ grant us peace. So I did sit and eat. George Herbert 1593-1633 Giving of Communion

The presiding minister invites the people to communion A Creed for Advent (from the Iona Community) Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Please stand Blessed are those who are called to his supper. We believe in God, robed in splendour, All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed. veiled in mystery, ruler alike of darkness and light. Communion The ministers and people receive the Communion. We encounter God in Jesus Christ, The bread of heaven in Christ Jesus. who was tortured and put to death, but whose radiance could not be quenched; The cup of life in Christ Jesus. whose touch brings a blaze of colour After Communion As you return from the altar, please light a candle at the candle table to a dull, drab world:

reviving the weary, Hymn 476 In a world where people walk in darkness healing the wounded, dazzling the unsatisfied. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. We walk with God, guided by the light of God’s loving Spirit, So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice who enters the shadowed places of our hearts made once for all upon the cross. and leads us into truth and life. We wait for God, Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation, and for the fulfillment of God’s promises, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory. for the time when the darkness will hold no fear and the light will no longer blind, Asst Great is the mystery of faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. but creation will be made whole once more and God’s peace will reign for ever. Amen. Pres Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day Prayers of Intercession when your kingdom comes In joyful expectation of his coming to our aid, we pray to Jesus. and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth. Come to your Church as Lord and judge. Look with favour on your people, We pray for … gather us in your loving arms Help us to live in the light of your coming and bring us with [N and] all the saints and give us a longing for your kingdom. Amen. to feast at your table in heaven. Come, Lord Jesus. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Come to your world as King of the nations. all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, We pray for … for ever and ever. Before you, rulers will stand in silence. All Blessing and honour and glory and power Amen. be yours for ever and ever. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Come to the suffering as Saviour and comforter. Please kneel. Silence is kept. We pray for … The Lord’s Prayer Break into our lives where we struggle with sickness and distress, We pray for the coming of the Kingdom, and set us free to serve you for ever. in the words our Saviour taught us: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Come to us as shepherd and guardian of our souls. your kingdom come, your will be done, We remember … Give us with all the faithful departed on earth as in heaven. a share in your victory over evil and death. Give us today our daily bread. Amen. Forgive us our sins, Come, Lord Jesus. as we forgive those who sin against us. Come from heaven, Lord Jesus, with power and great glory. It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise, Lift us up to meet you, almighty God and everlasting Father, that with (St Leonard, St N and) all your saints and angels through Jesus Christ your Son. we may live and reign with you in your new creation. For when he humbled himself Amen. to come among us in human flesh, Come, Lord Jesus. he fulfilled the plan you formed before the foundation of the world to open for us the way of salvation. The Liturgy of the Sacrament Confident that your promise will be fulfilled, The Peace we now watch for the day The presiding minister introduces the Peace when Christ our Lord will come again in glory. May the God of peace make you completely holy, And so we join our voices with angels and archangels ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. and with all the company of heaven, The peace of the Lord be always with you to proclaim your glory, and also with you. forever praising you and singing:

An assistant minister says Holy, holy, holy Lord, Let us offer one another a sign of peace. God of power and might, All may exchange a sign of peace. heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Preparation of the Table Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Taking of the Bread and Wine Hosanna in the highest.

Offertory Hymn 49 Come, thou Redeemer of the earth We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey his command, The presiding minister takes the bread and wine. and says send your Holy Spirit, Look upon us in mercy not in judgement; draw us from hatred to love; that broken bread and wine outpoured make the frailty of our praise may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son. a dwelling place for your glory. Amen On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. The Eucharistic Prayer He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Please remain standing Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; The Lord is here. do this in remembrance of me. All His Spirit is with us. Lift up your hearts. When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: All We lift them to the Lord. Drink this, all of you; Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. this is my blood of the new covenant, All It is right to give thanks and praise. which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.