Joseph of Nazareth

19 March
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Invitation to Confession

Hear the words of the angel to Joseph:

‘You shall call his name Jesus,

for he will save his people from their sins.’

Therefore let us seek the forgiveness of God,

through Jesus the Saviour of the world.

cf Matthew 1.21

Kyrie Confession

Lord, you are gracious and compassionate:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

You are loving to all,

and your mercy is over all your creation:

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Your faithful servants bless your name

and speak of the glory of your kingdom:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Collect

God our Father,

who from the family of your servant David

raised up Joseph the carpenter

to be the guardian of your incarnate Son

and husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

give us grace to follow him

in faithful obedience to your commands;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Lectionary

Principal Service

2 Samuel 7.4-16

Psalm 89.26-36

Romans 4.13-18

Matthew 1.18-end

Second Service

Genesis 50.22- end

Matthew 2.13- end

Evening Psalms

Psalms 1, 112

Third Service

Isaiah 11.1-10

Matthew 13.54- end

Morning Psalms

Psalms 25, 147.1-12

Gospel Acclamation

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

Blessed are they who dwell in your house;

they will always be praising you.

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

Intercession

Let us pray for the Church and God’s world

and, inspired by the example of Joseph,

for grace to grow in faith and holiness

and to follow ever more closely in the way of Christ.

Joseph was the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born,

who is called the Messiah:

may we value our family life at home and in the wider family of the Church.

We pray for … [the Church universal/local]

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Joseph was not afraid to take Mary as his wife

when he learned that the child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit:

may we have no fear when we hear God’s call to his service.

We pray for … [vocations to ministry/religious life/public service]

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Joseph was a righteous man and unwilling to expose Mary to public disgrace:

may we lead lives of integrity and be concerned for the reputation of others.

We pray for … [leaders/those in public life]

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Joseph named the child Jesus,

the One who will save his people from their sins:

may we make known to others the salvation he came to bring.

We pray for those who have not heard the gospel of Christ.

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Joseph protected the infant Jesus and his mother from the wrath of Herod:

may we always seek to shield those who are weak and vulnerable.

We pray for … [the sick, suffering, helpless]

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Joseph took his family and returned to his native land:

we remember those who have died recently …

May we, with them and all the faithful departed,

be welcomed to the banquet of eternal life.

Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Almighty God,

we give you thanks for Joseph

and for the whole company of your saints in glory,

with whom in fellowship we join our prayers and praises;

by your grace may we, like them, be made perfect in your love;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Introduction to the Peace

Blessed are the peacemakers:

they shall be called children of God.

We meet in the name of Christ and share his peace.

cf Matthew 5.19

Prayer at the Preparation of the Table

Lord our God,

grant that as Joseph faithfully cared for your only Son,

born of the Virgin Mary,

so we may serve you with pure and loyal hearts;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Preface

And now we give you thanks

because in his earthly childhood

you entrusted him to the care of a human family.

In Mary and Joseph you give us an example of love and devotion to him

and also a pattern of family life.

Extended Preface

It is indeed right and good,

our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today we honour Joseph,

the just man whom you gave as husband

to the Virgin Mother of your Son,

the wise and faithful servant whom you placed over your household.

With a father’s love he cared for Jesus, your only Son,

conceived by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.

Through Christ the choirs of angels and all the powers of heaven

worship in awe before your presence.

May our voices blend with theirs,

as they sing with joy the hymn of your glory:

Post Communion

Heavenly Father,

whose Son grew in wisdom and stature

in the home of Joseph the carpenter of Nazareth

and on the wood of the cross

perfected the work of the world’s salvation:

help us, strengthened by this sacrament of his passion,

to count the wisdom of the world as foolishness,

and to walk with him in simplicity and trust;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

May the love of the Holy Family surround you.

May the joy that was Mary’s refresh you.

May the faithfulness that was Joseph’s encourage you.

May the peace of the Christ-child fill your lives.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Acclamation

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised:

there is no end of his greatness.

One generation shall praise your works to another:

and shall declare your power.

All your works praise you, Lord:

and your faithful servants bless you.

They make known the glory of your kingdom:

and speak of your power.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord:

let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Short Passages of Scripture

Joseph was the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born,

who is called the Messiah.

Matthew 1.16

Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,

for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1.20

Joseph made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had

been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled.

Matthew 2.23

When Joseph and Mary had finished everything required by the

law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town

of Nazareth.

Luke 2.39

Who then is the faithful and wise servant,

whom his master will set over his household?

Luke 12.42 (RSV)

 

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