The Parish Churches ofSt James the Great Hanslope

and Ss Simon & Jude, Castlethorpe

“Behold the Handmaid of the Lord” Luke 1:38

The 4th Sunday Of AdventDecember 20th 2020

Celebrant & Preacher: Fr Adam Burnham SSC

Face Masks and Receiving CommunionFace masks do make receiving Communion slightly complicated! We recommend that you remove your mask as you approach to receive Communion (only touch the straps) and hang the mask on your wrist. On receiving Communion please consume the host reverently in situ before replacing your mask and then returning to your place. Please DO NOT walk off carrying the host. There is no hurry.

You are welcome to light a candle before or after the Mass but NOT during the service please. A bell rings, all stand. The hymns are said.

For Mary, Mother of the LordGod's holy name be praised,Who first the Son of God adoredAs on her child she gazed.The angel Gabriel brought the wordShe should Christ's mother be;Our Lady, handmaid of the Lord,Made answer willingly.The heavenly call she thus obeyed,And so God's will was done;The second Eve love's answer madeWhich our redemption won.She gave her body for God's shrine,Her heart to piercing pain,And knew the cost of love divineWhen Jesus Christ was slain.Dear Mary, from your lowlinessAnd home in Galilee,There comes a joy and holinessTo every family.Hail, Mary, you are full of grace, Above all women blest; Blest in your Son, whom your embrace In birth and death confessed.

Words: JR. Peacey (1896-1971)2

Entrance AntiphonDrop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.

In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.The Lord be with you And also with you

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLEBlessed are you, sovereign Lord, merciful and gentle: to you be praise and glory for ever. Your light has shone in our darkened world through the child-bearing of blessed Mary; grant that we who have seen your glory may daily be renewed in your image and prepared like her for the coming of your Son, who is the Lord and Saviour of all. Blessed be God for ever. The candle is litLord Jesus, light of the world, blessed is Gabriel, who brought good news; blessed is Mary, your mother and ours. Bless your Church preparing for Christmas; and bless us your children, who long for your coming. Amen.

CONFESSION AND GOD’S ASSURANCE OF SINS FORGIVENA voice cries out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’So let us listen, and turn to the Lord in penitence and faith.All kneel or sit and silence is kept for personal reflection.Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of your kingdom: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness:Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.You will come in glory with salvation for your people:Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.May Almighty God forgive you your sins and bring you to everlasting life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

The COLLECT (THE PRAYER FOR THE DAY) 3

and the Priest introduces a short period of silent prayer with the words “Let us pray” Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord,your grace into our hearts,that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Sonwas made known by the message of an Angel,may by his Passion and Crossbe brought to the glory of his Resurrection.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORDAll sitFIRST READING 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to GodRESPONSORIAL PSALM from Psalm 89 I will sing forever of your love, O LordSECOND READING Romans 16:25-27This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to GodAll stand for the GOSPEL ACCLAMATIONAlleluia, alleluia!I am the handmaid of the Lord:let what you have said be done to me.Alleluia!

The Lord be with you and also with youHear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke Glory to you, O Lord.Luke 1:26-38 is readAt the end This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON4

All stand for the CREEDWe believe in one God, the Father, the almighty,maker of heaven and earth,of all that is, seen and unseen.We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father;God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,by the power of the Holy Spirithe became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,and was made man.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;he suffered death and was buried.On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;he ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,and his kingdom will have no end.We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,who proceeds from the Father and the Son,who with the Father and the Sonis worshipped and glorified.He has spoken through the Prophets.We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.We look for the resurrection of the dead,and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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THE PRAYERSThese words may be used:Lord in your mercy hear our prayerLord, hear us Lord graciously hear usLet us pray to the Lord Lord have mercy

Rest eternal grant unto them O Lordand let light perpetual shine upon themWe join our prayers with those of Our Lady,Consoler of the Afflicted, as we greet her and 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.Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.THE PEACEIn the tender mercy of our God, the dayspring from on high shall break upon us, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you. A socially distanced sign of peace is shared with people near you

OFFERTORY HYMN

O come, O come, Emmanuel!Redeem thy captive IsraelThat into exile drear is gone,Far from the face of God's dear Son. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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O come, thou Branch of Jesse! drawThe quarry from the lion's claw;From the dread caverns of the grave,From nether hell, thy people save. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, thou Dayspring bright!Pour on our souls thy healing light;Dispel the long night's lingering gloom,And pierce the shadows of the tomb… O Come, thou Lord of David’s Key!The royal door fling wide and free;Safeguard for us the heavenward road,And bar the way to death's abode… O come, O come, Adonai,Who in thy glorious majestyFrom that high mountain clothed in awe,Gavest thy folk the ancient Law…

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,And order all things, far and nigh;To us the path of knowledge show,And cause us in her ways to go… O come, Desire of nations, showthy kingly reign on earth below;Thou Corner-stone, uniting all,restore the ruin of our fall…

tr TA Lacey Vv 6-7 and the Editors NEH

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THE MINISTRY OF THE SACRAMENT

Pray my brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father;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 Church.

