worship at home
7th December: Second Sunday of Advent
Introit Hymn:
We meet in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And
also with you.
Today is the Second Sunday of Advent when we think about how we need to change in order to see God’s kingdom come. We commit ourselves to becoming more like Jesus.
In our readings today we hear again Isaiah foretell the coming of Jesus, anointed by the Holy Spirit to bring in justice and peace. John the Baptist urges us to live lives of holiness and Paul encourages us to be united and to have hope.
Lighting of the Advent Candle
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light.
The candles are lit
At the lighting of the candle: Heavenly Father, as we light these candles, may your Holy Spirit enlighten our thinking and empower us to live lives of justice, righteousness and peace in your kingdom here and now.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.
“Prepare the way of the Lord!”
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for he who promised is faithful.
Prayers of Penitence
In silence we think of the wrong things in our lives and say sorry to God.
When the Lord comes,
he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness,
and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.
Turn to us again, O God our Saviour,
and let your anger cease from us:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Show us your compassion, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Your salvation is near for those that fear you,
that glory may dwell in our land:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
ABSOLUTION (God forgives us for what we have done wrong)
May almighty God have mercy on you,
forgive you your sins,
and bring you to everlasting life.
Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
THE COLLECT
After a period of silent prayer, the Collect is said
O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power
and come among us,
and with great might succour us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness
we are grievously hindered
in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy
may speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72
Refrain: The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice.
1 Give the king your judgements, O God, ♦
and your righteousness to the son of a king.
2 Then shall he judge your people righteously ♦
and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains bring forth peace, ♦
and the little hills righteousness for the people.
4 May he defend the poor among the people, ♦
deliver the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. [R]
5 May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, ♦
from one generation to another.
6 May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, ♦
like the showers that water the earth.
7 In his time shall righteousness flourish, ♦
and abundance of peace
till the moon shall be no more. [R]
8 May his dominion extend from sea to sea ♦
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May his foes kneel before him ♦
and his enemies lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute; ♦
the kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring gifts.
11 All kings shall fall down before him; ♦
all nations shall do him service. [R]
12 For he shall deliver the poor that cry out, ♦
the needy and those who have no helper.
13 He shall have pity on the weak and poor; ♦
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14 He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, ♦
and dear shall their blood be in his sight. [R]
unto him may be given gold from Sheba; ♦
may prayer be made for him continually
and may they bless him all the day long.
16 May there be abundance of grain on the earth,
standing thick upon the hilltops; ♦
may its fruit flourish like Lebanon
and its grain grow like the grass of the field.
17 May his name remain for ever
and be established as long as the sun endures; ♦
may all nations be blest in him
and call him blessed. [R]
18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, ♦
who alone does wonderful things.
19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever. ♦
May all the earth be filled with his glory.
Amen. Amen.
Refrain: The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice.
New Testament Reading: Romans 15: 4- 13
Gradual Hymn:
Alleluia,
alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God
Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord be with you
and
also with you.
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12
Sermon:
The Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from
heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin
Mary
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and
the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and
glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic
Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of
sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Intercessions:
United in the company of all the faithful and looking for the coming of the kingdom, let us offer our prayers to God the source of all life and holiness.
Merciful Lord, strengthen all Christian people by your Holy Spirit that we may live as a royal priesthood and a holy nation to the praise of Christ Jesus our Saviour.
Bless Sarah, Bishop of London and Lusa, Bishop of Willesden, and all ministers of your church, that by faithful proclamation of your word we may be made holy and ready for your soon return.
Empower us by the gift of your Holy and Life-Giving Spirit that we may be transformed into the likeness of Christ from glory to glory.
Give to the world and its peoples the peace that comes from above, that they may find Christ's way of freedom and life.
Touch and heal all those who in mind, body or spirit are in need of God's healing and wholeness, for nothing is impossible for God.
Bring comfort to all who mourn, remembering those who have died recently) and those whose anniversary falls at this time.
Liturgy of the Sacrament:
The Peace
In the tender mercy of our God,
the dayspring from on high shall break upon us,
to give light to those who dwell in darkness and in 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.
I invite you now share the peace with those who are with you or to text, or message or email someone you know with the words "peace be with you". Go on, send a little love!
Offertory Hymn:
Be present, be present,
Lord Jesus Christ,
our risen high priest;
make yourself known in the breaking of bread.
Amen.
Jesus is the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed 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.
Agnus Dei
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen. after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester
Communion Hymns:
Post Communion Prayer, Blessing and Dismissal
Post Communion Prayer:
Father in heaven,
who sent your Son to redeem the world
and will send him again to be our judge:
give us grace so to imitate him
in the humility and purity of his first coming
that, when he comes again,
we may be ready to greet him
with joyful love and firm faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Recessional Hymn:
Anthem:
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing