The Order for the Eucharist during Advent

Transcription

1 Dismissal prayers: Our Lord says, I am coming soon. Come, Lord Jesus. May the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting. Spirit of energy and change, in whose power Jesus was anointed to be the hope of the nations: be poured out upon us too without reserve or distinction, that we may have confidence and strength to plant your justice on earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Refreshments are served after the service. Everyone is welcome! The Order for the Eucharist during Advent Scottish Liturgy 1982 with seasonal additions St Mary s Scottish Episcopal Church is a charity registered in Scotland No. SC CCL No PLEASE LEAVE THIS BOOKLET IN CHURCH

2 An Introduction to the season of Advent Advent is a season of expectation and preparation as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming (adventus) of Christ, God s Word become flesh in Jesus. Advent also looks ahead to His final advent as judge at the end of time. The readings and liturgies not only direct us towards Christ s birth, they also challenge the modern reluctance to confront the theme of divine judgement. Every eye shall now behold him robed in dreadful majesty. (Charles Wesley) The Four Last Things: Death Judgement, Heaven and Hell, have been traditional themes for Advent meditation. The characteristic note of Advent is therefore expectation, rather than penitence, although the character of the season is easily coloured by an analogy with Lent. The anticipation of Christmas under commercial pressure has also made it harder to sustain the appropriate sense of alert watchfulness, but the fundamental Advent prayer remains Maranatha - Our Lord, come (1 Corinthians 16: 22). Church decorations are simple and spare, and purple is the traditional liturgical colour (lifted to pink / rose on Advent 3). In the northern hemisphere, the Advent season falls at the darkest time of the year, and the natural symbols of darkness and light are powerfully at work throughout Advent and Christmas. The lighting of Advent candles was imported into Britain from northern Europe in the nineteenth century and is now a common practice. The Moravian custom of the Christingle has similarly enjoyed great success in Britain since the latter part of the twentieth century, with the encouragement of the Children s Society; Christingle services may take place before or after Christmas. The Third Sunday of Advent was observed in medieval times as a splash of colour in the restrained atmosphere of Advent (Gaudete or Rose Sunday ), and the last days of Advent were marked by the sequence of Great O Antiphons, which continue to inspire modern Advent hymns and mediations. The Presiding Priest shows everyone the Host and says: I am the bread of life, says the Lord; whoever comes to me will never hunger; whoever believes in me will never thirst. I am the vine: you are the branches. May we dwell in him as he lives in us. Everyone comes to the altar for communion or a blessing. Everyone is welcome to receive communion; if you would prefer to receive a blessing, please carry this service booklet with you to the altar. After communion a period of SILENT prayer is kept by everyone. 11 Prayer after Communion WE STAND Generous God, you have fed us at your heavenly table. Set us on fire with your Spirit that when Christ comes again we may shine like lights before his face; who with you and the Spirit lives for ever. 12 Blessing and Dismissal Priest Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path, and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory: and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you today and always. We sing our final HYMN The Eucharist is ended, our service must now begin: go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. 2 The Scottish Liturgy 1982, material from which is included in this booklet, is copyright The Scottish Episcopal Church, Scottish Charity No. SC

3 9 The Lord's Prayer Priest Let us rejoice in the coming of our Lord, praying to His Father and ours: 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. Do not bring us to the time of trial but deliver us from evil. THE COMMUNION RITE Priest Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. We STAND to sing the first HYMN 1 The Gathering and Welcome Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and also with you. Our Lord says, I am coming soon. Come, Lord Jesus. The priest welcomes everyone. An Advent Candle is lit. ADVENT 1 Candle of Hope We light this candle for all God s people, struggling to be bearers of hope in a troubled world. God, as we wait for your promise, give light, give hope. ADVENT 2 Candle of God s Promise We light this candle for all God s prophets, confronting injustice and restoring the dream of a world of freedom and peace. God, as we wait for your promise, give light, give hope Breaking of the Bread Jesus is the living bread which came down from heaven: if anyone eats this bread, they will live for ever Lord, give us this bread always. EITHER Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace. OR Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us. Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer of the world: Give us your peace. ADVENT 3 Candle of God s messengers We light this candle for all God s messengers, preparing the way for change, signs pointing to a new age to come. God, as we wait for your promise, give light, give hope ADVENT 4 Candle for Mary the God-bearer We light this candle for all God-bearers, saying yes to God s challenge, accepting the pain and the joy of an unknown future. God, as we wait for your promise, give light, give hope. We sing the Advent Carol: Advent is a time of waiting for the life that is to be. When the Christ, by prophets promised, sits enthroned on Mary s knee, human in the way that we are; come to earth for you and me. 3

