BENEFICE ONLINE EUCHARIST
CANDLEMAS 2021
THE GATHERING
We’re welcomed to the service by Rosie
First hymn – In a world where people walk in darkness
| President | In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. |
The President introduces the celebration.
| President | There are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit. There are varieties of service, but the same Lord. Through his Spirit, God gives us gifts: some are apostles, some are his prophets; evangelists, pastors and teachers he gives us, so that we can minister together to build up his Body to be mature in the fullness of Christ. |
The Confession
| Minister of the Word | Dear friends, forty days ago we celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In a few weeks we shall celebrate the joy of his Resurrection. |
| In this Eucharist today, we celebrate both the joy of his coming and his searching judgement, looking back to the day of his birth and forward to the coming days of his Passion. So let us now bring our sins into the light and confess them in penitence and faith. We have wilfully misused your gifts of creation. Lord, be merciful. Forgive us our sin. We have seen the ill-treatment of others and have not gone to their aid. Lord, be merciful. Forgive us our sin. We have heard the good news of Christ, but have failed to share it with others. Lord, be merciful. Forgive us our sin. We have not loved you with all our heart, nor our neighbours as ourselves. Lord, be merciful. Forgive us our sin. |
The Absolution
| President | Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, and lead you out from darkness to walk as children of light, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
Gloria
The Collect
| President | Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God, and our God. Amen |
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Old Testament Reading – read by Tim and Melissa
A reading from the prophet Malachi
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3 v 1–5
| Reader | … This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. |
New Testament Reading – read by Nick
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Hebrews 2 v 14–end
| Reader | … This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. |
Gradual Hymn – Faithful vigil ended
Gospel – read by Revd Adelaide
| Reader | This child is the light to enlighten the nations and the glory of your people, Israel. Alleluia. Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. Alleluia When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him. Luke 2 v 22–40 …This is the Gospel of Christ. Praise to you, O Christ. |
Sermon – Revd Joe is preaching today
Affirmation of Faith
| President | Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ. Do you believe and trust in God the Creator, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist? I believe and trust in him. Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again? I believe and trust in him. Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world? I believe and trust in him. This is the faith of the church. This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. |
Intercessions – led by Roberta and Juliana
ending with,
God of mercy,
hear our prayer and make us one in heart and mind to serve you
with joy forever. Amen
LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
The Peace
| President | In the tender mercy of our God, the dayspring from on high has broken upon us, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and 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. We all exchange a sign of peace. |
Offertory Hymn – Like a candle flame
Preparation of the Gifts
| President | Father, in Christ there has sprung up a light for the righteous; accept the gifts we bring before you, and grant that Christ may shine in us to the praise and glory of your name. Amen. |
The Eucharistic Prayer
| President | 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, always and every-where to give you thanks and praise, through Jesus Christ, who is one with you from all eternity. For on this day he appeared in the Temple in the substance of our flesh to come near to us in judgement. He searches the hearts of all your people and brings to light the image of your splendour. Your servant Simeon acclaimed him as the light to lighten the nations, while Anna spoke of him to all who looked for your redemption. Destined for the falling and rising of many, he was lifted high upon the cross, and a sword of sorrow pierced his mother’s heart when by his sacrifice he made our peace with you. And now we rejoice and glorify your name that we, too, have seen your salvation and join with angels and archangels in their unending hymn of praise. 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. |
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;
Who, on the same night as 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 at 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 your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we with Mary, the mother of God, and all the saints may praise and glorify you forever, 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, forever and ever. Amen. |
The Lord’s Prayer
| President | 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. |
The Breaking of the Bread
| President | 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. |
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. |
Invitation to Communion
| President | Christ is the bread which has come down from heaven: happy are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed. |
Communion Hymn – Christ as a light
Post-Communion Prayer
| President | Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen. |
Notices – given by Miriam
Candle Lighting Liturgy
A candle is lit……
In our hearts,
in the lives of our families and friends,
in our Church, O Christ
let your light shine
Another candle is lit…
In the streets of our parishes,
in shops and schools and parks
and in the hearts of all your people,
let your light shine
Another candle is lit…
Where doors have to be closed
and lights turned off,
in the places we cannot go together,
let your light shine
Blessing and Dismissal
| President | Christ, whose glory fills the skies, fill you with radiance and scatter the darkness from your path. Amen. Christ, the Sun of Righteous, gladden your eyes and warm your heart. Amen. |
| Christ, the dayspring from on high, draw near to guide your feet into the way of peace. Amen. And the blessing … Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen. |
Recessional Hymn – Praise to the Holiest in the height
OUR WORSHIP IS OVER
OUR SERVICE BEGINS
