The Parish Church of St Faith, Great Crosby The Eucharist and Parade and Toy Service on Advent Sunday
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The Gathering Hymn +In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Bidding Prayer: My brothers and sisters, we enter today the season of Advent. Let us in this holy season reflect on the coming of Christ who brings light to the world. Let us leave behind the darkness of sin, walk in the light that shines on our path, and renew in ourselves the hope of glory to which he calls us. The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. and also with you. Prayers of Penitence and Lighting of the First Candle on the Advent Wreath It is time for us to wake out of sleep, for deliverance is nearer to us now than it was when we first believed. It is far on in the night: day is near. Let us therefore cast off the deeds of darkness and put on the armour as soldiers of the light. 3
Heavenly Father, you have created a universe of light; forgive us when we return to darkness. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world: cleanse and heal our blinded sight. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Holy Spirit, you give us light in our hearts: renew us in faith and love. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy. Absolution Almighty God, who in Jesus Christ has given us a kingdom that cannot be destroyed, +forgive you your sins, open your eyes to God s truth, strengthen you to do God s will and give you the joy of his kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The first candle on the Advent wreath is lit. Lord Jesus, light of the world, born in David s city of Bethlehem, born like him to be a king, be born in our hearts at Christmas, be king of our lives today. Amen. 4
The Collect: Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.. Amen. The Liturgy of the Word All sit. The Epistle At the end of the Reading: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. All stand for the Gospel Alleluia, alleluia, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia. Or One of the O Antiphons is said or sung. Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Glory to you, O Lord. 5
At the end of the Gospel: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. All Sit. Sermon There may be a short period of silence after the sermon. The Affirmation of Faith Let us declare our faith in God. We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. 6
The Prayers All kneel or sit. People of God: prepare! God, above all, maker of all, is one with us in Christ. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! God, the mighty God, bends down in love to earth. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! God with us, God beside us, comes soon to the world he has made. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! We are God s children, We seek the coming Christ. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! See, I am coming soon! Amen, come Lord Jesus. May the Lord when he comes find us watching and waiting. Amen. The Liturgy of the Sacrament The Peace In the tender mercy of our God, the dayspring from on high shall break upon us, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and to guide our feet into the way of peace. 7
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. Let us offer one another a sign of peace. Offertory hymn Preparation of the Table As this bread was scattered and then gathered and made one, so may your church be gathered into your kingdom. Glory to you, O God forever. The Eucharistic Prayer The Lord be with you 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 thanks and praise. 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. And now we give you thanks, because your Son, our Lord, was awaited by the prophets, announced by an angel, conceived by a virgin, and proclaimed at last to men and women of every age. 8
You give us happy times and things to celebrate. In these we taste your kingdom, a feast for all your children. 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. 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. 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.' 9
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. 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 Our Blessed Lady, St Faith, and all your saints we give you glory, through Jesus Christ, in the strength of the Spirit, today and for ever. Amen. The Lord s Prayer As we wait in joyful expectation for the coming of his kingdom, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 10
Agnus Dei All say or sing: 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 your peace. OR Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us; Jesus, Bearer of our Sins, have mercy on us; Jesus, Redeemer of the World, grant us peace. Invitation to Communion God s holy gifts for God s holy people. Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord, To the glory of God the Father. At the distribution of communion, the minister says to each communicant: The Body of Christ The Blood of Christ and each responds: Amen. 11
After Communion, silence is kept and the Angelus is rung. Prayer After Communion All stand. O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our offerings of toys are brought forward. These will be distributed in Sefton to children and teenagers who are in conditions of economic hardship. Notices may be given. 12
The Dismissal Hymn With love and justice: Come, Lord Jesus. With judgement and mercy: Come, Lord Jesus. In power and glory: Come, Lord Jesus. In wisdom and truth: Come, Lord Jesus. The Dismissal Gospel Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying, the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news. This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you O Christ. 13
May God the Father, judge all-merciful, make us worthy of a place in his kingdom. Amen. May God the Son, coming among us in power, reveal in our midst the promise of his glory. Amen. May God the Holy Spirit make us steadfast in faith, joyful in hope and constant in love. Amen. and the blessing of God almighty Go in the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God. 14
Some material in this service is copyright: Common Worship 2000 The Archbishops Council and Common Worship: Festivals 2008 The Archbishops Council; Additional Eucharistic Prayer 2 2012 The Archbishops Council 15
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