Together in Prayer During December 2020 & January 2021

TOGETHER IN PRAYER DURING DECEMBER 2020 & JANUARY 2021

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

Welcome to these publications from St Stephen’s, Gloucester Road, offering you news, reflections and resources for worship at home or in church as we continue to navigate together the challenges of covid-19.

This pack contains three publications:  THIS BOOKLET has news, details of Christmas Services, and an outline order for Mass to guide you if you join the Sunday livestream at home.  O RADIANT DAWN is a resource for Advent, written by Fr Philip and being used by churches in our Anglo-Catholic tradition nationally. It offers a short reflection for each day of Advent. An online video for each week of Advent accompanies this resource, and includes music from our choir. Details of how to access the videos are on the back of the booklet, and there will be a link to them on our Facebook page as well.  THE WONDROUS GIFT is a resource for Christmas and Epiphany, also written by Fr Philip and being used nationally. It offers a daily short reflection from Christmas Day until the Epiphany. Due to a permitted variation in calendars we will be keeping the Epiphany at St Stephen’s on Sunday 3 January so you may wish to alter your reading accordingly. The final video, with a carol by our choir, will be online from Christmas Eve.  You will also find an Advent Candle with this pack as a gift from us. Use it carefully in your homes as you prepare for Christmas – perhaps as you read the daily reflections in ‘O Radiant Dawn’.

MASS TIMES

Public celebration of Mass resumes on 2 December, and is permitted to continue regardless of what covid ‘tier’ this area is placed in.

Sunday

9am Mass said, in the Lady Chapel 11am Sung Mass this Mass will also be livestreamed on YouTube

Tuesday 12.30pm

Wednesday 7pm

Thursday 12.30pm

Friday 5pm Holy Hour – silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament 6pm Mass

Saturday 10am

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES

CHRISTMAS EVE Thursday 24 December

11pm Midnight Mass This Mass will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel CHRISTMAS DAY Friday 25 December

9am Mass said, in the Lady Chapel, a quiet celebration recalling the visit of the shepherds to the Christ child.

11am Solemn Mass This Mass will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel

ST STEPHEN’S DAY Saturday 26 December

11am Solemn Mass Celebrant & Preacher, the Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Revd Jonathan Baker This Mass will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel

THE HOLY FAMILY Sunday 27 December

11am Mass said This Mass will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD Friday 1 January 2021

12noon Mass said

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Sunday 3 January 2021

9am Mass said, in the Lady Chapel

11am Solemn Mass This Mass will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel

NEWS FROM ST STEPHEN’S

Welcome Father Alan! We’re delighted to announce that St Stephen’s will be receiving an Assistant Curate, and that Fr Alan Rimmer will be joining us at Christmas. An Assistant Curate continues the training and formation as a priest that is begun at Theological College, and as well as sharing in ministry here Fr Alan will be continuing his studies while he is with us. In common with the Catholic and Orthodox churches the Church of England shares a ‘threefold ministry’ of deacon, priest and bishop. Fr Alan arrives as a Deacon, ordained to a ministry that includes the tasks of proclaiming the gospel, preaching and assisting at Mass, as well as pastoral care. We’ll expect to share the joy of his ordination as a priest next summer, when he will be able to celebrate Mass for the first time, and will have more responsibilities in worship and ministry.

Fr Alan grew up in rural Lancashire and read Classics at Christ Church, Oxford. After a stint in the US, and as a pastoral assistant in Camden Town, he trained for the priesthood at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, and began his curacy in Tottenham, whence he comes to us. He describes himself as a keen, if slow, reader of unfashionable novels and he also enjoys the outdoors and trying to cook. He is very much looking forward to joining us and asks that you keep him in your prayers over the next few weeks. Fr Alan will be moving to a flat on Marloes Road in December, and will be sharing in the Christmas Masses with us. He will be licensed for his new role at St Stephen’s by Bishop Jonathan at the Mass on St Stephen’s Day, and it will be a joy to welcome him.

Christmas Giving

This Christmas we have the opportunity to support the work of the Charity ‘Glass Door’ who partner with churches in our area to help those who are homeless. We will be giving the collections following Midnight Mass, the Christmas Morning Masses and St Stephen’s Day to this charity, and we invite your generosity.

Glass Door is currently providing around 90 individuals with COVID- safe single-occupancy rooms and three nutritious meals a day in two central London hostels. The comfort and safety this environment provides, along with support from Glass Door caseworkers, means guests can focus on creating a route out of homelessness and building a more stable future. Additionally, November saw the launch of the Glass Door community dinner service in partnership with local churches. Every night, up to 120 people can enjoy a meal prepared and served by volunteers across four different venues.

