Being Love and Light
This order of service has been compiled by R. Susan Smandych, a student intern with the Congregation of St. Paul Fort Garry, Winnipeg
Prelude The God That I Know (In Tune, p. 25)
He comes with his arms open wide,
a sheltering place I can hide
and my deepest fears, questions and tears
I can face with his strength as my guide.
She comes with a smile on her face,
loving kindness my wrongs to erase
and my company she keeps, for the pleasure it reaps
my life she will renew with her grace.
Both father and mother to me,
more loving than parents can be
the God that I know, is a stranger no more,
but the place where I find myself free.
As I walk this earth on my own,
I carry a promise that I’m not alone
a gift that is mine, for all of my time,
love that lets me know that I am home,
love that lets me know that I am home,
love that lets me know that I am home.
Welcome (Adapted from https://www.churchsp.org/candlemascelebrated/)
A Candle is Lit
Gathering Hymn From East to West (Common Praise 155)
From east to west, from shore to shore
Let ev'ry heart awake and sing
The holy child whom Mary bore,
The Christ, the everlasting king.
I carry a promise that I’m not alone
a gift that is mine, for all of my time,
love that lets me know that I am home,
love that lets me know that I am home,
love that lets me know that I am home.
Welcome (Adapted from https://www.churchsp.org/candlemascelebrated/)
A Candle is Lit
Gathering Hymn From East to West (Common Praise 155)
From east to west, from shore to shore
Let ev'ry heart awake and sing
The holy child whom Mary bore,
The Christ, the everlasting king.
For this how wondrously He wrought!
A maiden, in her lowly place,
Became, in ways beyond all thought,
The chosen vessel of His grace.
Assenting to the angel’s word,
She chose what God the Spirit willed,
And suddenly the promised Lord
That pure and hallowed temple filled.
And while the angels in the sky
Sang praise above the silent field,
To shepherds poor the Lord Most High,
the one great Shepherd, was revealed.
Gathering of the Community
(from Re-Worship blog @ https://re-worship.blogspot.com/search/label/Epiphany%204%20B)
God comes into a world filled with uncertainties and darkness.
God seeks out the voids of belief and conviction.
God embraces the wounded and broken.
God knocks down the walls of division and strife.
God is the candle shining in the darkness of our days.
God is the light of our lives.
God is the one who makes all things new.
Praise be to God, now and forevermore!
Collect for Candlemas (from NZ https://liturgy.co.nz/rethinking-candlemas)
Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
A Reading from the Prophet Malachi (3:1-4)
“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.”
The word of the Lord. R: Thanks be to God.
A Candle is Lit
Psalm 24 Let The King of Glory Come (based on Psalm 24, from Glory and Praise)
Refrain
Lift up, you gates, lift up your arches:
Let the King of glory come!
Lift up your hearts and sing, you people:
Let the King of glory come!
Who is the King of glory?
Our God, holy and strong!
Who is the Lord of majesty?
Our God, mighty and strong!
Come, O come, Emmanuel;
Come and dwell with us!
Come, O come, you Lord of might;
Banish death and fear!
Come, O come, bright Wisdom;
Come and make us wise!
Come, O come, you Dayspring;
Love, unclose our eyes!
Come, you Key of David, come;
Open our heavenly home!
Come, Desire of nations, come;
Bring us into your peace!
A Reading from the letter to the Hebrews (2:14-18)
“Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”
The word of the Lord. R: Thanks be to God.
A Candle is Lit
Gradual Hymn A Mother's Labour Bears Her Child (Common Praise 623)
A maiden, in her lowly place,
Became, in ways beyond all thought,
The chosen vessel of His grace.
Assenting to the angel’s word,
She chose what God the Spirit willed,
And suddenly the promised Lord
That pure and hallowed temple filled.
And while the angels in the sky
Sang praise above the silent field,
To shepherds poor the Lord Most High,
the one great Shepherd, was revealed.
Gathering of the Community
(from Re-Worship blog @ https://re-worship.blogspot.com/search/label/Epiphany%204%20B)
God comes into a world filled with uncertainties and darkness.
God seeks out the voids of belief and conviction.
God embraces the wounded and broken.
God knocks down the walls of division and strife.
God is the candle shining in the darkness of our days.
God is the light of our lives.
God is the one who makes all things new.
Praise be to God, now and forevermore!
Collect for Candlemas (from NZ https://liturgy.co.nz/rethinking-candlemas)
Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the Prophet Malachi (3:1-4)
“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.”
The word of the Lord. R: Thanks be to God.
A Candle is Lit
Psalm 24 Let The King of Glory Come (based on Psalm 24, from Glory and Praise)
Refrain
Lift up, you gates, lift up your arches:
Let the King of glory come!
