The Parishes of Clent and Hagley

 

Holy Communion

 

8 December

2nd Sunday of Advent

 

One Church, three locations

 

St John’s — St Leonard’s — St Saviour’s

 

 

Gluten free wafers are available, please notify a welcomer before the service begins

 

Opening Prayers and Second Advent Candle

 

The Lord be with you

and also with you.

 

 

Like those who went to the River Jordan,
to hear the cry of John the Baptist,
so we gather to hear your word, O God.
As we journey on through Advent,
speak to us through your Word,

which welcomes all,
making strangers friends for ever;

through Jesus Christ our companion and Saviour.
Amen.

 

Living God,
you call us to be one with you.
May our hearts be open to receive you,
and our lives be open to serve you,
this Advent and always.
Amen.

 

Holy God,

people went to deserted places
to find John the Baptist,

and to hear his prophetic and life-changing words:

we light this second Advent Candle
as a symbol of our pilgrimage
towards those things that will last for ever:
righteousness, loving-kindness, peace,

and an eternal home with you.

Amen.

 

 

 

Opening Hymn     

 

 

 

Asking for God’s forgiveness

 

Advent God, we bring our prayers of penitence before you,

knowing that you call us to live more deeply in your love.

When we hear you calling us to change,
but we resist you:
heal us and help us.

When you call us to prepare for something new
but we prefer old habits:

heal us and help us.

 

When you stir us up to face new challenges
but we close our eyes to the needs of others:

heal us and help us.

 

Forgive us and fill us with your compassion and energy
to speak your word of love and hope to a world in need,
knowing that you have called us on this way.
Amen.

 

May the Father forgive you,

Jesus Christ renew you,

and the Holy Spirit enable you to grow in love.

Amen.

 

 

 

Praise and Thanksgiving  

 

God of all ages,
we praise and adore you for your faithfulness.
Despite our half-heartedness,
you give all of yourself to us.
To challenge us,
you give us the urgent message of John the Baptist.
To prepare us for Christmas,
you bless us with the season of Advent.
And so we praise you and adore you,
in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

A Collect

 

          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

 

 

An Old Testament Reading       Malachi 3.1-4

 

                This is the Word of the Lord—thanks be to God  

 

 

A New Testament Reading       Philippians 1.3-11

 

                This is the Word of the Lord—thanks be to God  

 

 

 

Gradual Hymn       

 

 

 

A Gospel Reading                Luke 3.1-6

 

             Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

             Glory to you, O Lord.

 At end:           

                  This is the Gospel of the Lord

                  Praise to you, O Christ.           

 

A Reflection

 

 

An Affirmation of Faith

 

Let us declare our faith in God.

 

We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on 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.

 

 

Intercessions         Let us pray

 

 

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.

We convey an expression of peace to one another.

 

 

Offertory Hymn

Prayers at the preparation of the table

 

God of all goodness and grace,

receive the gifts we offer;

and grant that our whole lives

may give you glory and praise;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:

through your goodness we have this bread to set before you,

which earth has given and human hands have made.

It will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed be God for ever.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:

through your goodness we have this wine to set before you,

fruit of the vine and work of human hands.

It will become for us the cup of salvation.

Blessed be God for ever.

 

 

 

The Eucharistic Prayer and Communion

 

The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.

 

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,

it is our duty and our joy,

at all times and in all places

to give you thanks and praise,

holy Father, heavenly King,

almighty and eternal God,

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

For he is your living Word;

through him you have created all things from the beginning,

and formed us in your own image.

 

Through him you have freed us from the slavery of sin,

giving him to be born of a woman and to die upon the cross;

you raised him from the dead

and exalted him to your right hand on high.

 

Through him you have sent upon us

your holy and life-giving Spirit,

and made us a people for your own possession.

 

 

Therefore with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we proclaim your great and glorious name,

for ever praising you and singing:

 

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.

Holy is the Lord God almighty!

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.

Holy is the Lord God almighty!

Who was and is, and is to come;

holy, holy, holy is the Lord.

 

Blessed, blessed, blest is he who comes,

Blest is he who comes in the Lord’s name.

Blessed, blessed, blest is he who comes,

blest is he who comes in the Lord’s name.

Hosanna in the heights of heav’n.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.

 

Accept our praises, heavenly Father,

through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,

and as we follow his example and obey his command,

grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit

these gifts of bread and wine may be to us his body and his blood;

who, in the same night that 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.

 

Therefore, heavenly Father,

we remember his offering of himself

made once for all upon the cross;

we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension;

we look for the coming of your kingdom,

and with this bread and this cup

we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.

 

Great is the mystery of faith:

Christ has died:
Christ is risen:  
Christ will come again.

 

Accept through him, our great high priest,

this our sacrifice of thanks and praise,

and as we eat and drink these holy gifts

in the presence of your divine majesty,

renew us by your Spirit, inspire us with your love

and unite us in the body of your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through him, and with him, and in him,

In the unity of the Holy Spirit,

with all who stand before you in earth and heaven,

we worship you, Father almighty,

in songs of everlasting praise:
 

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever.  Amen.           

 

 

The Lord's Prayer

 

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 and the Invitation

 

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

 

 

 

The Song of the Lamb

 

O Lamb of God, come cleanse our hearts                  

and take our sin away.                            

O Lamb of God, your grace impart,        

and let our guilty fear depart,                 

have mercy, Lord, we pray,                            

have mercy, Lord, we pray.    

                 

O Lamb of God, our lives restore,

our guilty souls release.

Into our lives your Spirit pour

and let us live for evermore

in perfect heavenly peace,

in perfect heavenly peace.

 

The Invitation

 

The gifts of God for the people of God.

Jesus Christ is holy,

Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

 

Everyone is invited to receive communion or a blessing,

 

 

 

 

Communion Hymn     

                                                               

 

 

Closing Prayers and Blessing

 

May the road we travel be smooth and straight;
every ditch be filled in, every bump and rut smoothed out,
and any diversions easy to navigate.
May good companions share our journey

and may we be voices for good in the world,
in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

 

May God guide you by his presence,

and protect you with his love,

that you may walk in his way:

and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

 

 

 

Closing Hymn

 

 

Dismissal

 

Loving God,

as we continue on our Advent journey
inspire us to look beyond the lights and tinsel
for the light of Jesus.

Help us

to prepare a way for you,
in our lives,

in our dealings with others,
and in all that we do.

Amen.

 

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ.  Amen.

 

 

We hope you will stay for refreshments after the service

 

Some material included in this service is copyright:

© The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000

 

Some material is Copyright

© Roots for Churches Limited

 

Hymns and songs are reproduced under CCLI no. 742099