This Liturgy of the Word is taken from the Scottish Liturgy 1982, which can be seen in full here.
Within this page • Introduction, Hymn 1 • Collect, Old Testament reading, Psalm
Epistle, Hymn 2 • Gospel, Sermon • Creed • Prayers • Blessing, Hymn 3 • Voluntary
Introduction
‘Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be the light of the world. Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us, and bring us to eternal light and joy’. We open our online Liturgy of the Word with hymn 417, O God our help in ages past …
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Hymn 417
O God our help in ages past (words and score) | Choir of the Cathedral Church of St Peter in Asaba, Nigeria
Collect
Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be the light of the world. Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us, and bring us to eternal light and joy; through the power of him who is alive 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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Psalm
Psalm 98 (words) O sing unto the Lord a new song | Choir of Wakefield Cathedral
Epistle
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Hymn 354
Eternal Father strong to save (words and music) | Sung at the funeral of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, last year
Gospel
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Sermon by Rev Sydney Maitland
Click link for full text.
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 Church and its members, especially Jenny Morgan, Douglas Nicol, Catriona McLaughlin, Brian Skillen, Andrew Harrower, Rosemary Guerrier …
• Pray for the departed, especially those whose year’s mind falls this month: Viv Cullen, Kenneth McCreadie, Marjorie Fraser, Henry Greer, Dorothy and Hilda Newton, Lorna Newton, Dorothy Sanderson, Jane Charlotte Smith, Ian Sneddon, Elsie Wood …
• 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 413
Now thank we all our God (words and music) | Sung at the Royal Albert Hall
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Dismissal
Let us go in peace, to love and serve the Lord!
Organ Voluntary
Edward Elgar: Nimrod | Played by Richard McVeigh at the 1861 Cavaillé-Coll organ of Nancy Cathedral in France.
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