Within this page • Introduction, Hymn 1 • Collect, Old Testament reading, Psalm
Epistle, Hymn 2 • Gospel, Sermon • Creed • Prayers • Blessing, Hymn 3 • Voluntary
Introduction
Many readers enjoy the opportunity to hear our hymns sung by choirs from around the world, and they will certainly not be disappointed by our final hymn, Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown (O come to my heart, Lord Jesus) as sung by the VocalEssence Chorale from Accra in Ghana. However, we begin our Liturgy of the Word in Chennai, India, with hymn 14, The advent of our God …
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Hymn 14
The advent of our God (words and music) | Choir of Bishop Heber Chapel, Madras Christian College, Chennai
Collect
God of power and mercy, you call us once again to celebrate the coming of your Son. Remove those things which hinder love of you, that when he comes he may find us waiting in awe and wonder for him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever
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Old Testament Reading
Click Bible links on this page to read the text at Bible Gateway. Once there, click to hear the full chapter read by David Suchet.
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Canticle
Isaiah 12: 2-6 Behold, God is my salvation | Choir of Girton College, Cambridge
Epistle
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Hymn 1
Creator of the stars of night (words and music) | Choirs of All Saints’ Church, Northampton, during lockdown in November 2020
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Gospel
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Sermon by Rev Sydney Maitland
Preparation to greet the Holy One of God
Click link for full text.
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The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer | Anglican Cycle of Prayer | Barnabas Fund Prayer Diary
• Pray for the world and its people, for those who suffer and those in need …
• Pray for the world and its people, for those who suffer and those in need …
• Pray for Church and its members, especially Brian S, Jenny M, Douglas N, Catriona M, Stephen M, Andrew H and Rosemary G.
• The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians:
‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.‘
And so let us each bring our own prayers, petitions and thanksgivings to the Lord …
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O God, whose will it is that all should find salvation and come to know the truth: receive the prayers and petitions which we offer in faith and love; through him who gave proof of your purpose, and who sacrificed himself to win freedom for all mankind, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.
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Hymn 465
Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown (words and music) | The VocalEssence Chorale, Accra, Ghana
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Dismissal
Let us go in peace, to love and serve the Lord!
Organ Voluntary
Andrew Carter: Toccata on ‘Veni Emmanuel’ (O come, O come, Emmanuel)| Played last month by Jonathan Holmes on the 1889 Father Willis organ at Ewell Parish Church in Epsom, Surrey
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