Organ Music 

J.S.Bach Nun komm der Heiden Heiland BWV 659 

J.S.Bach Nun komm der Heiden Heiland BWV 660 

Sigfrid Karg-Elert Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder 

Introit 

Lo, how a rose e’er blooming 

Lo, how a rose e’er blooming 
From tender stem hath sprung! 

Of Jesse’s lineage coming 
As men of old have sung. 
It came, a flow’ret bright, 
Amid the cold of winter, 
When half spent was the night. 

Text: 16th century German tr. Theodore Baker 

Music: 14th century German melody, harmonised Michael Praetorius 1571-1621 

Processional Hymn 

Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes, 

the Saviour promised long; 

let every heart exult with joy, 

and every voice be song. 

He comes the prisoners to release, 

in Satan's bondage held; 

the gates of brass before him burst, 

the iron fetters yield. 

He comes the broken heart to bind, 

the bleeding souls to cure, 

and with the treasures of his grace 

to enrich the humble poor. 

The sacred year has now revolved, 

accepted of the Lord, 

when heaven’s high promise is fulfilled, 

and Israel is restored 

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, 

thy welcome shall proclaim, 

and heaven's eternal arches ring 

with thy most honoured name. 

Text: Scottish Paraphrases 1781 

Tune: Crediton CH4 277 Melody from Clark’s A Second Set of Psalm Tunes 

Invitation 

Confession 

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen 

Kyrie Eleison sung by the Choir 

Kyrie Eleison 

Christe Eleison 

Kyrie Eleison 

Missa Alma redemptoris mater Tomás Luis de Victoria 

Declaration of forgiveness 

Gloria patri sung by the choir (Tone ii)  

First Lesson Micah 5  2-4 

Metrical Psalm 

God of hosts, you chose a vine 
meant to bear the finest wine, 
set it in a promised land, 
nurtured by your careful hand: 
 

Like a cedar, it grew strong- 
deep its roots, its tendrils long; 
yet, in envy those around 
stripped its branches to the ground. 
 

Desolate, to God we cry: 
'Spare us from the enemy!' 
God of hosts, turn back again, 
all such wickedness restrain: 
 

Turn us too, for we have failed, 
faithfulness has not prevailed; 
visit, Lord, and heal your vine, 
on its fruit let glory shine! 

Text: From Psalm 80 David Mowbray b.1938 

Tune: St Bees CH3 51  J.B.Dykes 1823-1876 

The Gospel St Luke 3  7-18 

The Sermon 

The Apostles’ Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, 

Maker of heaven and earth: 

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, 

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, 

Born of the Virgin Mary, 

Suffered under Pontius Pilate, 

Was crucified, dead, and buried: 

He descended into hell; 

The third day he rose again from the dead; 

He ascended into heaven, 

And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; 

From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost; 

The Holy Catholic Church; 

The Communion of Saints; 

The Forgiveness of sins; 

The Resurrection of the body, 

And the Life everlasting. Amen. 

The Offering 

The Intercessions 

Gloria in Excelsis sung by the choir 

Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. 

O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.  Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.  Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. 

For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 

Missa Alma redemptoris mater Tomás Luis de Victoria 

Thanksgiving 

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 

Prayer 

Sanctus 

Holy, holy, holy,  

Lord God of Hosts, 

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. 

Glory be to you, O Lord Most High. 

Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord: 

Hosanna in the highest.  

Prayer  

The Lord’s Prayer 

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 those who 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. 

Agnus Dei 

Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, 

Have mercy upon us. 

Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, 

Have mercy upon us. 

Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, 

Grant us your peace. 

Holy Communion 

During Communion the Choir sings 

There is no rose 

There is no rose of such virtue 
As is the rose that bare Jesu, 
Alleluia. 

For in this rose contained was 
Heaven and earth in little space, 
Res miranda. 

By that rose we may well see 
That he is God in persons three, 
Pari forma. 

The angels sungen the shepherds to: 
Gloria in excelsis deo: 
Gaudeamus. 

Leave we all this worldly mirth, 
And follow we this joyful birth, 
Transeamus. 

Alleluia, res miranda, 
Pares forma, gaudeamus, 
Transeamus. 

Text: Anonymous 15th century 

Music: John Joubert 1927-2019 

The Peace 

Prayer 

Hymn 

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! 

Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice; 

tender to me the promise of his word; 

in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice. 

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name! 

Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done; 

his mercy sure, from age to age the same; 

his holy Name, the Lord, the Mighty One. 

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might! 

Powers and dominions lay their glory by. 

Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight, 

the hungry fed, the humble lifted high. 

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word! 

Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure. 

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord 

to children's children and for evermore! 

Text: Timothy Dudley-Smith b.1926 From Luke 1  46-55 

Tune: Woodlands CH4 286 Walter Greatorex 1877-1949 

Benediction 

Organ Voluntary 

David Halls Toccata on Wachet auf! ruft uns die Stimme 

CCL Licence No 980930 

 Streaming Licence 57837 

The service was conducted by The Rev. Dr Sam Nwokoro