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Introduction
Rev Sydney Maitland
This week we enjoy singing from the cathedrals of Ely, Lichfield, Lincoln and Sheffield, concluding with an organ voluntary from St Catherine’s Church in Hamburg, where JS Bach himself once played. We open our Liturgy of the Word with hymn 9, Lo He comes with clouds descending …
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Hymn 9
Lo He comes with clouds descending (words and music) | Choir of Lichfield Cathedral. ‘The descant by the choristers during the last verse is absolutely stunning’.
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Collect
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility, that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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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 80: 1-7, 16-18 (words) Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel | Choir of Lincoln Cathedral
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Second Reading
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Hymn 16
Wake O wake (words and music) | Choir of Sheffield Cathedral
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Gospel
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Sermon by Rev Sydney Maitland
A time to reassert our place in the providence 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: …
• 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 18
Ye servants of the Lord (words and music) | Choirs of Ely Cathedral and Marlborough College
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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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