Benefice Morning Prayer Sunday 31st January
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple - Candlemas
Opening Response
Today the Lord is presented in the Temple in substance of our mortal nature. All Alleluia.
Today the Mary and Joseph come to dedicate their son in accordance with the law. All Alleluia.
Today old Simeon proclaims Christ
as the light of the nations and the glory of Israel. All Alleluia. Praise to Christ, the light of the world.
Opening Prayer
The night has passed,
and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen
Confession
When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Therefore, in the light of Christ let us confess our sins:
All Lord God, we have sinned against you; we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent. Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us and restore us to the joy of your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Absolution
Hymn
When candles are lighted
on Candlemas Day
the dark is behind us,
and spring's on the way.
The kings have departed,
the shepherds have gone,
the child and his parents
are left on their own.
They go to the temple,
obeying the law,
and offer two pigeons,
the gift of the poor
But Anna and Simeon recognize there
the Christ-child who came at
the turn of the year.
Like Anna, like Simeon,
may we too trust,
our eyes to see Jesus,
and peace at the last.
The candles invite us
to praise and to pray
when Christmas greets Easter
on Candlemas Day.
Reading
Luk2: 22-40 At end of reading:
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon
Affirmation of Faith
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil.
With Simeon and Anna, we recognise Jesus as Lord,
and proclaim Him, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
Intercessions
The response to: ‘Lord, Hear us’
Is (All):
‘and fill us with your love and light’
The Collect
Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Hymn
1 Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Refrain
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
2 Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow’r to save us.
Make us your living voice. Refrain
3 Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed. Refrain
4 Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone. Refrain
5 Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come. Refrain
© Bernadette Farrell 1993
Notices
Blessing and Dismissal
Now, Lord, you let your servants go in peace: your word has been fulfilled.
Our own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people; A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.
And may the blessing…
Go in the light and peace of Christ
(All): Thanks be to God
Benefice Morning Prayer Sunday 31st January

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple - Candlemas
Opening Response
Today the Lord is presented in the Temple in substance of our mortal nature. All Alleluia.
Today the Mary and Joseph come to dedicate their son in accordance with the law. All Alleluia.
Today old Simeon proclaims Christ
as the light of the nations and the glory of Israel. All Alleluia. Praise to Christ, the light of the world.
Opening Prayer
The night has passed,
and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen
Confession
When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Therefore, in the light of Christ let us confess our sins:
All Lord God, we have sinned against you; we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent. Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us and restore us to the joy of your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Absolution
Hymn
When candles are lighted
on Candlemas Day
the dark is behind us,
and spring's on the way.
The kings have departed,
the shepherds have gone,
the child and his parents
are left on their own.
They go to the temple,
obeying the law,
and offer two pigeons,
the gift of the poor
But Anna and Simeon recognize there
the Christ-child who came at
the turn of the year.
Like Anna, like Simeon,
may we too trust,
our eyes to see Jesus,
and peace at the last.
The candles invite us
to praise and to pray
when Christmas greets Easter
on Candlemas Day.
Reading
Luk2: 22-40 At end of reading:
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon
Affirmation of Faith
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil.
With Simeon and Anna, we recognise Jesus as Lord,
and proclaim Him, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
Intercessions
The response to: ‘Lord, Hear us’
Is (All):
‘and fill us with your love and light’
The Collect
Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Hymn
1 Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Refrain
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
2 Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow’r to save us.
Make us your living voice. Refrain
3 Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed. Refrain
4 Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone. Refrain
5 Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come. Refrain
© Bernadette Farrell 1993
Notices
Blessing and Dismissal
Now, Lord, you let your servants go in peace: your word has been fulfilled.
Our own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people; A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.
And may the blessing…
Go in the light and peace of Christ
(All): Thanks be to God
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