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Sunday 12 January 2020 Baptism of Christ (Epiphany 1) or Year A

by

Eternal Father,

who at the baptism of Jesus

revealed him to be your Son,

anointing him with the Holy Spirit:

grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit,

that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Heavenly Father,

at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:

may we recognize him as our Lord

and know ourselves to be your beloved children;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Readings
Isaiah 42.1-9

42Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
   my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
   he will bring forth justice to the nations. 
2 He will not cry or lift up his voice,
   or make it heard in the street; 
3 a bruised reed he will not break,
   and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
   he will faithfully bring forth justice. 
4 He will not grow faint or be crushed
   until he has established justice in the earth;
   and the coastlands wait for his teaching. 

5 Thus says God, the Lord,
   who created the heavens and stretched them out,
   who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
   and spirit to those who walk in it: 
6 I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
   I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
   a light to the nations, 
7   to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
   from the prison those who sit in darkness. 
8 I am the Lord, that is my name;
   my glory I give to no other,
   nor my praise to idols. 
9 See, the former things have come to pass,
   and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
   I tell you of them. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 29

1  Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, •
   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2  Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •
   worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3  The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
      the God of glory thunders; •
   the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4  The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; •
   the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.
5  The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; •
   the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6  He makes Lebanon skip like a calf •
   and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7  The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning;
      the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; •
   the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8  The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe
      and strips the forests bare; •
   in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’
9  The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; •
   the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.
10  The Lord shall give strength to his people; •
   the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Acts 10.34-43

34 Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced:38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Matthew 3.13-end

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ 15But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. 16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

Lord of all time and eternity,

you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father

in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son:

by the power of your Spirit

complete the heavenly work of our rebirth

through the waters of the new creation;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 5 January 2020 Alternative 1 of 2 2nd Sunday of Christmas Year A

by

Reading Notes: Use this provision if the Epiphany is celebrated on Monday 6 January.

Collect

O God,

who by the leading of a star

manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:

mercifully grant that we,

who know you now by faith,

may at last behold your glory face to face;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Creator of the heavens,

who led the Magi by a star

to worship the Christ-child:

guide and sustain us,

that we may find our journey’s end

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Isaiah 60.1-6

60

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

   and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

2 For darkness shall cover the earth,

   and thick darkness the peoples;

but the Lord will arise upon you,

   and his glory will appear over you.

3 Nations shall come to your light,

   and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4 Lift up your eyes and look around;

   they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far away,

   and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant;

   your heart shall thrill and rejoice,

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,

   the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,

   the young camels of Midian and Ephah;

   all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense,

   and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 72. [1-9] 10-15

[

1  Give the king your judgements, O God, •

   and your righteousness to the son of a king.

2  Then shall he judge your people righteously •

   and your poor with justice.

3  May the mountains bring forth peace, •

   and the little hills righteousness for the people.

4  May he defend the poor among the people, •

   deliver the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.

5  May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, •

   from one generation to another.

6  May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, •

   like the showers that water the earth.

7  In his time shall righteousness flourish, •

   and abundance of peace

      till the moon shall be no more.

8  May his dominion extend from sea to sea •

   and from the River to the ends of the earth.

9  May his foes kneel before him •

   and his enemies lick the dust.

] 10  The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute; •

   the kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring gifts.

11  All kings shall fall down before him; •

   all nations shall do him service.

12  For he shall deliver the poor that cry out, •

   the needy and those who have no helper.

13  He shall have pity on the weak and poor; •

   he shall preserve the lives of the needy.

14  He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, •

   and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

15  Long may he live;

      unto him may be given gold from Sheba; •

   may prayer be made for him continually

      and may they bless him all the day long.

Ephesians 3.1-12

3

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. 8Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

AllGlory to you, O Lord.

Matthew 2.1-12

2

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

   are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

   who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’

7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

AllPraise to you, O Christ.

