As we light our Bethlehem candle:
We pray for peace in the Holy Land, for Syria, the Yemen,
and in all the troubled countries where people’s lives are threatened or taken from them by violence and war.
We pray also for those who need to learn to show mercy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O God, come to our aid: O Lord, make haste to help us
Glory to the Father . . . . .
Lord, let me know your ways, teach me the paths to follow.
Make me walk in truth and teach me for you are God, my saviour.
Lord, your ways are faithfulness, your ways are love.
Remember your mercy, Lord, the love you have always shown.
In your love, remember me for your goodness knows no limit.
Lord, your ways are faithfulness, your ways are love.
He teaches the poor his way, the humble and those who stray,
for the Lord is good and upright in faithfulness and love.
Lord, your ways are faithfulness, your ways are love.
Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,
glory to the Holy Spirit now and ever more.
Lord, your ways are faithfulness, your ways are love.
Let us pray
All-powerful, ever-living God,
we thank you for the guidance you have given us
through the birth, life and death of your Son
Number us among his people,
for the salvation of all is found in him,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to God
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
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
To welcome the Gospel we sing
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. I bring you news of great joy,
today a Saviour has been born to us; Christ the Lord, Christ the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Intercessions
The Gospel has brought light to this world.
Let it enlighten the whole human family
and guide us into the ways of peace.
Glory to you, O Lord.
At the end of the year, Lord, we thank you for all you have given us,
and our families.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Looking back we ask forgiveness for the selfishnesses in our lives,
And we thank you for the compassion you have shown us.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Looking around the world,
We ask that people everywhere may grow in understanding
the unity of the human family.
Glory to you, O Lord.
We pray for the sick and the must vulnerable in our community,
For our dead, and for those who mourn.
Glory to you, O Lord.
The Preparation of the Gifts
The First Noel, the Angels did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!
St Andrew Sanctus
St Andrew memorial:
When we eat this bread and drink this cup
we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again, until you come.
St Andrew Agnus Dei
Communion
This is the bread come down from heaven; Whoever eats of it will never die.
This is the cup of eternal life; Whoever drinks of it will live for ever.
Benedictus
For all our sins will freely be forgiven, the heart of God pours loving- kindness forth, God comes to us like dawn comes to the sky
bringing true light, where darkness once prevailed. So all who live in fear of death’s dark shadow, God will now guide into the way of peace.
Blessing: May the Lord bless us . . . . . . . . .
Copyright and Acknowledgements: Ps 24 words © The Grail, England. © Kevin Mayhew.. Benedictus © Stephen Eric Smyth & Gerry Fitzpatrick Graphic © Netta Ewing.
