Holy Communion Christmas 2020

CHRISTMAS Opening

Hymn

Christ is the light of the world!

Praise to Christ our light Christ has brought us out of darkness; To live in his marvellous light.

God shines in our hearts; Praise to Christ our light!

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.

The Advent Candles are lit Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, King of Peace: to you be praise and glory for ever! The new light of your incarnate word gives gladness in our sorrow, and a presence in our isolation. Fill our lives with your light, until they overflow with gladness and praise.

Blessed be God for ever.

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Christ the Light of the World Has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. In his light let us examine ourselves. And confess our sins.

Lord of grace and truth, we confess our unworthiness. To stand in your presence as your children.

We have sinned.

Forgive and heal us Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus. Forgive our disobedience to your will.

We have sinned.

Forgive and heal us.

Your Son our Saviour was born in poverty. Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.

We have sinned.

Forgive and heal us.

The shepherds left their flocks, to go to Bethlehem.

Forgive our self interest and lack of vision.

We have sinned.

Forgive and heal us.

The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King. Forgive our reluctance to seek you.

We have sinned.

Forgive and heal us.

May the God of all healing and forgiveness draw you to himself, That you may behold the glory of his Son, the word made flesh, and be cleansed from all your sins through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Collect The Collect is said, and all respond Amen.

Readings At the end of the reading the reader will say This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. Gradual

Hymn 2 !

Gospel Reading 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.

Sermon Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. Allthough he was divine, he did not cling to equality with God, but made himself nothing.

Taking the form of a slave, he was born in human likeness.

He humbled himself and was obedient to death, even the death of the cross.

Therefore God has raised him on high, and given him the name above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Amen. cf Philippians 2.6-11 Christ born for us, Son of God given for us: help us to know you, to worship and to serve you ...

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Wonderful counsellor, you order all things with your wisdom: help the church to reveal the mystery of your love and fill her with the Spirit of truth…

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

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Mighty God, the government is on your shoulders: guide the leaders of the nations and bring in your kingdom of justice and righteousness...

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Everlasting father, you call us to live together in unity: protect by your mercy all your children, bless our families and renew our communities...

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Prince of peace, you bring reconciliation through the cross: by your healing power give to all who suffer‌ your gift of wholeness and peace.

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, full of the Spirit, hear our prayer, receive our praises, fill our lives. Amen.

The Peace Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and his name is called the Prince of Peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

A Collection is taken while we prepare for Holy Communion The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

By his mercy we present our whole lives to God as a living sacrifice.

The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts We lift them to the Lord

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Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Father we give you thanks and praise for Jesus Christ our Lord, He was the word before all creation.

Through him all things came to be; Not one thing has its being but through him.

Jesus the Light of the World.

We worship and adore you.

His life is the light that shines in the dark; A light that darkness cannot overpower.

Jesus, Light of the world.

We worship and adore you.

He came to his own and they did not accept him, But to all who accept him He gives power to become the children of God. Jesus, Light of the world We worship and adore you.

The word was made flesh and lives among us, And we have seen his glory, As the only Son of the Father, Full of grace and truth, Jesus, Light of the world.

We worship and adore you.

To him be all praise and glory.

We join with all the heavenly host saying: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;

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Who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: 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.

Great is the mystery of faith: Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again.

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty

resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption.

As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of St John the Baptist and St Katherine and all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; By whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.

Amen.

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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.

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world, grant us peace.

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.

Prayer after Communion Silence is kept.

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God our Father whose word has come among us in the Holy Child of Bethlehem; may the light of faith illumine our hearts and shine in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ the Lord.

Amen

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always.

Amen Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen

The people who walked In darkness have seen the light.

For to us a child is born To us a Son is given His name will be called, wonderful, counsellor, mighty God. The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Glory to God in the highest, And peace to his people on earth.

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