19 March
White
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.
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)
Common Worship: Festivals, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2008 and published by Church House Publishing.