2017 - Midnight Mass from Leeds Cathedral Midnight Mass

A very warm welcome

to Leeds Cathedral,

in the heart of the city.

You join us on one of the most

important nights in the Christian

calendar - the great feast

of Christmas, when God

sent his Son, Jesus,

to live among us as one of us.

I am standing in the Chapel

dedicated to Blessed Mary,

the Mother of Jesus.

Behind the altar, you can see

St Anne, our patron,

the Mary's Mother, teaching her

daughter her prayers.

With them and all the saints,

we rejoice once more that God has

reached down and taken what is ours:

our frailty, sinfulness, anxieties

and given us what is his:

hope, forgiveness and love.

BELLS PEAL

# Sing lullaby

# Lullaby baby, now reclining,

# Sing lullaby!

# Hush, do not wake, the Infant King

# Angels are watching,

stars are shining

# Over the place where he is lying

# Sing lullaby!

# Sing lullaby!

# Lullaby!

# Is the babe a-waking?

# Sing lullaby!

# Hush, do not wake the Infant King

# Dreaming of Easter,

gladsome morning

# Conquering Death,

its bondage breaking

# Sing lullaby!#

As we prepare to celebrate

the birth of Christ,

we pause to bless this

Christmas manger scene.

When we look upon these figures,

the Christmas gospel comes alive

and we rejoice in the mystery

of the Son of God made man.

Let us pray.

God of every nation and people,

from the very beginning of creation

you have made manifest your love:

when our need for a Saviour

was great you sent your Son to be

born of the Virgin Mary.

To our lives he brings joy

and peace, justice, mercy and love.

Lord, bless this manger, may it

remind us of the humble birth.

of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts

to him, who is God-with-us

and Saviour of all, and who lives

and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

# O come all ye faithful

# Joyful and triumphant

# O come ye to Bethlehem

In the name of the Father, and of

the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

ALL:

Amen.

Peace be with you.

ALL:

And with your spirit.

Brothers and sisters,

let us acknowledge our sins, and so

prepare ourselves to celebrate

the sacred mysteries.

Lord Jesus, you are mighty God

and Prince of Peace.

Lord, have mercy.

I confess to Almighty God.

You are the Son of God

and the Son of Mary.

Christ, have mercy.

ALL:

Christ, have mercy.

You are the Word made Flesh,

the splendour of the Father.

Lord, have mercy.

ALL:

Lord have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy on us,

forgive us our sins, and bring

us to everlasting life.

ALL:

Amen.

# Gloria in excelsis Deo

# Gloria in excelsis Deo

# Et in terra pax

hominibus bonae voluntatis

# Laudamus te

# Gloria in excelsis Deo

# Laudamus te

# Laudamus te

# Benedicimus te

# Benedicimus te

# Laudamus te

Glorificamus te

# Glorificamus te

# Gloria in excelsis Deo

# # Gratias agimus tibi propter

# Gratias agimus tibi propter

# Gratias agimus tibi propter

# Domine Deus

# Rex coelestis

# Deus Pater omnipotens

# Domine Fili unigenite

# Jesu Christe

# Domine Deus

# Agnus Dei

# Filius Patris

# Filius Patris

LATIN SINGING CONTINUES

# Amen

# Amen

# Amen

# Amen

# Amen

# Amen

# Amen

Let us pray.

O God, who has made this most

sacred night radiant

with the splendour of the true

light, grant, we pray, that we,

who have known the mysteries

of his light on earth,

may also delight in his

gladness in heaven.

Who lives and reigns

with you in the unity.

of the Holy Spirit, one

God, for ever and ever.

ALL: Amen.

A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

The people that walked

in darkness has seen

a great light, on those

who dwelt in a land of deep

shadow a light has shone

You have made their gladness

greater, you have made their joy

increase, they rejoice

in your presence as men rejoice

at harvest time, as men are happy

when they are dividing the spoils.

For the yoke that was

weighing on him, the bar

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 us and 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 dominion

in a peace that has no end,

for the throne of David

and 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.

ALL:

Thanks be to God.

Today a Saviour has been born to us,

he is Christ the Lord.

# Today a Saviour has been born

to us, he is Christ the Lord.

