worship at home
14th December: Third 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 Third Sunday of Advent when we set our hopes, our hearts and our minds on the things of heaven. We joyfully anticipate what God has promised.
In our readings today we are encouraged through Isaiah not to be discouraged but to be strong in faith and to walk on the highway of holiness. We are exhorted to work to advance God’s good kingdom even as we wait patiently for it to come in all its fullness when Jesus Christ is revealed in glory.
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 by your Holy Spirit to be joyful in hope and patient in affliction. May we recognise the signs of your kingdom and act to move it forward.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.
“Thy Kingdom Come!”
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 Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146
Refrain: The Lord shall reign for ever.
1 Alleluia.
Praise the Lord, O my soul:
while I live will I praise the Lord; ♦
as long as I have any being,
I will sing praises to my God.
2 Put not your trust in princes,
nor in any human power, ♦
for there is no help in them.
3 When their breath goes forth, they return to the earth; ♦
on that day all their thoughts perish. [R]
4 Happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their help, ♦
whose hope is in the Lord their God;
5 Who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them; ♦
who keeps his promise for ever;
6 Who gives justice to those that suffer wrong ♦
and bread to those who hunger. [R]
7 The Lord looses those that are bound; ♦
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
8 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; ♦
the Lord loves the righteous;
9 The Lord watches over the stranger in the land;
he upholds the orphan and widow; ♦
but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign for ever, ♦
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Alleluia.
Refrain: The Lord shall reign for ever.
New Testament Reading: James 5:7-10
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: Matthew 11:2-11
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:
We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts;
kindle in us the fire of your Spirit
that when your Christ comes again
we may shine as lights before his face;
who is alive and reigns now and for ever. 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