The Gathering

Our worship begins at the sound of the bell, please stand as the sacred ministers enter, during which the introit hymn is sung.

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
does his successive journeys run, 
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.

People and realms of ev’ry tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.

Blessings abound where’er he reigns:
the pris’ner leaps to lose his chains;
the weary find eternal rest,
and all the sons of want are blest.

Let ev’ry creature rise and bring
peculiar honours to our King;
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the long Amen.

Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Music: melody from Thomas Williams’s ‘Psalmodia Evangelica’ (1789)
Hymn Tune: TRURO

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

Amen.

The Greeting

Welcome in the name of Christ.
God’s grace, mercy and peace be with you

and also with you.

Words of Welcome

Invitation to Confession

Jesus said to his apostles,
‘You are my friends if you obey my commands.’

John 15.14

Let us now confess our disobedience to him.

Silence is kept.

Lord Jesus, in your love you invite us to be your friends:
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, in your joy you choose us to go out and bear fruit:
Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, in your power you send us
to be your faithful witnesses:
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

May the Father of all mercies
cleanse us from our sins,
and restore us in his image
to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Gloria in Excelsis

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.

The Collect

Almighty God,
whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul
glorified you in their death as in their life:
grant that your Church,
inspired by their teaching and example,
and made one by your Spirit,
may ever stand firm upon the one foundation,
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Please sit.

The Liturgy of the Word

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, ‘Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.’ Peter went out and followed him; he did not realise that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’

Acts 12.1-11

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand as the gradual hymn is sung. During the hymn a procession will make its way to the centre of the nave from where the Gospel for the day is read. To symbolise our desire to turn to Christ in our daily lives, at the end of the hymn we remain standing and turn to face the place where the Gospel is proclaimed.

And can it be that I should gain
an int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, should’st die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, should’st die for me?

He left his Father’s throne above
so free, so infinite his grace;
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam’s helpless race;
’tis mercy all, immense and free;
for, O my God, it found out me.
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, should’st die for me?

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, should’st die for me?

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach the eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, should’st die for me?

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Music: Thomas Campbell (1825-1876)
Hymn Tune: SAGINA

Alleluia, alleluia.
I do not call you servants but friends,
because I have made known to you
everything that I have heard from my Father.

John 15.15

Alleluia.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’

Matthew 16.13-19

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Please sit after the preacher leads us in prayer.

The Nicene Creed

Please stand with the president.

Let us declare our faith in God.

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

Following an invitation to pray from the intercessor we kneel or sit to pray. The following response is used:

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Then at the end:

Merciful Father,

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

The Liturgy of the Sacrament

Please stand with the president.

The Peace

We are fellow-citizens with the saints
and of the household of God,
through Christ our Lord, who came and preached peace
to those who were far off and those who were near.

Ephesians 2.19,17

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

This is usually a handshake shared with those near you.

Preparation of the Table

The table is prepared, and bread and wine are placed upon it.

A hymn is sung. During this hymn a collection, our financial offering in support of the work of the church both at St. Mary’s and across our diocese, is taken.

You can place cash or giving envelopes in the collection plates as they are passed around. If you would prefer, or if you miss the plate, you can also give by tapping your contactless card or device on the giving kiosk by the door as you leave, or on our donations page.

Lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim 
till all the world adore his sacred name!

Come, Christians, follow where our Saviour trod, 
o’er death victorious, Christ the Son of God: 
Lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim 
till all the world adore his sacred name!

Led on their way by his triumphant sign, 
the hosts of God in joyful praise combine: 
Lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim 
till all the world adore his sacred name!

Each new disciple of the Crucified 
is called to bear the seal of him who died: 
Lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim 
till all the world adore his sacred name!

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, 
as thou hast promised, draw us unto thee:
Lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim 
till all the world adore his sacred name!

So let the world proclaim with one accord 
the praises of our ever-living Lord. 
Lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim 
till all the world adore his sacred name!

Words: George William Kitchin (1827-1912)
 and Michael Robert Newbolt (1874-1956) alt.
 Music: Sydney Hugo Nicholson (1875-1947)
 Hymn Tune: CRUCIFER

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Wise and gracious God,
you spread a table before us;
nourish your people with the word of life
and the bread of heaven.

Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer (B)

Please kneel or sit.

