Sources used
The Book of Alternative services
Liturgies for the Journey of life (By Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
Anglican Eucharistic Liturgies 1985-2010 (Colin Buchanan)
thebigandthesmall (website/blog)
Rev. Gord’s Worship Offerings (blog)
Prelude Prepare, Prepare (by Stephen Pishner)
Welcome
Collect
Almighty God, who sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah, inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth, to turn our disobedient hearts to you, that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge, we may stand with confidence before his glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the prophet Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.
Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church R: Thanks be to God
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
The Lord speaks peace to his people
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
The Lord speaks peace to his people
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord speaks peace to his people
The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
The Lord speaks peace to his people
Prelude Prepare, Prepare (by Stephen Pishner)
Welcome
Here, among our everyday places, here among our ordinary lives, is the emerging of grace. Watch, watch for the signs of the Holy. In this time, in every time, we hold our breath in awe for the wonder of Christ.
Gathering Song Emmanuel (by Steve Angrisano)
Chorus
Come, come, Emmanuel! Son of God, appear.
Heaven and earth, rejoice!
Salvation is drawing near. Salvation is drawing near.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lovely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Chorus
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Chorus
O come, O Rod of Jesse’s stem
From every foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Chorus
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
Make all our sad divisions cease,
And be for us the King of Peace.
Gathering Song Emmanuel (by Steve Angrisano)
Chorus
Come, come, Emmanuel! Son of God, appear.
Heaven and earth, rejoice!
Salvation is drawing near. Salvation is drawing near.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lovely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Chorus
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Chorus
O come, O Rod of Jesse’s stem
From every foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Chorus
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
Make all our sad divisions cease,
And be for us the King of Peace.
Chorus
Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Gathering
The prophet stands on the banks of Jordan calling to all to prepare
We are busy preparing, but are we preparing for the message of this season
John calls for people to prepare their lives, the very essence of who they are to receive the ultimate gift
A gift of hope and peace offered with grace
The gift that culminates with the light of Christ entering into our lives, our world
We allow our own lights to shine in hope and with peace
Peace is a gracious and cherished gift. We give thanks for the promise of peace and in turn we share the peace in this faith community. Peace is a challenging gift and we give thanks for the opportunity to share peace in our wider community.
Candle Lighting ADVENT 2 - PEACE (Based on Psalm 85)
We light our first Advent candle, a symbol of Hope.
Light first candle
We light our second Advent candle, a symbol of Peace.
Light second candle
Like a second candle lit in the darkness, peace can sometimes be found in the small, still moments, if we pause and listen.
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people.
We are busy preparing, but are we preparing for the message of this season
John calls for people to prepare their lives, the very essence of who they are to receive the ultimate gift
A gift of hope and peace offered with grace
The gift that culminates with the light of Christ entering into our lives, our world
We allow our own lights to shine in hope and with peace
Peace is a gracious and cherished gift. We give thanks for the promise of peace and in turn we share the peace in this faith community. Peace is a challenging gift and we give thanks for the opportunity to share peace in our wider community.
Candle Lighting ADVENT 2 - PEACE (Based on Psalm 85)
We light our first Advent candle, a symbol of Hope.
Light first candle
We light our second Advent candle, a symbol of Peace.
Light second candle
Like a second candle lit in the darkness, peace can sometimes be found in the small, still moments, if we pause and listen.
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people.
In a world that often feels chaotic, in a year when every single aspect of our lives has been upended, God, we long to feel your peace.
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people.
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people.
God, we trust that you are with us, sowing peace among your people, even when it seems out of reach.
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people.
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people.
Let us be faithful and turn to you in our hearts,
let us proclaim the truth to the ends of the earth,
we have peace because God is with us!
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people.
Candle Lighting Song: When the Wind of Winter Blows More Voices 71
When the wind of winter blows,
Bringing times of solitude,
Fill the silent icy night;
Be our hearts’ compassion.
Chorus
Holy light, warm our night;
Warm the time of winter.
Holy light, warm our night;
Warm the time of winter.
When we shiver in despair,
When the chill of death comes near,
Hold us, Spirit, calm our fear,
While the evening deepens.
Chorus
When in days of fallen snow,
Change confounds or love burns low,
From the ashes may there rise
Phoenix of our growing.
Chorus
let us proclaim the truth to the ends of the earth,
we have peace because God is with us!
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people.
Candle Lighting Song: When the Wind of Winter Blows More Voices 71
When the wind of winter blows,
Bringing times of solitude,
Fill the silent icy night;
Be our hearts’ compassion.
Chorus
Holy light, warm our night;
Warm the time of winter.
Holy light, warm our night;
Warm the time of winter.
When we shiver in despair,
When the chill of death comes near,
Hold us, Spirit, calm our fear,
While the evening deepens.
Chorus
When in days of fallen snow,
Change confounds or love burns low,
From the ashes may there rise
Phoenix of our growing.
Chorus
Collect
Almighty God, who sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah, inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth, to turn our disobedient hearts to you, that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge, we may stand with confidence before his glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the prophet Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.
Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church R: Thanks be to God
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
The Lord speaks peace to his people
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
The Lord speaks peace to his people
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord speaks peace to his people
The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
The Lord speaks peace to his people
A Reading from the second letter of Peter (3:8-15)
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church R: Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn Every Valley Glory and Praise 297
Chorus
Every valley shall be exalted and every hill made low.
And all God’s people shall see together the glory of the Lord.
A voice cries out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord.
Make straight in the desert a highway, a highway for our God.”
Chorus
Comfort all my people. The time for war is gone.
The blind shall see, the deaf shall hear, the lamp shall leap for joy.
Chorus
Stand up on the mountaintop, lift up your voice to the world.
Sing joyfully, Jerusalem: “Behold, behold your God.”
Chorus
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Mark (1:1-8)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The Gospel of Christ R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
An Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God who lives and speaks in sunsets,
in love wrapped gifts, and fleeting butterflies;
in people weeping softly for stillborn dreams and hopes they never conceived.
We believe in God, indwelling wholly, in suffering and celebration.
We believe in Christ, harbouring our humanness,
who took nourishment from a woman’s breasts;
who climbed trees, skinned knees;
who laughed and cried, loved and wept, bled and died.
We believe in the Christ, sanctifying life and death.
We believe in the Spirit, mystically joining us to peoples everywhere;
who intercedes with sighs and groans too deep for words;
a shared consuming struggle bending our will to God.
We believe in the Holy Spirit incorporating us into Christ.
We believe in the church, being and becoming,
Chosen as God’s presence in the world despite its frailty,
Its foolishness, its failings.
We believe in the church, seeking, however imperfectly,
to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Amen
Prayers of Intercession
In lonely places, in the wildernesses of life, when we stand forlorn, alone and battered
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord
In the shadows where we try to hide our fears, in our dark places where we embrace our tears
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord
St. Luke writes “Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (1:78-79)
We trust that each new dawn will bring light into our lives and we pray that it will shine upon those who live in darkness. Help then to know and to find peace in their moments of despair and longing
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord
For the desert places in which we walk, the streets we roam, the paths we cross
Guide our feet and take us to places where you would go
Give us words that you would use that in this Advent season of promise and preparation
We might point the way with John the Baptist
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord
Prayer of Confession
Holy and loving God, we have dwelt in darkness and preferred it to the light;
we have been proud of our accomplishments and despaired over our shortcomings.
Smooth down the mountains of our pride, and lift up the valleys of our doubts.
Open a path in the wilderness of our lives that we might find our way to you again.
Refine us and prepare us once again for life in your kingdom.
Hear our prayer, O Lord. Amen.
