Light a light Light a light that shines within me Deep within my soul Kindle a fire, burn inside me Cleanse and make me whole May I shine and beam a light Of Your unceasing love Poured within this heart of mine by my Father in Heav n above Purge my soul of wayward sin Lord Purify the dross So that I may come before you Kneeling at the cross Take me out into the world To radiate God s light That men may be drawn towards My flick ring in the night When my earthly witness ends Lord Let my soul take wings Fly to my eternal home Where Light unending reigns Anne Linington This poem was originally written for Candlemas, but was used more recently at Christmas "Lights of love" services organised by the Hospice on the Isle of Wight. CANDLEMAS Festival Eucharist PLEASE COLLECT A CANDLE BEFORE THE SERVICE STARTS Welcome to worship this morning Especially if you are visitor of if this is your first time with us Happy Candlemas! Candlemas has many themes to it: Presenting ourselves to God Being made pure and holy Meeting with God Being light for the world Candlemas (literally, thanksgiving for the light ) is celebrated as a winter festival of birth and light. It is also a story of living, ageing and learning. The wisdom of age, the years of struggling and hurting and loving, the presenting of themselves in the communal round of worship, and the prayers of a lifetime - these are the experiences that enable Simeon and Anna to recognise God in Jesus and to have confidence in the safety and vulnerability of God s love. In a way, Candlemas is the hinge between Christmas and Lent. Today we have one last look back to the joy of Christmas, and then turn towards the inevitable pain of the cross. May you meet with Christ this day as you worship him. He comes to meet you...prepare a place in your heart to receive him - and then let his light shine through you!
We stand for the first hymn. Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art: dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. Born thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a king, born to reign in us for ever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all-sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne. Charles Wesley 1707-88 1 The Gathering In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Lord of glory be with you. The Lord bless you. The Priest welcomes everyone and introduces the liturgy: We say / sing together the words in bold type Forty (or so) days ago we celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, the last day of the Christmas and Epiphany season, we now recall the day on which Jesus was presented in the Temple, when he was offered to the Father and shown to his people. In their old age Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus as their Lord, just 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. Like Simeon, may I grow old in hope and in wonder. Like Anna, may I be open to God s love all my days. May I be open to truth, open to surprises. May I let your Spirit, O God, into my life. May I let your justice change my ways. May I live, O God, in the brightness of your joy. Everyone holds their candle high and the Priest prays: Lord God, the springing source of everlasting light, pour into the hearts of your faithful people the brilliance of your eternal splendour, that we, who by these kindling flames light up this temple to your glory, may have the darkness of our souls dispelled, and so be counted worthy to stand before you in that eternal city where you live and reign, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Then the Nunc Dimittis is said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. 12 Final Responsory Father, here we bring to an end our celebration of the Saviour's birth. Help us, in whom he has been born, to live his life that has no end. Here we have offered the Church's sacrifice of praise. Help us, who have received the bread of life, to be thankful for your gift. Here we have rejoiced with faithful Simeon and Anna. Help us, who have found the Lord in his temple, to trust in your eternal promises. Here we have greeted the Light of the world. Help us, who now extinguish these candles, never to forsake the light of Christ. now extinguish their candles. We stand near the place of new birth. Let us shine with the light of your love. We turn from the crib to the cross. Let us shine with the light of your love. Here we bless one another in your name, O God Help us, who now go in peace, to shine with your light in the world. Thanks be to God! 2 11
Everyone comes to the altar to receive communion or a blessing. Everyone is welcome to receive communion, but if you would prefer a prayer of blessing, please carry this booklet with you. PLEASE KEEP A PRAYERFUL SILENCE DURING THE DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION Thank you 11 Candles We stand to light our candles The Lord is the strength of my life The Lord is my light and my salvation Jesus Christ is the light of the world A light which no darkness can quench Simeon calls Jesus "a light to lighten the Gentiles." Accordingly this day was made into Candlemas, a feast of candles. The warm candle light is meant to be a tangible reminder of that greater light which, for and beyond all time, radiates from the figure of Jesus. We are reminded of the need to be prepared to burn brightly ourselves in the midst of this dark world. We take a light away this morning, it is not our own light, no light of our own would be bright enough, rather it is the light of Christ. The light which at the beginning of creation shined in the darkness and which no darkness could overcome. Jesus was a light to lighten the gentiles, all the nations and races and culture of people. Bless these candles, Lord, that through the prayer we offer as we light them, your light may shine brightly in our lives. Everyone s candle is lit. This hymn is sung as people gather around the font: Faithful vigil ended, watching, waiting cease; Master, grant thy servant his discharge in peace. the Spirit promised, all the Father willed, Now these eyes behold it Perfectly fulfilled. This thy great deliv rance sets thy people free; Christ, their light, uplifted the nations see. Christ, thy people s glory! watching, doubting, cease; Grant to us thy servants Our discharge in peace. 2 The Gloria and Opening Prayer So, as we remain standing, let us give glory to God: Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Glory to God... Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. Glory to God... For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the +glory of God the Father. Glory to God... Let us pray that we may know & share the light of Christ: (a moment of silence is kept for personal prayer) Then everyone prays the Opening Prayer (Collect) together: Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, bless us and enable us to be a blessing to others that we may reveal your light, your love, and your glory, today and always. We sit for THE LITURGY OF THE WORD 3 The Readings A reading from the book of the prophet Malachi See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner s fire and like fullers soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. For the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Timothy Dudley-Smith (b. 1926) based on Luke 2: 29-32 10 3
