December 27th: St John’s Day: Morning Prayer with Mass
While Shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground,
the Angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around.
“Fear not”, said he, (for mighty dread has seized their troubled mind)
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind.
Let us pray for peace
We pray for the Holy Land, for Syria, Iraq, and the Yemen
and for all the troubled countries of the Middle East and Africa,
where people’s lives are threatened
or taken from them by violence or war.
We pray for refugees and for those who need to show mercy.
O God, come to our aid: O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father . . . . .
Psalm 95
Today a Saviour has been born; he is Jesus Christ the Lord.
Today a Saviour has been born; he is Christ the Lord.
Sing, sing, sing to the Lord, sing to him a song that’s new.
Sing, sing, sing to the Lord, proclaim his help, and bless his name.
Today a Saviour has been born; he is Jesus Christ the Lord.
Today a Saviour has been born; he is Christ the Lord.
Let his wonder and glory ring among the nations.
Let the heavens rejoice, the land and sea both thunder praise.
Today a Saviour has been born; he is Christ the Lord.
Today a Saviour has been born, he is Christ the Lord.
Let us pray
Open our eyes, Lord, that we may see and be glad that you are among us.
Let us see your presence In the goodness of our neighbour,
and show it by the love we give each other.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We pause for a short time of private prayer then continue with the Gloria and the Collect of the Mass of St John
Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.
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.
The Gospel
Intercessions
During the Preparation of the Gifts:
“To you in David’s town this day is born of David’s line a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; and this shall be the sign:
“The heavenly Babe you there shall find to human view displayed, all meanly wrapped in swathing bands, and in a manger laid.”
Thus spake the Seraph; and forthwith appeared a shining throng of angels praising God, who thus addressed their joyful song:
“All glory be to God on high, and on the earth be peace, goodwill henceforth from heaven to men begin and never cease.”
Jubilee Sanctus
Memorial: When we eat this bread, and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come,
we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come,
Doxology
Agnus Dei
Communion:
I come that you may have life, life to the full, says the Lord.
I come that you may have life, life to the full, says the Lord.
After Communion – a verse of the 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, and keep us from all harm, and may he lead us to eternal life.
Copyright and Acknowledgements: While shepherds watched: Nahum Tate 1652-1715. Ps 95: from The Psalms: A New Translation published by The Grail, England. Benedictus © Stephen Eric Smyth & Gerry Fitzpatrick. : Material reproduced under Calamus lic: 0262 & CCL lic no: 74396
