Sunday Holy Communion

Sun 22nd January 2023
10:45 am

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 red 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.

Introit sung by the choir

A Prayer of St Richard of Chichester – L.J. White

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 497 Lord of the church

All stand to sing the hymn as the music begins and the servers and ministers process.

         Lord of the Church, we pray for our renewing:
               Christ over all, our undivided aim.
          Fire of the Spirit, burn for our enduing,
               wind of the Spirit, fan the living flame!
          We turn to Christ amid our fear and failing,
               the will that lacks the courage to be free,
          the weary labours, all but unavailing,
               to bring us nearer what a church should be.

         Lord of the Church, we seek a Father’s blessing,
               a true repentance and a faith restored,
          a swift obedience and a new possessing,
               filled with the Holy Spirit of the Lord!
          We turn to Christ from all our restless striving,
               unnumbered voices with a single prayer:
          the living water for our souls’ reviving,
               in Christ to live, and love and serve and care.

         Lord of the Church, we long for our uniting,
               true to one calling, by one vision stirred;
          one cross proclaiming and one creed reciting,
               one in the truth of Jesus and his word.
          So lead us on; till toil and trouble ended,
               one Church triumphant one new song shall sing,
          to praise his glory, risen and ascended,
               Christ over all, the everlasting King!

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

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

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

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 9.1-4

9 [a] But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 [b] The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

4 For the yoke of their burden,

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

Here ends the reading

Thanks be to God.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1.10-18

10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you should be in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you should be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.[b] 12 What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul’, or ‘I belong to Apollos’, or ‘I belong to Cephas’, or ‘I belong to Christ.’ 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God[c] that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

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 4.12-23

12 Now when Jesus[a] heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,

on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

16 the people who sat in darkness

have seen a great light,

and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death

light has dawned.’

17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’[b]

18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

23 Jesus[c] went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news[d] of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

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 or Lord hear us

hear our prayer. 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: 563 Jesus Christ is waiting

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.

          Jesus Christ is waiting, waiting in the streets:
          no one is his neighbour, all alone he eats.
               Listen, Lord Jesus, I am lonely too;
               make me, friend or stranger, fit to wait on you.

         Jesus Christ is raging, raging in the streets,
          where injustice spirals and real hope retreats.
               Listen, Lord Jesus, I am angry too;
               in the Kingdom’s causes let me rage with you.

         Jesus Christ is healing, healing in the streets,
          curing those who suffer, touching those he greets.
               Listen, Lord Jesus, I have pity too;
               let my care be active, healing, just like you.

         Jesus Christ is dancing, dancing in the streets,
          where each sign of hatred he, with love, defeats.
               Listen, Lord Jesus, I should triumph too;
               where good conquers evil, let me dance with you.

         Jesus Christ is calling, calling in the streets,
          ‘Who will join my journey? I will guide their feet.’
               Listen, Lord Jesus, let my fears be few:
               walk one step before me, I will follow you.

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.

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

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

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.

Sung by the choir: Ubi caritas et amor (where charity and love are, God is) Trad arr. Bullard

Communion Hymn: 805 There is a a Redeemer

         There is a Redeemer,
          Jesus, God’s own Son,
          precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
          Holy One.

               Thank you, O my Father,
               for giving us your Son,
               and leaving your Spirit
               till the work on earth is done.

         Jesus my Redeemer,
          Name above all names,
          precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
          O for sinners slain:

         When I stand in glory
          I will see his face,
          and there I’ll serve my King for ever
          in that holy place.

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: 610 Christ is the world’s true light

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.

         Christ is the world's true light,
               its captain of salvation,
          the daystar clear and bright
               of every land and nation;
          new life, new hope awakes,
               where peoples own his sway:
          freedom her bondage breaks,
               and night is turned to day.

         In Christ all races meet,
               their ancient feuds forgetting,
          the whole round world complete,
               from sunrise to its setting:
          when Christ is throned as Lord,
               lands shall forsake their fear,
          to ploughshare beat the sword,
               to pruning-hook the spear.

         One Lord, in one great name
               unite us all who own thee;
          cast out our pride and shame
               that hinder to enthrone thee;
          the world has waited long,
               has travailed long in pain;
          to heal its ancient wrong,
               come, Prince of Peace, and reign!

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.