Holy Communion - 13 January 2008 - MS Black Watch

In the name of Jesus,
on whom the Spirit came at his baptism
and who calls us to be the church
and to celebrate God's presence,
let us worship God.

O come let us sing to God;
let us shout with joy to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into God's presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyously shout to God with songs of praise.

HYMN: For your generous providing

God's Spirit calls to our spirit,
inviting us to worship.
God's Spirit calls to our spirit,
inviting us by love.
God's Spirit calls to our spirit,
calling us by name,
calling us to grow in faith,
calling us to recognise our faults,
calling us to be made new.

Let us be reconciled one with another,
honouring each other in this gathering,
and may the peace of Christ
descend upon you and remain with you,
now and always.
Amen

So now let us share God's peace with each other.

The Peace

In scripture God speaks to each of us,
words of life, words of hope.

We listen for God's word to us today

Reading: Matthew 3: 13-17

HYMN: To Jesus, wet with Jordan's waves

Sermon

HYMN: Christ, when for us you were baptised

May God be with us.
God is here among us.
Let us open our hearts to God.
We open them to God and to one another.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

In the beginning was a formless void, and out of the void you created all things.
In the beginning was darkness, and your Spirit brooded over the deep.
In the beginning was an idea, a loving purpose for a perfect world.
And you saw everything that you had made, and indeed, it was very good.

In the beginning was the Word, through whom all things were made.
We, people of your making, did not recognise you in Christ,
but you shone your light into our hearts that we might see you and believe.
The darkness is ended.
Your light which enlightens everyone has come into our world.

Out of the waters of baptism we rise with new life,forgiven and renewed.
We are commissioned by Christ, and united with one another
as ministers of love, peace and justice.

Therefore, with all that is, seen and unseen,
and with all the faithful of every time and place,
we join in this hymn of praise and thanksgiving:

Holy, holy, holy God,
source of life and love!
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna through the ages!
Blest is the One who comes to bring your justice to earth!

Loving God, Holy One,
we offer you praise and thanksgiving over this bread and cup,
because in Christ you have joined yourself forever to us,
uniting heaven and earth.

On the night before he died,
it was Jesus who took a loaf of bread,
gave you thanks, broke it, and said,
"Take and eat:
whenever you do this, remember me."

Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying,
"This is God's new covenant; remember me."

We proclaim the living Christ - love and hope in your world.
Loving God, creative Power, blessing your name, we seek your Spirit.

Come to us and bless these gifts of bread and wine -
the bread of life and the cup of blessing -
that in communion with Christ, we may live in him and he in us.

As we eat and drink together,
make us one with Christ and one in Christ,
a sign of God's eternal reign in all the world.

This sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving
we offer you, loving God,
through Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.

As grain on scattered hillside, when brought together, becomes one,
so let your Church be brought together throughout the world,
into your reign of peace.
Come, for all things are now ready. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Sharing of Bread & Wine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For the bread we have eaten,
for the wine we have tasted,
for the life we have received,
we thank you, God.
Grant that what we have done
and have been given here,
may so put its mark on us,
that it may remain always
in our hearts.


Grant that we may grow in love and understanding,
and that ours may be lives of faithful action.
We ask this in the name of Christ.
Amen.

HYMN: On days when much we do goes wrong

Be strong and of a good courage,
do not be afraid,
for it is the Lord your God
who goes with you.
God will not fail you nor forsake you.

May God bless you and keep you;
may God's face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
may God look upon you with kindness
and give you peace,
now and always.
Amen


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