9. Peace to God’s People: Holy Communion during the Christmas Season

Peace to God’s People:

Holy Communion during the Christmas Season

Notes

Type of service

¶    A service of Holy Communion for use at and after Christmas;

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

Response

The response

The Word was made flesh and lived among us:

and we have seen his glory.

is used in several places in the service as a common thread.

Prayers of Intercession

A suitable seasonal form should be chosen (for example F53) and any response clearly explained to the congregation.

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.

Prayer after Communion

This prayer has been printed as a presidential prayer, but the congregation could be invited to join in with it if desired.

Blessing

If a blessing is required, a suitable seasonal form could be used.

Peace to God’s People

Holy Communion during the Christmas Season

We say together the words printed in bold.

The Greeting

I bring you good news of great joy:

All   a Saviour has been born to you. Alleluia.

Unto us a child is born,

All   unto us a Son is given. Alleluia.

He is Christ the Lord. Alleluia.

All   We worship and adore him. Alleluia.

Prayers of Penitence

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.

Lord of grace and truth,

we confess our unworthiness

to stand in your presence as your children.

We have sinned:

All   forgive and heal us.

The Virgin Mary accepted your call

to be the mother of Jesus.

Forgive our disobedience to your will.

We have sinned:

All   forgive and heal us.

Your Son our Saviour

was born in poverty in a manger.

Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.

We have sinned:

All   forgive and heal us.

The shepherds left their flocks

to go to Bethlehem.

Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision.

We have sinned:

All   forgive and heal us.

The wise men followed the star

to find Jesus the King.

Forgive our reluctance to seek you.

We have sinned:

All   forgive and heal us.

May the God of all healing and forgiveness

draw us to himself,

and cleanse us from all our sins

that we may behold the glory of his Son,

the Word made flesh,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Word was made flesh and lived among us:

All   and we have seen his glory.

Gloria in Excelsis

All   Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father:

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

The Collect

Reading(s)

After each reading

This is the word of the Lord.

All   Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

The Word was made flesh and lived among us:

All   and we have seen his glory.

When the Gospel is announced

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.

All   Glory to you, O Lord.

and at the end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All   Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

This response may follow the sermon

The Word was made flesh and lived among us:

All   and we have seen his glory.

Affirmation of Faith

This, or another authorized Affirmation of Faith or Creed, is used

Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

All   Though he was divine,

he did not cling to equality with God,

but made himself nothing.

Taking the form of a slave,

he was born in human likeness.

He humbled himself

and was obedient to death,

even the death of the cross.

Therefore God has raised him on high,

and given him the name above every name:

that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

The Word was made flesh and lived among us:

All   and we have seen his glory.

A hymn may be sung.

Prayers of Intercession

The Peace

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,

and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

All   and also with you.

All may exchange a sign of peace.

Preparation of the Table

A hymn may be sung.

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

This prayer may be said

Blessed be God,

by whose grace creation is renewed,

by whose love heaven is opened,

by whose mercy we offer our sacrifice of praise.

All   Blessed be God for ever.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you.

All   And also with you.

(or)

The Lord is here.

All   His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

All   We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All   It is right to give thanks and praise.

The president praises God for his mighty acts, ending with

All   Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

[Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.]

The president recalls the Last Supper.

This acclamation may be used

Jesus Christ is Lord:

All   Lord, by your cross and resurrection

you have set us free.

You are the Saviour of the world.

The Prayer ends

All   Amen.

(or)

All   Blessing and honour and glory and power

be yours for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All   Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and for ever.

Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread

to share in the body of Christ.

All   Though we are many, we are one body,

because we all share in one bread.

Giving of Communion

The president invites the people to communion.

When the bread and wine are received each communicant replies

All   Amen.

Prayer after Communion

Silence is kept.

This prayer may be said

Son of Mary, Son of God,

we have joined the worship of the angels;

may we never lose that heavenly vision.

Like the shepherds,

we have rejoiced at the news of your birth;

help us to proclaim that message in word and deed,

to your praise and glory.

All   Amen.

The Dismissal

A hymn may be sung.

A blessing may be given.

This response is used

The Word was made flesh and lived among us:

All   and we have seen his glory.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All   In the name of Christ. Amen.

A service from New Patterns for Worship. Compilation copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2002.