A CELEBRATION FOR CANDLEMAS

Transcription

1 The Parish Church of St Mark, Mansfield A CELEBRATION FOR CANDLEMAS The Light of the World Jesus! If we love others, we live in the light 1 John 2:10

2 Celebrant: Fr James Curry We are grateful to Val Gibbons, Terry Hoult, members of the Music Group and the choir for leading our worship this morning -2-

3 Candlemas Candlemas marks the end of the Christmas season. We hear how Mary and Joseph, according to Jewish law, presented baby Jesus in the Temple. Simeon was very old. He was overjoyed when he saw Jesus as he knew God had fulfilled his promise to show Simeon the Saviour of the World before he died. He described Jesus as a light to reveal God s will to the Gentiles (in other words, to bring God s love to everyone, not just the Jews). Anna, a very old prophetess, was also delighted when she saw the baby. Mary and Joseph were amazed at the reaction to their beloved baby of Simeon and Anna! Our Procession of Light If you wish to join the Procession please gather in the Lady Chapel by 9.25 with your torch, glow stick, candle etc. We have some glow sticks for children and young people to use. The Procession will be led by the Boys Brigade flag which will follow the servers and priest up the side aisle and down the main aisle. Once the flags have been presented, everyone with a light please gather in front of the altar and leave your light (still glowing if possible) as directed where it will stay throughout the service. You will be able to get back your property at the end. -3-

4 The Gathering Order of Service Processional hymn 113: When candles are lighted on Candlemas Day During the hymn, the choir processes to the choir stalls. The servers and priest process up the side aisle and down the main aisle followed by the Boys Brigade colour party and the Procession of Light. After the flags have been presented, everyone with lights stands in front of the altar. Please remain standing The celebrant says In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Lord be with you and also with you. Jesus said, I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will have the Light of Life and will never walk in darkness. John 8:12 John said, Whoever loves his brother lives in the light. 1 John 2:10 Dear friends, forty days ago we celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now we recall the day on which he was presented in the Temple, when he was offered to the Father and shown to his people. As a sign of his coming among us, his mother was purified, as we now come to him for cleansing. In their old age Simeon and Anna recognised him as their Lord, as we today sing of his glory. In this eucharist, we celebrate both the joy of his coming and his searching judgement, looking back to the day of his birth and forward to the coming days of his passion. The celebrant welcomes everyone. The lights are placed on a table in front of the altar and people return to their seats. -4-

5 Prayer of Preparation led by a young person Please sit or kneel. Let us pray. Jesus, in you I find rest and peace. I can talk to you about anything My worries and my fears, My happiness and sadness, My anger and disappointment. You always listen and you always understand. Thank you that you reassure us of your love. Help us today to learn more about you And give us the strength to fight evil and to walk in your ways Prayers of Penitence led by the young people Let us say sorry to God: God our Father, we come to you in sorrow for our sins. For turning away from you, and ignoring your will for our lives; Father, forgive us: save us and help us. For behaving just as we wish, without thinking of you; Father, forgive us: save us and help us. For failing you by what we do, and think and say; Father, forgive us: save us and help us. For letting ourselves be drawn away from you by temptations in the world about us; Father, forgive us: save us and help us. -5-

6 For living as if we were ashamed to belong to your Son; Father, forgive us: save us and help us. The celebrant says Almighty God, who in Jesus Christ has given us a kingdom that cannot be destroyed, forgive us our sins, open our eyes to God's truth, strengthen us to do God's will and give us the joy of his kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Please stand The Gloria Gloria, Gloria, (Clap, clap!) In excelsis Deo, Gloria, Gloria, (Clap, clap!) In excelsis Deo. Lord God, heavenly King, Peace you bring to us; We worship you, we give you thanks, We sing our song of praise. Chorus Jesus, Saviour of all, Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away our sins, O Lord, Have mercy on us all. Chorus At the Father's right hand, Lord, receive our prayer, For you alone are the Holy One, And you alone are Lord. Chorus Glory, Father and Son, Glory, Holy Spirit, To you we raise our hands up high, We glorify your name. Chorus Collect for Candlemas said by the celebrant Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God, and our God. -6-

7 The Liturgy of the Word Please sit The Epistle 1 John 1:5-9; 2:9-11,15-17 God is Light Now the message that we have heard from God s Son and announce is this: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. If, then, we say that we have fellowship with him, yet at the same time live in the darkness, we are lying both in our words and in our actions. But if we live in the light just as he is in the light then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. If we say that we are in the light, yet hate others, we are in the darkness to this very hour. If we love others, we live in the light, and so there is nothing in us that will cause someone else to sin. But if we hate others, we are in the darkness; we walk in it and do not know where we are going, because the darkness has made us blind. Do not love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you do not love the Father. Everything that belongs to the world what the sinful self desires, what people see and want, and everything in this world that people are so proud of none of this comes from the Father; it all comes from the world. The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Hymn 719: Lord the light of your love is shining Please stand for the hymn and remain standing for the Gospel The Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 Read by the celebrant Today the Lord is presented in the Temple in substance of our mortal nature. Alleluia. -7-

