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.

Christ is made the sure foundation;  
and the precious cornerstone,  
who, the two walls underlying,  
bound in each, binds both in one,  
holy Sion’s help for ever,  
and her confidence alone.

To this temple, where we call thee,  
come, O Lord of hosts, today;  
with thy wonted loving-kindness,  
hear thy people as they pray;  
and thy fullest benediction  
shed within its walls for ay.

Laud and honour to the Father,  
laud and honour to the Son,  
laud and honour to the Spirit,  
ever Three and ever One,  
one in love, and One in splendour, 
while unending ages run.

Words: Latin c. 7^th century
translated by John Mason Neale (1818-1866)
Music: Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Hymn Tune: WESTMINSTER ABBEY

The Greeting

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

Amen.

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe.

From the rising of the sun to its setting
your name is proclaimed in all the world.

The Lord of glory be with you.

The Lord bless you.

Words of Welcome

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 that we may be faithful to our baptism.’

Eternal Father,
who at the baptism of Jesus
revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit:
grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit,
that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children;
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 book of the prophet Isaiah.

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

Isaiah 42.1-9

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.

Firmly I believe and truly
God is Three, and God is One,
and I next acknowledge duly
manhood taken by the Son.

And I trust and hope most fully
in that Manhood crucified;
and each thought and deed unruly
do to death, as he has died.

Simply to his grace and wholly
light and life and strength belong,
and I love supremely, solely,
him the holy, him the strong.

And I hold in veneration,
for the love of him alone,
holy Church as his creation,
and her teachings as his own.

Adoration ay be given,
with and through th’angelic host,
to the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

Words: John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
Music: Warwickshire ballad arranged and harmonised
by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Hymn Tune: SHIPSTON

Gospel Reading

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

Glory to you, O Lord.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptised by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptised, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

Matthew 3.13-end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Please sit after the preacher leads us in prayer.

Thanksgiving for Holy Baptism

Please stand.

Water is poured into the font with these words.

God in Christ gives us water welling up for eternal life.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Lord, give us this water and we shall thirst no more.

The president stands before the water and says:

Praise God who made heaven and earth,

who keeps his promise for ever.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

Father, we give you thanks and praise
for your gift of water in creation;
for your Spirit, sweeping over the waters,
bringing light and life;
for your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
baptised in the river Jordan.
We bless you for your new creation,
brought to birth by water and the Spirit,
and for your grace bestowed upon us your children,
washing away our sins.
May your holy and life-giving Spirit
move upon these waters.
Restore through them the beauty of your creation,
and bring those who are baptised
to new birth in the family of your Church.
Drown sin in the waters of judgement,
anoint your children with power from on high,
and make them one with Christ
in the freedom of your kingdom.
For all might, majesty, dominion and power are yours,
now and for ever.

Alleluia. Amen.

The Prayer over the Water is followed by this act of penitence and dedication.

God of truth,
you are faithful to the covenant you have made with us;
look in mercy on your people.

From all our sins, O Lord:

wash us, and we shall be clean.

We have broken the pledges of our baptism,
and failed to be your disciples.

From all our sins, O Lord:

wash us, and we shall be clean.

Though we are saved by Christ
and dead to sin through the deep waters of death,
we have not witnessed to his grace by our manner of life.

From all our sins, O Lord:

wash us, and we shall be clean.

We have shown indifference to those in need
and have been afraid to stand up for justice and truth.

From all our sins, O Lord:

wash us, and we shall be clean.

We have been slow to forgive, and have failed to remember
your repeated forgiveness of our sins.

From all our sins, O Lord:

wash us, and we shall be clean.

Today we rejoice and give thanks
because your Son humbled himself to be baptised in the Jordan.
Through the waters you have given us the mystery of baptism
for the remission of our sins.

From all our sins, O Lord:

wash us, and we shall be clean.

Through water and Spirit
you give us new life as the people of God,
and pour out upon us the gifts of your new covenant.
From all our sins, O Lord:

wash us, and we shall be clean.

Almighty God,
in our baptism you have consecrated us
to be temples of your Holy Spirit.
May we, whom you have counted worthy,
nurture your indwelling Spirit with a lively faith,
and worship you with upright lives;
through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

The water is sprinkled over the people before 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.

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

God has made us one in Christ.
He has set his seal upon us and, as a pledge of what is to come,
has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts. Alleluia.

cf 2 Corinthians 1.22

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.

Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,
manifested by the star 
to the sages from afar;
branch of royal David’s stem,
in thy birth at Bethlehem;
anthems be to thee addressed:
God in man, made manifest.

Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
prophet, priest and King supreme,
and at Cana wedding-guest,
in the Godhead manifest,
manifest in pow’r divine,
changing water into wine;
anthems be to thee addressed:
God in man, made manifest.

Manifest in making whole,
palsied limbs and fainting soul,
manifest in valiant fight,
quelling all the devil’s might,
manifest in gracious will,
ever bringing good from ill;
anthems be to thee addressed:
God in man, made manifest.