May the sacrifice of our worship, Lord, we pray,be offered to you unceasingly, to complete what was begun in sacred mystery and powerfully accomplish for us your saving work.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERThe 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 Him thanks and praise.It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise,almighty God and everlasting Father,through Jesus Christ your Son.He is the one foretold by all the prophets,whom the Virgin Mother bore with love beyond all telling.John the Baptist was his heraldand made him known when at last he came.In his love Christ fills us with joy as we prepare to celebrate his birth,so that when he comes again he may find us watching in prayer,our hearts filled with wonder and praise.And so, with angels and archangels,and with all the company of heaven,we proclaim your glory, and join in their unending hymn of praise: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.

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Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may become the body and blood

of our Lord Jesus Christ;who in the same night that he was betrayed,took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE, EAT; THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU;DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying:

DRINK THIS, ALL OF YOU; THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, WHICH IS SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS, AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

Great is the mystery of Faith:All say Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption.

As we bring before you this bread and this cup, we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

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Lord, may this sacrifice,which has made our peace with you,advance the peace and salvation of all the world.Strengthen in faith your pilgrim Church on earth;your servant Jonathan our bishop, and all the bishops.

Welcome into your kingdom our departedbrothers and sisters, and all who have left this world in your friendship.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of Mary,

the virgin Mother of God, of James, Simon & Jude, and all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever,

through Jesus Christ our Lord;by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

All say 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 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. Amen

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We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.Though we are many, we are one body,because we all share in one bread.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

THE INVITATIONBehold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper.Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,but only say the word and I shall be healed.

The Body of Christ Amen!The Blood of Christ Amen!

Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear.Behold, our God will come, and he will save us.

A deep silence is kept during the Distribution of Communion please follow the directions of the Stewards. On receiving Communion please consume the host reverently in situ before starting to return to your place, there is no hurry.

HYMN

At St James the choir is now permitted to sing and they may sing once the Distribution is complete. The congregation is NOT permitted to sing.At Castlethorpe the hymn is said by the congregation

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,His wings as white as snow, his eyes as flame;‘All hail,’ he said, ‘thou lowly maiden Mary,most highly favoured lady.’ Gloria!

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‘For know, a blessed Mother thou shalt be,all generations laud and honour thee,thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold;most highly favoured lady.’ Gloria!

Then gently 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 bornIn Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say‘most highly favoured lady.’ Gloria!

A Basque Carol tr. S. Baring-Gould (1834-1924)

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER We implore your mercy, Lord,that this divine sustenance may cleanse us of our faultsand prepare us for the coming feasts.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of you Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

Notices may be given

THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL

The Lord be with you And also with you

May God the Father, who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son, give you grace to prepare for life eternal. Amen.

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May God the Son, who comes to us as redeemer and judge,reveal to you the path from darkness to light. Amen.May God the Holy Spirit, by whose working the Virgin Mary conceived the Christ, help you bear the fruits of holiness. Amen.and the blessing of God almighty,the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Go in the peace of Christ Thanks be to God.

HYMN

Long ago, prophets knewChrist 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…

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

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Journey ends! Where afarBethlem 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!Jesus comes! Jesus comes! We will make him welcome!

Words: Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000)THE ANGELUS

may be said publicly or privately after Mass

AN ACT OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE INCARNATION OF JESUS

The Angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary: And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among womenand 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.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary . . . And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. Hail Mary . . . Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that as we have known the Incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by His Cross and Passion may we be brought unto the glory of His Resurrection,

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through the same Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

WORSHIP & EVENTS DECEMBER 20TH-23RD 9.00am Mass Live Online

www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk/worship/sunday-mass-live-stream/

Parish Mass9.00am and 10.00am at Castlethorpe 11.15am at Hanslope

Zoom Afternoon Tea 4.30pmMeeting ID: 883 9323 1346 Passcode: 222632

6.00pm Online Village Carol Service

Worship on Weekdays5.30pm Monday & Tuesday Mass online

5.30pm Wednesday Mass at Ss Simon & Jude6.00pm Daily Shrine Prayers live from Walsinghamwww.facebook.com/StJamesHanslopeLiveStream

Activities on WeekdaysFollowing the Silence: Monday at 4.45pm via Zoom

WORSHIP & EVENTS CHRISTMAS OCTAVE

Christmas Eve – Thursday 24th December

4.30pm Nativit-i the online Virtual Nativity Play

Ss Simon & Jude, Castlethorpe: 7.00pm First Mass of Christmas

St James the Great, Hanslope:9.00pm First Mass of Christmas & 11.30pm Midnight Mass of Christmas

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Christmas Day9.30am Christmas Day Mass at Castlethorpe

11.00am Christmas Day Mass at Hanslope

There is a celebration of Holy Communion every weekdayin the Christmas Octave

Saturday 26th The Feast of St StephenSaid Mass at Hanslope at 10.30am

Christmas 1 (Holy Family) – Sunday 27th December9.30am Parish Mass at Castlethorpe 11.00am Parish Mass at

HanslopeMonday 28th Holy Innocents’ Day Said Mass Online at 10.30am

Tuesday 29th Said Mass Online at 10.30amWednesday 30th Said Mass at Castlethorpe at 10.30am

Thursday 31st Said Mass Online at 10.30amFriday 1st January – Mary Mother of God

Said Mass at Hanslope at 12 noon

QR CODE CASTLETHORPE QR CODE HANSLOPE

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000) (including the Psalter as published with Common Worship); The Christian Year: Calendar, Lectionary and Collects (1997, 1998, 1999); material from which is included in this service, are

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copyright © The Archbishops’ Council. The text of the copyright hymns in this Mass are reproduced under CCLI licence number 1072483

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