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.

Of the Father’s heart begotten.
ere the world from chaos rose,
he is Alpha: from that Fountain
all that is and hath been flows;
he is Omega, of all things
yet to come the mystic Close,
evermore and evermore.

O how blest that wondrous birthday,
when the Maid the curse retrieved,
brought to birth mankind’s salvation,
by the Holy Ghost conceived;
and the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
in her loving arms received,
evermore and evermore.

This is he, whom seer and sibyl
sang in ages long gone by;
this is he of old revealèd
in the page of prophecy;
lo! he comes, the promised Saviour;
let the world his praises cry,
evermore and evermore.

Sing, ye heights of heav’n, his praises;
angels and Archangels, sing!
Where-so-e’er ye be, ye faithful,
let your joyous anthems ring,
e’vry tongue his name confessing,
countless voices answering,
evermore and evermore.

Words: (Latin) Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413)
translated by Robert Davis (1866-1937)
Music: Plainsong melody
adapted by Theodoricus Petrus in ‘Piae Cantiones’ (1582)
Hymn Tune: CORDE NATUS (DIVINUM MYSTERIUM)

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

On this day when we recall the murder of innocent lives,
let us stand before our just and holy God,
and remembering the violence and injustice of our world,
confess our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

You are the God of the weak and the vulnerable.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

You judge the tyrant and the cruel.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

You wipe away the tears of the broken-hearted.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Father eternal, giver of light and grace,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,
in what we have thought,
in what we have said and done,
through ignorance, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We have wounded your love,
and marred your image in us.
We are sorry and ashamed,
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 lead us out from darkness
to walk as children of light.
Amen.

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.

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

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

Heavenly Father,
whose children suffered at the hands of Herod,
though they had done no wrong:
by the suffering of your Son
and by the innocence of our lives
frustrate all evil designs
and establish your reign of justice and peace;
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.

Please sit.

The Liturgy of the Word

A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah.

Thus says the Lord: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more. Thus says the Lord: Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for there is a reward for your work,
says the Lord: they shall come back from the land of the enemy; there is hope for your future, says the Lord: your children shall come back to their own country.

Jeremiah 31.15-17

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn

Please stand as the gradual hymn is sung. 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.

What child is this who, laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
come, greet the infant Lord,
the babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies he in such mean estate,
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear: for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear, shall pierce him through,
the cross be borne for me, for you:
hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring him incense, gold and myrrh,
come rich and poor, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
the Virgin sings her lullaby:
joy, joy, for Christ is born,
the babe, the Son of Mary!

Words: William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898) alt.
Music: English traditional melody
arranged by John Stainer (1840-1901)
Hymn Tune: GREENSLEEVES

Gospel Reading

Alleluia, alleluia.

Never despise these little ones;
their guardian angels in heaven look continuously
on the face of my heavenly Father.

Matthew 18.10

Alleluia.

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

Glory to you, O Lord.

Now after the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’ When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’

Matthew 2.13-18

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

‘I will comfort you,’ says the Lord, ‘as a mother comforts her child, and you shall be comforted.’

Isaiah 66.13

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.

Through all the changing scenes of life,
in trouble and in joy,
the praises of my God shall still
my heart and tongue employ.

O magnify the Lord with me,
with me exalt his name;
when in distress to him I called,
he to my rescue came.

The hosts of God encamp around
the dwellings of the just;
deliv’rance he affords to all
who on his succour trust.

O make but trial of his love:
experience will decide
how blest are they, and only they,
who in his truth confide.

Fear him, ye saints, and you will then
have nothing else to fear;
make you his service your delight,
your wants shall be his care.

To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
the God whom we adore,
be glory as it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

Words: Psalm 34 in ‘New Version’ (Tate and Brady, 1696)
Music: George Thomas Smart (1776-1867)
Hymn Tune: WILTSHIRE

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Pour upon the poverty of our love,
and the weakness of our praise,
the transforming fire of your presence.

Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer (A)

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.

All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere,
mighty creator, ever-living God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In love for our fallen human race,
you sent your Son into the world to lighten our darkness.
In his life he rejoiced in the innocence and beauty of children;
in his death he carried in his body
the violence and cruelty of our world;
in his resurrection he brought life and salvation to his people
and began the new creation.
As our ascended and merciful high priest,
he hears our cries and knows our grief;
and will come as universal Lord to whom all must give account.

Therefore with all the angels of heaven
we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name
and sing our joyful hymn of praise:

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.

Accept our praises, heavenly Father,
through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and as we follow his example and obey his command,
grant that by the power of the Holy Spirit
these gifts of bread and wine
may be to us his body and his blood:
who in the same night that he was betrayed,
he 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.

