24th carol service and mass 10pm 16

CAROL SERVICE

and CHRISTMAS

MASSST. JOHN VIANNEY, WEST GREEN

Opening Prayer:God, our Loving Father, you sent

your Son, Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. As we gather here in

this holy night, prepare us to welcome Jesus once more into our

lives and into our world. As we listen to your Word, sung and

spoken, open our hearts to you, our God and Creator. We make our prayers through Christ our

Lord. Amen.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive

Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the

Son of God appear:

Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save, and give

them victory o’er the grave:

Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine

advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to

flight:

Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou key of David, come and open wide our

heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high,

and close the path to misery.

Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes, on Sinai’s height in ancient times, didst give the law in

cloud and majesty and awe:

Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.

A reading from the prophet Isaiah (11:1-10)

A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse,

a scion thrusts from his roots:

on him the spirit of the Lord rests, a spirit of wisdom and insight, a spirit of counsel and power,

a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

(The fear of the Lord is his breath.)

He does not judge by appearances,

he gives no verdict on hearsay, but judges the wretched with

integrity,and with equity gives a verdict for

the poor of the land. His word is a rod that strikes the

ruthless; his sentences bring death to the

wicked.Integrity is the loincloth round his

waist, faithfulness the belt about his hips.

The wolf lives with the lamb,the panther lies down with the kid,

calf and lion cub feed together with a little boy to lead them.

The cow and the bear make friends,

their young lie down together. The lion eats straw like the ox.

The infant plays over the cobra's hole;

into the viper's lairthe young child puts his hand.

They do not hurt, no harm, on all my holy mountain,

for the country is filled with the knowledge of the Lord

as the waters swell the sea.That day, the root of Jesse

shall stand as a signal to the peoples.

It will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.

The Word

of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Long ago, prophets knew Christ would come, born a Jew, come to make all things new, bear his people’s burden, freely love and pardon:

Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!

When he comes, when he comes. Who will make him

welcome?

God in time, God in man,this is God’s timeless plan: he will come, as a man, born himself of woman, God divinely human:

Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!

When he comes, when he comes. Who will make him

welcome?

Mary, hail! Though afraid,she believed, she obeyed.In her womb God is laid,till the time expected,nurtured and protected:

Journey ends: where afarBethlehem shines, like a star,Stable door stands ajar. Unborn Son of Mary,Saviour, do not tarry

Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!

When he comes, when he comes. Who will make him

welcome?

A reading from the prophet Isaiah(35:1-10)

Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland

rejoice and bloom,

let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for

joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of

Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord,

the splendour of our God.Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, `Courage! Do not be afraid.'Look, your God is coming,

vengeance is coming, the retribution of God;

he is coming to save you.'Then the eyes of the blind shall be

opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed,

then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing

for joy;for water gushes in the desert, streams in the wasteland, the

scorched earth becomes a lake,

the parched land springs of water.The lairs where the jackals used to live become thickets of reed and

papyrus.And through it will run a highway

undefiled

which shall be called the Sacred Way;

the unclean may not travel by it, nor fools stray along it.

No lion will be therenor any fierce beast roam about it

but the redeemed will walk there,for those the Lord has ransomed

shall return.They will come to Zion shouting

for joy,

everlasting joy on their faces; joy and gladness will go with them and sorrow and lament be ended.

The Word

of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

The angel Gabriel, from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame. “All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden, Mary, most highly favoured lady. Gloria!

“For know, a blessed mother thou shall be! All generations laud and honour thee. Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, most highly favoured lady. Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head. “To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said.“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name!”Most highly favoured lady. Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born in Bethlehem all on a winter’s morn; and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say: “Most highly favoured lady. Gloria!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (1:26-38)

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called

Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a

man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name

was Mary. He went in and said to her. “Rejoice, so highly favoured!

The Lord is with you.” She was deeply disturbed by these words

and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel

said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour.

Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name

him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most

High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David;

he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will

have no

end.” Mary said to the angel, “But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?” “The Holy Spirit will

come upon you” the angel answered “and the power of the Most High will cover you with its

shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.

Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age,

herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now

in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.” “I am the

handmaid of the Lord,” said Mary “let what you have said be done to

me.” And the angel left her.

The Word

of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

While shepherds watchedTheir flocks by nightAll seated on the groundThe angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around

"Fear not," he said, For mighty dread Had seized their troubled minds "Glad tidings of great joy I bringTo you and all mankind.“

"To you in David's Town this day, Is born of David's lineThe Saviour who is Christ the Lord and this shall be the sign.“

"The heavenly Babe, You there shall find, To human view displayed, And meanly wrapped, In swathing bandsAnd 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 toGod on highAnd to the earth be peace;Goodwill henceforthFrom heaven to menBegin and never cease!"

A reading from the prophet Isaiah (40: 3-5)

`Console my people, console them' says your God. `Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her

that her time of service is ended, that her sin is atoned for, that she has received from the hand of the

Lord double punishment for all her crimes.’