~ from First Sunday of Advent Prayers and Litanies, posted on the Ministry Matters website
The Peace (from the Church of India)
Let there be peace
Peace among nations
Peace among people
Peace among neighbours
Peace among friends
The Peace of Christ above all.
Let us bring our offerings to God – the offering of our hope, talents and gifts and we prepare our offering of bread and wine at home to celebrate together the Lord’s feast
Offering Hymn Song for John Common Cup Company, Gordon Light
Like a flower in the desert, where a flower rarely grows,
Such an unexpected pleasure, strange and lovely, lonely rose.
Wild flower hidden by the river, filled with the dew of holy dreams;
Seeking life within the water, turning, turning in the wind,
A sturdy reed that will not bend.
Like a melody that rises in the darkest hours of night;
A song of infinite surprises, and still more infinite delight.
Voice crying in the wilderness, a carol carried on the wind,
Song announcing that God’s presence will dwell within the barren land,
And fashion new life from the sand.
Like a childhood memory wakens unbidden, deep within the soul;
And sets our broken hearts to aching, for the time when we were whole.
Wake us, Herald of the morning, tell us our broken hearts are free;
And that the morning we have longed for, is the morning that shall be;
Will come the morning that shall be.
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church R: Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn Every Valley Glory and Praise 297
Chorus
Every valley shall be exalted and every hill made low.
And all God’s people shall see together the glory of the Lord.
A voice cries out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord.
Make straight in the desert a highway, a highway for our God.”
Chorus
Comfort all my people. The time for war is gone.
The blind shall see, the deaf shall hear, the lamp shall leap for joy.
Chorus
Stand up on the mountaintop, lift up your voice to the world.
Sing joyfully, Jerusalem: “Behold, behold your God.”
Chorus
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Mark (1:1-8)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The Gospel of Christ R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
An Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God who lives and speaks in sunsets,
in love wrapped gifts, and fleeting butterflies;
in people weeping softly for stillborn dreams and hopes they never conceived.
We believe in God, indwelling wholly, in suffering and celebration.
We believe in Christ, harbouring our humanness,
who took nourishment from a woman’s breasts;
who climbed trees, skinned knees;
who laughed and cried, loved and wept, bled and died.
We believe in the Christ, sanctifying life and death.
We believe in the Spirit, mystically joining us to peoples everywhere;
who intercedes with sighs and groans too deep for words;
a shared consuming struggle bending our will to God.
We believe in the Holy Spirit incorporating us into Christ.
We believe in the church, being and becoming,
Chosen as God’s presence in the world despite its frailty,
Its foolishness, its failings.
We believe in the church, seeking, however imperfectly,
to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Amen
Prayers of Intercession
In lonely places, in the wildernesses of life, when we stand forlorn, alone and battered
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord
In the shadows where we try to hide our fears, in our dark places where we embrace our tears
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord
St. Luke writes “Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (1:78-79)
We trust that each new dawn will bring light into our lives and we pray that it will shine upon those who live in darkness. Help then to know and to find peace in their moments of despair and longing
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord
For the desert places in which we walk, the streets we roam, the paths we cross
Guide our feet and take us to places where you would go
Give us words that you would use that in this Advent season of promise and preparation
We might point the way with John the Baptist
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord
Prayer of Confession
Holy and loving God, we have dwelt in darkness and preferred it to the light;
we have been proud of our accomplishments and despaired over our shortcomings.
Smooth down the mountains of our pride, and lift up the valleys of our doubts.
Open a path in the wilderness of our lives that we might find our way to you again.
Refine us and prepare us once again for life in your kingdom.
Hear our prayer, O Lord. Amen.
~ from First Sunday of Advent Prayers and Litanies, posted on the Ministry Matters website
The Peace (from the Church of India)
Let there be peace
Peace among nations
Peace among people
Peace among neighbours
Peace among friends
The Peace of Christ above all.
