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Holy Communion for A New Year

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Welcome to Holy Communion


I bring you news of great joy

A Saviour has been born to you. Alleluia


Unto us a child is born

Unto us a son is been given. Alleluia.

He is Christ the Lord Alleluia

We worship and adore him Alleluia



Confession:


As we come to the Lord at the start of this New Year,

let us seek his grace to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts to wisdom

as we confess our sins in penitence and faith.


Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of Peace:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.


Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary:

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.


Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh

and splendour of the Father:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy


May the God of all healing and forgiveness

draw you to himself,

and cleanse you from your sins

that you may behold the glory of his Son,

the Word made flesh, Jesus our Lord.

Amen









O God, by whose command

the order of time runs its course:

forgive our impatience, perfect our faith

and, while we wait for the fulfilment of your promises,

grant us to have a good hope because of your word;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.


Carol: The Virgin Mary had a baby boy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvnceCVScDI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvnceCVScDI


Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last,

the beginning and the end.

Alleluia.


Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke:

Glory to you O Lord


15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.


19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.


This is the Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you O Christ


The Sermon:


A good hope. In our collect today- we prayed:

while we wait for the fulfilment of your promises,

grant us to have a good hope because of your word


As we read the account of shepherds and angels (apart from a bit of quaking in fright) – it’s all good new. All very upbeat and positive. The angels surprise the shepherds – (and who wouldn’t be sore afraid!) but once reassured, they receive amazing news, good news.

Peace on earth, God’s favour for people. The shepherds quickly recover and run off to see this wonder, this new born boy for themselves.



They even go round spreading the good news themselves- everyone is amazed and perhaps delighted?


And then they return to their flocks and fields, full of praise and wonder. The privilege and excitement of it all. God had come to even the lowliest of folk.



But it’s Mary once more who pauses. Ponders. Treasures these words. Perhaps she weighed them up. Later on when they go to the Temple, the old man Simeon also warns her.



A sword will pierce your own soul, he says.


As we reflect on the turn of this very strange, difficult and challenging year, we are called to have hope. There is indeed really good news at hand. We have a vaccine and they are already injecting people. Our hope says that things will get better. But also know for the experience of the last year, that there will be many twists and turns ahead too.

We need to remain vigilant and careful, adhering to all the best advice that we’re given.


In the Christmas story, the various characters hear good news but also face challenges. They are called to be obedient and to preserve through difficult times.

And yet up ahead there is always hope.

Christian hope is this.

God is with you always.

It’s not the wishful thinking that longs for improvement but is uncertain whether it will come.

It’s not resigning to fate, that what will be, will be whatever.

God is active in our world still,

Whatever the circumstances, hope says this. God has come to us at Christmas.

God will be with us throughout the New Year.


In response to this, as the year turn to 2021, we are going to have the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to God using the words from the Methodist covenant service. They are words of surrender, but not of resignation.


We are no longer our own but yours.


We are not giving up, but giving up our right to control. As if we have had any of that this year over circumstances! We do however, have control over how we respond to what life throws at us and who we turn to.

We surrender to God- who loves us and will not desert us.

This is hope.


The Creed:


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.



Prayers:


Eternal God,

in your faithful and enduring love

you call us to share in your gracious covenant

in Jesus Christ.


In obedience we hear and accept your commands;

in love we seek to do your perfect will;

with joy we offer ourselves anew to you.

We are no longer our own but yours.


I am no longer my own but yours.

Your will, not mine, be done in all things,

wherever you may place me,

in all that I do and in all that I may endure;

when there is work for me

and when there is none;

when I am troubled and when I am at peace.

Your will be done


when I am valued and when I am disregarded;

when I find fulfilment and when it is lacking;

when I have all things and when I have nothing.

I willingly offer all that I have and am

to serve you,

as and where you choose.


Glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

you are mine and I am yours.

May it be so for ever.

Let this covenant now made on earth

be fulfilled in heaven. Amen.



As we have entered this covenant not for ourselves alone,

but as God’s servants and witnesses,

let us pray for the Church and for the world.


Loving God, hear us as we pray for your holy catholic Church:

make us all one, that the world may believe.


Inspire and lead all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world:

establish justice and peace among all people.


Have compassion on all who suffer from any sickness, grief or trouble:

deliver them from their distress.


We praise you for all your saints who have entered

your eternal glory:

bring us all to share in your heavenly kingdom.


Lord our God,

you have helped us by your grace

to make these prayers,

and you have promised through Christ our Lord

that when two or three agree in his name

you will grant what they ask.

Answer now your servants’ prayers

according to their needs;

in this world grant that we may truly know you,

and in the world to come

graciously give us eternal life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen


The Peace

Unto us a Son is born unto us a Son is given

and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you

And also with you.


Let us offer another a sign of peace


Carol: In the Bleak Midwinter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_dO91hQhkU


Holy Communion


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.

It is right to give thanks and praise.


And now we give you thanks because,

in the incarnation of the Word,

a new light has dawned upon the world;

you have become one with us

that we might become one with you

in your glorious kingdom.


Therefore with all the angels of heaven

we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name

and sing our joyful hymn of praise:


Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and God of 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 praise and bless you, loving Father,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord;

and as we obey his command,

send your Holy Spirit,

that broken bread and wine outpoured

may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends

and, taking bread, he praised you.

He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.

Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:

Drink this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,

in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice

made once for all upon the cross.


Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,

we proclaim his death and resurrection

until he comes in glory.

Jesus Christ is Lord


Lord, by your cross and resurrection

you have set us free.

You are the Saviour of the world.

Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day

when your kingdom comes

and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people,

gather us in your loving arms

and bring us with St Catherine and all the saints

to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,

for ever and ever.

Amen


As our Saviour has taught us, so 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.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and for ever.

Amen.


Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup

we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.


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 your peace.


Carol during communion: Candlelight Carol by John Rutter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbudPRPrFWI



Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen


Son of Mary, Son of God,

We have joined with the worship of the angels;

May we never lose that heavenly vision.

Like the shepherds,

we have rejoiced at the news of your birth;

help us to proclaim that message in word and deed,

to your praise and glory.

Amen


The Blessing


May the joy of the angels,

the eagerness of the shepherds,

the perseverance of the wise men,

the obedience of Joseph and Mary,

and the peace of the Christ-child

be yours this Christmas;

and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

be with you now and remain with you always.

Amen



Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.




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