Festivals

1 January
The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
White

Collect

Almighty God,

whose blessed Son was circumcised

in obedience to the law for our sake

and given the Name that is above every name:

give us grace faithfully to bear his Name,

to worship him in the freedom of the Spirit,

and to proclaim him as the Saviour of the world;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Eternal God,

whose incarnate Son was given the Name of Saviour:

grant that we who have shared

in this sacrament of our salvation

may live out our years in the power

of the Name above all other names,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

25 January
The Conversion of Paul
White

Collect

Almighty God,

who caused the light of the gospel

to shine throughout the world

through the preaching of your servant Saint Paul:

grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion

may follow him in bearing witness to your truth;

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.

Post Communion



of Apostles and Evangelists

Almighty God,

who on the day of Pentecost

sent your Holy Spirit to the apostles

with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame,

filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel:

by the power of the same Spirit

strengthen us to witness to your truth

and to draw everyone to the fire of your love;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(or)

Lord God, the source of truth and love,

keep us faithful to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,

united in prayer and the breaking of bread,

and one in joy and simplicity of heart,

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

19 March
Joseph of Nazareth
White

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.

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.

25 March
The Annunciation of Our Lord
Principal Feast

Gold or White

Collect

We beseech you, O Lord,

pour your grace into our hearts,

that as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel,

so by his cross and passion

we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection;

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.

Post Communion

God most high,

whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh:

we thank you that in this sacrament of our redemption

you visit us with your Holy Spirit

and overshadow us by your power;

strengthen us to walk with Mary the joyful path of obedience

and so to bring forth the fruits of holiness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

23 April
George
Red

Collect

God of hosts,

who so kindled the flame of love

in the heart of your servant George

that he bore witness to the risen Lord

by his life and by his death:

give us the same faith and power of love

that we who rejoice in his triumphs

may come to share with him the fullness of the resurrection;

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.

Post Communion

Eternal God,

who gave us this holy meal

in which we have celebrated the glory of the cross

and the victory of your martyr George:

by our communion with Christ

in his saving death and resurrection,

give us with all your saints the courage to conquer evil

and so to share the fruit of the tree of life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(or)

God our redeemer,

whose Church was strengthened

by the blood of your martyr George:

so bind us, in life and death, to Christ’s sacrifice

that our lives, broken and offered with his,

may carry his death and proclaim his resurrection in the world;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

25 April
Mark
Red

Collect

Almighty God,

who enlightened your holy Church

through the inspired witness of your evangelist Saint Mark:

grant that we, being firmly grounded

in the truth of the gospel,

may be faithful to its teaching both in word and deed;

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.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

1 May
Philip and James
Red

Collect

Almighty Father,

whom truly to know is eternal life:

teach us to know your Son Jesus Christ

as the way, the truth, and the life;

that we may follow the steps

of your holy apostles Philip and James,

and walk steadfastly in the way that leads to your glory;

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.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

14 May
Matthias
Red

Collect

Almighty God,

who in the place of the traitor Judas

chose your faithful servant Matthias

to be of the number of the Twelve:

preserve your Church from false apostles

and, by the ministry of faithful pastors and teachers,

keep us steadfast in your truth;

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.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

31 May
The Visit ofthe Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth
White

Collect

Mighty God,

by whose grace Elizabeth rejoiced with Mary

and greeted her as the mother of the Lord:

look with favour on your lowly servants

that, with Mary, we may magnify your holy name

and rejoice to acclaim her Son our Saviour,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Gracious God,

who gave joy to Elizabeth and Mary

as they recognized the signs of redemption

at work within them:

help us, who have shared in the joy of this eucharist,

to know the Lord deep within us

and his love shining out in our lives,

that the world may rejoice in your salvation;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

11 June
Barnabas
Red

Collect

Bountiful God, giver of all gifts,

who poured your Spirit upon your servant Barnabas

and gave him grace to encourage others:

help us, by his example,

to be generous in our judgements

and unselfish in our service;

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.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

24 June
The Birth of John the Baptist
White

Collect

Almighty God,

by whose providence your servant John the Baptist

was wonderfully born,

and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Saviour

by the preaching of repentance:

lead us to repent according to his preaching

and, after his example,

constantly to speak the truth, boldly to rebuke vice,

and patiently to suffer for the truth’s sake;

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.

Post Communion

Merciful Lord,

whose prophet John the Baptist

proclaimed your Son as the Lamb of God

who takes away the sin of the world:

grant that we who in this sacrament

have known your forgiveness and your life-giving love

may ever tell of your mercy and your peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

29 June
Peter and Paul
Red

Collect

Almighty God,

whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul

glorified you in their death as in their life:

grant that your Church,

inspired by their teaching and example,

and made one by your Spirit,

may ever stand firm upon the one foundation,

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.

or, where Peter is celebrated alone

Almighty God,

who inspired your apostle Saint Peter

to confess Jesus as Christ and Son of the living God:

build up your Church upon this rock,

that in unity and peace it may proclaim one truth

and follow one Lord, your Son our Saviour Christ,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

3 July
Thomas
Red

Collect

Almighty and eternal God,

who, for the firmer foundation of our faith,

allowed your holy apostle Thomas

to doubt the resurrection of your Son

till word and sight convinced him:

grant to us, who have not seen, that we also may believe

and so confess Christ as our Lord and our God;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

22 July
Mary Magdalene
White

Collect

Almighty God,

whose Son restored Mary Magdalene

to health of mind and body

and called her to be a witness to his resurrection:

forgive our sins and heal us by your grace,

that we may serve you in the power of his risen life;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