£1,440 could pay for all the guests in one hostel to receive a night’s accommodation and three nutritious meals the following day. Wouldn’t it be great if St Stephen’s could raise enough to cover this?

Find more information about this charity on-line or from the leaflets at the back of church.

Let there be light!

St Stephen’s has not been quiet during lockdown, and work is progressing well on the installation of our new lighting scheme, which beautifully enhances the architecture of the building, as well as providing different lighting options for services, concerts and other events. Installation will be completed by Christmas, but please be aware that the church will only be open during Mass times for the first two weeks of December.

GATHERING FOR MASS In order that we may gather safely the following measures are in place:  Please use the sanitising gel to cleanse your hands as you enter church, and as you leave.  Government guidelines mean that face coverings are now compulsory inside the church, unless you have an exemption.  A venue check-in code is displayed at the back of church and in the porch for those using the NHS Test and Trace app.  Those visiting the church may leave contact details as part of the Track and Trace scheme. These details are destroyed after three weeks, and are used for the purpose of Track and Trace only.  Observe social distancing, and find a seat at least two metres from your neighbour. Remember to keep the social distance when you arrive and leave, conscious of the anxieties others may have.  The service booklet will guide you through necessary adaptations to the liturgy.  We are doing our best to keep the timing for the Sung Mass ‘tight’, and the usual prayers of intercession are brief, but we’re praying for the sick and needy during the weekday Masses. Please speak to Fr Philip if you’d like someone included.  There is no collection during the Mass. We encourage those who haven’t yet joined the Planned Giving scheme to do so (forms at the back of church), or there is a plate to receive your offering at the door after Mass.  The 11am Sung Mass continues to be live-streamed on our YouTube channel. Please be aware that the camera angle includes those coming forward to receive Holy Communion.  We much regret that we are unable to offer the usual hospitality following the 11am Sung Mass. There is an opportunity to greet each other outside as we leave, but please be careful to maintain social distancing as you leave.  We’re grateful for those who continue to offer help by reading at the Sung Mass, and by helping with sanitising the building afterwards. Please continue to sign up on the sheets at the back of church.

THE ORDER FOR MASS

On Sundays Mass is livestreamed at 11am. This outline order is provided to assist you in joining in at home.

INTRODUCTORY RITES

The Entrance Antiphon is sung as the Priest enters and censes the altar.

In the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.

The Priest introduces the Mass and invites us to confess our sins.

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Kyrie eleison

Kyrie, eleison. Lord, have mercy. Christe, eleison. Christ, have mercy. Kyrie, eleison. Lord, have mercy.

Gloria in Excelsis (this is omitted during Advent)

Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnípotens. O God, almighty Father. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe, Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; sins of the world, have mercy on us;

8 qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem you take away the sins of the world, receive our nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, miserere nobis. have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of Spiritu: in gloria Dei Patris. Amen. God the Father. Amen.

The Collect

Let us pray.

After a pause for silent prayer the Priest says the Collect to which we acclaim: Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

Two readings follow. At the end of each reading:

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Between the readings the Psalm is said, and we make the response after each verse.

Gospel acclamation

The cantor sings the Alleluia.

Gospel

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to N. Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end the Priest acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

A homily is given.

Profession of Faith

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was

9 incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

The gifts of bread and wine are placed upon the altar. The Offertory Antiphon is sung.

Invitation to Prayer

Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

The Priest says the Prayer over the Offerings, at the end of which we acclaim: Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.

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

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

At the end of the Preface of the prayer:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. 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.

The Eucharistic Prayer continues with the words of institution. This acclamation is used:

The mystery of faith. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

Or, following Christmas

We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

As the prayer reaches its conclusion we boldly acclaim: Amen.

THE COMMUNION RITE

The Lord’s Prayer

At the Saviours command, and formed by Divine teaching, we dare to say:

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.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

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

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always. And with your spirit.

Breaking of the Bread

During the breaking of the host the Agnus Dei is sung.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona nobis pacem. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Invitation to Communion

Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

The Priest and People receive Holy Communion. The Communion Antiphon and a Motet is sung.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I passionately desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into my soul so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever. Amen.

Prayer after Communion

The Priest says the appointed prayer, to which we acclaim: Amen.

THE CONCLUDING RITES

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.

May almighty God bless you, + the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Go in peace. Thanks be to God.

THE ANGELUS

PRAYING IN THE EARLY MORNING

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You are my beginning and my end

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Revelation 22.13

You are my Alpha and my Omega, my first and my last, my beginning and my end. Before my beginning, you were; After my ending, you will be; and until then – yesterday, today, tomorrow – You are; present here, wanting to come to me, giving me life, giving yourself. Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus!

