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Collects & Readings

The First Sunday of Christmas

26th December 2021

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Year C  /  Christmas  /  White or Gold

Principal Service A - Christmas 1

Collect One

Almighty God,
who hast given us thy only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him,
and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin;
Grant that we being regenerate,
and made thy children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit;
through the same our Lord Jesus Christ,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit,
ever one God, world without end.

Collect Two

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 and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The First Reading

The Psalm

The Second Reading

The Gospel Reading

View readings

Post Communion Prayer

Heavenly Father,
you have refreshed us with this heavenly sacrament.
As your Son came to live among us,
grant us grace to live our lives,
united in love and obedience,
as those who long to live with him in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect Of The Word

God of community,
whose call is more insistent
than ties of family or blood;
may we so respect and love
those whose lives are linked with ours
that we fail not in loyalty to you,
but make choices according to your will;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Suggested Hymns

An asterisk (*) before the hymn number indicates that the hymn has been recorded for use in public worship by the Recorded Church Music Committee.

1 Samuel 2: 18-20, 26

*717 - May the Lord bless you and keep you

Psalm 148

*682 - All created things, bless the Lord
*24 - All creatures of our God and King
*683 - All people that on earth do dwell
711 - All you heavens, bless the Lord (Surrexit Christus)
*350 - For the beauty of the earth
*S81 - Let all creation dance
705 - New songs of celebration render
*708 - O praise ye the Lord! Praise him in the height
*366 - Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
*709 - Praise the Lord! You heavens, adore him

Colossians 3: 12-17

*346 - Angel voices, ever singing
519 - Come, all who look to Christ today
*294 - Come down, O Love divine
*S28 - Come, thou fount of every blessing
511 - Father of mercy, God of consolation
*550 - Forgive our sins as we forgive'
*454 - Forth in the peace of Christ we go
300 - Holy Spirit, truth divine
*360 - Let all the world in every corner sing
*525 - Let there be love shared among us
*S92 - Lord, make us servants of your peace
*503 - Make me a channel of your peace
*524 - May the grace of Christ our Saviour
*636 - May the mind of Christ my Saviour
*361 - Now thank we all our God
*708 - O praise ye the Lord! Praise him in the height
*443 - Sent forth by God's blessing, our true faith confessing
*S128 - Sing a song, sing a joyful song
*S129 - Sing, choirs of heaven! Let saints and angels sing
*369 - Songs of praise the angels sang
*601 - Teach me, my God and King
*S158 - We shall go out with hope of resurrection
*374 - When all thy mercies, O my God
*458 - When, in our music, God is glorified
*376 - Ye holy angels bright
*476 - Ye watchers and ye holy ones

Luke 2: 41-52

347 - Children of Jerusalem
*453 - Come to us, creative Spirit
*632 - I love to hear the story
*651 - Jesus, friend of little children
483 - Jesus went to worship
*177 - Once in royal David's city

Penitential Kyries

Lord God, mighty God, you are the creator of the world. Lord, have mercy.

All Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, you are the Prince of Peace. Christ, have mercy.

All Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, by your power the Word was made flesh and came to dwell among us. Lord, have mercy.

All Lord, have mercy.

Introduction to the Peace

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,
and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Preface

You have given Jesus Christ your only Son to be born of the Virgin Mary,
and through him you have given us power to become the children of God:

Blessing

Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly,
fill you with his joy and peace:

Second Service A - Christmas 1

Collect One

Almighty God,
who hast given us thy only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him,
and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin;
Grant that we being regenerate,
and made thy children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit;
through the same our Lord Jesus Christ,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit,
ever one God, world without end.

Collect Two

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 and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The Psalm

The First Reading

The Second Reading

The Gospel Reading

The ‡ prefaced to Gospel readings in the Second Service listing is a provision to be used if that service is a celebration of Holy Communion

View readings

Post Communion Prayer

Heavenly Father,
you have refreshed us with this heavenly sacrament.
As your Son came to live among us,
grant us grace to live our lives,
united in love and obedience,
as those who long to live with him in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Suggested Hymns

An asterisk (*) before the hymn number indicates that the hymn has been recorded for use in public worship by the Recorded Church Music Committee.

