This Sunday, 22 December there is a service of Holy Communion at 9:30am in St Bartholomew, Burstow; a Crib Service at 10am in St Mary the Virgin, Horne; and Christmas Carol Services at 4:30pm in St John the Baptist, Outwood and at 6:30pm in St Mary the Virgin, Horne.

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

Tell out my soul, the greatness of the Lord
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
Tender to me the promise of his word;
In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name:
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
His mercy sure, from age to age the same;
His holy name, the Lord, the mighty one.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might:
Pow’rs and dominions lay their glory by;
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
The hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word:
Firm is his promise and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul the greatness of the Lord
To children’s children and for evermore.

Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926-2024) based on Luke 1:46-55
© Timothy Dudley-Smith, administered by Oxford University Press in Europe
Used by permission. CCLI: 845257
Tune: Woodlands, Walter Greatorex (1877-1949)

The Lord be with you
And with your spirit

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations
into the peace of your kingdom:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

You come in word and sacrament
to strengthen us in holiness:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

You will come in glory
with salvation for your people:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

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.

The Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
God our redeemer,
who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son:
grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Absolution

The readings
Read by Sue Wates

The first reading is from Micah 5:2-5

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 1:39-45

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

Talk
by Revd Alan Bayes

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.

Heavenly Father,
who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of the promised saviour:
fill us your servants with your grace,
that in all things we may embrace your holy will
and with her rejoice in your salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Blessing
Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you,
scatter the darkness from before your path,
and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
be with you all now and for ever. Amen.

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver;
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us for ever;
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thy own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Tune: Cross of Jesus, John Stainer (1840-1901)

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