Morning Worship

Hymns and songs may be sung as people arrive.
Notices may be given.
As the ministers enter, the congregation stand.

THE GREETING 

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Amen

Words of welcome or introduction may be said.

HYMN

Please remain standing

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lord, direct our thoughts,
teach us to pray,
lift up our hearts to worship you
in the Spirit and in truth,
through Jesus Christ.  
Amen.

SEASONAL RESPONSES

Advent

Restore us, Lord God of hosts:
show us the light of your face, turned towards us.

Will you not give us life again:
that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your mercy, O Lord:
and grant us your salvation.

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

Followed by the lighting of the Advent Wreath

Christmas

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel:
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.

Light has sprung up for the righteous:
and joyful gladness for those who are faithful.

Glory to God in the highest:
and peace to his people on earth.

Epiphany

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe!
To you be glory and praise for ever.

From the rising of the sun to its setting
your name is proclaimed in all the world.
To you be glory and praise for ever.

When the time had fully come
you sent the Sun of Righteousness.
In him the fullness of your glory dwells.
To you be glory and praise for ever.

He was unconquered: nothing could overcome him.
He called us out of darkness into his own marvellous light.
To you be glory and praise for ever.

You gave him as a light to the nations,
and by the outpouring of his anointing Spirit
you establish us as your royal priesthood.
To you be glory and praise for ever.

According to the riches of his glory
strengthen us through his Spirit.

Root us and ground us in love,
that our lives may be a witness to your truth,
and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise.
To you be glory and praise for ever.  Amen.

Lent

Cast your burden upon the Lord:
and he will sustain you.

Create in us clean hearts, O God:
and renew a right spirit within us.

Cast us not away from your presence:
and take not your Holy Spirit from us.

Give us the joy of your saving help:
and sustain us with your life-giving Spirit.

Easter

Alleluia! Christ is risen:
he is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:
he has given us new life and hope!
He has raised Jesus from the dead!

God has claimed us as his own:
he has brought us out of darkness!
He has made us light to the world!

Alleluia! Christ is risen:
he is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Pentecost / Holy Spirit

The love of God has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us:
we dwell in him and he in us.

Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name:
make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him:
and speak of all his marvellous works.

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty:
who was and is and is to come!
Trinity

You are worthy, our Lord and God:
to receive glory and honour and power.

For you created all things:
and through your will they have their being.

You are worthy, Lamb of God, for you were slain:
and by your blood you ransomed us for God.

From every tribe and tongue and people and nation:
you made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.

To him who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb:
be blessing and honour and glory and might
for ever and ever.  Amen. 

General

Let us give thanks to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.

Before the world was made, God chose us in Christ
that we might be holy and blameless before him.

Let us praise God for the glory of his grace,
for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son.

To Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
give praise and dominion, honour and might,
for ever and ever.  Amen.

PRAYERS OF PENITENCE

Silence is kept, and then a penitential prayer is used with the following response, or some other:
 
Lord have mercy upon us.
Christ have mercy upon us.

Or we say together:

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.

ABSOLUTION

THE PEACE 

Please stand. The minister says suitable words of introduction.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

All may exchange a sign of peace

HYMN 

During which children and young people leave for Sunday School.  
A crèche is also available.

THE COLLECT

THE READINGS

Please sit.

The following response is used at the end of each reading:

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

HYMN

THE GOSPEL READING 

Please remain standing.

The following response is used at the beginning of the reading:

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
Glory to you, O Lord

And at the end of the reading:

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ.

THE SERMON / ALL-AGE ADDRESS

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 

Please stand.

Let us declare our faith in God:

either
We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
We  believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Or 
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 

During which the leader may use the following response or some other:

Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

And at the end

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers 
for the sake of your Son, 
our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

HYMN

During which the collection is taken.

Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the splendour, and the majesty;
for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
All things come  from you and of your own do we
give you.  Amen.

Please sit.

PRESENTATION FROM SUNDAY SCHOOL

THANKSGIVING

We give thanks to God for the good things that have happened during
the last week and celebrate birthdays and anniversaries

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 forever.  
Amen.

HYMN

BLESSING 

Please stand.

DISMISSAL

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

As the ministers leave, the congregation remain standing.

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included in this service, is copyright: 
© The Archbishops’ Council 2000.

Material is also included from Patterns for Worship which is copyright:
© The Central Board of Finance of the Church of England.1995

Some material included in this service is copyright: 
© Anglican Church of Canada

Praise: Acclamation and response (Resurrection) is copyright:
 © Augsburg Fortress Publishers (1975)