Post Communion

Lord God,

the bright splendour whom the nations seek:

may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light

discern the glory of your presence in your Son,

the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 5 January 2020 Alternative 1 of 2 2nd Sunday of Christmas Year A

by
Reading Notes: Use this provision if the Epiphany is celebrated on Monday 6 January.
Collect

Almighty God,

in the birth of your Son

you have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word,

and shown us the fullness of your love:

help us to walk in his light and dwell in his love

that we may know the fullness of his joy;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

God our Father,

in love you sent your Son

that the world may have life:

lead us to seek him among the outcast

and to find him in those in need,

for Jesus Christ’s sake.

Readings
Jeremiah 31.7-14

7 For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
   and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
   ‘Save, O Lord, your people,
   the remnant of Israel.’ 
8 See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
   and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
   those with child and those in labour, together;
   a great company, they shall return here. 
9 With weeping they shall come,
   and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
   in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
   and Ephraim is my firstborn. 

10 Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
   and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him,
   and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.’ 
11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob,
   and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. 
12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
   and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
   and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
   and they shall never languish again. 
13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
   and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
   I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 
14 I will give the priests their fill of fatness,
   and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, 

says the Lord. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
or Ecclesiasticus 24.1-12

The Praise of Wisdom24Wisdom praises herself,
   and tells of her glory in the midst of her people. 
2 In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth,
   and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory: 
3 ‘I came forth from the mouth of the Most High,
   and covered the earth like a mist. 
4 I dwelt in the highest heavens,
   and my throne was in a pillar of cloud. 
5 Alone I compassed the vault of heaven
   and traversed the depths of the abyss. 
6 Over waves of the sea, over all the earth,
   and over every people and nation I have held sway. 
7 Among all these I sought a resting-place;
   in whose territory should I abide? 

8 ‘Then the Creator of all things gave me a command,
   and my Creator chose the place for my tent.
He said, “Make your dwelling in Jacob,
   and in Israel receive your inheritance.” 
9 Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me,
   and for all the ages I shall not cease to be. 
10 In the holy tent I ministered before him,
   and so I was established in Zion. 
11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting-place,
   and in Jerusalem was my domain. 
12 I took root in an honoured people,
   in the portion of the Lord, his heritage. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 147.13-end

13  Sing praise to the Lord, O Jerusalem; •
   praise your God, O Zion;
14  For he has strengthened the bars of your gates •
   and has blest your children within you.
15  He has established peace in your borders •
   and satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16  He sends forth his command to the earth •
   and his word runs very swiftly.
17  He gives snow like wool •
   and scatters the hoarfrost like ashes.
18  He casts down his hailstones like morsels of bread; •
   who can endure his frost?
19  He sends forth his word and melts them; •
   he blows with his wind and the waters flow.
20  He declares his word to Jacob, •
   his statutes and judgements to Israel.
21  He has not dealt so with any other nation; •
   they do not know his laws.
      Alleluia.

or Wisdom of Solomon 10.15-end

15 A holy people and blameless race
wisdom delivered from a nation of oppressors. 
16 She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord,
and withstood dread kings with wonders and signs. 
17 She gave to holy people the reward of their labours;
she guided them along a marvellous way,
and became a shelter to them by day,
and a starry flame through the night. 
18 She brought them over the Red Sea,
and led them through deep waters; 
19 but she drowned their enemies,
and cast them up from the depths of the sea. 
20 Therefore the righteous plundered the ungodly;
they sang hymns, O Lord, to your holy name,
and praised with one accord your defending hand; 
21 for wisdom opened the mouths of those who were mute,
and made the tongues of infants speak clearly. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Ephesians 1.3-14

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.11In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
John 1.[1-9]10-18

[

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God.3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life,and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.]

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15(John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. 

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

All praise to you,

almighty God and heavenly king,

who sent your Son into the world

to take our nature upon him

and to be born of a pure virgin:

grant that, as we are born again in him,

so he may continually dwell in us

and reign on earth as he reigns in heaven,

now and for ever.

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Wednesday 25 December 2019 Alternative 2 of 2 Advent 4 / Christmas Christmas Day or Year A

by
Reading Notes: Any of the following three sets of Principal Service readings may be used on the evening of Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. Set III should be used at some service during the celebration.
Collect

Almighty God,

you have given us your only-begotten Son

to take our nature upon him

and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin:

grant that we, who have been born again

and made your children by adoption and grace,

may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Lord Jesus Christ,

your birth at Bethlehem

draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:

accept our heartfelt praise

as we worship you,

our Saviour and our eternal God.