4 4 Hope is all our theme for Advent, hope for all the human race. our hope on God is founded, God who shows a human face. God who made the Earth and planets now appears in time and space. 2 The Prayers of Penitence This invitation to confession is said Deacon The axe is laid at the root of the trees; every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down. But confident in God s mercy we confess our sins: Josie Smith WE SIT OR KNEEL A moment of silent personal reflection is kept. Lord, you judge us with true love; may we be found worthy when you come in glory. Lord, come to us, and in your love forgive us and heal us. Lord, you came to bring Good News to the poor and marginalised and to bind up hearts that are broken. You call us to be made new. Lord, come to us, and in your love forgive us and heal us. Lord, you came as a helpless child, Emmanuel, God-with-us. May we see you in each other. Lord, come to us, and in your love forgive us and heal us. may say or sing together EITHER OR Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. (each petition may be repeated) Christe eleison. Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. After supper, he took the cup, he offered you thanks, and gave it to them saying: "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new covenant; it is poured out for you, and for all, that sins may be forgiven. Do this in remembrance of me." We now obey your Son's command. We recall his blessed passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension; and we look for the coming of his Kingdom. Made one with him, we offer you these gifts and with them ourselves, a single, holy, living sacrifice. Hear us, most merciful Father, send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and this wine, that, overshadowed by his life-giving power, they may be the Body and Blood of your Son, and we may be kindled with the fire of your love and renewed for the service of your Kingdom. Help us, who are baptised into the fellowship of Christ's Body to live and work to your praise and glory; may we grow together in unity and love until at last, in your new creation, we enter into our heritage in the company of the Virgin Mary, the apostles and prophets, and of all our brothers and sisters living and departed. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be to you, Lord of all ages, world without end. 9

5 8 8 The Eucharistic Prayer The Lord is here or The Lord be with you God s Spirit is with us and also with you Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. Worship and praise belong to you, God our maker. Out of nothing, you called all worlds to be, and still you draw the universe to its fulfilment. Dawn and evening celebrate your glory till time shall be no more. In Christ your Son the life of heaven and earth were joined, sealing the promise of a new creation, given, yet still to come. Taught by your Spirit, we who bear your threefold likeness look for the City of Peace in whose light we are transfigured and the earth is transformed. As children of your redeeming purpose who await the coming of your Son, we offer you our praise, with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven singing the hymn of your unending glory: sing 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. OR Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. WE SIT OR KNEEL Glory and thanksgiving be to you, most loving Father. In Jesus you showed us yourself. Our hope is built on him, the first, the last, the living one. Obedient, even to accepting death, He opened the gate of glory and calls us now to share the life of heaven. Before he was given up to suffering and death, alight with the vision of a feast that heralded a kingdom yet to come, at supper with his disciples he took bread and offered you thanks. He broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying: "Take, eat. This is my Body: it is broken for you." The Presiding Priest declares the absolution, saying: May God who loved the world so much that he sent his Son to be our Saviour, forgive you your sins and make you holy to serve him in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Presiding Priest says the Opening Prayer (Collect) and the people make it their own by responding, Amen. 3 The Word of God We SIT for THE LITURGY OF THE WORD At the end of the reading(s), the reader says: For the word of the Lord Thanks be to God A Psalm may be used between the readings. We STAND for the Gradual HYMN: Come now, Lord Jesus, enter our Christmas, be to us no stranger in this new-made manger. Come small and human, born of a woman, yet a Son much greater of our own Creator. Come cold and crying, comfort denying, no place to receive you, few yet to believe you. Come poor and simple, our flesh your temple, in your body feeling hurt as well as healing. Come, gift and token, bread to be broken, star and sign still point you, myrrh will yet anoint you. Shirley Erena Murray 1992 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream IL Music: Traditional Zulu Used by permission Deacon Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. cf Isaiah 40: 3-5 Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to.. Glory to Christ our Saviour. At the end of the Gospel reading: Deacon Give thanks to the Lord for His glorious Gospel. Praise to Christ our Lord. 5

6 6 A SERMON is preached, after which a moment of SILENCE is kept. 4 The Nicene Creed WE STAND We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. 5 Intercessions WE SIT OR KNEEL Prayer is offered: for the world and its people for those who suffer and those in need for the Church and its members This response may be used Come to us, Lord we know our need of you. The prayers may conclude with: Merciful Father, Accept these prayers, for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 6 The Peace WE STAND The following or another introduction to the Peace may be used In the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high shall break 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. We meet in Christ s name Let us share his peace. Let us offer one another a sign of that peace. may exchange a sign of Christ s peace As the altar is prepared we sing the offertory HYMN THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT 7 Table Prayer As this bread was scattered, then gathered and made one, so may your Church be gathered into your Kingdom. Glory to you, O God, for ever. Wisdom has built her a house; she has mixed her wine; she has set her table. Glory to you, O God, for ever. 7