This Sunday, 8 December there are services of Holy Communion 9:30am in St Bartholomew, Burstow; at 10am in St Mary the Virgin, Horne and at 11am in St John the Baptist, Outwood.

This week’s online service is led by the Revd Steve Bishop. To follow the service, click on the arrow here and find the words below.

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh.
Awake and harken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings!

Then cleansed be every breast from sin:
make straight the way for God within,
prepare we in our hearts a home
where such a mighty guest may come.

For thou art our salvation, Lord,
our refuge and our great reward.
Without thy grace we waste away
like flowers that wither and decay.

To heal the sick stretch out thine hand,
and bid the fallen sinner stand.
Shine forth and let thy life restore
earth’s own true loveliness once more

All praise eternal Son, to thee
whose advent doth thy people free,
whom with the Father we adore,
and Holy Ghost, for evermore.

Charles Coffin (1676-1749) trans John Chandler (1806-1876)
Tune: Winchester New, Musikalisches Handbuch der geistlichen Melodien (1690)

Lighting of the Second Advent Candle

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light.
On those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born
to us a son is given
and the government will be on his shoulders
and he will be called wonderful counsellor,
mighty God, everlasting father
the prince of peace.

God our Father,
you spoke to the prophets of old
of a Saviour who would bring peace.
You helped them to spread
the joyful message of his coming kingdom.
Help us, as we prepare to celebrate his birth,
to share with those around us
the good news of your power and love.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the light who is coming into the world. Amen.

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.

Absolution

The Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent
O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power
and come among us,
and with great might succour us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness
we are grievously hindered
in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy
may speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen

The readings
Read by Lauma Kazuša

The first reading is from Malachi 3:1-4

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

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

The Gospel reading is from Luke 3:1-6

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

Talk
by Revd Steve Bishop

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

Lord, everything in heaven and earth is yours.
All things come from you and of your own do we give you.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy 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;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Eternal God,
the light of the minds that know you,
the joy of the hearts that love you,
and the strength of the wills that serve you:
grant us so to know you that we may truly love you,
so to love you that we may truly serve you,
whose service is perfect freedom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing

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

Long ago, prophets knew
Christ would come, born a Jew,
come to make all things new,
bear his people’s burden,
freely love and pardon.
Ring bells, ring, ring, ring!
Sing choirs, sing, sing, sing!
When he comes, when he comes,
who will make him welcome?

God in time, God in man,
this is God’s timeless plan:
he will come as a man,
born himself of woman,
God divinely human.
Ring bells, ring, ring, ring!
Sing choirs, sing, sing, sing!
When he comes, when he comes,
who will make him welcome?

Mary, hail! Though afraid
she believed, she obeyed,
in her womb God is laid,
till the time expected,
nurtured and protected.
Ring bells, ring, ring, ring!
Sing choirs, sing, sing, sing!
When he comes, when he comes,
who will make him welcome?

Journey ends! Where afar
Bethl’em shines like a star,
stable door stands ajar:
unborn son of Mary,
Saviour do not tarry!
Ring bells, ring, ring, ring!
Sing choirs, sing, sing, sing!
When he comes, when he comes,
we will make him welcome!

Fred Pratt Green (1970) CCLI: 845257
Tune: Personent hodie, Piae cantiones (1582)

Organist: Peter Nye.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000), material from which is included in this service,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000.
CCLI Streaming Licence™ 1942313
PRS for Music Church Licence (CCLI) 1545501