Let us bring our offerings to God – the offering of our hope, talents and gifts and we prepare our offering of bread and wine at home to celebrate together the Lord’s feast
Offering Hymn Song for John Common Cup Company, Gordon Light
Like a flower in the desert, where a flower rarely grows,
Such an unexpected pleasure, strange and lovely, lonely rose.
Wild flower hidden by the river, filled with the dew of holy dreams;
Seeking life within the water, turning, turning in the wind,
A sturdy reed that will not bend.
Like a melody that rises in the darkest hours of night;
A song of infinite surprises, and still more infinite delight.
Voice crying in the wilderness, a carol carried on the wind,
Song announcing that God’s presence will dwell within the barren land,
And fashion new life from the sand.
Like a childhood memory wakens unbidden, deep within the soul;
And sets our broken hearts to aching, for the time when we were whole.
Wake us, Herald of the morning, tell us our broken hearts are free;
And that the morning we have longed for, is the morning that shall be;
Will come the morning that shall be.
Prayer over the Gifts
God our strength, we are nothing without you. Receive all we offer you this day as you sustain us with your mercy; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Setting of the Table
This table stands among us – Christ’s table and our table.
We gather around our tables as did the first disciples, humble people, who love Jesus
Hopeful people in the power of the Holy Spirit
Little children stand under the holy table, old people hold on to it.
Symbols of our life are placed upon it. With joy we dress it in colour and light.
With joy we bring our gifts. In faith we name it our Holy table as it carries the body of Christ.
The Great Thanksgiving (New Zealand Prayer book)
God is here
We praise God together
Let us say thank you to God
who has done so much for us.
God, you made us, and the world and everything in it.
All the good we see comes from you.
You have always loved us but people have not always loved you.
You sent Jesus to show us how to live and to bring us back to you again.
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
He died for us on the cross so that through your Spirit
we can all be your people.
And so with thanks we praise you.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
God of power and might
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the Highest.
Blessed is the one that comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the Highest
We are here because on the night before he died
Jesus shared a meal with his friends.
There he took some bread and gave thanks to you, God.
He broke it into pieces, and gave it to them.
“This is my body,” he said.
“Do this, and know that I am with you.”
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
Later, he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to you.
He shared it with them, and said
“This is my blood, which brings new life.
Do this, and know that I am with you.”
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
And so, remembering Jesus who died,
was raised to new life by you, and is alive forever,
we are glad to share that life and live in him.
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
Send your Holy Spirit
so that this bread and wine
can be for us the body and blood of Jesus,
and through this food give us strength to live as your people
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
Help us to care for your world and for each other
in the way that Jesus showed us.
Until he comes again with all your people
in every time and every land
we worship you and say:
We praise you.
We thank you.
We bless you. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Breaking of the Bread
The bread we break is a sharing of the body of Christ
We who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread
The Invitation
Bread and wine, the gifts of God for the people of God
May we who share these gifts be found in Christ and Christ in us
Communion Song Comfort, Comfort Ye my People CP 100
The Communion
Prayer after communion
All your works praise you, O Lord.
And your faithful servants bless you.
Gracious God we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
May we, who share his body,
live his risen life; we, who drink his cup, bring life to others;
we, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world.
Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,
so that we and all your children shall be free,
and the whole earth live to praise your name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen
The Blessing
Closing Hymn Sing Till Sundown Voices United 78
Sing till sundown, hum your joy, dress in starlight, girl and boy.
Man and woman climb the hill, warmed beyond December’s chill,
Reeling, clapping, touch the air: is that fragrant music there?
Come the glory, gone the gloom: in a wondrous huddled room.
Christ the Word we’ve longed to know calls us dancing through the snow.
Gladness deepens into grace, weaves its light on every face.
Let us wake the sleeping earth, celebrate the sweetest birth,
Pierce the night with festive cry, bloom in colours of the sky.
Bring the flute, the tambourine, wave the branch of evergreen.
Lost we were a grief ago, now we’re dancing through the now.