8 Today the Blessed Virgin comes to be purified in accordance with the law. Alleluia. Today old Simeon proclaims Christ as the light of the nations and the glory of Israel. Alleluia. Praise to Christ, the light of the world. Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke Glory to You, O Lord Jesus presented in the temple When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord ), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of doves or two young pigeons. Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. The child s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too. There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and -8-

9 spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sketch: Everlasting love? By the young people Please be seated Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. LOVE GOES ON FOR EVER AND EVER. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Our Prayers led by Jodie Price Please sit or kneel Finishing with... Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.. -9-

10 The Liturgy of the Sacrament The Peace Please stand In the tender mercy of our God, the dayspring from on high has broken upon us, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and 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. Let us offer one another a sign of peace. We offer each other a sign of peace perhaps by shaking hands and exchanging a kind word Hymn 264: The spirit lives to set us free Feel free to dance in the aisle during this hymn! If you wish to donate money for the work of St Mark s please put your offering in the plate when it is passed round during the singing of this hymn Preparation of the Table Please remain standing Taking of Bread and Wine 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. -10-

11 The Eucharistic Prayer 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. Why is it right to give thanks and praise? Listen, and we will hear. Lord of all life, you created the universe, where all living things reflect your glory. You give us this great and beautiful earth, to discover and to cherish. We praise you for your glory You give us sun and moon and star-lit sky, everything that gives us light, light for our eyes, our hearts, our minds. We praise you for your glory You made us all, each wonderfully different, to join with the angels and sing your praise: 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. Please sit or kneel We thank you, loving Father, because, when we turned away, you sent Jesus, your Son. He gave his life for us on the cross and shows us the way to live. Send your Holy Spirit that these gifts of bread and wine may be for us Christ s body and his blood. Why do we share this bread and wine? Listen, and we will hear. -11-

12 On the night before he died, when darkness had fallen, Jesus took bread. He gave thanks, broke it, and shared it with his disciples, saying: This is my body, given for you. Do this to remember me. After they had eaten, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and shared it with his disciples, saying: This is my blood, poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. So Father, with this bread and this cup we celebrate his love, his death, his risen life. As you feed us with these gifts, send your Holy Spirit, and change us more and more to be like Jesus our Saviour. How do we follow Jesus Christ? Listen, and we will hear. Help us, Father to love one another, as we look forward to that day when suffering is ended and all creation is gathered in your loving arms. And now with The Blessed Virgin Mary, St Mark, St Peter & St Paul and all your saints we give you glory, through Jesus Christ, in the strength of the Spirit, today and for ever. The Lord s Prayer led by a young person Priest: Rejoicing in God s new creation, so we pray: Our Father in heaven. Thank you for loving me so much that Jesus died on the cross for me. You know me so well: all my weaknesses and all my strengths. Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. I want to let you use me to tell others about you. Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Help me to understand what it is you want me to do. Give me the courage to be willing to do whatever you ask of me. Give us today our daily bread. Help me to trust you to enable me to do your will. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. -12-

13 Forgive me if I have hurt others by what I have said or done. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Don t let me be swayed from doing your will. Protect me from anything that may harm me, For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Yes Lord, those are the things that really matter to me. Help me to be ready to work for them, whatever the cost. I know that you are always with me. The Breaking of the Bread 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 Agnus Dei Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace. Giving of communion Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving. All are invited to come up to the altar After the choir have sung a Motet, we remain seated for the... Communion hymn 27: Colours of day -13-

14 Prayer after Communion Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. We say together 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. The Dismissal Hymn 42: Longing for light, we wait in darkness Please stand The colour parties receive their flags during this hymn Notices and Banns of Marriage Please sit and then stand for... Concluding prayer given by the celebrant Father, we have sung your praise with shepherds and angels: may Christ be born in our hearts today. Praise to Christ our light. We have shared in the joy of Simeon and Anna; help us, like them, to trust your word. Praise to Christ our light. We have greeted Jesus, the light of the world; -14-

15 may we be filled with the light of your love. Praise to Christ our light. The Blessing Christ, whose glory fills the skies, fill you with radiance and scatter the darkness from your path. Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, gladden your eyes and warm your heart. Christ, the Dayspring from on high, draw near to guide your feet into the way of peace. And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Go in the light and peace of Christ to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. The priest, servers and choir leave -15-

16 Please join us for bacon butties and cakes in the Hall after today s service. Some free gifts too!?! Remember we meet to worship God at St Mark s every Sunday at 9.30am. Children and young people go for their own time in the Hall during part of the service except on the last Sunday in the month when they help lead the worship. Refreshments for all afterwards. The next services where the young people take part will be at 9.30am on 25 February St Mark s Church Nottingham Road, Mansfield NG18 1BP contact.stmarks@gmail.com OF/OF Version