We stand to sing: Lord, the light of your love is shining in the midst of the darkness, shining Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us set us free by the truth you now bring us shine on me, shine on me. Shine, Jesus, shine fill this land with the Father's glory blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire flow, river, flow flood the nations with grace and mercy send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light. Lord, I come to your awesome presence from the shadows into your radiance by the blood I may enter your brightness search me, try me, consume all my darkness shine on me, shine on me. Shine... As we gaze on your kingly brightness so our faces display your likeness ever changing from glory to glory mirrored here may our lives tell your story shine on me, shine on me. Shine... Graham Kendrick Copyright 1987 Make Way Music sing eluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Deacon Today the Lord is presented in the Temple and the old prophet, Simeon, proclaims Christ as the light of the nations and the glory of Israel. Praise to Christ, the Light of the world! Deacon Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke sing Glory to Christ our Saviour When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord ), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. And the child s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, Hear us, most merciful Father, and 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. 10 The Our Father Jesus taught us to call God Our Father, so in faith we pray: 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. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world. God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life. sing 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. The Priest shows everyone the consecrated bread and wine: God's holy gifts for God's holy people. Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 4 9
8 It is indeed right and good, always and everywhere to give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ, who is one with you from all eternity. For on this day he appeared in the temple in substance of our flesh to come near to us in judgement. He searches the hearts of all your people and brings to light the image of your splendour. Your servant Simeon acclaimed him as the light to lighten the nations while Anna spoke of him to all who looked for your redemption. Destined for the falling and rising of many, he was lifted high upon the cross and a sword of sorrow pierced his mother s heart when by his sacrifice he made our peace with you. And now we rejoice and glorify your name that we, too, have seen your salvation and join with angels and archangels in their unending hymn of 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. 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." 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. This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul too. There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him. Deacon Give thanks to the Lord for his glorious Gospel. Praise to Christ our Lord. sing eluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! A Sermon may be preached 4 An Affirmation of Faith We stand We say together in faith: Holy, Holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is, and is to come. We believe in God the Father, who created all things: for by His will they were created. We believe in God the Son, who was slain: for by his blood, he purchased us for God, from every tribe and language, from every people and nation. We believe in God the Holy Spirit: The Sprit and the Bride say, Come! Even so come, Lord Jesus! Cf Revelation 4:8,11; 5:9; 22:17,20 5 Prayers of Intercession We sit or kneel We come to you in prayer, O God: pour the light of your love upon us. Today, Lord, we ask you to shine into the dark places of life: places of war, famine, injustice. We ask, Lord, that your light will shine into the dark places of our land: cities and towns, workplaces and homes; and into the dark places of our hearts and minds. We thank you, Lord, for Simeon and Anna, and their patient waiting for Christ to be revealed. Help us to serve you faithfully and patiently, watching for you to be revealed in our own lives. 5
6 We pray for all who are elderly, widowed or living alone. Help us to be aware of their changing needs and our responsibility towards them. Lord, may they increasingly know your presence and peace. We pray for those who are unwell, and those recovering from or awaiting surgery, that they may sense your healing touch to make them whole again. May we know your reassuring presence beside us, even as we walk through the deepest and darkest valley... Lord God, you kept faith with Simeon and Anna and showed them the infant King. Give us grace to put all our trust in your promises, and the patience to wait for their fulfilment; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6 Prayers of Penitence Deacon Hear the words of our Saviour Jesus Christ: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me shall never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Let us therefore bring our sins into his light and confess them in penitence and faith: Father eternal, giver of light and grace, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour, in what we have thought, in what we have said and done, through ignorance, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We have wounded your love, and marred your image in us. We are sorry and ashamed, 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 lead us out from darkness to walk as children of light. Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT 7 The Peace We 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. Deacon We meet in Christ's name. Let us share his peace. The following hymn is sung during which the gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar and an offering is taken. King of Glory, King of peace, I will love thee; and, that love may never cease, I will move thee. Thou hast granted my request, Thou hast heard me; Thou didst note my working breast, Thou hast spared me. Wherefore with my utmost art I will sing thee, And the cream of all my heart I will bring thee. Though my sins against me cried, Thou didst clear me; And alone, when they replied, Thou didst hear me. Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee; In my heart, though not in heaven, I can raise thee. Small it is in this poor sort to enrol thee: E en eternity s too short to extol thee. King of Glory, King of peace, I will love thee; and, that love may never cease, I will move thee. Thou hast granted my request, Thou hast heard me; Thou didst note my working breast, Thou hast spared me. George Herbert 1593-1632 8 Table Prayer Father, in Christ there has sprung up a light for the righteous; accept the offering of your Church and grant that Christ may shine in us to the praise and glory of your name. 9 Eucharistic Prayer We remain standing The Lord is with us God s Spirit is here 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 7