Proclaim his help day by day,

tell among the nations his glory,

and his wonders among

all the peoples.

Today a Saviour has been born to us,

he is Christ the Lord.

# Let the heavens rejoice

and earth be glad

# Let the sea and all

within it thunder praise

# Let the land and

all it bears rejoice

# All the trees of

the wood shout for joy

# At the presence of

the Lord for he comes

# He comes to rule the earth

# Today a Saviour has been born

to us, he is Christ the Lord.

# With justice he will rule

the world

# He will judge the

peoples with his truth

# Today a Saviour has been born

to us, he is Christ the Lord

# He is Christ the Lord. #

A reading from the 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.

ALL:

Thanks be to God.

# Alleluia!

# Alleluia!

# Alleluia!

# Alleluia!

# Alleluia!

# Alleluia!

# I bring you news of great joy.

# Today a saviour has been born

to us - Christ the Lord.

# Alleluia!

# Alleluia!

# Alleluia!

The Lord be with you.

ALL:

And with your spirit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel

according to Luke.

ALL:

Glory to you, O Lord.

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.

ALL: Praise to you,

Lord Jesus Christ.

# Alleluia!

# Alleluia!

# Alleluia!

"The people that walked in darkness

has seen a great light.

"On those who live in a land of deep

shadow a light has shone."

Those words at the beginning

of the First Reading

from the Prophet Isaiah set

the scene for our gathering

in the darkness of this night

to celebrate the birth

of Jesus Christ.

"A people that walked in darkness,

who live in a land of deep shadow."

When we hear those words,

we imagine a people who are trying

to find their way, to understand why

and where they are.

The "darkness" restrains

the ability to move freely.

The "deep shadow"

oppresses the spirit.

For anyone who has walked

in that kind of darkness,

there is an experience

of helplessness,

of not being in control.

The door of life can feel locked,

shut closed, a door which can only

be opened from the outside.

They can only hope that someone

from outside that "land of deep

shadow" will open the door,

free them and bring

them into the light.

Those who are seriously ill

or housebound understand this.

Those trapped in poverty

or destitution understand this.

Those afflicted by conflict

and war understand this.

Prisoners understand this.

Migrants and refugees understand

this. Christians persecuted for

their faith, all of those persecuted

for their faith understand this.

Those burdened by sickness,

depression or mental

illness understand this,

and those oppressed by their own

sinfulness understand this.

When we experience darkness in our

lives, whatever form it may take,

we might think that the story

of Christmas is a long way

from the reality of

what is happening to us.

A long way from that darkness and

deep shadow.

Yet it is in that "land of deep

shadow" that the story

of Christmas becomes,

in a very real sense,

news of great joy -

a light in the darkness.

Christmas reminds us

that the "land of deep shadow"

is a place in which none of us

is meant to live.

Christmas reminds us that the life

of each and every one

of us has infinite value

and is precious to God.

Christmas tells us that it is for

this reason that God came

into our world as a person,

in human flesh, to rescue us

from that place of darkness

and assure us we are not alone.

For the prophet Isaiah, God's coming

is like a "great light".

It is a "child born for us,

a son given to us, and dominion

is laid upon his shoulders."

That child is a gift from God,

the gift of His Son, God-with-us,

God present among his people.

In the reading from St Luke's

Gospel, we heard how God comes first

and foremost to the poorest among

us, to those who are suffering

That is symbolised by the shepherds,

some of the lowliest time in society

at the time of our Lord.

He comes to those who are suffering

or feel oppressed, to those who walk

in darkness and live in a "land

of deep shadow", to those whose

spirit is brought so low that

at times they are unable to see any

purpose or meaning

to their life at all.

Why is this bishop going on about

darkness and deep shadow, you may

ask, in this season of Christmas

joy?

Perhaps there are some

of you here in this cathedral

or sharing in this Mass

on television at home tonight

who are in some way or other

experiencing that poverty

or oppression of spirit

in your own lives right now.

In fact, I dared to say that all of

us, at some point in our lives, have

gone through something of that

darkness and deep shadow.

If so, then I ask you to

hear again the message

of the angels to the shepherds

in the Gospel: "Do not be afraid.