A voice cries, `Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord.

Make a straight highway for our God across the desert. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, let every cliff

become a plain, and the ridges a valley; then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it; for the mouth of the

Lord has spoken.'

The Word

of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Love came down at Christmas,love all lovely, love divine:love was born at Christmas,star and angels gave the sign.

Sing Nowell, Sing Nowell, Sing Nowell

Worship we the Godhead,love incarnate, love divine;worship we our Jesus:but wherewith for sacred sign?

Sing Nowell, Sing Nowell, Sing Nowell

Love shall be our token,love be yours and love be mine,love to God and all the world,love for plea and gift and sign.

Sing Nowell, Sing Nowell, Sing Nowell

O come, all ye faithful,joyful and triumphant.O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;come and behold him.born the king of angels:

O come, let us adore him, (3)Christ the Lord.

God of God,light of light,lo! He abhors not the virgin’s womb;very Godbegotten not created:

O come, let us adore him, (3)Christ the Lord.

Sing choirs of angels,sing in exultation,sing all ye citizens of heaven above;glory to Godin the highest:

O come, let us adore him, (3)Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,born this happy morning. Jesus, to thee be glory given;word of the Father, now in flesh appearing

O come, let us adore him, (3)Christ the Lord.

Entrance antiphon

Let us all rejoice in the Lord, for our Saviour has been born in the world. Today true peace has come down to us from heaven.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen We Gather

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All: And with your spirit. We Gather

…Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy…Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy…Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercyPenitential act

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.Penitential act

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

1. Glory to God in the heights of the

heavens.Peace to God’s people,

all people on earth.

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

2. Son of the Father, all glory and worship;

praise and thanksgiving to you. Lamb of God

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

3. You take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us, receive our prayer.

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

4. Seated in power at the right of the

Father, Jesus alone is the Lord, the Most

high.

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

5. And with the Spirit of love ever lasting,

reigning in glory for ever. Amen

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

Glo-ry! Glo-ry! Glo-ry to God!

O God, who have made this most sacred night/day

radiant with the splendour of the true light,

grant, we pray, that we, The Collect

who have known the mysteries of his light on

earth, may also delight in his gladness in heaven.

The Collect

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy

Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

All: AmenThe Collect

The First Reading

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah

The people that walked in darkness

has seen a great light;on those who live in a land of deep shadowa light has shone.You have made their

gladness greater,you have made their joy increase;they rejoice in your presenceas men rejoice at harvest

time, as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils.For the yoke that was weighing on him, the barb across his shoulders,

the rod of his oppressor,these you break as on the day of Midian.For all the footgear of battle,every cloak rolled in blood,

is burnt, and consumed by fire.For there is a child born for us, a son given to usand dominion is laid on his

shoulders; and this is the name they give him:Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.

Wide is his dominionin a peace that has no end,for the throne of Davidand for his royal power,which he establishes and

makes secure in justice and integrity. From this time onwards and for ever,the jealous love of the Lord of Hosts will do this.

The Word

of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Sing a new song to the Lord, he to whom wonders belong! Rejoice in his triumph and tell of his power— O sing to the Lord a new song!

The Psalm

Now to the ends of the earth see his salvation is shown! And still he remembers his

mercy and truth, unchanging in love to his own.

The Psalm

Sing a new song and rejoice, publish his praises abroad! Let voices in chorus with

trumpet and horn, resound for the joy of the Lord!

The Psalm

Join with the hills and the sea, thunders of praise to prolong! In judgment and justice he

comes to the earth—O sing to the Lord a new song!

The Psalm

The Second Reading

A reading from the first letter of St Paul to Titus

God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made

salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all

our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope

for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in

order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good.

The Word

of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Gloria in excelsis Deo (2)

Gospel Acclamation

Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels

sing: come, adore on bended knee the infant Christ, The

new born King.Gospel Acclamation

Gloria in excelsis Deo (2)

Gospel Acclamation

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit. A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Glory to you, O Lord. The Gospel

Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This census – the first – took place while Quirinius

was governor of Syria, and everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee

and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he was of David’s House and line, in order to be registered

together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there the time came for her to have her child, and she gave

birth to a son, her first born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them

at the inn. In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their

flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the

angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a

saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and

lying in a manger.’ And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing:

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,and peace to men who enjoy his favour.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,Creator of heaven and earth,and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

The Apostles’ Creed

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,born of the Virgin Mary,suffered under Pontius Pilate,

The Apostles’ Creed

was crucified, died and was buried;he descended into hell;on the third day he rose again from the dead;

The Apostles’ Creed

he ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;

The Apostles’ Creed

from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints,

The Apostles’ Creed

the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and life everlasting.

AmenThe Apostles’

Creed

Prayer of the Faithful

CELEBRANT: Sisters and brothers, standing together in the light if this Christmas

celebration, let us ask God to fill the whole world with light.

