worship at home

22nd December: Fourth 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 Fourth and Last Sunday of Advent when are conscious of God’s presence with us here and now. We come to him and worship with open hearts.

In our readings today we recall how the unborn John, in his mother’s womb leaps for Joy at the prospect of the birth of Jesus. The writer to the Hebrews says that he came to make us holy.

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, help us to follow Mary’s example of willingness and obedience to your call. So fill us with your Holy Spirit that we too may carry the light of Christ in us wherever we go.

Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

“Thy will be done!”

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

God our redeemer,

who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary

to be the mother of your Son:

grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,

so we may be ready to greet him

when he comes again as our judge;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Micah 5:2-5a

Psalm 80: 1- 8

1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, ♦

you that led Joseph like a flock;

2 Shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, ♦

before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.

3 Stir up your mighty strength ♦

and come to our salvation.

4 Turn us again, O God; ♦

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

5 O Lord God of hosts, ♦

how long will you be angry at your people’s prayer?

6 You feed them with the bread of tears; ♦

you give them abundance of tears to drink.

7 You have made us the derision of our neighbours, ♦

and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

8 Turn us again, O God of hosts; ♦

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

New Testament Reading: Hebrews 10: 5- 10

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: Luke 1: 39 - 55

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. Baby Queenie, Penelope, Doreen B (Sue's Mum), Henry, Beth, Alexander, Felicity, Eleanor, Val, Debbie L and Brendan.

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: