Season of Advent
Welcome to our church, especially if you are a visitor.
Today we celebrate the Eucharist which means “thanksgiving”. Eucharist is only one name for this service. Sometimes it is called the Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, and sometimes the Mass. But whatever name we call it, it is an important way for us to meet our Lord. This is why for almost 2000 years, Christians have come together Sunday after Sunday and often during the week.
In this Eucharist service we offer our thanks to God for his great gifts to us, remembering especially the life, death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus. Then we offer ourselves to God and to receive Him into our lives, so that we may love and serve Him better. “Do this in remembrance of me”
There are some words to join in with, they are printed in bold like this. Sometimes there are instructions explaining what is happening, they are printed in red like this.
The Gathering
Notices may be given before the service begins. We stand to sing our gathering hymn
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Words of welcome or introduction may be said.
The next candle on the Advent Wreath may be lit and the priest says a prayer. We then all join in praying
Loving Lord,
fill us with your light-giving,
joy-giving, peace-giving presence,
that we may praise you now with our lips
and all the day long with our lives,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of Penitence
When the Lord comes,
he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness,
and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.
Lord God,
we have sinned against you;
we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent.
Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us
and restore to us the joy of your salvation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The president says
May the Father of all mercies
cleanse you from your sins,
and restore you in his image
to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Collect
We pray the collect, the church’s prayer for today
The Liturgy of the Word
Readings from the Old and New Testament may be read. A psalm may be said or sung
For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn
Gospel Reading
We stand for the gospel reading
Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Alleluia
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
Glory to you, O Lord.
At the end
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
A sermon may be preached
The Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
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.
We 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 worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
These responses may be used
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
(or)
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
And at the end
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace
In the tender mercy of our God,
the dayspring from on high shall break 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.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
All may exchange a sign of peace.
Hymn
A collection may be taken during this hymn
The altar is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it
The priest gives thanks over the gifts in these or other words
As this bread was scattered
and then gathered and made one,
so may your Church be gathered into your kingdom.
Glory to you, O God, for ever.
Wisdom has built her a house;
she has mixed her wine; she has set her table.
Glory to you, O God, for ever.
The 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 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…
The prayer continues:
And so we join our voices with angels and archangels
and with all the company of heaven
to proclaim your glory
for ever praising you and singing:
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.
We praise and bless you, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord;
and as we obey his command,
send your Holy Spirit,
that broken bread and wine outpoured
may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.
On the night before he died he had supper with his friends
and, taking bread, he praised you.
He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.
Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:
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.
So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,
in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice
made once for all upon the cross.
Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,
we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus:
Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory
Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day
when your kingdom comes
and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.
Look with favour on your people,
gather us in your loving arms
and bring us with N. and all the saints
to feast at your table in heaven.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
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
The president breaks the consecrated bread.
Every time we eat this bread
and drink this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death
until he comes.
Agnus Dei
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
Giving of Communion
God’s holy gifts
for God’s holy people.
Jesus Christ is holy,
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The president and people receive communion.
Music may be played and hymns may be sung.
Silence is kept.
Prayer after Communion
The priest may say a post communion prayer then all join in
Faithful God,
in baptism you have adopted us as your children,
made us members of the body of Christ
and chosen us as inheritors of your kingdom:
we thank you that in this Eucharist
you renew your promises within us,
empower us by your Spirit to witness and to serve,
and send us out as disciples of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Hymn
The Dismissal
May God himself, the God of peace,
make you perfect and holy,
and keep you safe and blameless, in spirit, soul and body,
for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;
and the blessing…
Amen.
As we await our coming Saviour,
go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ, Amen.
