worship at home at christmas
Introit Hymn:
The Gathering
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.
Confession
Christmas Morning:
The Sun of Righteousness has dawned
with healing in his wings.
Let us come to the light of Christ,
confessing our sins in penitence and faith.
Other services in Christmas season.
Hear the words of the angel to Joseph:
‘You shall call his name Jesus,
for he will save his people from their sins.’
Therefore let us seek the forgiveness of God
through Jesus the Saviour of the world.
Lord of grace and truth,
we confess our unworthiness
to stand in your presence as your children.
We have sinned:
Forgive and heal us.
The Virgin 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 in a manger.
Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.
We have sinned:
Forgive and heal us.
The shepherds left their flocks
to go to
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.
Absolution
May the God of all healing and forgiveness
draw you to himself
and cleanse you from all your sins,
that you may behold the glory of his Son,
the Word made flesh,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Gloria in Exclesis
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Collect
Almighty God,
who wonderfully created us in your own image
and yet more wonderfully restored us
through your Son Jesus Christ:
grant that, as he came to share in our humanity,
so we may share the life of his divinity;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
Old Testament Reading: I Samuel 2:18 - 26
PSALM 148
1 Alleluia.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; ♦
praise him in the heights.
2 Praise him, all you his angels; ♦
praise him, all his host.
3 Praise him, sun and moon; ♦
praise him, all you stars of light.
4 Praise him, heaven of heavens, ♦
and you waters above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, ♦
for he commanded and they were created.
6 He made them fast for ever and ever; ♦
he gave them a law which shall not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ♦
you sea monsters and all deeps;
8 Fire and hail, snow and mist, ♦
tempestuous wind, fulfilling his word;
9 Mountains and all hills, ♦
fruit trees and all cedars;
10 Wild beasts and all cattle, ♦
creeping things and birds on the wing;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, ♦
princes and all rulers of the world;
12 Young men and women,
old and young together; ♦
let them praise the name of the Lord.
13 For his name only is exalted, ♦
his splendour above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up the horn of his people
and praise for all his faithful servants, ♦
the children of Israel, a people who are near him.
Alleluia.
New Testament Reading: Colossians 3:12-17
Gradual Hymn:
The Gospel
Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
The reader says or sings an acclamation.
Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord be with you.
and also with you.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel: Luke 2:41 - end
At the end
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon:
Creed
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Prayers of Intercession
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. Henry, Beth, Val, Debbie L.
Bring comfort to all who mourn, remembering those who have died recently, and those whose anniversary falls at this time among them: Mary Pinchin, Brendan, James Murray and Lillian Crosswell.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Liturgy of the Sacrament:
The Peace
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,
and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
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
Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home:
help your Church to live as one family,
united in love and obedience,
and bring us all at last to our home in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out
in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ-child be yours this Christmas;
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. Proclaim the Word made flesh.
Glory, thanks and praise to God.
Recessional Hymn:
Voluntary:
We had to sing this every year at St Peter's Harrow...
Adapted from Common Worship
Copyright: The Archbishop’s Council 2000