Readings
Set I
Isaiah 9.2-7

2 The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
   on them light has shined. 
3 You have multiplied the nation,
   you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
   as with joy at the harvest,
   as people exult when dividing plunder. 
4 For the yoke of their burden,
   and the bar across their shoulders,
   the rod of their oppressor,
   you have broken as on the day of Midian. 
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
   and all the garments rolled in blood
   shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 
6 For a child has been born for us,
   a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
   and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
7 His authority shall grow continually,
   and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
   He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
   from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 96

1  Sing to the Lord a new song; •
   sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2  Sing to the Lord and bless his name; •
   tell out his salvation from day to day.
3  Declare his glory among the nations •
   and his wonders among all peoples.
4  For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; •
   he is more to be feared than all gods.
5  For all the gods of the nations are but idols; •
   it is the Lord who made the heavens.
6  Honour and majesty are before him; •
   power and splendour are in his sanctuary.
7  Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; •
   ascribe to the Lord honour and strength.
8  Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •
   bring offerings and come into his courts.
9  O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; •
   let the whole earth tremble before him.
10  Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is king. •
   He has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
      he will judge the peoples with equity.
11  Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; •
   let the sea thunder and all that is in it;
12  Let the fields be joyful and all that is in them; •
   let all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord.
13  For he comes, he comes to judge the earth; •
   with righteousness he will judge the world
      and the peoples with his truth.

Titus 2.11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,12training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,13while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 14He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Luke 2.1-14 [15-20]

2In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’[

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.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child;18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.]

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Set II
Isaiah 62.6-end

6 Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,
   I have posted sentinels;
all day and all night
   they shall never be silent.
You who remind the Lord,
   take no rest, 
7 and give him no rest
   until he establishes Jerusalem
   and makes it renowned throughout the earth. 
8 The Lord has sworn by his right hand
   and by his mighty arm:
I will not again give your grain
   to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink the wine
   for which you have laboured; 
9 but those who garner it shall eat it
   and praise the Lord,
and those who gather it shall drink it
   in my holy courts. 

10 Go through, go through the gates,
   prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway,
   clear it of stones,
   lift up an ensign over the peoples. 
11 The Lord has proclaimed
   to the end of the earth:
Say to daughter Zion,
   ‘See, your salvation comes;
his reward is with him,
   and his recompense before him.’ 
12 They shall be called, ‘The Holy People,
   The Redeemed of the Lord’;
and you shall be called, ‘Sought Out,
   A City Not Forsaken.’ 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 97

1  The Lord is king: let the earth rejoice; •
   let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2  Clouds and darkness are round about him; •
   righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3  Fire goes before him •
   and burns up his enemies on every side.
4  His lightnings lit up the world; •
   the earth saw it and trembled.
5  The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, •
   at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6  The heavens declared his righteousness, •
   and all the peoples have seen his glory.
7  Confounded be all who worship carved images
      and delight in mere idols. •
   Bow down before him, all you gods.
8  Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, •
   because of your judgements, O Lord.
9  For you, Lord, are most high over all the earth; •
   you are exalted far above all gods.
10  The Lord loves those who hate evil; •
   he preserves the lives of his faithful
      and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11  Light has sprung up for the righteous •
   and joy for the true of heart.
12  Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, •
   and give thanks to his holy name.

Titus 3.4-7

4But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, 5he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the waterof rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Luke 2. [1-7] 8-20

[

2In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.]

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

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.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child;18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Set III
Isaiah 52.7-10

7 How beautiful upon the mountains
   are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
   who announces salvation,
   who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’ 
8 Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
   together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
   the return of the Lord to Zion. 
9 Break forth together into singing,
   you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
   he has redeemed Jerusalem. 
10 The Lord has bared his holy arm
   before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
   the salvation of our God. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 98

1  Sing to the Lord a new song, •
   for he has done marvellous things.
2  His own right hand and his holy arm •
   have won for him the victory.
3  The Lord has made known his salvation; •
   his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4  He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness
      towards the house of Israel, •
   and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
5  Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; •
   break into singing and make music.
6  Make music to the Lord with the lyre, •
   with the lyre and the voice of melody.
7  With trumpets and the sound of the horn •
   sound praises before the Lord, the King.
8  Let the sea thunder and all that fills it, •
   the world and all that dwell upon it.
9  Let the rivers clap their hands •
   and let the hills ring out together before the Lord,
      for he comes to judge the earth.
10  In righteousness shall he judge the world •
   and the peoples with equity.

