Sunday Holy Communion
Before the service begins there is an informal welcome. Once the service starts please join in with the words in bold type. 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.
The Gathering
The choir may sing an Introit a piece of choral music reflecting the theme of the season or the music group may play a song that similarly leads us into worship.
Processional Hymn 96
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
All stand to sing the hymn as the music begins and the servers and ministers process.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining;
low lies his head with the beasts of the stall;
angels adore him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.
Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,
odours of Edom, and offerings divine,
gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?
Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
vainly with gifts would his favour secure:
richer by far is the heart's adoration,
dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
The Greeting
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you.
and also with you.
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us
and we beheld his glory.
Additional words of welcome from the president may be given and the theme of the service introduced.
Prayers of Penitence
The deacon or lay assistant invites us to confess our sins.
The grace of God has dawned upon the world
through our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who sacrificed himself for us to purify a people as his own.
Let us confess our sins.
A short silence is kept, you may wish to kneel
Lord, Jesus, illuminate the darkness in our hearts:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
Lord, Jesus, open our eyes to your saving love:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, unstop our ears to hear your living word:
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy.
After a short silence the president says the prayer of absolution.
May God of all healing and forgiveness
draw you to himself
and cleanse you from all your sins,
that you may behold the glory of his Son,
the Word made flesh,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Gloria in Excelsis
We stand to sing the ancient hymn of praise together using this Peruvian setting
Glory to God, glory to God,
glory to the Father.
Glory to God, glory to God,
glory to the Father.
To God be glory for ever.
To God be glory for ever.
Alleluia, amen,
Alleluia, amen,
Alleluia, amen,
Alleluia, amen
Glory to God, glory to God,
Son of the Father.
Glory to God, glory to God,
Son of the Father.
To God be glory for ever.
To God be glory for ever.
Alleluia, amen,
Alleluia, amen,
Alleluia, amen,
Alleluia, amen
Glory to God, glory to God,
glory to the Spirit.
Glory to God, glory to God,
glory to the Spirit.
To God be glory for ever.
To God be glory for ever.
Alleluia, amen,
Alleluia, amen,
Alleluia, amen,
Alleluia, amen
The Collect
The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘let us pray’. All remain seated or kneeling for the period of silence and the collect - the special prayer for the day - and all respond
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
Readings
We sit to listen to one or two readings appointed for the day taken from the Christian scriptures, the Bible. Usually this will be one reading from the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures as it is also called, and then the second from the New Testament which is mostly made up of letters sent to some of the earliest churches.
At the end of each reading the following is said:
Here ends the reading
Thanks be to God.
First Reading: Isaiah 60.1-6
60 Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Here ends the reading
Thanks be to God.
Second Reading: Ephesians 3.1-12
3.1 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5 In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. 8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Here ends the reading
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
We stand and sing together Alleluia as the Gospel book is carried to the middle of the church and the congregation turns to face the reader. The Gospels are the books of the Bible which contain the stories and words of Jesus hence we stand to show how important they are to us.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2.1-12
2.1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”’
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
The Gospel for the day is proclaimed.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
We sing Alleluia as the gospel is carried back. We sit after the preacher offers an introductory prayer.
Sermon
After the sermon there is a brief pause for reflection and then all stand to say the Affirmation of Faith, based on the sixth century Athanasian Creed
Affirmation of Faith
We proclaim the Church's faith in Jesus Christ
We believe and declare that our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, is both divine and human.
God, of the being of the Father;
the only Son from before time began;
human from the being of his mother, born in the world;
fully God and fully human;
human in both mind and body.
As God he is equal to the Father,
as human he is less than the Father.
Although he is both divine and human
he is not two beings but one Christ.
One, not by turning God into flesh,
but by taking humanity into God;
truly one, not by mixing humanity with Godhead,
but by being one person.
For as mind and body form one human being
so the one Christ is both divine and human.
The Word became flesh and lived among us;
we have seen his glory,
the glory of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
Prayers of Intercession
All sit or kneel for the prayers, which are led by a member of the congregation. One of the following responses may be used or another response may be given.
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer.
or
Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us
The prayers may conclude with these words:
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace
Christ is our peace.
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation.