Do not be afraid.

"Listen, I bring you

news of great joy.

"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."

This is a message for all of us -

a message of joy to be shared

by the whole people.

Jesus Christ wishes to share our

life, to live with us,

wishes to be close to us and bring

the light of His love into any

darkness which is in our lives.

So, do not be afraid!

In the times of darkness

in your life, in those

places of deep shadow,

do not be afraid.

The light and good news

of the Christmas message is that God

desires to be close to us,

so close to us that He sent His only

Son, Jesus Christ, to be our light

in darkness and our companion

on the journey of life.

The Creator and Lord of All became

a little one, so that we might

experience our own dignity and great

worth in His eyes.

The birth of Christ,

in humility and weakness as a baby,

was the sign that God

seeks our love, not our fear.

So, if you feel oppressed in spirit,

if you have any darkness

in your life, do not be afraid.

Go now in your mind

and heart to the crib.

Just blessed at the beginning of

this Mass.

See the child with His arms

stretched out towards you.

On the altar, see him later as man,

a poor man, as someone

oppressed by others,

with his arms outstretched

on the wood of the cross for you.

Look and see His love burning

for you and know that He desires

only your love for Him.

However unworthy you may

think yourself to be,

or whatever darkness may oppress

you, do not be afraid!

Let us not be afraid.

Let us open the door of your hearts

and ask Him to come into your life.

For we are loved and

precious in His eyes.

He has been born for us.

May Our Lord and Saviour Jesus

Christ find a welcome home

in your hearts this Christmas

and may His love bring light and joy

into your life and into the lives

of your families and all those

who are dear to you.

Amen.

Amen.

Brothers and Sisters,

this is the night when the goodness

and kindness of God

our Saviour appeared.

Let us lift up our prayers to

the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

for the Church and the whole world.

For the Holy Church of God:

may she be attentive

to the needs of all,

sharing their grief and pain,

their joy and hope,

and so faithfully bring all people

the Good News that the Saviour

has been given to us.

# Let us pray to the Lord

# Lord, hear our prayer

For peace in the world: may

the celebration of the birth

of the King of Peace,

give courage to those in government

and positions of leadership to work

tirelessly for just peace

between all peoples of the world.

# Let us pray to the Lord

# Lord, hear our prayer

For the needs of human life: may

believers and all people of good

will be inspired and strengthened

by the celebration of Jesus' birth

to respect the dignity of all human

life from the moment of conception

to natural death.

# Let us pray to the Lord

# Lord, hear our prayer

For the mission of Catholic Care

in the Diocese of Leeds:

may its work in our communities

bring the light and joy of Christ

into the lives of those

who are poor and vulnerable.

# Let us pray to the Lord

# Lord, hear our prayer

For St Gemma's Hospice as it

celebrates its 40th anniversary:

may the sick and those

who are in need of end of life care,

and their families, find

renewed hope from the light

which Christ's Nativity brings.

# Let us pray to the Lord

# Lord, hear our prayer

For those who have died recently,

and for those whose anniversaries

occur at this time: may they be

forgiven their sins and come

to rejoice together in the fullness

of joy in the company

of the redeemed.

# Let us pray to the Lord

# Lord, hear our prayer

Let us ask Our Lady,

the Mother of the Saviour

to pray with us now 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.

Receive, we ask, O Lord,

the prayers of your Church,

which today contemplates and adores

Christ your Son, born of Virgin Mary

and made man for our salvation.

Who lives and reigns

for ever and ever.

Amen.

# Ding dong! Merrily on high

in heav'n the bells are ringing

# Ding dong! Verily the sky

is riv'n with angels singing

# Glo-o-o-ria

# Hosanna in excelsis

# Glo-o-o-ria

# Hosanna in excelsis

# E'en so here below, below,

let steeple bells be swungen

# And i-o, i-o, i-o,

by priest and people sungen

# Glo-o-o-ria

# Hosanna in excelsis

# Glo-o-o-ria

# Hosanna in excelsis

# Pray you, dutifully prime

your matin chime, ye ringers

# May you beautifully rhyme

your evetime song, ye singers

# Glo-o-o-ria

# Hosanna in excelsis

# Glo-o-o-ria

# Hosanna in excelsis. #

# Hosanna in excelsis. #

# O little town of Bethlehem

Pray, 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.

