The Parish Church of St Paul, Drighlington

HOLY COMMUNION DURING EPIPHANY

Welcome to this house of prayer

Thought:Watching & waiting is not enough –

the Magi teach us that in order to find we must respond, risk everything, follow that star

PrayerGrant us the wisdom that comes from being willing to take risks,

to follow intuitions and to travel in strange company

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to that place where the ultimate wisdom lies revealed before us.

We stand to sing a HYMN

THE GREETING

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe.From the rising of the sun to its settingyour name is proclaimed in all the world.

The Lord of glory be with youand also with you.

THE PREPARATION

Almighty God,to whom all hearts are open, all desires known,and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our heartsby the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,that we may perfectly love you,and worthily magnify your holy name;through Christ our Lord. Amen

THE CONFESSION

The grace of God has dawned upon the world through our Saviour Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself for us to purify a people as his own.’

 Silence is kept for reflection 

Lord Jesus, illuminate the darkness in our hearts:Lord have mercyLord have mercy.

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Lord Jesus, open our eyes to your saving love:Christ have mercy.Christ have mercy.Lord Jesus, unstop our ears to hear your living word:Lord have mercyLord have mercy.

We receive God’s forgivenessMay almighty God,who sent his Son into the world to save sinners,bring you his pardon and his peace, now and forever.Amen

Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo!Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

Let us pray

Silence is kept COLLECT for the day

We sit for READINGS from the Old and New Testaments

We stand to sing a HYMN

We turn to face THE GOSPEL

Alleluia, alleluia,Christ was revealed in the flesh, proclaimed among the nationsand believed in throughout the world.Alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N

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Glory to you, O Lord

This is the Gospel of the LordGlory to you, O Christ

We sit for THE ADDRESS

We stand for the CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,born of the Virgin Mary,suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died and was buried;he descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again;he ascended into heaven,he is seated at the right hand of the Father,and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.

Please sit for THE PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION This response: may be used

Lord in your mercy,Hear our prayer. 

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EndingMerciful Fatheraccept these prayers for the sake of your Son,our Saviour, Jesus Christ Amen

Silence is kept after the intercessions

We stand to share THE PEACE

Christ is our peace.If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation.The old has passed away: behold, everything has become new.

The peace of the Lord be always with youand also with you

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

We stand to sing a HYMN during which the Collection is takenand the bread and wine brought to the altar. We remain standing THE EUCHARIST 

The Lord is hereHis Spirit is with us

 Lift up your heartsWe lift them to the Lord

 Let us give thanks to the Lord our GodIt is right to give thanks and praise

The president praises God for his mighty acts

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Holy, holy, holy, holyLord of power, Lord of might;Heav’n and earth are filled with glory,Sing Hosanna ever moreBlest and holy, blest and holyHe who comes from God on high.Raise your voices, sing his glory,Praise his name for ever more

The president recalls the Last Supper

Jesus Christ is Lord:Lord, by your cross and resurrectionYou have set us free.You are the Saviour of the world.

The prayer continues and we respondAmen.

We sit

Silence is kept

Believing the promises of God, as our Saviour has taught us, so we pray

Our Father who art in heaven,hallowed be they name;thy Kingdom come;thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation;

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but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The president breaks the consecrated bread

We break the bread of life,and that life is the light of the world.God here among us,light in the midst of us,bring us to light and life.

God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people.Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.

 GIVING OF COMMUNION

All are welcome to receive the bread and the wine or a blessing.The servers and administrants receive first followed by the choir.

We sit to sing during communion

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Eternal God, giver of love and power,your son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the worldto preach the gospel of his kingdom:confirm us in this mission, and help us live the good news we proclaim;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

We remain seated for THE BLESSING

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Christ the son of God perfect in you the image of his glory and gladden your hearts with the good news of his kingdom;And the blessing …..Amen

THE JUNIOR CHURCH – will share what they have been doing

THE NOTICES and BANNS OF MARRIAGE

We stand for the HYMN (the choir leave during the final verse)

The DISMISSAL

We have seen his glory, the glory revealed to all the nations.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.In the name of Christ. Amen 

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