The old has passed away: behold, everything has become new.
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 Alleluia (sung in English and Farsi)
During this hymn bread and wine are brought forward and the altar-table is prepared. The offertory plate is presented, symbolic of the financial gifts of the people, and the president gives thanks for these while the deacon or lay assistant is laying up the altar-table.
Alleluia
Praise to your name, exalted Jesus
Setaiem name ghodust Isa.
Taking of the Bread and Wine
When the altar-table is prepared the president offers this prayer
Gracious God,
accept the offering of your Church,
the hearts of your people
joined in praise and thanksgiving,
in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord
Amen.
The president washes their hands symbolising our desire to come together at the Lord’s table with pure hearts and minds.
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 president praises God for His mighty acts and all respond by singing (to the tune of Infant Holy)
‘Holy, holy, holy, holy,’
Sang the angels in the skies.
‘Holy, holy, holy, holy,’
All creation now replies.
Blessed is the infant Saviour,
Blessed is the world’s redeemer.
Sing Hosanna to the king.
Sing Hosanna to the king.
The prayer continues recalling the Last Supper and asking the Holy Spirit to be present with us in the bread and wine. The following response may be used
Praise to you Lord Jesus
Dying you destroyed our death,
Rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
The prayer will have one of the following endings:
..for ever and ever.
Amen
OR
We worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise:
Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and 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
We break the bread of life,
and that life is the light of the world.
God here among us,
light in the midst of us,
bring us to light and life.
While the ministers break the remaining consecrated bread and the communion
assistants come to the front we sing together
‘Holy, holy, holy, holy,’
Sang the angels in the skies.
‘Holy, holy, holy, holy,’
All creation now replies.
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy
Grant us peace Emmanuel
Grant us peace Emmanuel
Giving of Communion
The president gives an invitation to 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.
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 choir or music group may sing an anthem or 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.
Communion Hymn 63 'Glory to God!' all heav'n with joy is ringing
‘Glory to God!' all heav'n with joy is ringing;
angels proclaim the gospel of Christ's birth,
‘Glory to God!', and still their song is bringing
good news of God incarnate here on earth.
Lowly in wonder shepherds kneel before him,
no gift to bring save love of heart and mind:
come like those shepherds, sing his praise, adore him,
a babe so weak, yet Saviour of mankind.
Humble, yet regal, wise men kneel before him,
gold, incense, myrrh, their gifts to Christ they bring:
come like those wise men, sing his praise, adore him
a babe so poor and modest, yet a King.
Though now no crib or cradle is concealing
Jesus our Lord in that far-distant shrine,
Christ at each eucharist is still revealing
his very self in forms of bread and wine.
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.
Notices and publishing of the banns of marriage.
The Dismissal
The Blessing
May God the Father,
who led the wise men by the shining of a star
to find the Christ, the Light from light,
lead you also in your pilgrimage to find the Lord.
Amen.
May God the Son,
who turned water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana,
transform your lives and make glad your hearts.
Amen.
May God the Holy Spirit,
who came upon the beloved Son
at his baptism in the river Jordan,
pour out his gifts on you
who have come to the waters of new birth.
Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Recessional Hymn 98 From the eastern mountains
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.
From the eastern mountains
pressing on they come,
wise men in their wisdom,
to his humble home;
stirred by deep devotion,
hasting from afar,
ever journeying onward,
guided by a star.
There their Lord and Saviour
meek and lowly lay,
wondrous light that led them
onward on their way,
ever now to lighten
nations from afar,
as they journey homeward
by that guiding star.
Thou who in a manger
once hast lowly lain,
who dost now in glory
o'er all kingdoms reign,
gather in the peoples,
who in lands afar
ne'er have seen the brightness
of thy guiding star.
Onward through the darkness
of the lonely night,
shining still before them
with thy kindly light,
guide them, Jew and Gentile,
homeward from afar,
young and old together,
by thy guiding star.
Until every nation,
whether bond or free,
’neath thy star-lit banner,
Jesu, follow thee
o’er the distant mountains
to that heavenly home,
where nor sin nor sorrow
evermore shall come.
The Lord says, ‘Go into all the world
and make disciples of all the nations.’
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
In the name of Christ. Amen.