O Lord,
Raise up (we pray thee) thy power, and come among us,
and with great might succour us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness,
we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us,
thy bountiful grace and mercy
may speedily help and deliver us;
through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord,
to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, world without end.

Almighty God,
Give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness,
and put upon us the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which thy Son Jesus Christ
came to visit us in great humility;
that in the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty
to judge both the quick and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who liveth and reigneth with thee
and the Holy Spirit, now and ever.

Father in heaven,
who sent your Son to redeem the world
and will send him again to be our judge:
Give us grace so to imitate him
in the humility and purity of his first coming
that when he comes again,
we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty God,
Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light
now in the time of this mortal life
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Lord,
here you have nourished us with the food of life.
Through our sharing in this holy sacrament
teach us to judge wisely earthly things
and to yearn for things heavenly.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty God,
who sent your servant John the Baptist
to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah,
inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth,
to turn our disobedient hearts to you,
that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge,
we may stand with confidence before his glory;
who is alive and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

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

Baruch 5: 1-9

*418 - Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face
671 - Jesus, thy blood and righteousness
*634 - Love divine, all loves excelling
*S118 - People, look east. The time is near
S119 - People, look east to see at last

Malachi 3: 1-4

*52 - Christ, whose glory fills the skies
*566 - Fight the good fight with all thy might!
331 - God reveals his presence
*634 - Love divine, all loves excelling
*134 - Make way, make way, for Christ the King
*706 - O bless the God of Israel
*136 - On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
640 - Purify my heart

Canticle: Benedictus

*S2 - A sign shall be given
*685 - Blessed be the God of Israël
*52 - Christ, whose glory fills the skies
*119 - Come, thou long-expected Jesus
*381 - God hath spoken - by his prophets
*S84 - Lift high your hearts in blessing
*706 - O bless the God of Israel
*S224 - Through our lives

Philippians 1: 3-11

*518 - Bind us together, Lord
413 - Father, we thank thee who hast planted
*567 - Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go
*588 - Light of the minds that know him
*81 - Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided
*601 - Teach me, my God and King

Luke 3: 1-6

*126 - Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding
*134 - Make way, make way, for Christ the King
*306 - O Spirit of the living God
*136 - On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
*S146 - The kingdom of God is justice and joy
*204 - When Jesus came to Jordan