We light a candle for PEACE in our world: That all people of good will

beginning with ourselves will strive earnestly for peace in our time:

Lord, hear us All: Lord graciously hear us

We light a candle for all LEADERS civil and religious: May the same spirit of goodwill be the guiding force as they

carry out their responsibilities.Lord, hear us

All: Lord graciously hear us

We light a candle for all BABIES born this year : May the Infant Child of

Bethlehem be their guide and companion throughout their lives.

Lord, hear us All: Lord graciously hear us

We light a candle for all FAMILIES, especially in our own parish: May this Holy Season be a time of friendship

and deepening of family life. Lord, hear us

All: Lord graciously hear us

We light a candle for all who have DIED in this past year: May all who are

grieving at this time, find joy and peace -in the coming of our Saviour, bringing

us eternal life. Lord, hear us

All: Lord graciously hear us

We light a candle for all who are ILL in body, mind or spirit: May they all who

care for them find consolation and peace at this Christmas time.

Lord, hear usAll: Lord graciously hear us

We light a candle for all our SPECIAL INTENTIONS: May our loving God let his face shine on us now and in the

days ahead. Lord hear us

All: Lord graciously hear us

On this special day we ask for the intercession of

Mary, Mother of our Saviour as we say:

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed

art thou among women, and blessed

is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our

death. Amen.

CELEBRANT: God our Father, your Son is born to us, hear our

prayers and fill us anew with your light, through Christ our

Lord. Amen.

O little town of Bethlehemhow still we see thee lie!Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.

Yet, in they dark street shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King,and peace to men on earth;

for Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heavens.

No ear may hear his coming;where meek souls will receive him, stillthe dear Christ enters in.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.

All: Blessed be God for ever.Presentation and preparation of the

Gifts

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands it will become our spiritual drink.

All: Blessed be God for ever.Presentation and preparation of the

Gifts

Pray, my brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may

be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

All: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his

name, for our good, and the good of all his holy Church.

May the oblation of this day’s feast be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray, that through this most holy exchange we may be found in the likeness of Christ, in whom our nature is united to you. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

All: Amen Prayer over the offerings

The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit.Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. All: It is right and just. Preface

Dialogue

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts, 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.

O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the

Lord

Memorial Acclamation

Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever.

All: Amen!

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name, thy

kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespassesas we forgive

those who trespass against

us.

And lead us not into

temptation,but deliver us

from evil.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, and useless worry, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles, Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church,

and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen

The Peace of the Lord

be with you always.

And with your spirit.

Let us offer each other the sign of peaceWe Share God’s

Peace

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.Fraction of the Bread

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.Fraction of the Bread

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

Invitation to Communion

All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Invitation to Communion

Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin, mother and child Holy infant, tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, Holy night Shepherds quake, at the sight Glories stream from heaven above Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah. Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent night, Holy night Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at thy birth Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Father, slow to anger, abounding in mercy, You see us and run to us

when we are far away from you, you find your way to us when we cannot find our way to you, you are always

faithful when we are unfaithful.

Jesus Christ, you entered the house of sinners, you

sat at the table of the poor, you mounted the Cross, you throne of

mercy.

Holy Spirit, you pour your healing gifts over our

wounds, you anoint us to bring good news to the

poor, you send us out as missionaries of mercy.

God of Mercies, have mercy on us, so that where

sin abounds your grace may abound all the more, and we shall become like

you, Merciful. Amen.

Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, that we, who are gladdened by participation in the feast of our Redeemer’s Nativity, may through an honourable way of life become worthy of union with him. Who lives and

reigns for ever and ever.All: Amen

Prayer after communion

May the God of infinite goodness, who by the Incarnation of his Son has driven darkness from the world and by that glorious Birth has illumined this most holy night/day, drive far from you the darkness of vice and illumine your hearts with the light of virtue. Amen.

Final Blessing

May God, who willed that the great joy of his Son's saving Birth beannounced to shepherds by the Angel, fill your minds with the gladness hegives and make you heralds of his Gospel.

Amen.Final Blessing

And may God, who by the Incarnation brought together the earthly andheavenly realm, fill you with the gift of his peace and favour and make yousharers with the Church in heaven.

Amen.Final Blessing

And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

Final Blessing

The mass is ended, go in peace and proclaim the Gospel of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.Dismissal

1. Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new– born King; peace on earth and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled;

joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies,with the angelic–host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Hark, the herald Angels sing, glory to the new–

born King,

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored,Christ, the everlasting Lord,late in time behold him come,offspring of a Virgin’s womb!

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,hail the incarnate Deity!Pleased as man with man to dwell,Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark, the herald Angels sing, glory to the new–

born King,

3. Hail the heaven – born Prince of Peace!Hail the Son of righteousness!Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings,

mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.

Hark, the herald Angels sing, glory to the new–

born King,