Sun and moon shall darkened be,
stars shall fall, the heav’ns shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine,
all will see his glorious sign.
All will then the trumpet hear,
all will see the judge appear;
thou by all wilt be confessed:
God in man, made manifest.

Grant us grace to see thee, Lord,
mirrored in thy holy word;
may we imitate thee now,
and be pure, as pure art thou;
that we like to thee may be
at thy great Epiphany,
and may praise thee, ever blest,
God in man, made manifest.

Words: Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885)
Music: Charles Steggall (1826-1905)
Hymn Tune: SAINT EDMUND

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Open the heavens, Lord our God,
and send your transforming Spirit
on us and on these gifts.
May we who are baptised into Christ
be ready to share his cup of suffering
and strengthened to serve him for ever.

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 truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
You celebrated your new gift of baptism
in signs and wonders at the Jordan.
Your voice was heard from heaven
to awaken faith in the presence among us
of your Word made flesh.
Your Spirit was seen as a dove,
revealing Jesus as your servant,
and anointing him with the oil of gladness
to preach the good news to the poor.
Therefore, as we celebrate the union of earth and heaven,
we rejoice to echo the song of the angels in heaven
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.

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.

Great is the mystery of faith:

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

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
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

Believing the promises of God, 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 the bread of life,
and that life is the light of the world.

God here among us,
light in the midst of us,
bring us to light and life.

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’).

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

Heavenly Father,
at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:
may we recognise him as our Lord
and know ourselves to be your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.

Anthem

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

Then cleansed be every Christian breast, 
and furnished for so great a guest! 
Yea, let us each our heart prepare
for Christ to come and enter there.

For thou art our salvation, Lord, 
our refuge and our great reward; 
without thy grace we waste away 
like flow’rs that wither and decay.

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

Words: Charles Coffin (1676-1749)
translated by John Chandler (1806-1876)
and the editors of ‘Hymns & Psalms’
Music: from ‘Musikalisches Handbuch’ (1690)
arranged by Malcolm Archer (b. 1952)

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

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘Come unto me and rest;
lay down, thou weary one, lay down
thy head upon my breast.’
I came to Jesus as I was,
so weary, worn and sad;
I found in him a resting place,
and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one;
stoop down and drink and live.’
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘I am this dark world’s light;
look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
and all thy day be bright.’
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk
till trav’lling days are done.

Words: Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)
Music: English traditional melody adapted and arranged by
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Hymn Tune: KINGSFOLD

Morning has broken, like the first morning;
blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning,
praise for them springing fresh from the Word.

Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlit from heaven,
like the first dew-fall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where his feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning,
born of the one light Eden saw play.
Praise with elation, praise ev’ry morning,
God’s re-creation of the new day.

Words: Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965)
Music: Gaelic traditional melody
Hymn Tune: BUNESSAN

The Post Communion Prayer

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

Lord of all time and eternity,
you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father
in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son:
by the power of your Spirit
complete the heavenly work of our rebirth
through the waters of the new creation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

We thank you, Lord,
that you have fed us in this sacrament,
united us with Christ,
and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet
prepared for all peoples.
Amen.

A hymn is sung.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; 
be all else but naught to me, save that thou art, 
be thou my best thought in the day and the night, 
both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word, 
be thou ever with me, and I with thee, Lord, 
be thou my great Father, and I thy true son, 
be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight, 
be thou my whole armour, be thou my true might, 
be thou my soul’s shelter, be thou my strong tow’r, 
O raise thou me heav’nward, great Pow’r of my pow’r.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, 
be thou mine inheritance now and always, 
be thou and thou only the first in my heart, 
O Sov’reign of heaven, my treasure thou art. 

High King of heaven, thou heaven’s bright Sun, 
O grant me its joys after vict’ry is won, 
great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, 
still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.  

Words: Irish (c. 8th century)
Translated by Mary Byrne (1880-1931)
and Eleanor Hull (1860-1935)
Music: Irish traditional melody
Hymn Tune: SLANE

The Dismissal

Acclamation

The Father’s voice bears witness to the Son.

God has revealed himself to us.

The Son bows his head beneath the waters of baptism.

God has revealed himself to us.

The Spirit as a dove descends from heaven.

God has revealed himself to us.

Submitting to John’s baptism, Christ delivers us from bondage.

God has revealed himself to us.

The Dismissal Gospel

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

Glory to you, O Lord.

John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

John 1.32-34

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

The Blessing

May God the Father,
who led the wise men by the shining of a star
to find the Christ, the Light from Light,
lead you also in your pilgrimage to find the Lord.

Amen.

May God the Son,
who turned water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana,
transform your lives and make glad your hearts.

Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit,
who came upon the beloved Son
at his baptism in the river Jordan,
pour out his gifts on you
who have come to the waters of new birth.

Amen.

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

We have come to Christ, the living water.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.