December 26th: St Stephen’s Day : Morning Prayer with Mass

 

Entry
The Lord said to me: ‘You are my Son,
I have begotten you, begotten you this day’.
God speaks to the earth, the word speeds forth.
God speaks his word to Jacob, to Israel his laws and decrees.
The Lord said to me: ‘You are my Son,
I have begotten you, begotten you this day’.

 

We light our candle for peace and say together:

Lord God,

we pray for the Holy Land, For Syria and the Yemen
and all the troubled counties of the Middle East and Africa,
where peoples lives are threatened or taken from them by violence or war.
We pray for refugees and for all who need to show mercy.

 

O God, come to our aid:  O Lord, make haste to help us 

Glory to the Father . . . . .

Psalm 62: O God, you are my God, for you I long.

 O God, you are my God, for you I long, for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you, my God, like a dry weary land without water.
O God, you are my God, for you I long.

I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and glory,
for your love is better than life itself; my lips will speak your praise.
O God, you are my God, for you I long.

On you I muse throughout the night, on my bed I remember you,  for you have been my refuge and your right hand holds me fast.
O God, you are my God, for you I long.

Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,  glory to the Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.
O God, you are my God, for you I long.

We pause for a short time of private prayer then continue with the Gloria

 

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

  

The Prayer of the Mass of St Stephen

The 1st reading

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia.  Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God, we acknowledge: you are the Lord.   The noble army of martyrs praise you, O Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia.  Alleluia, alleluia.

 

The Gospel

The Preparation of the Gifts

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,  the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,   the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,   but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,  and stand by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay    close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,  and fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.

 

Bellahouston Sanctus,    Memorial,    Doxology.   Agnus Dei

 

Communion

Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the banquet of the Lamb.
Blessed are those called to the banquet of the Lamb.

 

After communion

Blest be the Lord the God of Israel, who came to us;  and brought us back from sin.
God raised for us a Saviour who is mighty,  his Saviour-Son from David’s house and line.
God promised this through holy men and women  who spoke for him down through the mists of time.

 

The Blessing

May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all harm,
and may he lead us to eternal life.

 

Copyright and Acknowledgements: Psalm 62:  Words  taken from The Psalms : A New Translation published by William Collins & Co Ltd  (c) The Grail.  Music (c) Gerry Fitzpatrick. Sanctus, Memorial: music © Ronald Leith. Agnus Dei: music © Francis Duffy.  Behold the Lamb: music Gerry Fitzpatrick © Kevin Mayhew. Benedictus © Stephen Eric Smyth.  Graphic © Netta Ewing.