God of life and love,

whose risen Son called Mary Magdalene by name

and sent her to tell of his resurrection to his apostles:

in your mercy, help us,

who have been united with him in this eucharist,

to proclaim the good news

that he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

25 July
James
Red

Collect

Merciful God,

whose holy apostle Saint James,

leaving his father and all that he had,

was obedient to the calling of your Son Jesus Christ

and followed him even to death:

help us, forsaking the false attractions of the world,

to be ready at all times to answer your call without delay;

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.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

6 August
The Transfiguration of Our Lord
Gold or White

Collect

Father in heaven,

whose Son Jesus Christ was wonderfully transfigured

before chosen witnesses upon the holy mountain,

and spoke of the exodus he would accomplish at Jerusalem:

give us strength so to hear his voice and bear our cross

that in the world to come we may see him as he is;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Holy God,

we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ:

may we who are partakers at his table

reflect his life in word and deed,

that all the world may know his power to change and save.

This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.

15 August
The Blessed Virgin Mary
White

Collect

Almighty God,

who looked upon the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary

and chose her to be the mother of your only Son:

grant that we who are redeemed by his blood

may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom;

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.

Post Communion

God most high,

whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh:

we thank you that in this sacrament of our redemption

you visit us with your Holy Spirit

and overshadow us by your power;

strengthen us to walk with Mary the joyful path of obedience

and so to bring forth the fruits of holiness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

24 August
Bartholomew
Red

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,

who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace

truly to believe and to preach your word:

grant that your Church

may love that word which he believed

and may faithfully preach and receive the same;

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.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

14 September
Holy Cross Day
Red

Collect

almighty God,

who in the passion of your blessed Son

made an instrument of painful death

to be for us the means of life and peace:

grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ

that we may gladly suffer for his sake;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Faithful God,

whose Son bore our sins in his body on the tree

and gave us this sacrament to show forth his death until he comes:

give us grace to glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

for he is our salvation, our life and our hope,

who reigns as Lord, now and for ever.

21 September
Matthew
Red

Collect

O almighty God,

whose blessed Son called Matthew the tax collector

to be an apostle and evangelist:

give us grace to forsake the selfish pursuit of gain

and the possessive love of riches

that we may follow in the way of your Son Jesus Christ,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

29 September
Michael and All Angels
White

Collect

Everlasting God,

you have ordained and constituted

the ministries of angels and mortals in a wonderful order:

grant that as your holy angels always serve you in heaven,

so, at your command,

they may help and defend us on earth;

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.

Post Communion

Lord of heaven,

in this eucharist you have brought us near

to an innumerable company of angels

and to the spirits of the saints made perfect:

as in this food of our earthly pilgrimage

we have shared their fellowship,

so may we come to share their joy in heaven;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

18 October
Luke
Red

Collect

Almighty God,

you called Luke the physician,

whose praise is in the gospel,

to be an evangelist and physician of the soul:

by the grace of the Spirit

and through the wholesome medicine of the gospel,

give your Church the same love and power to heal;

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.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

28 October
Simon and Jude
Red

Collect

Almighty God,

who built your Church upon the foundation

of the apostles and prophets,

with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone:

so join us together in unity of spirit by their doctrine,

that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you;

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.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

30 November
Andrew
Red

Collect

Almighty God,

who gave such grace to your apostle Saint Andrew

that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ

and brought his brother with him:

call us by your holy word,

and give us grace to follow you without delay

and to tell the good news of your kingdom;

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.

Post Communion

One of the Post Communions of Apostles and Evangelists is used (here).

26 December
Stephen
Red

Collect

Gracious Father,

who gave the first martyr Stephen

grace to pray for those who took up stones against him:

grant that in all our sufferings for the truth

we may learn to love even our enemies

and to seek forgiveness for those who desire our hurt,

looking up to heaven to him who was crucified for us,

Jesus Christ, our mediator and advocate,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Merciful Lord,

we thank you for the signs of your mercy

revealed in birth and death:

save us by the coming of your Son,

and give us joy in honouring Stephen,

first martyr of the new Israel;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

27 December
John
White

Collect

Merciful Lord,

cast your bright beams of light upon the Church:

that, being enlightened by the teaching

of your blessed apostle and evangelist Saint John,

we may so walk in the light of your truth

that we may at last attain to the light of everlasting life;

through Jesus Christ your incarnate Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

Grant, O Lord, we pray,

that the Word made flesh

proclaimed by your apostle John

may, by the celebration of these holy mysteries,

ever abide and live within us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

28 December
The Holy Innocents
Red

Collect

Heavenly Father,

whose children suffered at the hands of Herod,

though they had done no wrong:

by the suffering of your Son

and by the innocence of our lives

frustrate all evil designs

and establish your reign of justice and peace;

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.

Post Communion

Lord Jesus Christ,

in your humility you have stooped to share our human life

with the most defenceless of your children:

may we who have received these gifts of your passion

rejoice in celebrating the witness of the Holy Innocents

to the purity of your sacrifice

made once for all upon the cross;

for you are alive and reign, now and for ever.

Dedication Festival
Gold or White

Collect

Almighty God,

to whose glory we celebrate the dedication

of this house of prayer:

we praise you for the many blessings

you have given to those who worship you here:

and we pray that all who seek you in this place may find you,

and, being filled with the Holy Spirit,

may become a living temple acceptable to you;

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.

Post Communion

Father in heaven,

whose Church on earth is a sign of your heavenly peace,

an image of the new and eternal Jerusalem:

grant to us in the days of our pilgrimage

that, fed with the living bread of heaven,

and united in the body of your Son,

we may be the temple of your presence,

the place of your glory on earth,

and a sign of your peace in the world;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.

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