Sunday Holy Communion
Welcome
Today we gather for an All Age service of Communion where children are central in participating and leading our worship. If you have young ones please sit somewhere where they can see and join in being mindful of the live stream note below. The liturgy we use today echoes some of what is use in Children’s Church that gathers in Fearon Hall on other weeks. Children are always welcome in church and we understand that they do not always find it easy to be quiet! Please move around as you need to with them and if toddlers need a wander that is fine as long as they remain under your supervision. Church buildings are great places to explore but please be mindful of uneven floors, sharp edges and candles.
Our all age services are sometimes live streamed, so those at home can worship with us. If you wish to ensure you are not seen on camera please sit on the right hand side of the church as you enter, please ask a steward if you are unsure. The cameras do not film people coming up for communion. Sometimes we take photos of our services to share on our website and in newsletters.
Please speak to a member of the team if you have any concerns about you or your child being seen on camera or being in a photo.
If you receive communion in any church you are welcome to receive the bread and wine here. If you need a gluten free wafer or wish to receive communion in your seat please let one of the stewards know.
Lent is a time when Christians have traditionally been prepared for baptism and the whole church reflects on the themes of repentance and forgiveness. We are encouraged to ‘keep a holy Lent’ through prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy word. This sombre season is reflected at church; purple is the colour of the season, there are no flowers and there is a subdued tone to our worship. This is a season of preparation for the joy of Easter which is to come.
During this penitential season instead of a traditional creed we use an affirmation of faith adapted from the statement of the Inclusive Church network of which we are a part. This helps to remind us of the work that is still to be done to ensure that all people can be fully welcomed and participate in the life of the Christian community. Our prayer is that through this holy season of self-reflection we might be challenged and encouraged in the welcome that we offer to one another.
Before the service begins an informal welcome is given. Please join in with the words in bold type. The hymn numbers are on the boards at the front of church and on the pew sheet. The parts in italics are instructions or an indication of what is happening. You will find throughout the service there are notes to stand, sit or kneel. These are invitations not commands, so please do whatever helps you to worship.
Gathering to worship God
The music group may play a piece of music or sing a song that leads us into worship before we all sing the processional hymn.
Processional Hymn - Praise to the Holiest in the Height 763
All stand to sing the hymn as the music begins and the servers and ministers process
Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise:
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight
and to the rescue came.
O wisest love! that flesh and blood,
which did in Adam fail,
should strive afresh against the foe,
should strive and should prevail;
And that a higher gift than grace
should flesh and blood refine,
God's presence and his very self,
and essence all-divine.
O generous love! that he, who smote
in Man for man the foe,
the double agony in Man
for man should undergo;
And in the garden secretly,
and on the cross on high,
should teach his brethren, and inspire
to suffer and to die.
Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise:
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
The Greeting
In my head
In my heart
And all around me
Jesus is here
In my head
In my heart
And all around me
Jesus is here
The theme of the service is introduced. We are invited to sit or kneel.
Prayer of Preparation
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom 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.
Saying sorry and hearing words of forgiveness
The deacon or a child invites us to think about the things we need to say sorry for and then we all join in with this sung confession:
In Lent we follow Jesus on the way of the cross, the way of love.
Let's say sorry for the times we haven't followed Jesus well.
When we haven't loved as Jesus loves.
Let's sing sorry to God with our Sorry Song.
For the things we have thought
That we wish we’d not thought
We’re sorry, we’re sorry
We need a new start
For the things we have said
That we wish we’d not said
We’re sorry, we’re sorry
We need a new start
For the things that we’ve done,
That we wish we’d not done
We’re sorry, we’re sorry
We need a new start
The Good News is God always wants to give us a new start. Let’s draw a smile on our foreheads and say God gives us a new start.
We draw a smile on our foreheads or the family members we have come with today and say ‘God gives us/you a new start.’ The president then says the prayer of forgiveness.
May the Father of all mercies
cleanse us from all our sins and restore us
in his image to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
The Collect
The priest introduces a period of silent prayer before the Collect for the day is said and all respond
Amen.
Hearing and Responding to the Word of God
The First Reading
We sit to listen to the first reading appointed for the day taken from the Bible, it may come from the Old or New Testament. At the end of the reading we respond:
Here ends the reading
Thanks be to God
Genesis 12.1-4a
12 Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.
Here ends the reading
Thanks be to God
The Psalm
The Psalms are the song book of the ancient Israelites and are recited as part of both Jewish and Christian worship. There are Psalms of joy, of praise and of lament and Psalms that recount the story of God’s saving work. We either say the Psalm together or sometimes the music group may sing a contemporary setting of the Psalm.
Gospel Reading
We stand and sing together as the Gospel book is carried to the middle of the church and the congregation turn to face the reader. The music group sing a verse and then we repeat the chorus Praise to you…
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
Glory to you, O Lord
John 3.1-17
3 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ 3 Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ 4 Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ 5 Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ 9 Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ 10 Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
At the end
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
We sing Praise to You, O Christ, Our Saviour as the gospel is carried back.
