Service

Service Sheet

Click the link below to download a pdf copy of our Service Sheet

10th May – Service Sheet – Click here to download a pdf copy.

14th May – Ascension Day Service Sheet – Click here to download a pdf copy.

Welcome to St. Alban’s

This church is fitted with an induction loop system. Please switch your hearing aid to ‘Two beeps’ (T).

10th May – Easter 6

Before the children leave for Children’s Church we pray together

Dear God, this church is a family.

Help us to learn together, to worship together,

to share together and to pray together.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

OPENING HYMN W. Chatterton Dix (1837-98)

1 Alleluia, sing to Jesus,

his the sceptre, his the throne,

alleluia, his the triumph,

his the victory alone:

hark! the songs of peaceful Sion

thunder like a mighty flood;

Jesus, out of every nation,

hath redeemed us by his blood.

2 Alleluia, not as orphans

are we left in sorrow now;

alleluia, he is near us,

faith believes, nor questions how;

though the cloud from sight received him

when the forty days were o’er,

shall our hearts forget his promise,

‘I am with you evermore’?

3 Alleluia, Bread of Angels,

thou on earth our food, our stay;

alleluia, here the sinful

flee to thee from day to day;

intercessor, friend of sinners,

earth’s Redeemer, plead for me,

where the songs of all the sinless

sweep across the crystal sea.

4 Alleluia, King eternal,

thee the Lord of lords we own;

alleluia, born of Mary,

earth thy footstool, heaven thy throne;

thou within the veil hast entered,

robed in flesh, our great High Priest;

thou on earth both priest and victim

in the Eucharistic Feast.

We are gathered together as one body

† 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.

INVITATION TO CONFESSION

Lord God, our maker and our redeemer,

this is your world and we are your people: come among us and save us.

Father eternal,

giver of light and grace,

we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,

in what we have thought,

in what we have said and done,

through ignorance, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We have wounded your love, and marred your image in us.

We are sorry and ashamed, and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us,

forgive us all that is past;

and lead us out from darkness

to walk as children of light. Amen.

Almighty God,

who forgives all who truly repent,

have mercy upon you † pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness

and keep you in life eternal.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GLORIA

We sing Glory to God, glory to God, Glory to God in the highest.

Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Glory to God, glory to God, Glory to God in the highest.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

Glory to God, glory to God, Glory to God in the highest.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

Glory to God, glory to God, Glory to God in the highest.

THE COLLECT

Risen Christ,
by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples:
help your Church to obey your command
and draw the nations to the fire of your love,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

READINGS FROM SCRIPTURE

After each reading: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Acts 17.22-31; 1 Peter 3.13-end

GRADUAL HYMN Thomas O. Chisholm ©Hope Publishing Co

1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,

there is no shadow of turning with thee;

thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;

as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed thy hand hath provided,

great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

join with all nature in manifold witness

to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is thy faithfulness…

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is thy faithfulness…

THE GOSPEL

We sing Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

John 14.15-21

After the reading…This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

We sing Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

THE SERMON

THE NICENE CREED Please stand if you are able

We 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 and for our salvation he came down from heaven;

he was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and 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 heaven and 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 Son is worshipped and glorified,

who 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.

THE PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Response: Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

At the end of the prayers we say together:

Merciful Father,

accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

THE PEACE Please stand if you are able

To crown all things there must be love, to bind all together and complete the whole. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

OFFERTORY HYMN Cecil Francis Alexander (1818-1895)

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

1 Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colours,

He made their tiny wings.

2 The purple-headed mountain,

The river running by,

The sunset, and the morning

That brightens up the sky.

3 The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one.

4 The tall trees in the greenwood,

The meadows for our play,

The rushes by the water,

To gather ev’ry day.

5 He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell

How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well.

THE PREPARATION OF THE TABLE

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.

Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made, it will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed be God forever.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.

Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become for us the cup of salvation.

Blessed be God forever.

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 thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, almighty and eternal Father, and in these days of Easter to celebrate with joyful hearts the memory of your wonderful works.

For by the mystery of his passion Jesus Christ, your risen Son,

has conquered the powers of death and hell and restored in men and women the image of your glory. He has placed them once more in paradise and opened to them the gate of life eternal.

And so, in the joy of this Passover, earth and heaven resound with gladness, while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation

sing for ever the hymn of your glory:

We sing Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

Do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.

Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:

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.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with conﬁdence his sacriﬁce made once for all upon the cross.

Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,

we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith.

We sing Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again.

Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom come and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Alban, and all the saints to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours,

O loving Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,

as our Saviour taught us so we pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name;

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

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.

We sing 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.

God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people.

Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

All baptised Christians who receive communion in their own churches are welcome to receive communion. Anyone may come up to receive a blessing.

COMMUNION HYMN Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965)

1 Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

2 Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass.

3 Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day!

PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION

God our Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life:
may we thirst for you,
the spring of life and source of goodness,
through him who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

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 your Spirit

to live and work to your praise and glory.

Amen.

THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL

God the Father,

by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead,

strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life;

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 peace, to love and serve the Lord

In the name of Christ. Amen.

CLOSING HYMN Folliot Sandford Pierpoint (1835 -1917)

1 For the beauty of the earth,

for the beauty of the skies,

for the love which from our birth

over and around us lies:

Christ our God, to you we raise

this our sacrifice of praise.

2 For the beauty of each hour

of the day and of the night,

hill and vale, and tree and flower,

sun and moon, and stars of light:

Christ our God, to you we raise

this our sacrifice of praise.

3 For the joy of ear and eye,

for the heart and mind’s delight,

for the mystic harmony

linking sense to sound and sight.

Christ our God, to you we raise

this our sacrifice of praise.

4 For the joy of human love,

brother, sister, parent, child,

friends on earth, and friends above;

pleasures pure and undefiled:

Christ our God, to you we raise

this our sacrifice of praise.

5 For each perfect gift divine

to our race so freely given,

joys bestowed by love’s design,

flowers of earth, and fruits of heaven:

Christ our God, to you we raise

this our sacrifice of praise.

14th May – Ascension Day

OPENING HYMN: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

1 Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
to his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!
enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!

2 There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
he hath conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
take the King of glory in! Alleluia!

3 See! he lifts his hands above; Alleluia!
See! he shows the prints of love: Alleluia!
Hark! his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
blessings on his Church below. Alleluia!

God has gone up with a shout.

The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

† 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.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, for forty days we have been celebrating with joyful hearts the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, his bursting from the tomb and his defeat of the power of sin and death. He appeared to his disciples many times and told them about the kingdom of God. Today we recall how he left this earth and returned to his Father, ascending into heaven to take his throne over all dominions and powers. Trusting in his reign over all creation, and submitting to his kingly yet loving rule, let us hear the story of his parting.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 1.1-11

After the reading Alleluia. Christ is risen:

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Seeing we have a great high priest

who has passed through the heaven,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us offer him the praise worthy of his name.

Glory to God, glory to God, Glory to God in the highest.

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Glory to God, glory to God, Glory to God in the highest.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

Glory to God, glory to God, Glory to God in the highest

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.

Glory to God, glory to God, Glory to God in the highest.

THE COLLECT

Let us pray that our risen and ascended Lord

will lead us to eternal life.

Grant, we pray, almighty God,

that as we believe your only-begotten Son

our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens,

so we in heart and mind may also ascend

and with him continually dwell;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 1.15-end

After the reading This is the word of the Lord:

Thanks be to God.

1 All heaven declares the glory of the risen Lord;

who can compare with the beauty of the Lord?

Forever He will be the Lamb upon the throne;

I gladly bow the knee, and worship Him alone.

2 I will proclaim the glory of the risen Lord,

who once was slain to reconcile man to God.

For ever You will be the Lamb upon the throne;

I gladly bow the knee, and worship You alone.

3 All heaven declares the glory of the risen Lord;

who can compare with the beauty of the Lord?

Forever He will be the Lamb upon the throne;

I gladly bow the knee, and worship Him alone.

THE GOSPEL

Alleluia, alleluia.

Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord.

Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Luke 24.44-end

At the end of the reading: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

THE SERMON

THE CREED Please stand if you are able

We 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, G

od 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 and for our salvation he came down from heaven;

he was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and 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 heaven and 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 Son is worshipped and glorified,

who 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.

THE PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Let us join our prayers with those of our Saviour Christ, seeking the Father’s blessing and the gifts of the Spirit.

RESPONSE: Lord, hear us – Lord, graciously hear us.

At the end of the prayers we say together:

Merciful Father, accept these prayers,

for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE PEACE Please stand if you are able to

Jesus says: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

If you love me, rejoice because I am going to the Father’. Alleluia.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

OFFERTORY HYMN G.H. Bourne (1840-1925)

1 Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour,
first begotten from the dead,
thou alone, our strong defender,
liftest up thy people’s head.
Alleluia, alleluia,
Jesus, true and living bread!