Psalm 132

*218 - And can it be that I should gain
275 - Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious
*457 - Pour out thy Spirit from on high

Isaiah 61: 1-11

*218 - And can it be that I should gain
*494 - Beauty for brokenness, hope for despair
*481 - God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year
*324 - God, whose almighty word
*125 - Hail to the Lord's anointed
*569 - Hark, my soul, it is the Lord
*124 - Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes
*418 - Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face
574 - I give you all the honour
357 - I'll praise my maker while I've breath
*97 - Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
*99 - Jesus, the name high over all
671 - Jesus, thy blood and righteousness
*S80 - King of kings, majesty
*134 - Make way, make way, for Christ the King
*706 - O bless the God of Israel
*104 - O for a thousand tongues to sing
*S146 - The kingdom of God is justice and joy
144 - Word of justice, alleluia

Galatians 3:27 - 4:7

558 - Abba, Father, let me be
*250 - All hail the power of Jesu's name
501 - Christ is the world's true Light
*119 - Come, thou long-expected Jesus
*693 - Glory in the highest to the God of heaven!
*S83 - Let us talents and tongues employ
*241 - Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
185 - Virgin-born, we bow before thee

‡ Luke 2: 15-21

*250 - All hail the power of Jesu's name
147 - Angels, from the realms of glory
*149 - Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
*152 - Come and join the celebration
*158 - God rest you merry, gentlemen
*92 - How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
*162 - In the bleak mid-winter
*94 - In the name of Jesus
*583 - Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all
98 - Jesus! Name of wondrous love!
*99 - Jesus, the name high over all
*101 - Jesus, the very thought of thee
*484 - Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
*195 - Lord, the light of your love is shining
*170 - Love came down at Christmas
*102 - Name of all majesty
*172 - Adests fideles (O come, all ye faithful)
*104 - O for a thousand tongues to sing
S114 - Oiche chiuin, oiche Mhic Dé
*179 - See amid the winter's snow
*180 - Shepherds came, their praises bringing
*182 - Silent night, holy night
*S132 - Sleep, my darling, I will watch you
*111 - There is a name I love to hear
*S149 - The virgin Mary had a baby boy
*117 - To the name of our salvation
*187 - When the crimson sun had set

Penitential Kyries

Lord God, mighty God, you are the creator of the world. Lord, have mercy.

All Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, you are the Prince of Peace. Christ, have mercy.

All Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, by your power the Word was made flesh and came to dwell among us. Lord, have mercy.

All Lord, have mercy.

Introduction to the Peace

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,
and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Preface

You have given Jesus Christ your only Son to be born of the Virgin Mary,
and through him you have given us power to become the children of God:

Blessing

Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly,
fill you with his joy and peace:

Holy Communion - B - Saint Stephen

Preparation for Communion

Jesus says: Come to me all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. (Matthew 11: 28)

God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that all who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3: 16)

I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall never be hungry and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty. (John 6: 35)

Thanksgiving

Thank God for all the many blessings you have received, and for all that is at present being done for you; for all doctors and nurses; (for this hospital and all who work here).

Repentance

Ask God’s forgiveness for the ways in which you have failed him and others.

Intercession and petition

Pray for all those you love: (for the other patients in your ward;) (for all who will be receiving communion with you;) for all who look after you; for all in need; for yourself, that you may come closer to God and his healing power.

All Lord Jesus Christ, you came to the poor and powerless and gave them hope. Come to me in this wonderful sacrament and raise me up in love to you, for I am helpless without you.

Be calm in the knowledge that you are under the protection of Almighty God.

The following prayer may be used in place of the Collect for Purity:

God of peace, you teach us that in returning to you we shall be saved:
By the power of your Spirit lift us to your presence,
where quietness and confidence shall be our strength;
and where we may be still and know that you are God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Collect of the Day

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 and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Gracious Father,
who gave the first martyr Stephen
grace to pray for those who stoned him:
Grant that in all our sufferings for the truth
we may learn to love even our enemies
and to seek forgiveness for those who desire our hurt,
looking up to heaven to him who was crucified for us,
Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The Ministry of the Word

One or two readings

a gospel reading should normally be included.

Suggested Hymns

An asterisk (*) before the hymn number indicates that the hymn has been recorded for use in public worship by the Recorded Church Music Committee.

2 Chronicles 24: 20-22

*381 - God hath spoken - by his prophets

Psalm 119: 161-168

*382 - Help us, O Lord, to learn
*358 - King of glory, King of peace
*16 - Like a mighty river flowing
*383 - Lord, be thy word my rule
*384 - Lord, thy word abideth

Acts 7: 51-60

460 - For all your saints in glory
*550 - Forgive our sins as we forgive'
*693 - Glory in the highest to the God of heaven!
*696 - God, we praise you! God, we bless you!
*553 - Jesus, lover of my soul
625 - Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
*8 - The Lord is king! Lift up your voice

Matthew 10: 17-22

589 - Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
*593 - O Jesus, I have promised
*597 - Take my life, and let it be
*S152 - This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

The priest says

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1: 8)

Let us confess our sins.

A short pause for self-examination.

All Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned in thought and word and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are truly sorry, and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may walk in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.

The priest says

Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer

Those present may mention personal needs and thanksgivings. The laying on of hands and/or anointing with oil may take place here or after receiving Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving

The priest takes the bread and wine.

The Lord is here.

All His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

All We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks, our God and Father, for you have created us and you sustain us. Through your only Son Jesus Christ you have revealed your love and your care for all your people; you are ready to forgive and to save in time of need; so we proclaim your glory, saying

All Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night that he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, 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 when he had given thanks to you, he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you, for 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, Father, with this bread and this cup we do as Christ your Son commanded:

All we remember his passion and death, we celebrate his resurrection and ascension, and we look for the coming of his kingdom.

Accept through him our great high priest this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; and, as we eat and drink these holy gifts, grant by the power of the life-giving Spirit, that we may be made one in your holy Church and partakers of the body and blood of your Son, that he may dwell in us and we in him:

Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

All all honour and glory are 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 priest breaks the bread, saying

The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.

All We, being many, are one body for we all share in the one bread.

Communion

After all have received, silence is kept for a space and the priest says

Let us pray.

Post Communion Prayer

Heavenly Father,
you have refreshed us with this heavenly sacrament.
As your Son came to live among us,
grant us grace to live our lives,
united in love and obedience,
as those who long to live with him in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Strengthen us by the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

The Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your heart and mind
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Daily Prayer (Morning) - B - Saint Stephen

Preparation

A Sentence of Scripture

To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9: 6

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10,11

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 1 John 4: 9

Versicles and Responses

O Lord, open our lips

All and our mouth will proclaim your praise.

O God, make speed to save us.

All O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

All as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Praise the Lord.

All The Lord’s name be praised.

The Word of God

A Psalm

One or two readings

Suggested Hymns

An asterisk (*) before the hymn number indicates that the hymn has been recorded for use in public worship by the Recorded Church Music Committee.

The Gospel Canticle

Benedictus

1 Blessèd be the Lord the God of Israel,
who has come to his people and set them free.

2 The Lord has raised up for us a mighty saviour,
born of the house of his servant David.

3 Through the holy prophets God promised of old
to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of those who hate us,

4 to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember his holy covenant.

5 This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies.

6 Free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous before him all the days of our life.

7 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8 To give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9 In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us.

10 To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen

The Apostles’ Creed

Prayer

Kneel

Let us pray

Lord, have mercy

All Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy

The Collect of the Day

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 and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Gracious Father,
who gave the first martyr Stephen
grace to pray for those who stoned him:
Grant that in all our sufferings for the truth
we may learn to love even our enemies
and to seek forgiveness for those who desire our hurt,
looking up to heaven to him who was crucified for us,
Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Alternative collects

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.

Going out as God’s people

The Lord be with you

All and also with you.

Let us bless the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.

All Amen

To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God

be honour and glory for ever and ever.

All Amen

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the Holy Spirit

you may abound in hope.

All Amen

Daily Prayer (Evening) - B - Saint Stephen

Preparation

Penitence

All say

Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.

The priest pronounces the absolution.

Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

If no priest is present the absolution is omitted and the following prayer may be said:

Merciful Lord,
grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Versicles and Responses

O Lord, open our lips

All and our mouth will proclaim your praise.

O God, make speed to save us.

All O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

All as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Praise the Lord.

All The Lord’s name be praised.

A Psalm

One or two readings

Suggested Hymns

An asterisk (*) before the hymn number indicates that the hymn has been recorded for use in public worship by the Recorded Church Music Committee.

The Gospel Canticle

Magnificat

1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

2 who has looked with favour on his lowly servant;
from this day all generations will call me blessèd;

3 the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his name.

4 God has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.

5 The Lord has shown strength with his arm
and scattered the proud in their conceit,

6 casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.

7 God has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.

8 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel
to remember the promise of mercy,

9 The promise made to our forebears,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory

Kneel

Let us pray

Lord, have mercy

All Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy

The Collect of the Day

may be said or one of the following alternative collects

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 and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Gracious Father,
who gave the first martyr Stephen
grace to pray for those who stoned him:
Grant that in all our sufferings for the truth
we may learn to love even our enemies
and to seek forgiveness for those who desire our hurt,
looking up to heaven to him who was crucified for us,
Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Alternative collects

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 Ending

The Lord be with you

All and also with you.

Let us bless the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.

All Amen

To God, who by the power at work within us,

is able to do far more abundantly

than all we ask or think,

to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus

to all generations for ever and ever.

All Amen

To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God

be honour and glory for ever and ever.

All Amen

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the Holy Spirit

you may abound in hope.

All Amen

Calendar

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