God our strength, we are nothing without you. Receive all we offer you this day as you sustain us with your mercy; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Setting of the Table
This table stands among us – Christ’s table and our table.
We gather around our tables as did the first disciples, humble people, who love Jesus
Hopeful people in the power of the Holy Spirit
Little children stand under the holy table, old people hold on to it.
Symbols of our life are placed upon it. With joy we dress it in colour and light.
With joy we bring our gifts. In faith we name it our Holy table as it carries the body of Christ.
The Great Thanksgiving (New Zealand Prayer book)
God is here
We praise God together
Let us say thank you to God
who has done so much for us.
God, you made us, and the world and everything in it.
All the good we see comes from you.
You have always loved us but people have not always loved you.
You sent Jesus to show us how to live and to bring us back to you again.
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
He died for us on the cross so that through your Spirit
we can all be your people.
And so with thanks we praise you.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
God of power and might
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the Highest.
Blessed is the one that comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the Highest
We are here because on the night before he died
Jesus shared a meal with his friends.
There he took some bread and gave thanks to you, God.
He broke it into pieces, and gave it to them.
“This is my body,” he said.
“Do this, and know that I am with you.”
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
Later, he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to you.
He shared it with them, and said
“This is my blood, which brings new life.
Do this, and know that I am with you.”
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
And so, remembering Jesus who died,
was raised to new life by you, and is alive forever,
we are glad to share that life and live in him.
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
Send your Holy Spirit
so that this bread and wine
can be for us the body and blood of Jesus,
and through this food give us strength to live as your people
Amen. We are alive in Jesus
Help us to care for your world and for each other
in the way that Jesus showed us.
Until he comes again with all your people
in every time and every land
we worship you and say:
We praise you.
We thank you.
We bless you. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Breaking of the Bread
The bread we break is a sharing of the body of Christ
We who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread
The Invitation
Bread and wine, the gifts of God for the people of God
May we who share these gifts be found in Christ and Christ in us
Communion Song Comfort, Comfort Ye my People CP 100
The Communion
Prayer after communion
All your works praise you, O Lord.
And your faithful servants bless you.
Gracious God we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
May we, who share his body,
live his risen life; we, who drink his cup, bring life to others;
we, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world.
Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,
so that we and all your children shall be free,
and the whole earth live to praise your name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen
The Blessing
Closing Hymn Sing Till Sundown Voices United 78
Sing till sundown, hum your joy, dress in starlight, girl and boy.
Man and woman climb the hill, warmed beyond December’s chill,
Reeling, clapping, touch the air: is that fragrant music there?
Come the glory, gone the gloom: in a wondrous huddled room.
Christ the Word we’ve longed to know calls us dancing through the snow.
Gladness deepens into grace, weaves its light on every face.
Let us wake the sleeping earth, celebrate the sweetest birth,
Pierce the night with festive cry, bloom in colours of the sky.
Bring the flute, the tambourine, wave the branch of evergreen.
Lost we were a grief ago, now we’re dancing through the now.
Closing Commissioning
Can you be a voice crying in the wilderness?
Can you proclaim that God is active in the world?
Maybe?
Can you be a voice crying in the wilderness?
Can you proclaim that God is active in the world?
Maybe?
The time is near, of the crowning of the year.
We sing with angels,
setting the roadways and the buildings humming
We sing with angels,
setting the roadways and the buildings humming
As people who are being changed,
we go into a world that is being changed.
Ready to share the Good News
that the long expected Jesus is coming,
that we are being freed from whatever binds us.
we go into a world that is being changed.
Ready to share the Good News
that the long expected Jesus is coming,
that we are being freed from whatever binds us.
Glory be to God!
Who walks with us, sings with us, and struggles with us,
each and every day. Amen
Postlude Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella Old French, arranged by John Ness Beck
Who walks with us, sings with us, and struggles with us,
each and every day. Amen
Postlude Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella Old French, arranged by John Ness Beck
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