# 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.

# It is truly right and just,

our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give

you thanks, Lord, Holy Father,

# Almighty and eternal God.

# For in the mystery

of the Word made flesh

A new light of your glory has

shone upon the eyes of our mind,

so that, as we recognise

in him God made visible,

we may be caught up through him

in love of things invisible.

# And so, with Angels

and Archangels,

# With Thrones and Dominions,

# And with all the hosts

and Powers of heaven,

# We sing the hymn of your

glory, as without end we acclaim.

# Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,

Dominus Deus Sabaoth

# Dominus Deus Sabaoth

# Pleni sunt coeli

et terra gloria tua

# Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus

# Sanctus

# Sanctus

# Benedictus qui venit

# Pleni sunt coeli

et terra gloria tua

# Gloria tua

# Hosanna in excelsis

# Hosanna

in excelsis

# In excelsis

To you, therefore, most merciful

Father, we make humble prayer

and petition through Jesus Christ,

your Son, our Lord: that you accept

and bless these gifts,

these offerings, these holy

and unblemished sacrifices,

which we offer you firstly

for your holy Catholic Church.

Be pleased to grant her peace,

to guard, unite and govern her

throughout the whole world,

together with your servant.

Francis our Pope and me

your unworthy servant,

and all those who, holding

to the truth, hand on the catholic

and apostolic faith.

Remember, Lord, your servants

and all gathered here, whose faith

and devotion are known to you.

For them, we offer

you this sacrifice of

praise, or they offer

it

for themselves and all who are dear

to them: for the redemption

of their souls,

in hope of health and well-being,

and paying their homage to you,

the eternal God, living and true.

Celebrating the most sacred night

on which blessed Mary the

immaculate Virgin brought forth

the Saviour for this world, and in

Communion with those whose memory

we venerate, especially

the glorious ever-Virgin Mary,

Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus

Christ, and blessed

Joseph, her Spouse,

your blessed Apostles and Martyrs,

Peter and Paul, Andrew,

James, John, Thomas,

James, Philip, Bartholomew,

Matthew, Simon and Jude,

Linus, Cletus, Clement,

Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian,

Lawrence, Chrysogonus,

John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian,

and all your Saints, we ask that

through their merits and prayers,

in all things we may be defended

by your protecting help.

Therefore, Lord, we pray:

graciously accept this oblation of

our service, that of your whole

family, order our days in your

peace, and command that we be

delivered from eternal damnation

and counted among the flock

of those you have chosen.

Be pleased, O God, we pray,

to bless, acknowledge, and approve

this offering in every respect,

make it spiritual and acceptable,

so that it may become for us

the Body and Blood of your most

beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the day before he was to suffer,

he took bread in his holy

and venerable hands,

and with eyes raised

to heaven to you, O God,

his Almighty Father,

giving you thanks, he said the

blessing, broke the bread and gave

it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you,

and eat of it, for this is my body,

which will be given up for you.

In a similar way, when supper

was ended, he took this precious

chalice in his holy and venerable

hands, and once more giving

you thanks, he said the blessing

and gave the chalice

to his disciples, saying,

"Take this, all of you,

and drink from it, for this

"is the chalice of my blood,

the blood of the new and eternal

"covenant, which will be poured out

for you and for many

"for the forgiveness of sins.

"Do this in memory of me."

BELL PEALS.

# The mystery of faith

ALL:

# When we eat this Bread

and drink this Cup

# We proclaim your Death

# O Lord, until you come again. #

Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate

the memorial of the blessed Passion,

the Resurrection from the dead,

and the glorious Ascension

into Heaven of Christ,

your Son, our Lord, we,

your servants and your holy people,

offer to your glorious majesty

from the gifts that you have given

us, this pure victim, this holy

victim, this spotless victim,

the holy Bread of eternal life

and the Chalice of

everlasting salvation.

