Hymn:  377            Immortal invisible God only wise…

Collect:

O almighty God,
who alone canst order the unruly wills  and affections of the sinful:
grant unto thy people that they may love the thing which thou commandest and desire that which thou dost promise,
that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world,
our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found;
through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord,
who liveth…

First Reading: Isaiah 40.21-31

Choir Anthem:  Ave Maria  Arcadelt

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 9.16-23
Choir: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
All:      Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

            The Lord has pleasure in those who fear him;

in those who await his gracioüs favour.

            Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!         

Gospel: Mark 1.29-39 

Offertory Hymn:  439  Praise to the holiest…

(Gift Aid envelopes are available for those who wish to donate in this way)

Sanctus, Benedictus & Agnus Dei: Missa a 3 voci  Lotti

Post Communion Hymn: 385  Jesu the very thought of thee…

The offering of the Eucharist concludes with Organ music played by Paul Parsons

Allegro from Symphony No 2  Vierne

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St. Mary & St. Martin, Stamford

The Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple: Candlemas

Preacher: The Revd Michael Ruff

Collect to end of second reading

The Gospel

Credo to The Peace

Offertory hymn to end of Sanctus Benedictus

Eucharistic Prayer to Lord I am not worthy

Post Communion hymn to the arrival fo the clergy at the font

Prayers at the font to the end

Entrance Hymn; 234 Christ whose glory fills the skies  (Ratisbon)

Collect:

Almighty and ever-living God, we humbly beseech thy majesty,
that, as thy only-begotten Son  was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto thee
with pure and clean hearts, by thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who liveth….

First Reading:  Malachi 3.1-5 

Choir Anthem:  Iste Locus  Bruckner

Second Reading: Hebrews 2.14-end

Choir:  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

All:       Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

            Praise the Lord all ye Nations

            Sing praises unto the honour of his Name, ye peoples

            Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel: Luke 2.22-40   

Offertory Hymn:  

Of the Father’s……                                                       (Divinum Mysterium)

(Words on will be on the sheet)

1  Of the Father's heart begotten,            

ere the worlds began to be,

he is Alpha and Omega,

he the source, the ending he,

of the things that are, that have been                        

and that future years shall see,

evermore and evermore!

2   O that birth for ever blessed,

when the Virgin, full of grace;

by the Holy Ghost conceiving,

 bare the Saviour of our race;

 and the Babe, the world's Redeemer,

first revealed his sacred face,

 evermore and evermore!      

3  O ye heights of heaven, adore him;                                                                           

angel-hosts, his praises sing;

powers, dominions, bow before him                        

and extol our God and King;

let no tongue on earth be silent,

every voice in concert ring,

evermore and evermore!      

4  Christ, to thee with God the Father                         

and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,

hymn and chant and high thanksgiving,

and unwearied praises be;

honour, glory and dominion,

and eternal victory,

evermore and evermore!

Sanctus, Benedictus,& Agnus Dei:  Darke in F

Post Communion: 185  Sing we of the blessed  mother

The people’s candles are lit during the hymn            

THE CANDLEMAS PROCESSION

The people hold up their candles and the Celebrant blesses them saying:

Lord God, the springing source of everlasting light,

pour into the hearts of your faithful people

the brilliance of your eternal splendour,

that we, who by these kindling flames

light up this temple to your glory,

may have the darkness of our souls dispelled,

and so be counted worthy to stand before you

in that eternal temple where you live and reign,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Nunc Dimittis is sung as the Clergy and Choir process to the font

All:    Lord, now lettest thou thy servant de| part in | peace:

ac-  | cording | to thy | word.

For mine eyes have | seen thy sal- | vation:

which thou hast prepar’d before the | face of | all | people;

To be a light to | lighten the | Gentiles:

and to be the | glory of thy | people | Israel.

Glory be to the Father and | to the | Son,

and | to the | Holy | Ghost:

as it was in the beginning is now and | ever | shall be,

          world without | end. A- | - - | men.

Tonus Peregrinus

The people turn to face the Font

Celebrant:

Father, here we bring to an end our celebration of the Saviour's birth.           

All:   Help us, in whom he has been born,

to live his life that has no end.

Here we have offered the Church's sacrifice of praise.

All:   Help us, who have received the bread of life,

to be thankful for your gift.

Here we have rejoiced with faithful Simeon and Anna.

All:   Help us, who have found the Lord in his temple, to trust in your eternal promises.

Here we have greeted the Light of the world.

All:   Help us, who now  bear these candles,

          never to forsake the light of Christ.

Here we now stand near the place of baptism.

All:   Help us, who are marked with the cross,

to share the Lord's death and resurrection.

Here we turn from Christ's birth to his passion.

All:   Help us, for whom Lent is near,

to enter deeply into the Easter mystery.

Here we bless one another in your name.

All:   Help us, who now go in peace,

to shine with your light in the world.

The Angelus 

The Dismissal

The people extinguish their candles

The offering of the Eucharist concludes with Organ music played by Paul Parsons

Fugue sur le Carillon de la Cathédral de Soissons   Duruflé

End now the white loaf and the pie,

And let all sports with Christmas die. 

                                                                                        Herrick: Candlemas   

So ends Christmastide

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St. Mary & St. Martin, Stamford

 Third Sunday of Epiphany

Preacher: The Revd Geoffrey Spencer