Our usual Sunday service of Eucharist is below.
Click here to see this Sunday’s service, HYMNS AND BIBLE READINGS for today
Church of the Holy Ghost:
Sunday Eucharist 2023
The Liturgy of the Word
The opening hymn is sung as the ministers enter. The people stand.
The Priest says:
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
People and also with you.
The Priest says:
Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.
The Priest introduces the confession.
All say: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name.
Amen
The Priest says
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All stand and sing:one of the following versions of Gloria in excelsis Deo
Said
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.
Or sung
Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo! (Sung twice)
Lord God, heavenly King, peace you bring to us,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we sing our song of praise. (Refrain)
Jesus Saviour of all, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away our sin, O Lord: have mercy on us all. (Refrain)
At the Father’s right hand, Lord, receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One and you alone are Lord. (Refrain).
Glory, Father and Son, glory, Holy Spirit.
To you we lift our hands up high; we glorify your name. (Refrain).
In Advent and Lent instead of the Gloria, we say or sing:
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Collect
The Priest says to the people
Let us pray
The Priest says the Collect. At the end all say: Amen.
The Readings
The people sit.
The reader announces: A reading from the book of …
After the reading the reader says: This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
There may be a time of silence after the reading.
All stand to sing: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
A minister reads the Gospel beginning with these words:
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to …
All Glory to you, O Lord.
At the end of the reading the minister says: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
The Sermon
After this all stand and say The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
The prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
¶ The Church of Christ
¶ Creation, human society, those in authority
¶ The local community
¶ Those who suffer
¶ The communion of saints
These responses may be used
Lord, in your mercy
All : hear our prayer.
And at the end
Merciful Father,
All accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Peace
All stand: The Priest introduces the Peace and says
The peace of the Lord be always with you
People and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
All may exchange a sign of peace.
Preparation of the Table
Taking of the Bread and Wine
A hymn is sung.
The gifts of the people are gathered and presented.
The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it. A prayer may be said.
The Priest takes the bread and wine, saying these words.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
through your goodness we have this bread to set before you,
which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of life.
All Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
through your goodness we have this wine to set before you,
fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
It will become for us the cup of salvation.
All Blessed be God for ever.
The Prayer of Thanksgiving
(If a long Preface is used, it replaces all words between the opening dialogue and the Sanctus.)
Priest: 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.
Father, we give you thanks and praise through your beloved Son Jesus Christ, your living Word, through whom you have created all things; who was sent by you in your great goodness to be our Saviour. By the power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh; as your Son, born of the blessed Virgin, he lived on earth and went about among us; he opened wide his arms for us on the cross; he put an end to death by dying for us; and revealed the resurrection by rising to new life; so he fulfilled your will and won for you a holy people.
(A short Preface may be inserted here)
Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:
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.
Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Great is the mystery of faith:
All Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of (St N. and) all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.
All Amen.
Breaking bread and sharing in Communion
The Priest says
Let us pray as our Saviour has taught us.
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.
The Priest breaks the consecrated bread, saying:
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.
All: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, mercy on us. (said twice)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.
Priest: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word, and I shall be healed.
Or from Easter to Pentecost
Alleluia! Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us,
All: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
Or during Christmastide and on other special occasions
God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people.
All Jesus Christ is holy,
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, then distribute it to the people.
All who have been confirmed in the Church of England, or who belong to other Christian traditions and are used to receiving communion in their own church, are welcome to share in the bread and wine. Those who wish to receive a blessing are asked to come forward carrying their order of service, so that the ministers can recognise them.
The bread and cup are offered to the communicants with these words:
The Body (Blood) of Christ. [Amen.]
During the distribution of Communion hymns and Psalms may be sung.
After the Communion the Priest says: Let us pray and may say a prayer.
All may say:
Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.
A hymn is sung.
The Priest blesses the people in these or other suitable words,
The peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
A minister says
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All In the name of Christ. Amen.
Or in Eastertide
Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia!
All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!
Common Worship, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000-2006.
You may use this QR code to download the service.
Common Worship, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000-2006.