Hebrews 1.1-4 [5-12]

1Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.[

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
‘You are my Son;
   today I have begotten you’?
Or again,
‘I will be his Father,
   and he will be my Son’? 
6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’ 
7Of the angels he says,
‘He makes his angels winds,
   and his servants flames of fire.’ 
8But of the Son he says,
‘Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever,
   and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom. 
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
   with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’ 
10And,
‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands; 
11 they will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like clothing; 
12 like a cloak you will roll them up,
   and like clothing they will be changed.
But you are the same,
   and your years will never end.’]

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
John 1.1-14

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God.3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life,and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

God our Father,

whose Word has come among us

in the Holy Child of Bethlehem:

may the light of faith illumine our hearts

and shine in our words and deeds;

through him who is Christ the Lord.

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Sunday 22 December 2019 4th Sunday of Advent Year A

by
Collect

God our redeemer,

who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary

to be the mother of your Son:

grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,

so we may be ready to greet him

when he comes again as our judge;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Eternal God,

as Mary waited for the birth of your Son,

so we wait for his coming in glory;

bring us through the birth pangs of this present age

to see, with her, our great salvation

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings
Isaiah 7.10-16

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11Ask a sign of the Lordyour God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. 12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. 13Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? 14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. 15He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 80.1-8, 18-20

1  Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, •
   you that led Joseph like a flock;
2  Shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, •
   before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
3  Stir up your mighty strength •
   and come to our salvation.
4  Turn us again, O God; •
   show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
5  O Lord God of hosts, •
   how long will you be angry at your people’s prayer?
6  You feed them with the bread of tears; •
   you give them abundance of tears to drink.
7  You have made us the derision of our neighbours, •
   and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
8  Turn us again, O God of hosts; •
   show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
18  Let your hand be upon the man at your right hand, •
   the son of man you made so strong for yourself.
19  And so will we not go back from you; •
   give us life, and we shall call upon your name.
20  Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; •
   show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

[or Psalm 80.1-8]

1  Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, •︎
   you that led Joseph like a flock;
2  Shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, •︎
   before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
3  Stir up your mighty strength •︎
   and come to our salvation.
4  Turn us again, O God; •︎
   show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
5  O Lord God of hosts, •︎
   how long will you be angry at your people’s prayer?
6  You feed them with the bread of tears; •︎
   you give them abundance of tears to drink.
7  You have made us the derision of our neighbours, •︎
   and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
8  Turn us again, O God of hosts; •︎
   show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Romans 1.1-7

1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, 6including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Matthew 1.18-end

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.20But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ 22All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 
23 ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
   and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’ 24When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

Heavenly Father,

who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary

to be the mother of the promised saviour:

fill us your servants with your grace,

that in all things we may embrace your holy will

and with her rejoice in your salvation;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 15 December 2019 3rd Sunday of Advent Year A

by
Collect

O Lord Jesus Christ,

who at your first coming sent your messenger

to prepare your way before you:

grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries

may likewise so prepare and make ready your way

by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,

that at your second coming to judge the world

we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;

for you are alive and reign with the Father

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. 

or

God for whom we watch and wait,

you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son:

give us courage to speak the truth,

to hunger for justice,

and to suffer for the cause of right,

with Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings
Isaiah 35.1-10

35The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
   the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus 2it shall blossom abundantly,
   and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
   the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
   the majesty of our God. 

3 Strengthen the weak hands,
   and make firm the feeble knees. 
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
   ‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
   He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
   He will come and save you.’ 