Lift up your hearts and sing, you people:
Let the King of glory come!
Who is the King of glory?
Our God, holy and strong!
Who is the Lord of majesty?
Our God, mighty and strong!
Come, O come, Emmanuel;
Come and dwell with us!
Come, O come, you Lord of might;
Banish death and fear!
Come, O come, bright Wisdom;
Come and make us wise!
Come, O come, you Dayspring;
Love, unclose our eyes!
Come, you Key of David, come;
Open our heavenly home!
Come, Desire of nations, come;
Bring us into your peace!
A Reading from the letter to the Hebrews (2:14-18)
“Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”
The word of the Lord. R: Thanks be to God.
A Candle is Lit
Gradual Hymn A Mother's Labour Bears Her Child (Common Praise 623)
A mother’s labour bears her child. She shares creation’s agony.
The water’s break anticipates the hour of her delivery.
And by the labour of our cross our mother Christ has brought to birth
In His own eternal life, the sons and daughters of the earth.
A mother’s body nourishes her child she comforts at her breast;
And Jesus feeds us of Himself, in His own life our living blessed.
And by the labour of our cross our mother Christ has brought to birth
In His own eternal life, the sons and daughters of the earth.
Gospel Acclamation
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke (2:22-40)
“When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they 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 turtledoves 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, “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 seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped 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 favor of God was upon him.”
The Gospel of Christ. R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
A Candle is Lit
Gospel Acclamation
The water’s break anticipates the hour of her delivery.
And by the labour of our cross our mother Christ has brought to birth
In His own eternal life, the sons and daughters of the earth.
A mother’s body nourishes her child she comforts at her breast;
And Jesus feeds us of Himself, in His own life our living blessed.
And by the labour of our cross our mother Christ has brought to birth
In His own eternal life, the sons and daughters of the earth.
Gospel Acclamation
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke (2:22-40)
“When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they 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 turtledoves 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, “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 seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped 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 favor of God was upon him.”
The Gospel of Christ. R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
A Candle is Lit
Gospel Acclamation
Homily (Susan Smandych)
Offertory Hymn Love Divine All Loves Excelling (Common Praise 486)
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art.
Visit us with thy salvation;
enter ev'ry trembling heart.
Come, Almighty, to deliver,
let us all thy life receive.
Suddenly return, and never,
nevermore they temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
Finish, then, thy new creation;
true and spotless let us be.
Let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.
Prayer over the offering (from BAS Propers 401 and ‘For All the Saints’)
Almighty God, accept the joyful offering of your Church, and grant that your Son may shine in us as the light that lightens every nation. We ask this in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A Candle is Lit
Peace (Adapted from: Pray Without Ceasing Prepared by the Ven. Dr. Richard Leggett for the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee of the ACoC Authorized by General Synod of The ACoC, 2019)
God of steadfast love, you sent your Son to be the light of the world. As Anna gave thanks for the freedom He would bring and Simeon saw in Him the dawn of redemption, complete your purpose once made known in Him, within us. Make us vessels of His light, so that all the world may glory in the splendour of your peace. Let us exchange a socially distanced sign of peace with our neighbours. Amen.
An Affirmation of Faith (Adapted from “Liturgies for the Journey of Life” by Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
Let us affirm our faith in God:
We believe in God
Who created and is creating the earth,
Who so loved the world,
That Christ was sent to live life with us
And the Spirit to be our strength.
God has favoured us and appointed us
To be a light to the people
And a beacon for the nations;
To open eyes that are blind,
And release captives from the prisons, where they live in darkness.
In solidarity with the people of God
Around the world,
And in company with our churches,
We name ourselves as those who, in Jesus Christ,
Are enough to do the task
In this time and in this place.
We have heard the call of Christ
To follow in the way of the cross.
In faith we lay down our fear,
Our weakness and our lack of worth
And announce again with those who have gone before us that,
‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.’
A Candle is Lit
Intercessions (Adapted from http://vicarofwadley.blogspot.ca/)
Let us pray that we may know and share the light of Christ.
Lord of love and light, Shine into our lives and bring your love into our souls.
Remind us of the amazing ways you have loved us,
Even when we turned our backs on you.
Open our hearts to receive your loving spirit.
Open our minds to receive your wisdom.
Open our hands to show others your loving compassion.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.
Lord of love and light,
We hold in our hearts those around us who feel unloved.
We bring them to you for you to shine your love into their lives.
We hold in our minds those who are overwhelmed by their needs and difficulties.
We hold in our hands your loving compassion to give them.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.
Lord of love and light,
There are people and places that are dark
Offertory Hymn Love Divine All Loves Excelling (Common Praise 486)
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art.