2 Prince of life, for us thou livest,
by thy body souls are healed;
Prince of peace, thy peace thou givest,
by thy blood is pardon sealed;
Alleluia, alleluia,
Word of God, in flesh revealed.

3 Paschal Lamb! Thine offering, finished
once for all when thou wast slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall forevermore remain.
Alleluia, alleluia,
cleansing souls from every stain.

4 Great high priest of our profession,
through the veil thou enteredst in;
by thy mighty intercession
grace and mercy thou canst win.
Alleluia, alleluia,
only sacrifice for sin.

5 Life-imparting heavenly manna,
stricken rock, with streaming side,
heaven and earth with loud hosanna
worship thee, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia, alleluia,
risen, ascended, glorified!

THE PREPARATION OF THE TABLE

Blessed be God, by whose grace creation is renewed, by whose love heaven is opened, by whose mercy we offer our sacrifice of praise.

Blessed be God for ever.

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 thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and good, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ the King of glory.

Born of a woman, he came to the rescue of our human race.

Dying for us, he trampled death and conquered sin.

By the glory of his resurrection he opened the way to life eternal and by his ascension, gave us the sure hope that where he is we may also be. Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy and with choirs of angels we sing for ever to your praise:

We sing Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends

and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

Do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: 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.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with conﬁdence his sacriﬁce made once for all upon the cross.

Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,

we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith.

We sing Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again.

Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth. Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Alban, and all the saints to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory are yours,

O loving Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Looking for the coming of his kingdom, as our Saviour taught us so we pray:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name;

Your kingdom come, your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

BREAKING OF THE BREAD

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.

We sing Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us. (repeat)

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,

grant us peace.

GIVING OF COMMUNION

Alleluia. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

All those baptised into the Christian faith are welcome to come forward for communion. Alternatively, you are welcome to come forward for a blessing.

1 As the deer pants for the water,

so my soul longs after you.

You alone are my heart’s desire

and I long to worship you.

You alone are my strength, my shield,

to you alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart’s desire

and I long to worship you.

2 I want you more than gold or silver,

only you can satisfy.

You alone are the real joy-giver

and the apple of my eye.

You alone are my strength…

3 You’re my friend and you are my brother,

even though you are a king.

I love you more than any other,

so much more than anything.

You alone are my strength…

Post communion prayer

God our Father,

you have raised our humanity in Christ

and have fed us with the bread of heaven:

mercifully grant that, nourished with such spiritual blessings,

we may set our hearts in the heavenly places;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We thank you, Lord,

that you have fed us in this sacrament,

united us with Christ,

and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet

prepared for all peoples.

Amen.

THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL

May the Spirit,

who set the Church on fire upon the day of Pentecost,

bring the world alive with the love of the risen Christ.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Waiting expectantly for the promised Holy Spirit,

go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 Christ triumphant, ever reigning,
Saviour, Master, King.
Lord of heaven, our lives sustaining,
hear us as we sing:

Yours the glory and the crown,
the high renown, the eternal name!

2 Suffering Servant, scorned, ill-treated,
victim crucified!
Death is through the cross defeated;

sinners justified.
Yours the glory and the crown,
the high renown, the eternal name!

3 Priestly King, enthroned forever
high in heaven above!
Sin and death and hell shall never
stifle hymns of love.
Yours the glory and the crown,
the high renown, the eternal name!

4 So, our hearts and voices raising
through the ages long,
ceaselessly upon you gazing,
this shall be our song.

Yours the glory and the crown,
the high renown, the eternal name!

Common worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included in this service, is © The Archbishop’s Council 2000. Common Worship: Additional Eucharistic Prayers, material from which is reproduced above, is copyright © The Archbishop’s Council 2012. Calamus Licence Number 95 CCL Licence Number 078543

Our Prayer for Vision & Leadership

Lord, we come before you with grateful hearts for the tremendous talent within our church.

We are a body filled with gifts yet we sometimes lose sight of why

we were so richly blessed in the first place.

Forgive us when we fail to heed Your calling in our lives, or as a community.

Despite our forgetful nature, we know you love us dearly and want us to partner with you:

not as servants, but as your children.

Bring us a renewed vision of ourselves from your perspective.

Help us to embrace your love so that we may share it with others.

Guide us as we look to the future

of this Parish of Gossops Green and Bewbush.

Grant us a renewed vision

as we seek you in your word.

Give us dreams that make us come alive because we are doing

what you created us to do.

Let our joy overflow from the vision of the future you give us.

Let us honour you with our work,

with our families and with our lives. Amen