Be pleased to look upon these

offerings with a serene

and kindly countenance,

and to accept them, as once

you were pleased to accept the gifts

of your servant Abel the just,

the sacrifice of Abraham,

our father in faith,

and the offering of your high priest

Melchizedek, a holy sacrifice,

a spotless victim.

In humble prayer we ask you,

Almighty God: command

that these gifts be borne

by the hands of your holy Angel

to your altar on high in the sight

of your divine majesty,

so that all of us, who through this

participation at the altar receive

the most holy Body and Blood

of your Son, may be filled

with every grace and heavenly

blessing Remember also,

Remember also,

Lord, your servants

who have gone before us

with the sign of faith and rest

in the sleep of peace.

Grant them, O Lord, we pray,

and all who sleep in Christ,

a place of refreshment,

light and peace.

To us, also, your servants,

who, though sinners,

hope in your abundant mercies,

graciously grant some share

and fellowship with your holy

Apostles and Martyrs:

with John the Baptist,

Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas.

Ignatius, Alexander,

Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity,

Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy,

Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia,

and all your Saints,

admit us, we beseech you,

into their company, not

weighing our merits,

but granting us your pardon,

through Christ our Lord.

Through whom you continue to make

all these good things,

O Lord, you sanctify them,

fill them with life, bless them,

and bestow them upon us.

# 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. #

At the Saviour's command

and formed by divine teaching,

we dare to 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.

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,

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 for ever.

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.

ALL:

Amen.

The peace of the Lord

be with you always.

ALL:

And with your spirit.

Let us offer each other

the sign of peace.

B with you -- peace be with you.

# Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata

mundi, miserere nobis

# Miserere

# Miserere

# Nobis

# Agnus Dei,

qui tollis peccata mundi

# Miserere nobis

# Miserere

# Miserere nobis

# Agnus Dei,

qui tollis peccata mundi

# Peccata mundi

LATIN SINGING CONTINUES.

Lord Jesus Christ, through your

death gave life to the world, your

most holy body and blood, with all

sins and every evil, keep me always

faithful to your commandments and

never let me be carted from you. --

parted from you.

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.

Lord, I am not worthy that

you should enter under my roof,

but only say the word

and my soul shall be healed.

May the body of Christ keep me,

you're unworthy servant, save for

eternal life.

May the blood of our Lord Jesus

Christ keep me, your unworthy

servant, safe for eternal life.

# Still - still, still, still, still

# Still, still, still

# Ihre keusche Brust darbringen

# Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf

# Mein liebes Kindlein schlaf

# Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf

# Gott hat den

Himmelsthron verlassen

# Tidings of great joy.

#

On Christmas night

all Christians sing

#

To hear the news the angels bring

MEN IN UNISON: # On Christmas night

all Christians sing

# To hear the news the angels bring

FULL, HARMONY:

# News of great joy,

# News of our

merciful King's birth

#

Then why should men on earth

be so sad

#

Since our Redeemer made us glad?

Ah, ah, ah, ah

#

Then why should men on earth

be so sad

#

Since our Redeemer made us glad?

Ah, ah, ah, ah

FULL, HARMONY:

# When from our sin He set us free

# All for to gain our liberty

#

When sin departs before His grace

CHOIR: When sin

#

Then life and health come

in its place

#

When sin departs before His grace

Then life and health

#

Then life and health come

in its place

# All out of darkness we have light

# Which made the angels sing

this night

# All out of darkness we have light

# Which made the angels sing

this night

# "Glory to God and peace to men

# "Now and for evermore

# "Evermore, amen." #

Let us pray.

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.

Before we conclude our celebration

of Mass on this most holy night, I

would like to take this opportunity

to wish you, your families, all

those who you love every joy, every

hope and a very happy Christmas.

The Lord be with you.

ALL:

And with your spirit.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

ALL:

Now and forever.

Our help is in the name of the Lord.

ALL:

Who made heaven and earth.

May Almighty God, bless you,

the Father, and the Son, and

the Holy Spirit.

ALL:

Amen.

Go, and announce the

Gospel of the Lord.

ALL:

Thanks be to God.

ALL: # Hark! the herald angels sing

# Glory to the newborn King!

# Peace on earth and mercy mild

# God and sinners reconciled

# Hail! the Sun 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 newborn King