Visit us with thy salvation;
enter ev'ry trembling heart.
Come, Almighty, to deliver,
let us all thy life receive.
Suddenly return, and never,
nevermore they temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
Finish, then, thy new creation;
true and spotless let us be.
Let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.
Prayer over the offering (from BAS Propers 401 and ‘For All the Saints’)
Almighty God, accept the joyful offering of your Church, and grant that your Son may shine in us as the light that lightens every nation. We ask this in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A Candle is Lit
Peace (Adapted from: Pray Without Ceasing Prepared by the Ven. Dr. Richard Leggett for the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee of the ACoC Authorized by General Synod of The ACoC, 2019)
God of steadfast love, you sent your Son to be the light of the world. As Anna gave thanks for the freedom He would bring and Simeon saw in Him the dawn of redemption, complete your purpose once made known in Him, within us. Make us vessels of His light, so that all the world may glory in the splendour of your peace. Let us exchange a socially distanced sign of peace with our neighbours. Amen.
An Affirmation of Faith (Adapted from “Liturgies for the Journey of Life” by Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
Let us affirm our faith in God:
We believe in God
Who created and is creating the earth,
Who so loved the world,
That Christ was sent to live life with us
And the Spirit to be our strength.
God has favoured us and appointed us
To be a light to the people
And a beacon for the nations;
To open eyes that are blind,
And release captives from the prisons, where they live in darkness.
In solidarity with the people of God
Around the world,
And in company with our churches,
We name ourselves as those who, in Jesus Christ,
Are enough to do the task
In this time and in this place.
We have heard the call of Christ
To follow in the way of the cross.
In faith we lay down our fear,
Our weakness and our lack of worth
And announce again with those who have gone before us that,
‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.’
A Candle is Lit
Intercessions (Adapted from http://vicarofwadley.blogspot.ca/)
Let us pray that we may know and share the light of Christ.
Lord of love and light, Shine into our lives and bring your love into our souls.
Remind us of the amazing ways you have loved us,
Even when we turned our backs on you.
Open our hearts to receive your loving spirit.
Open our minds to receive your wisdom.
Open our hands to show others your loving compassion.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.
Lord of love and light,
We hold in our hearts those around us who feel unloved.
We bring them to you for you to shine your love into their lives.
We hold in our minds those who are overwhelmed by their needs and difficulties.
We hold in our hands your loving compassion to give them.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.
Lord of love and light,
There are people and places that are dark
And in the dark about your love.
Shine forth your light and love in their lives and in those places.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.
There are people and places that have closed their minds to you,
To others, to new and fresh ideas.
Shine forth your light and love to open their minds to you,
To others, to new and fresh ideas.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.
There are people and places that need our hands
Reaching out to them with your loving compassion.
May our reaching out to them with your love and compassion,
Shine forth your light and love.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us. Amen
A Candle is Lit
The Lord’s Prayer
Shine forth your light and love in their lives and in those places.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.
There are people and places that have closed their minds to you,
To others, to new and fresh ideas.
Shine forth your light and love to open their minds to you,
To others, to new and fresh ideas.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.
There are people and places that need our hands
Reaching out to them with your loving compassion.
May our reaching out to them with your love and compassion,
Shine forth your light and love.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us. Amen
A Candle is Lit
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn Lord Let Your Servant Go in Peace (Common Praise 266)
Lord, let your servant go in peace:
Your promises have been fulfilled;
Your saving power has been displayed
Before the face of all the world.
My eyes have seen salvation’s dawn:
The Sun of life ascending bright;
Your people’s glory evermore,
The nations’ everlasting light.
Dismissal (from ‘For All the Saints’ and Canticle 20 The Song of Simeon)
God for whom we wait, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon, who did not die till he had welcomed the Messiah.
Complete in us your perfect will, that we in Christ may share in your eternal kingdom; for he is Lord for ever and ever.
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; * your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation * which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
a light to reveal you to the nations * and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen! Alleluia!!
Postlude Refiner's Fire
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Lord, let your servant go in peace:
Your promises have been fulfilled;
Your saving power has been displayed
Before the face of all the world.
My eyes have seen salvation’s dawn:
The Sun of life ascending bright;
Your people’s glory evermore,
The nations’ everlasting light.
Dismissal (from ‘For All the Saints’ and Canticle 20 The Song of Simeon)
God for whom we wait, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon, who did not die till he had welcomed the Messiah.
Complete in us your perfect will, that we in Christ may share in your eternal kingdom; for he is Lord for ever and ever.
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; * your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation * which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
a light to reveal you to the nations * and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen! Alleluia!!
Postlude Refiner's Fire
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
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