Therefore, heavenly Father,
we remember his offering of himself
made once for all upon the cross;
we proclaim his might resurrection and glorious ascension;
we look for the coming of your kingdom,
and with this bread and this cup
we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.

Great is the mystery of faith;

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

Accept through him, our great high priest,
this our sacrifice of thanks and praise,
and as we eat and drink these holy gifts
in the presence of your divine majesty,
renew us by your Spirit,
inspire us with your love
and unite us in the body of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through him, and with him, and in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
with all who stand before you in earth and heaven,
we worship you, Father almighty,
in songs of everlasting praise:

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours 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.

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

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.

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you  
for all the benefits you have won for us,
for all the pains and insults you have borne for us.
Most merciful redeemer,  
friend and brother,
may we know you more clearly,  
love you more dearly,  
and follow you more nearly  
day by day.
Amen.

Words: St. Richard of Chichester

Anthem

Unto us is born a Son,
King of quires supernal:
see on earth his life begun,
of lords the Lord eternal.
of lords the Lord eternal.

Christ, from heav’n descending low,
comes on earth a stranger;
ox and ass their owner know,
be-cradled in the manger,
be-cradled in the manger.

This did Herod sore affray,
and grievously bewilder,
so he gave the word to slay,
and slew the little childer,
and slew the little childer.

Of his love and mercy mild
this the Christmas story;
and O that Mary’s gentle Child
might lead us up to glory,
might lead us up to glory!

O and A, and A and O,
Cum cantibus in choro,
let our merry organ go,
Benedicamus Domino,
Benedicamus Domino.

Words & Music: from ‘Piae Cantiones (1582)
English translation: George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934)
Music arrangement: David Valentine Willcocks (1919-2015)

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

In the bleak mid-winter
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow,
snow on snow,
in the bleak mid-winter
long ago.

Our God, heav’n cannot hold him
nor earth sustain;
heav’n and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign:
in the bleak mid-winter
a stable-place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ.

Enough for him, whom cherubim
worship night and day,
a breastful of milk
and a mangerful of hay;
enough for him, whom angels
fall down before,
the ox and ass and camel
which adore.

What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
if I were a Wise Man
I would do my part,
yet what I can I give him,
give my heart.

Words: Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894)
Music: Gustav Theodore Holst (1874-1934)

Blest are the pure in heart,
for they shall see our God,
the secret of the Lord is theirs,
their soul is Christ’s abode.

The Lord, who left the heav’ns
our life and peace to bring,
to dwell in lowliness with men,
their pattern and their King.

Still to the lowly soul
he doth himself impart,
and for his dwelling and his throne
chooseth the pure in heart.

Lord, we thy presence seek;
may ours this blessing be;
give us a pure and lowly heart,
a temple meet for thee.

Words: John Keble (1792-1866) and others
Music: from ‘Harmonischer Liederschatz’ (1738)
adapted by William Henry Havergal (1793-1870)
Hymn Tune: FRANCONIA

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,
in your humility you have stooped to share our human life
with the most defenceless of your children:
may we who have received these gifts of your passion
rejoice in celebrating the witness of the Holy Innocents
to the purity of your sacrifice
made once for all upon the cross;
for you are alive and reign, now and for ever.

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.

See amid the winter’s snow, 
born for us on earth below; 
see the tender Lamb appears, 
promised from eternal years: 
Hail, thou ever-blessèd morn! 
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! 
Sing through all Jerusalem, 
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Lo, within a manger lies 
he who built the starry skies; 
he who, throned in height sublime, 
sits amid the cherubim: 
Hail, thou ever-blessèd morn! 
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! 
Sing through all Jerusalem, 
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Say, ye holy shepherds, say
what your joyful news today;
wherefore have ye left your sheep
on the lonely mountain steep?
Hail, thou ever-blessèd morn! 
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! 
Sing through all Jerusalem, 
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

‘As we watched at dead of night,
lo, we saw a wondrous light;
angels singing “Peace on earth” 
told us of the Saviour’s birth.’
Hail, thou ever-blessèd morn! 
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! 
Sing through all Jerusalem, 
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Teach, O teach us, Holy Child,
by thy face so meek and mild,
teach us to resemble thee,
in thy sweet humility:
Hail, thou ever-blessèd morn! 
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! 
Sing through all Jerusalem, 
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Words: Edward Caswall (1814-1878)
Music: John Goss (1800-1880)
Hymn Tune: HUMILITY (OXFORD)

The Dismissal

The Blessing

God, who gives life to the dead and comfort to the desolate,
sustain you, keep you and console you,
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

Let the little children come to me

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

Whoever does not receive the kingdom of heaven like a child

will never enter it.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.