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Introduction

Rev Sydney Maitland
Although we can now share the Eucharist together at All Saints on a Sunday morning, we continue to publish this weekly online Liturgy of the Word for those who are not yet ready to mix in public and for our wider audience. This week we enjoy wonderful renditions of Chrustmas music, opening with hymn 21, A great and mighty wonder …
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Hymn 21
A great and mighty wonder (words and music) | Choir of Peterhouse College, Cambridge
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Collect
Almighty God, you have shed upon us the new light of your incarnate Word. May this light, enkindled in our hearts, shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of 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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Psalm
Psalm 148 (words) O praise the Lord from the heavens| Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
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Second Reading
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Hymn 28
In the bleak mid-winter (words and music) | Quire Cleveland, Ohio
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Gospel
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Sermon by Rev Sydney Maitland
Commitment to the Gospel message
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 the 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
Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, fill us with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always.
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Hymn 29
It came upon the midnight clear (words and music) | Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
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Voluntary
John Rutter: Prelude on ‘God rest ye merry gentlemen’ | Played by Anthony Hunt at Salford Roman Catholic Cathedral
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