Category: Sunday Worship

7 Lessons and Carol Service

INTRODUCTION

OPENING PRAYER In sorrow and penitence we confess …..

so we commend ourselves and the whole human family to his keeping.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

539 – Once in royal David’s city.

Reading 1: Genesis 3.8-15 – The Fall

503 – O little town of Bethlehem.

Reading 2: Genesis 22.15-18 – The Promise to Abraham

47 – Away in a manger.

Reading 3: Isaiah 9.2, 6-7 – The Prophecy of the Messiah’s Birth

PRAYERS

Let us humbly offer these prayers and praises up to the Throne of Heaven,
in the words which Christ himself taught us:

Our Father,
which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that 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.

May he guide us into the way of peace, give light to those who sit in
darkness and the shadow of death, and kindle in us the fire of his love. Amen.

337 – In the bleak midwinter

Reading 4: Luke 1.26-38 – The Annunciation to Mary

393 – Joy to the world, the Lord has come

Reading 5: Luke 2.1-7 – The Birth of Jesus

597 – Silent Night!

Reading 6: Luke 2.8-16 – The Shepherds go to the Manger

764 – While Shepherds watch their flocks by night

Reading 7: Matthew 2.1-11 – The Magi are led by the star to Jesus

491 – O come all ye faithful (omit verse 4)

CONCLUSION

The Lord be with you

and also with you.

COLLECT

BLESSING

A Service of the Word

PREPARATION

Greet each other in the Lord’s name
We meet in the name of God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
This is the day that the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Words of welcome & Introduction

Hymn

Confession and Forgiveness
We have not always worshipped God, our creator.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
We have not always followed Christ, our Saviour.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
We have not always trusted in the Spirit, our guide.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Absolution is said
May the Father forgive you
by the death of his Son
and strengthen you
to live in the power of the Spirit
all your days. Amen.

A moment of Silence and The Collect is said

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

Readings

Sermon

Creed
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen. cf Ephesians 3

PRAYERS

Pray for the church and the world

The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

Hymn

CONCLUSION

A blessing is said,

and the service ends with
Our worship has ended
Our service begins

Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

A service from New Patterns for Worship. Text copyright © The Archbishops’ Council.
Reproduced with permission for use in

Merciful Father
Accept these prayers
For the sake of your Son
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen

Lord in your mercy
Receive our prayer

A Service of the Word

PREPARATION

Greet each other in the Lord’s name
We meet in the name of God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
This is the day that the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Words of welcome & Introduction

Hymn

Confession and Forgiveness
We have not always worshipped God, our creator.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
We have not always followed Christ, our Saviour.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
We have not always trusted in the Spirit, our guide.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Absolution is said
May the Father forgive you
by the death of his Son
and strengthen you
to live in the power of the Spirit
all your days. Amen.

A moment of Silence and The Collect is said

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

Readings

Sermon

Creed
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen. cf Ephesians 3

PRAYERS

Pray for the church and the world

Lord in your mercy
Receive our prayer

Merciful Father
Accept these prayers
For the sake of your Son
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

Hymn

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
the Love of God
and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all
evermore, Amen.

CONCLUSION

A blessing is said,

and the service ends with
Our worship has ended
Our service begins

Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

A service from New Patterns for Worship. Text copyright © The Archbishops’ Council.
Reproduced with permission for use in