Monday, January 27, 2014

An Ordo for the Presentation of Christ (2 February 2014)

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
2 February 2014

The Gathering of the Community

Processional Hymn

‘From East to West, from Shore to Shore’  Common Praise #155 vv. 1, 2, 7

Introductory Responses

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel.
May all the earth be filled with the glory of God.

Light has sprung up for the righteous,
and joyful gladness for those who are true-hearted.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.

Hymn of Praise

Gloria in excelsis by Rupert Laing

Collect

Let us pray.

God of Anna and Simeon,
whose law makes known the gift of life,
whose love exposes our hardness of heart:
by your Spirit, may we receive your faithful word to Gentile and Jew
and know your reconciling presence offered for all the world;
through Jesus Christ, the Light and Glory of God.  Amen.  [i]

The Proclamation of the Word

First Reading

A Reading from the prophet Malachi (3.1-4).

            See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.  The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight — indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.  But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

            For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.  Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.

The Psalm

‘Holy Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place’  Common Praise #498

Second Reading

A Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (2.14-18).

            Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.  For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham.  Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.

The Gradual Hymn

‘Lord, Let Your Servant Go in Peace’  Common Praise #266

The Gospel

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (2.22-40).
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

            After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

            When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the  Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

            Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

            And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.  Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

            There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty- four.  She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.  At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

            When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.  The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

The Sermon

An Affirmation of Faith

The Deacon leads the Community in the Affirmation of Faith.

Do you believe and trust in God, the Holy One of Israel,
source of all being and life,
the one for whom and in whom we exist?
We believe and trust in the Holy One.

Do you believe and trust in God, the Word incarnate,
who took our human nature,
died for us and rose again?
We believe and trust in the Word.

Do you believe and trust in God, the Power of the Most High,
who gives life to the people of God
and makes Christ known in the world?
We believe and trust in the Power of the Most High.

This is the faith of the church.  This is our faith.
We believe and trust in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen. [ii]

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions, Petitions and Thanksgivings

The Exchange of the Peace

May the peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.

The Holy Communion

The Offertory Hymn

‘Lord Christ, We Praise Your Sacrifice’  Common Praise #633 (sung to #442)

Prayer over the Gifts

Creator of light,
accept the joyful offering of your Church,
and grant that your Word may shine in us
as the light that lightens every nation.
We ask this in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. [iii]

Thanksgiving at the Table

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, gracious God,
creator of heaven and earth,
because in the mystery of the Word made flesh
you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts,
to give knowledge of salvation
in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now with angels and archangels
and the whole company of heaven,
we lift our voices
to proclaim the glory of your name. [iv]

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. [v]

Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.
Blessed are you for your promise to your people.
Blessed are you for the prophets’ hopes and dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary and Joseph’s openness to your will.
Blessed are you for your Son, Jesus, the Word made flesh.

In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

[Therefore let] us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

With this bread and cup we remember
your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.
We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.
We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.

Holy God, we long for your Spirit.
Come among us.  Bless this meal.
May your Word take flesh in us.
Awaken your people.  Fill us with your light.
Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel,
Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High,
one God, now and for ever.  Amen. [vi]

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, let us 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.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.  Amen. [vii]

The Breaking of the Bread

We break the bread of life,
and that life is the light of the world
God here among us,
light in the midst of us,
bring us to light and life.

The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

The Communion

Communion Hymn

‘Love Came Down at Christmas’  Common Praise #131

The Sending Forth of the Community

Blessing of the Candles

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, God of steadfast love,
You sent your Word to be the dawn of redemption and
to scatter the darkness of sin and despair from our path.
We join your servants Anna and Simeon
in giving thanks for the freedom Christ brings.
May we who offer these candles
become vessels of his light
so that all the world may glory in the splendour of your peace.
Blessed are you, O God,
who gives us light in our darkness.  Amen.

The candles are distributed to the members of the congregation.  These candles may be taken home and lit during the evening meal.

Prayer after Communion

God for whom we wait,
you fulfilled the hope of Simeon
and gladdened the heart of Anna,
who together welcomed the Messiah.
Complete in us your perfect will,
that we in Christ may share in your reign of peace and justice;
for he is Lord for ever and ever.  Amen.

Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever.  Amen.

Closing Hymn

‘Spirit, Come, Dispel Our Sadness’  Common Praise #252 (sung to #223)

Dismissal

The Deacon or Assisting Minister sends the Community forth, saying,

Go forth to reveal Christ in the world.
Thanks be to God.




[i] Steven Shakespeare, Prayers for an Inclusive Church (2009), 9.

[ii] Common Worship (2000), 144 alt.

[iii] The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 401 alt.

[iv] The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 220.

[v] ‘Carol Mass’ by Rupert Lang.

[vi] Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 110.

[vii] Common Worship #744.

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