The Parish of Hempsted with St Mary de Lode The Peace and St Mary de Crypt, Gloucester in partnership with Gloucester Cathedral In the tender mercy of our God, the dayspring from on high has broken upon us, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. 31 January 2021

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

The Nunc Dimittis is sung or said

Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word. For mine eyes hath seen thy salvation: which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: Welcome and to be the glory of thy people Israel. , you were born to bring light, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost. You bring light to our lives. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: Jesus, you brought light to the temple, world without end. Amen. You bring light to our lives. Jesus, you brought light to those who saw you, You bring light to our lives. Jesus, your light shines in our own darkness, May God keep you in all your days. You bring light to our lives. May Christ shield you in all your ways. Jesus, your light is for us to take and shine, May the Spirit bring you healing and peace. You bring light to our lives. May God the Holy Trinity drive all darkness from you and pour upon you blessing and light. Blessing the Candles And the blessing of God Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer be upon you this day and always. Amen. We lift up a candle

Go in the light and peace of Christ. Bless us, your people, Loving God, help me be a light for others today. Amen. as we seek to follow the light of Jesus. Bless us, your followers, as we seek to shine with the light of Jesus. Bless these candles that shine in our homes and churches as a reminder of the light of Jesus. Amen.

We sing or say For the times we make wrong choices. Longing for light, we wait in darkness, Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. longing for truth, we turn to you.

Make us your own, your holy people, For the times we forget your love. light for the world to see. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts, shine through the darkness. May the God of all healing and forgiveness, Christ be our light! forgive you when you do wrong Shine in your gathered today. and draw you back to love, through Jesus Christ our friend and Saviour. Amen. Longing for peace, our world is troubled, longing for hope, many despair. Prayer for the Day Your word alone has power to save us: make us your living voice. Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God Longing for food, many are hungry, and our God. Amen. longing for water, many still thirst. Make us your bread, broken for others, Bible reading: Luke 2:22-40 shared until all are fed. Reflection (attached) Longing for shelter, many are homeless, longing for warmth, many are cold. We Declare our Faith Make us your building, sheltering others, walls made of living stone. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; he was buried; he was raised to life on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; afterwards Many the gifts, many the people, he appeared to his followers, and to all the apostles: this we have received, many the hearts that yearn to belong. and this we believe. Amen. Let us be servants to one another 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 making your kingdom come. Intercessions ending with The Lord’s Prayer We say Sorry to God and we Receive God’s Forgiveness A Prayer in Lockdown Hear the words of our Saviour Jesus Christ: ’I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me shall never walk in darkness but shall have the light of Ever present God, be with us in our isolation, be close to us in our life.’ Let us therefore bring our failings into his light and confess them with distancing, be healing in our sickness, be joy in our sadness, be light in our penitence and faith. darkness, be wisdom in our confusion, be all that is familiar when all is unfamiliar, that when the doors reopen we may with the zeal of For the times we ignore people in need. inhabit our communities and speak of your goodness to an Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. emerging world. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.