Talk
After the talk a song or piece of music may be played or there is a brief pause for reflection and then all stand to declare the faith of the Church. During this penitential season of Lent we use words adapted from the statement of Inclusive Church, a network to which All Saints belongs.
Affirmation of Faith
We believe in an inclusive church:
A church which celebrates and affirms
every person and does not discriminate.
We believe no –one should be shut out from God’s church
on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity,
gender, gender identity, learning disability,
mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.
We believe in a church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ;
A church which is scripturally faithful;
which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation;
A church which, in the power of the Holy Spirit,
allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep
is the love of Jesus Christ.
Prayers of Intercession
We think about the people and situations we wish to pray for. There may be some words shared or a creative response. This prayer song may be used.
For the world and all people: Hear our prayer.
For all Christians in all places: Hear our prayer.
For the place that we live in: Hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus hear our prayer.
For the sick and the lonely: Hear our prayer.
For our friends and our family: Hear our prayer.
For me and my life: Hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus hear our prayer.
Sharing Bread and Wine
We stand
The Peace
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us access to his grace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
Members of the congregation turn to one another and greet their neighbours by saying ‘peace be with you’ and making a sign of peace.
Offertory Hymn - Lord of the Dance 667
During this hymn bread and wine are brought forward and the altar-table is prepared. The offertory plate is presented, symbolic of both the financial gifts of the people and the gifts of time and talent that are offered throughout the week, the president gives thanks for these while the deacon or lay assistant is laying up the altar-table.
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth;
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
and I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
but they would not dance and they wouldn't follow me.
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John —
they came with me and the Dance went on.
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
the holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high,
and they left me there on a cross to die.
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black —
it's hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I'd gone;
but I am the Dance, and I still go on.
They cut me down and I leapt up high;
I am the life that'll never, never die;
I'll live in you if you'll live in me —
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
Taking of the Bread and Wine
God of our journey, as we walk with you on your path of obedience,
sustain us on our way and lead us to your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The president symbolically washes their hands
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.
The priest praises God for His mighty acts and all respond
The president recalls the Last Supper and the prayer continues leading into the final words of praise
…and now with the Blessed Mary and all your saints we give you glory,
through Jesus Christ in the strength of the Spirit,
today and for ever.
Amen.
We kneel or sit and observe a period of silence
The Lord’s Prayer
We say this prayer together, each in whichever language is closest to our hearts. It may be led by a member of the congregation using one of the global languages that make up our intercultural community.
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:
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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Giving of Communion
Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.
While the remaining consecrated bread is broken and the communion assistants come to the front the music group sing a setting of the ancient prayer known as the Agnus Dei
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 have mercy on us
Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world grant us peace
Please come forward when directed by the stewards. Christians of any church tradition are welcome to receive the bread and wine including children who have been admitted to communion, here or at another church. Alternatively you can come forward for a prayer of blessing, please indicate if this is your wish by crossing your arms across your chest.
As we share communion the music group may sing a song and sometimes instrumental music will be played. We all join in singing the communion hymn(s) that follow, the number(s) for which can be found on the notice sheet and on the hymn board at the front of church.
My Jesus My Saviour 732
Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise:
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight
and to the rescue came.
O wisest love! that flesh and blood,
which did in Adam fail,
should strive afresh against the foe,
should strive and should prevail;
And that a higher gift than grace
should flesh and blood refine,
God's presence and his very self,
and essence all-divine.
O generous love! that he, who smote
in Man for man the foe,
the double agony in Man
for man should undergo;
And in the garden secretly,
and on the cross on high,
should teach his brethren, and inspire
to suffer and to die.
Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise:
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
You might want to say this prayer to yourself as you wait to come and receive communion:
Most merciful Lord,
your love compels us to come in.
Our hands were unclean,
our hearts were unprepared;
we were not fit
even to eat the crumbs from under your table.
But you, Lord, are the God of our salvation,
and share your bread with sinners.
So cleanse and feed us
with the precious body and blood of your Son,
that he may live in us and we in him;
and that we, with the whole company of Christ,
may sit and eat in your kingdom.
Amen.
Prayer after Communion
A brief silence is kept. The president says the post communion prayer for the day before we say the following prayer together:
We thank you Lord,
that you have fed us in this sacrament,
united us with Christ,
and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet
prepared for all peoples.
Amen.
The Dismissal
Notices and publishing of the banns of marriage
The Blessing
We stand for the president to give the blessing
Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Recessional Hymn - Send me Jesus 481
As we sing our final hymn the servers and ministers process. Children are welcome to join the procession. Please turn to face the ministers for the dismissal.
Cantor:
Send me, Lord.
All:
Send me, Jesus, send me, Jesus,
send me, Jesus, send me, Lord.
Cantor:
Lead me, Lord.
All:
Lead me, Jesus, lead me, Jesus,
lead me, Jesus, lead me, Lord.
Cantor:
Fill me, Lord.
All:
Fill me, Jesus, fill me, Jesus,
fill me, Jesus, fill me, Lord.
Original Xhosa text:
Cantor:
Thuma mina.
All:
Thuma mina, thuma mina,
thuma mina, Somandla.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
In the name of Christ. Amen.