The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and good
that we should give you thanks, praise and glory,
almighty and everlasting God,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
For after his resurrection
he sent out his apostles and evangelists
to preach the gospel to all nations
and lead us in the way of truth.
Himself the chief cornerstone,
he founded his Church upon the apostles
firmly to stand for ever
as a sign of your holiness upon earth
and a living witness to all
of the way that leads to heaven.
And so with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we lift our voices
and join in their unending hymn of praise:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of pow’r and might,
heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessèd is he, O blessèd is he 
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest, 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.

Christ is the bread of life:

When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory, until you come in glory.

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 the Blessed Virgin Mary,
St Peter, St Paul, 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.

Amen.

Silence is kept.

The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.

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.

Breaking of the Bread

The president breaks the consecrated bread.

We break this bread
 to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

The Agnus Dei is sung as the bread is broken for distribution.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.

Invitation to Communion

God’s holy gifts
for God’s holy people.

Jesus Christ is holy,
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

The president and people receive communion. All baptised Christians are welcome to receive the sacrament. Please follow the guidance offered by the stewards.

If you are not baptised, or would prefer to not receive, then do still come forward for a blessing bringing this book with you so the president knows your intention.

The sacrament is available in both kinds, however if you wish to only receive the bread please do so and then return to your place. Receiving in one kind is still considered to be full communion by the Church of England. Please do not dip bread in the wine (sometimes called ‘intincting’).

To the words “The Body/Blood of Christ” the communicant replies “Amen”.

For those at home it might be helpful to use this prayer during the distribution.

Almighty God,
who inspired your apostle Saint Peter
to confess Jesus as Christ and Son of the living God:
build up your Church upon this rock,
that in unity and peace it may proclaim one truth
and follow one Lord, your Son our Saviour Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Anthem

Sung by the Choir.

Fight the good fight with all thy might; 
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right; 
lay hold on life, and it shall be 
thy joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace, 
lift up thine eyes, and seek his face; 
life with its way before us lies; 
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

Cast care aside, upon thy guide; 
lean, and his mercy will provide; 
lean, and the trusting soul shall prove 
Christ is its life, and Christ its love.

Faint not nor fear, his arms are near; 
he changeth not, and thou art dear; 
only believe, and thou shalt see 
that Christ is all in all to thee.

Words: John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811-1875)
Music: Kenneth R. Long

The following communion hymns may be sung during the distribution as time allows. Please remain seated.

Father, hear the prayer we offer:
not for ease that prayer shall be,
but for strength that we may ever
live our lives courageously.

Not for ever in green pastures
do we ask our way to be;
but the steep and rugged pathway
may we tread rejoicingly.

Not for ever by still waters
would we idly rest and stay;
but would smite the living fountains
from the rocks along our way.

Be our strength in hours of weakness,
in our wand’rings be our guide;
through endeavour, failure, danger,
Father, be thou at our side.

Words: Maria Willis (1824-1908)
Music: English traditional melody
adapted by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Hymn Tune: SUSSEX

Give me the wings of faith to rise
within the veil, and see 
the saints above, how great their joys,
how bright their glories be.

Once they were mourning here below,
their couch was wet with tears;
they wrestled hard, as we do now,
with sins and doubts and fears.

We ask them whence their vict’ry came:
they, with united breath,
ascribe the conquest to the Lamb,
their triumph to his death.

They marked the footsteps that he trod,
his zeal inspired their breast,
and, foll’wing their incarnate God,
they reached their promised rest.

Our glorious Leader claims our praise
for his own pattern giv’n;
while the long cloud of witnesses
show the same path to heav’n.

Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Music: John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876)
Hymn Tune: SAINT AGNES (DYKES)

The Post Communion Prayer

Please stand with the president who introduces a time of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’.

Almighty God,
who on the day of Pentecost
sent your Holy Spirit to the apostles
with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame,
filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel:
by the power of the same Spirit
strengthen us to witness to your truth
and to draw everyone to the fire of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Father of all,
we give you thanks and praise,
that when we were still far off
you met us in your Son and brought us home.
Dying and living, he declared your love,
gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.
May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life;
we who drink his cup bring life to others;
we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.
Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,
so we and all your children shall be free,
and the whole earth live to praise your name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A hymn is sung.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all laud we would render, O help us to see
’tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.

Words: Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908) based on 1 Timothy 1.17
Music: Welsh traditional hymn melody (1839)
Hymn Tune: SAINT DENIO

The Dismissal

The Blessing

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.

The Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.