The Gathering

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

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: W. Kitchin (1827-1912)
and M. R. Newbolt (1874-1956) alt.
Music: S. H. Nicholson (1875-1947)
Hymn Tune: CRUCIFER

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

Amen.

The Greeting

Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you

and also with you.

Words of Welcome

Prayers of Penitence

Christ himself carried up our sins in his body to the tree,
so that, free from sins,
we might live for righteousness;
by his wounds we have been healed.

1 Peter 2.24

Let us confess our sins.

Silence is kept.

Lord Jesus Christ,
we confess we have failed you as did your first disciples.
We ask for your mercy and your help.
When we take our ease
rather than watch with you:

Lord, forgive us.

Christ, have mercy.

When we bestow a kiss of peace
yet nurse enmity in our hearts:

Lord, forgive us.

Christ, have mercy.

When we strike at those who hurt us
rather than stretch out our hands to bless:

Lord, forgive us.

Christ, have mercy.

When we deny that we know you
for fear of the world and its scorn:

Lord, forgive us.

Christ, have mercy.

The president says:

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Collect

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’.

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through 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.

The Liturgy of the Word

Please sit.

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3.4b-14

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.

Will you come and follow me
If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know,
And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
Will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown
In you, and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind
If I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind,
And never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
Should your life attract or scare,
Will you let me answer prayer
In you, and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see
If I but call your name?
Will you set the pris’ners free,
And never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean
And do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean
In you, and you in me?

Will you love the ‘you’ you hide
If I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside,
And never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
To reshape the world around
Through my sight and touch and sound
In you, and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true
When you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you,
And never be the same.
In your company I’ll go
Where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow
In you, and you in me.

Words: J. L. Bell (b. 1949) and G. Maule (1958-2019)
Music: Scottish traditional melody arr. C. Tambling (1964-2015)
Hymn Tune: KELVINGROVE

Gospel Reading

An acclamation is said to herald the Gospel.

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.
Christ humbled himself and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him
and given him the name that is above every name.

Philippians 2.8,9

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

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

Glory to you, O Lord.

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’

 John 12.1-8

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Please sit after the preacher leads us in prayer.

Affirmation of Faith

Please stand with the president.

Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Though he was divine,
he did not cling to equality with God,
but made himself nothing.
Taking the form of a slave,
he was born in human likeness.
He humbled himself
and was obedient to death,
even the death of the cross.
Therefore God has raised him on high,
and given him the name above every name:
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

cf Philippians 2.6-11

Prayers of Intercession

Following an invitation to pray from the intercessor we kneel or sit to pray.

The response to the bidding.

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

Christ is our peace.
He has reconciled us to God
in one body by the cross.
We meet in his name and share his peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Preparation of the Table

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

A collection, our financial offering for the work of the church both here and around the diocese, is taken.

Hymn

Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
Urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
Sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.

Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
Speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
Teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word, receive your people’s praise.

Lord, for our land in this our generation,
Spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:
For young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt you,
Loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,
Hungry and helpless, lost indeed without you:
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.

Lord for ourselves; in living pow’r remake us –
Self on the cross and Christ upon the throne,
Past put behind us, for the future take us:
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.

Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith (b. 1926)
Music: Michael Baughen (b. 1930) arr. David Iliff (b. 1939)
Hymn Tune: LORD OF THE YEARS

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Jesus, true vine and bread of life,
ever giving yourself that the world might live,
let us share your death and passion:
make us perfect in your love.

Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer (E)

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 just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near
the whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty.
The power of the life-giving cross
reveals the judgement that has come upon the world
and the triumph of Christ crucified.
He is the victim who dies no more,
the Lamb once slain, who lives for ever,
our advocate in heaven to plead our cause,
exalting us there to join with angels and archangels,
for ever praising you and singing:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

We praise and bless you, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord;
and as we obey his command,
send your Holy Spirit,
that broken bread and wine outpoured
may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends
and, taking bread, he praised you.
He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.
Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:
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.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,
in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice
made once for all upon the cross.
Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,
we proclaim his death and resurrection
until he comes in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith:

Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.

Lord of all life,
help us to work together for that day
when your kingdom comes
and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.
Look with favour on your people,
gather us in your loving arms
and bring us with Blessed Mary and all the saints
to feast at your table in heaven.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,
for ever and ever.

Amen. (Sung)

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.

Every time we eat this bread
and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death
until he comes.

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

Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins,
have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world,
grant us peace.

Invitation to Communion

Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.

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.

Lord of the new covenant,
in Christ you draw
all people to yourself:
may we die with him
to the powers of hate
and let him show us
a world loved by you,
through Jesus Christ, the fruitful grain.  
Amen.

Choir Anthem

‘God so loved the world’

God so loved the world, God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth, believeth in him should not perish,
should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world,
God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be savèd.

God so loved the world, God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoso believeth,
believeth in him should not perish, should not perish,
but have everlasting life, everlasting life, everlasting life.

God so loved the world,
God so loved the world,
God so loved the world.

J. Stainer (1840-1901)

One or two communion hymns may be sung during the distribution as time allows. Please remain seated.

Lord Jesus, think on me,
And purge away my sin;
From earth-born passions set me free,
And make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me
Amid the battle’s strife,
In all my pain and misery
Be thou my health and life.

Lord Jesus, think on me,
Nor let me go astray;
Through darkness and perplexity
Point thou the heav’nly way.

Lord Jesus, think on me,
That, when the flood is past,
I may th’eternal brightness see,
And share thy joy at last.

Words: Bishop Synesius (375-430) translated A. W. Chatfield (1808-1896)
Music: from ‘The Psalmes in English Metre’ (1579)
adapted by W. Damon (1540-1591)
Hymn Tune: SOUTHWELL (DAMON)

O my Saviour, lifted
From the earth for me,
Draw me, in thy mercy,
Nearer unto thee.

Lift me earth-bound longings,
Fix them, Lord, above;
Draw me with the magnet
Of thy mighty love.

Lord, thine arms are stretching
Ever far and wide,
To enfold thy children
To thy loving side.

And I come, O Jesus:
Dare I turn away?
No, thy love hath conquered,
And I come today.

Bringing all my burdens,
Sorrow, sin and care;
At thy feet I lay them,
And I leave them there.

Words: W. Walsham How (1823-1897)
Music: T. R. Matthews (1826-1910)
Hymn Tune: NORTH COATES

The Post Communion Prayer

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

Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us
that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters
we do also for you:
give us the will to be the servant of others
as you were the servant of all,
and gave up your life and died for us,
but are alive and reign, now and for ever.

Amen.

Faithful God,
may we who share this banquet and follow you
glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
our salvation, life and hope,
who reigns as Lord now and for ever.
Amen.

A hymn is sung.

To God be the glory! great things he hath done;
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son;
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear his voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice:
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory; great things he hath done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood!
To ev’ry believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear his voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice:
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory; great things he hath done.

Great things he hath taught us,
Great things he hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear his voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice:
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory; great things he hath done.

Words: F. J. van Alstyne (F. J. Crosby) (1820-1915)
Music: W. H. Doane (1832-1916)
Hymn Tune: TO GOD BE THE GLORY

The Dismissal

The Blessing

Christ crucified draw you to himself,
to find in him a sure ground for faith,
a firm support for hope,
and the assurance of sins forgiven;
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 the peace of Christ.

Thanks be to God.