The Parishes of Clent and Hagley
Holy Communion
22 December
4th 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 the Fourth Advent candle
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Living God,
when Mary met with Elizabeth
she praised you for all your blessings
in the words of a song – the Magnificat.
Like Mary, we come to worship you
in thankfulness for all you have already done,
and in joy and anticipation for all you will do in our lives,
when you meet us in your Son Jesus.
Loving God,
we praise you for calling us as we are,
and we thank you that in your kingdom:
we do not have to be clever to be wise;
we do not have to be wealthy to be rich;
we do not have to be high-ranking to be your witnesses.
For you are a God of humility as well as of glory,
and we praise and thank you. Amen.
Holy God,
we light this Fourth Advent Candle
as a sign of light shining in darkness,
and in the name of Jesus, the light of the world.
We pray that during this time of waiting and watching
we will follow you more nearly,
and come to see ourselves as your love sees us. Amen.
Opening Hymn
Asking for God’s forgiveness
Loving God,
we turn to you, knowing how often we fall short –
in life, in conversation, in generosity and in courage.
Forgive us, and make us to be more like you.
When we want to celebrate the joy Christmas,
but don’t want to make the long journey to Bethlehem:
Loving God,
forgive us, and help us to be more like you.
When we want a new beginning,
but don’t want to change:
Loving God,
forgive us, and help us to be more like you.
When we want you to come, Lord . . .
but perhaps not just yet:
Loving God,
forgive us, and help us to be more like you.
May the Father forgive you,
Jesus Christ renew you,
and the Holy Spirit enable you to grow in love.
Amen.
Praise and Thanksgiving
Like Mary, we sing your praise, O God,
for turning the world upside down
by caring for the poor,
listening to those who are ignored,
and raising up people
who feel they are unimportant.
We thank you for showing the everyone
what it means to serve,
and teaching us all to share.
Amen.
A Collect
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 ofthe Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
An Old Testament Reading Micah 5.2-5
This is the Word of the Lord—thanks be to God
A New Testament Reading Hebrews 10.5-10
This is the Word of the Lord—thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn
A Gospel Reading Luke 1.39-45
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.
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
Heavenly Father,
as we set before you these gifts,
bless also the gift of our hearts and minds
as we offer our lives in your service;
for Jesus’ sake.
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.
You are worthy of our thanks and praise, Lord God of truth,
for by the breath of your mouth you have spoken your word,
and all things have come into being.
You fashioned us in your image
and placed us in the garden of your delight.
Though we chose the path of rebellion
you would not abandon your own.
Again and again you drew us into your covenant of grace.
You gave your people the law and taught us by your prophets
to look for your reign of justice, mercy and peace.
As we watch for the signs of your kingdom on earth,
we echo the song of the angels in heaven,
evermore praising you and saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Lord God, you are the most holy one,
enthroned in splendour and light,
yet in the coming of your Son Jesus Christ
you reveal the power of your love
made perfect in our human weakness.
Amen. Lord, we believe.
Embracing our humanity, Jesus showed us the way of salvation;
loving us to the end, he gave himself to death for us;
dying for his own, he set us free from the bonds of sin,
that we might rise and reign with him in glory.
Amen. Lord, we believe.
On the night he gave up himself for us all
he 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.
Amen. Lord, we believe.
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.
Amen. Lord, we believe.
Therefore we proclaim the death that he suffered on the cross,
we celebrate his resurrection, his bursting from the tomb,
we rejoice that he reigns at your right hand on high
and we long for his coming in glory.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
As we recall the one, perfect sacrifice of our redemption,
Father, by your Holy Spirit let these gifts of your creation
be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;
form us into the likeness of Christ
and make us a perfect offering in your sight.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
Look with favour on your people
and in your mercy hear the cry of our hearts.
Bless the earth, heal the sick, let the oppressed go free
and fill your Church with power from on high.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
Gather your people from the ends of the earth
to feast with all your saints at the table in your kingdom,
where the new creation is brought to perfection
in Jesus Christ our Lord;
by whom, and with whom, and in whom,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father,
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
Timeless God,
sometimes it is easier to be critical than to be joyful,
easier to complain than to rejoice,
easier to hold back than to enjoy.
May Jesus our coming Saviour
fill our hearts with wonder, hope and peace,
that we may rejoice in you,
this Christmas and always.
Amen.
Christ the Son of God,
born of Mary,
fill you with his grace
to trust his promises and follow 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
God of promise, fulfilment and joy,
bless us with the grace,
the confidence and the opportunity
to share the hope of this season with others;
that all may come to trust in your loving purposes
and enjoy the fullness of Christmas:
in Jesus’ name we pray.
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