Leader: We call each other to enter more deeply into the riches of the journey
All: We hear the call – the call of God & the call of each other.
Leader: We call each other to reflect on our own experience &
To continue to learn wisdom & compassion.
All: We hear the call – the call of God & the call of each other.
Leader: We call each other to continue asking the questions.
All: We hear the call – the call of God & the call of each other.
Leader: We call each other to see the good in ourselves & in others.
All: We hear the call – the call of God & the call of each other.
Hymn: Hail to the Lord who comes, comes to his temple gate,
Not with his angel hosts, not in his kingly state;
But borne upon the throne of Mary’s gentle breast;
Thus to his Father’s house he comes, a humble guest.
O light of all the earth; We light our lives with thee;
The chains of darkness gone, children of God are free
Please sit & listen to the psalm 109 being read after saying the antiphon together
All: The Holy Spirit has revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Lord.
Reader: The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make
your enemies your footstool.’ The sceptre of your power
the Lord will stretch forth from Sion: ‘Rule in the midst of
your enemies. Yours is the princely power in the day of your
birth. In holy splendour; before the daystar, like the dew,
I have begotten you.’ The Lord has sworn and he will not
repent; ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as
it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
All: The Holy Spirit has revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Lord.
Please sing the second psalm as indicated.
Cantors: They went to offer to the Lord what the Law ordered:
A pair of turtledoves or a pair of pigeons.
Side 1: Out of the depth I have called to you O Lord;
Lord hear my voice.
Side 2: Let your ears consider well
The voice of my supplication.
Side 1: If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss,
O Lord, who could stand?
Side 2: For there is forgiveness with you,
Therefore you shall be feared.
Side 1: I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for the Lord.
In the Lord’s word is my hope.
Side 2: My soul waits for the Lord
More than the night-watch for the morning.
Side 1: Let the watch count on daybreak
And Israel on the Lord.
Side 2: O Israel wait for the Lord,
For with the Lord there is mercy.
Side 1: With the Lord there is plenteous redemption,
And the Lord will redeem Israel from all their sins.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen.
All: They went to offer to the Lord what the Law ordered: A pair of turtledoves or a pair of pigeons.
Incense is lit before the reading.
Reading: Mal: 3:1
I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter the temple;
and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming.
After a time of reflection, please sing the response twice:
The light of Christ has come into the world.
The light of Christ has come into the world.
Please stand to sing the Magnificat as indicated.
Cantors: Today the Blessed Virgin Mary presented the child Jesus in the temple;
There Simeon took him in his arms and gave thanks to God.
Side 1: My being proclaims your greatness,
And my spirit finds joy in you, God my Saviour,
Side 2: For you have looked upon me, your servant, in my lowliness;
All ages to come shall call me blessed.
Side 1: God, you who are mighty, have done great things for me.
Holy is your name.
Side 2: Your mercy is from age to age
Towards those who fear you
Side 1: You have shown might with your arm
And confused the proud in their inmost thoughts.
Side 2: You have deposed the mighty from their thrones
And raised the lowly to high places.
Side 1: The hungry you have given every good thing
While the rich you have sent away empty.
Side 2: You have upheld Israel, your servant,
Ever mindful of your mercy-
Side 1: Even as you promised our ancestors;
Promised Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants for ever.
All: Give praise to the Father Almighty
To his Son Jesus Christ our Lord
To the Spirit who dwells in our hearts
Both now and for ever, Amen.
All: Today the Blessed Virgin Mary presented the child Jesus in the temple;
There Simeon took him in his arms and gave thanks to God.
Intercessions:
Reader: We celebrate the presentation of Jesus in the temple, establishing for us a new covenant, with Christ himself as the temple .…………… silence ………….. we give thanks:
All: Our eyes have seen your salvation.
Reader: You are the true light; help us all to see you and to acknowledge you as God. .……..silence ………..we give thanks:
All: Our eyes have seen your salvation.
Reader: Simeon recognised your presence through the power of the Holy Spirit. May the Holy Spirit be recognised in our world today – especially by those people who most need the Spirit’s power in their lives. .…………… silence ………….. we give thanks:
All: Our eyes have seen your salvation.
Reader: Many people have seen your promise and died in peace; we pray now for them, and for all those people known to us who have died. May they now share in the full light of your truth and love. We pray for people who have died today & for those who will die tonight. We also pray for those whose anniversaries occur tomorrow, remembering especially:
Pause for people to add silently or aloud any further intentions.
Leader begins the Our Father….
Leader: O God, who in the work of creation commanded the light to shine out in the darkness: we pray that the glorious light of Christ may shine into the hearts of all your people revealing to them your love for each one of us. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
All: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, & the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.
All: Amen.
Leader: Go in the light of Christ.
All: Thanks be to God.
As we end our prayer together, let us listen to the Song of Simeon. (Taize Laudate Tr 19.)