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Introduction
Rev Sydney Maitland
As we approach Christmas, this week’s Liturgy of the Word features choral music from two other All Saints churches – in London and Northampton – as well as organ music from Hamburg. We open our worship with hymn 186, Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord …
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Hymn 186
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord (words and music) | Congregation of St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast
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Collect
Heavenly Father, who chose the Virgin Mary, full of grace, to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour: now fill us with your grace, that we in all things may embrace your will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
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First 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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Second Reading
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Hymn 501
Drop down, ye heavens, from above (Advent Prose) (words and music) | Choir of All Saints, Margaret Street, London
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Gospel
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Sermon by Rev Sydney Maitland
The promises and purposes 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 hecame 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.
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Intercessions
• Pray for the world and its people, for those who suffer and those in need …
• Pray for Church and its members, especially Jenny M, Douglas N, Catriona M, Brenda M, Claire, Joanna, Elena J, Jessie B …
• Pray for the departed, especially those whose year’s mind falls this month: George Staines, Margaret and William Marshall, Alan Colvin, Robert Murray, Patrick Lauderdale, Neil Ross, Margaret Deed …
• 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.‘
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.
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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 you and remain with us always. Amen.
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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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Voluntary
JS Bach: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme | Played by Wolfgang Zerer at St Catherine’s Church, Hamburg, for All of Bach
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