Silence

My petition for the day…

Our Father…

Conclusion

May the Lord make us ready for his coming in glory. Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PRAYING IN THE LATE EVENING

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Quietly, I look back over this day. I call to mind the things and the people I have encountered in the course of this day and what I have thought, said, and done.

You are our salvation

You are our eternal salvation, the unfailing life of the world. Light everlasting, you are truly our redemption.

Grieving that the human race was perishing through the temper’s power, without leaving the heights you came to the depths in your loving kindness.

Readily taking our humanity by your own gracious will, you saved all earthly creatures, long since lost, restoring joy to the world.

Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ, and so posses us as your shining dwellings.

By your first coming, make us righteous; at your second coming, set us free; so that, when the world is filled with light and you judge all things, we may be clad in spotless robes and follow in your steps, O King, into the heavenly hall.

Source unknown, 10th century

Lord, grant me a quiet night and a perfect end in you.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CALENDAR FOR PRAYER

DECEMBER 1 Advent Feria For growth in love 2 Advent Feria For Care Workers 3 St Francis Xavier, Priest For missionaries & evangelists 4 Advent Feria For vocations to the ordained ministry 5 Advent Feria Thanksgiving for the Blessed Virgin Mary

6 Second Sunday of Advent Our Parish 7 St Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church For Bishop Jonathan 8 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9 Advent Feria For the grace of penitence 10 Advent Feria For departed members of the Guild of All Souls 11 Advent Feria For those persecuted for their faith 12 Advent Feria Thanksgiving for the Blessed Virgin Mary

13 Third Sunday of Advent Our Parish 14 St John of the Cross, Priest & Doctor of the Church For growth in prayer 15 Feria For those who have no faith in God 16 Feria For those who are sick 17 O Sapientia For growth in true wisdom 18 O Adonai For the Queen and all in authority 19 O Radix Jesse For growth in the gift of hope

20 Fourth Sunday of Advent Our Parish 21 O Oriens For light for those in despair 22 O Rex Gentium For those caring for sick loved ones 23 O Emmanuel For the homeless and for the work of Glass Door 24 O virgo virginum For expectant mothers 25 The Nativity of the Lord Joy in the Incarnation 26 St Stephen, the First Martyr Our Parish

27 The Holy Family Our Parish 28 The Holy Innocents, Martyrs For bereaved parents 29 St Thomas Becket, Bishop & Martyr For the Archbishop of Canterbury 30 Christmas Feria For those apart from loved ones this Christmas 31 Christmas Feria For the year drawing to a close

JANUARY 1 Mary, Mother of God For God’s blessing on the year ahead 2 Ss Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops & Doctors of the Church For theologians and teachers of the faith

3 The Epiphany of the Lord Our Parish 4 Christmas Feria For the gift of wonder 5 Christmas Feria For those exploring a commitment to faith 6 Christmas Feria For our servers and liturgical ministers 7 Christmas Feria For the anxious and depressed 8 Christmas Feria For Orthodox Christians 9 Christmas Feria Thanksgiving for the Blessed Virgin Mary

10 The Baptism of the Lord Our Parish 11 Feria Thanksgiving for our baptisms 12 Feria For the bereaved 13 Feria For the victims of racial prejudice and injustice 14 Feria For departed members of the Guild of All Souls 15 Feria For St Stephen’s House, Oxford and all seminarians 16 Feria Thanksgiving for the Blessed Virgin Mary

17 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Our Parish 18 Feria For our godchildren 19 Feria For the Society of St Wilfrid & St Hilda 20 Feria For peace and justice 21 St Agnes, Virgin & Martyr For victims of sexual violence and abuse 22 Feria For the growth of our congregation 23 Feria Thanksgiving for the Blessed Virgin Mary

24 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Our Parish 25 Conversion of St Paul, Apostle For the Diocese of London 26 Ss Timothy & Titus, Bishops For the Bishop of Chichester 27 Feria For Her Majesty the Queen & the Royal Family 28 St Thomas Aquinas, Priest & Doctor of the Church For teachers and students 29 Feria For organisations committed to aid in the developing world 30 Feria Thanksgiving for the Blessed Virgin Mary

CONTACTING US

The Parish Office Phone 020 7370 3418 Email [email protected]

Parish Priest Fr Philip Barnes Phone 020 7637 4263 Email [email protected]

Hon. Assistant Priest Fr John Hunter Phone 020 7736 7544 Email [email protected] www.saint-stephen.org.uk