8. Come, Lord Jesus: Holy Communion in Advent

Come, Lord Jesus:

Holy Communion in Advent

Notes

Type of service

¶ A Service of the Word with a Celebration of Holy Communion for use in Advent;

¶ A fully worked out sample, suitable for local reproduction (note that it does not include all the words required by the president).

Advent ring

A position is suggested for the lighting of appropriate candles on the Advent ring (if there is one). Other possible positions for this would be:

¶ after the sermon;

¶ before the peace;

¶ before the dismissal.

There are several different patterns of ‘meanings’ suggested for the four or five candles of the ring. Care needs to be taken that the congregation understands what the candles are signifying.

If words are said and a song sung, care is needed to maintain a sense of event. A suggested pattern is:

¶ Congregation stands;

¶ Words are said (either words of explanation, or a sentence of Scripture, or a versicle and response);

¶ Candle is lit;

¶ Song is sung.

Where the Collect follows, the congregation remain standing in silence before the president prays the Collect.

Intercessions

The response printed is F72 from the intercessions (‘We pray for the coming of God’s kingdom …’), but any form of intercessions could be used with the same response.

Eucharistic Prayer

This order is suitable as printed, for use with Prayers A, B, C, E and G, though Prayer G does not allow for a seasonal Proper Preface.

Come, Lord Jesus

A Service of the Word with a Celebration of Holy Communion in Advent

We say together the words printed in bold.

The Gathering

The Greeting

The Lord be with you

All and also with you.

One of these sentences may be used

Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem,

for the Lord has comforted his people.

Isaiah 52.9

Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors, and

the king of glory shall come in.

Psalm 24.7

Watch at all times, praying for the strength to stand with confidence

before the Son of Man.

Luke 21.36

Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing

near.

Luke 21.28

Our Lord says ‘Surely I come quickly.’ Even so; come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22.20

Prayer of Preparation

All Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayers of Penitence

Christ the Light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins.

All Most merciful God,

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

we confess that we have sinned

in thought, word and deed.

We have not loved you with our whole heart.

We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.

In your mercy

forgive what we have been,

help us to amend what we are,

and direct what we shall be;

that we may do justly,

love mercy,

and walk humbly with you, our God.

Amen.

The president declares God’s forgiveness.

Advent Ring

If there is an Advent ring, candles on it may be lit at this point.

The Collect

The Liturgy of the Word

Reading(s)

After each reading

This is the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

This, or another psalm or scriptural song, may be used