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
   and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 
6 then the lame shall leap like a deer,
   and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
   and streams in the desert; 
7 the burning sand shall become a pool,
   and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
   the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 

8 A highway shall be there,
   and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
   but it shall be for God’s people;
   no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray. 
9 No lion shall be there,
   nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
   but the redeemed shall walk there. 
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
   and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
   they shall obtain joy and gladness,
   and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 146.4-10

4  Happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their help, •
   whose hope is in the Lord their God;
5  Who made heaven and earth,
      the sea and all that is in them; •
   who keeps his promise for ever;
6  Who gives justice to those that suffer wrong •
   and bread to those who hunger.
7  The Lord looses those that are bound; •
   the Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
8  The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; •
   the Lord loves the righteous;
9  The Lord watches over the stranger in the land;
      he upholds the orphan and widow; •
   but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
10  The Lord shall reign for ever, •
   your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
      Alleluia.

or Magnificat

Magnificat (The Song of Mary)

              

1            My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

                 my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  •

              he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

              

2            From this day all generations will call me blessed;  •

              the Almighty has done great things for me

                 and holy is his name.

              

3            He has mercy on those who fear him,  •

              from generation to generation.

              

4            He has shown strength with his arm  •

              and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

              

5            Casting down the mighty from their thrones  •

              and lifting up the lowly.

              

6            He has filled the hungry with good things  •

              and sent the rich away empty.

              

7            He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  •

              to remember his promise of mercy,

              

8            The promise made to our ancestors,  •

              to Abraham and his children for ever.         

              Luke 1.46-55

 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
James 5.7-10

7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Matthew 11.2-11

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ 4Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someonedressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way before you.” 
11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts;

kindle in us the fire of your Spirit

that when your Christ comes again

we may shine as lights before his face;

who is alive and reigns now and for ever.

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Sunday 8 December 2019 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A

by

O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power

and come among us,

and with great might succour us;

that whereas, through our sins and wickedness

we are grievously hindered

in running the race that is set before us,

your bountiful grace and mercy

may speedily help and deliver us;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

or

Almighty God,

purify our hearts and minds,

that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour

we may be ready to receive him,

who is our Lord and our God.

Readings
Isaiah 11.1-10

11A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
   and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
   the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
   the spirit of counsel and might,
   the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 
3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. 

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
   or decide by what his ears hear; 
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
   and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
   and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 
5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
   and faithfulness the belt around his loins. 

6 The wolf shall live with the lamb,
   the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
   and a little child shall lead them. 
7 The cow and the bear shall graze,
   their young shall lie down together;
   and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
   and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. 
9 They will not hurt or destroy
   on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
   as the waters cover the sea. 

10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 72.1-7, 18-19

1  Give the king your judgements, O God, •︎
   and your righteousness to the son of a king.
2  Then shall he judge your people righteously •︎
   and your poor with justice.
3  May the mountains bring forth peace, •︎
   and the little hills righteousness for the people.
4  May he defend the poor among the people, •︎
   deliver the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.
5  May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, •︎
   from one generation to another.
6  May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, •︎
   like the showers that water the earth.
7  In his time shall righteousness flourish, •︎
   and abundance of peace
      till the moon shall be no more.
18  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, •︎
   who alone does wonderful things.
19  And blessed be his glorious name for ever. •︎
   May all the earth be filled with his glory.
      Amen. Amen.

[or Psalm 72.1-7]

1  Give the king your judgements, O God, •
   and your righteousness to the son of a king.
2  Then shall he judge your people righteously •
   and your poor with justice.
3  May the mountains bring forth peace, •
   and the little hills righteousness for the people.
4  May he defend the poor among the people, •
   deliver the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.
5  May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, •
   from one generation to another.
6  May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, •
   like the showers that water the earth.
7  In his time shall righteousness flourish, •
   and abundance of peace
      till the moon shall be no more.

Romans 15.4-13

4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
   and sing praises to your name’; 
10and again he says,
‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’; 
11and again,
‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
   and let all the peoples praise him’; 
12and again Isaiah says,
‘The root of Jesse shall come,
   the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.’ 
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Matthew 3.1-12

3In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 3This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight.” ’ 
4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 ‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

Father in heaven,

who sent your Son to redeem the world

and will send him again to be our judge:

give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming

that, when he comes again,

we may be ready to greet him

with joyful love and firm faith;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.