Sunday’s Hymns and Readings
Church of the Holy Ghost – Eucharist for the First Sunday of Advent
Entrance Hymn
1 Hark! A herald voice is calling:
‘Christ is nigh,’ it seems to say;
‘Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day!’
2 Startled at the solemn warning,
Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.
3 Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heaven;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven;
4 So when next he comes in glory,
And the earth is wrapped in fear,
May he then as our defender
On the clouds of heaven appear.
5 Honour, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit,
While unending ages run.
Kyrie eleison
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The Collect
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 64.1-9
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity for ever. Now consider, we are all your people.
Psalm 80
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, ♦ you that led Joseph like a flock;
2 Shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, ♦
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
3 Stir up your mighty strength ♦ and come to our salvation.
Turn us again, O God; ♦ show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
5 O Lord God of hosts, ♦ how long will you be angry at your people’s prayer?
6 You feed them with the bread of tears; ♦ you give them abundance of tears to drink.
7 You have made us the derision of our neighbours, ♦ and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Turn us again, O God of hosts; ♦ show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
18 Let your hand be upon the man at your right hand, ♦
the son of man you made so strong for yourself.
19 And so will we not go back from you; ♦ give us life, and we shall call upon your name.
Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; ♦
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Acclamation
Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart.
Gospel Reading: Mark 13:24-37
Jesus said to the disciples, ‘In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’
The first Advent candle is lit.
People of God: awake! The day is coming soon when you shall see God face to face. Remember the ways and the works of God. God calls you out of darkness to walk in the light of his coming. You are God’s children.
Lord,make us one as we walk with Christ today and for ever. Amen.
Offertory Hymn
1 Wake, O wake! With tidings thrilling
the watchmen all the air are filling,
arise, Jerusalem, arise!
Midnight strikes! No more delaying,
‘The hour has come!’ we hear them saying,
‘where are ye all, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes in sight,
raise high your torches bright!’
Alleluia!
The wedding song swells loud and strong:
go forth and join the festal throng.
2 Zion hears the watchmen shouting,
her heart leaps up with joy undoubting,
she stands and waits with eager eyes;
see her Friend from heaven descending,
adorned with truth and grace unending!
Her light burns clear, her star doth rise.
Now come, thou precious Crown,
Lord Jesus, God’s own Son!
Alleluia!
Let us prepare to follow there,
where in thy supper we may share.
3 Every soul in thee rejoices;
from earth and from angelic voices
be glory given to thee alone!
Now the gates of pearl receive us,
thy presence never more shall leave us,
we stand with angels round thy throne.
Earth cannot give below
the bliss thou dost bestow.
Alleluia!
Grant us to raise, to length of days,
the triumph-chorus of thy praise.
Prayer after Communion
O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sending Hymn
1 Lo! he comes with clouds descending,
Once for favoured sinners slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluya! Alleluya! Alleluya!
God appears, on earth to reign.
2 Every eye shall now behold him
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at nought and sold him,
Pierced and nailed him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, Deeply wailing, Deeply wailing
Shall the true Messiah see.
3 Those dear tokens of his passion
Still his dazzling body bears,
Cause of endless exultation
To his ransomed worshippers:
With what rapture, With what rapture, With what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!
4 Yea, Amen! let all adore thee,
High on thine eternal throne;
Saviour, take the power and glory:
Claim the kingdom for thine own:
O come quickly! O come quickly! O come quickly!
Alleluya! Come, Lord, come!
Notices
- Advent begins today. Members of the congregation who have the resources to do so are again invited to take part in this year’s “Reverse Advent Calendar” project, putting a non-perishable item for the food bank in a bag or basket each day from now until Christmas Eve and bringing everything that they have collected to church on 24th or 25th December.
- During Advent the church will be open each weekday from Tuesday to Friday at 17:30 for Evening Prayer. All are welcome.
- The Church Council meets today.
- At the Eucharist on Wednesday at 12:30 we remember St Nicholas, the original Santa Claus.
You may use this QR code to download the rest of the service.
Common Worship, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000-2006.