Hear the words of the angel to Joseph:
“You shall call his name Jesus,
for he will save his people from their sins.”
Therefore let us seek the forgiveness of God
through Jesus the Saviour of the world. cf Matthew 1.21
Lord, you are gracious and compassionate:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
You are loving to all, and your mercy is over all your creation:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Your faithful servants bless your name
and speak of the glory of your kingdom:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.
Blessed are they who dwell in your house;
they will always be praising you.
Praise to you, O Christ,
King of eternal glory.
Let us pray for the Church and God’s world
and, inspired by the example of Saint Joseph,
for grace to grow in faith and holiness
and to follow ever more closely in the way of Christ.
Joseph was the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born,
who is called the Messiah:
may we value our family life at home and in the wider family of the Church.
We pray for . . . [Church universal/local etc]
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Joseph was not afraid to take Mary as his wife when he learned that the child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit:
may we have no fear of taking those opportunities for service offered us by the Lord.
We pray for . . . . [Vocations to ministry/religious life/public service etc]
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Joseph was a righteous man and unwilling to expose Mary to public disgrace:
may we live lives of integrity and be concerned for the reputation of others.
We pray for . . . . [Leaders/those in public life etc]
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Joseph named his son, Jesus, the One who will save his people from their sins:
may we make known to others the salvation he came to bring.
We pray for those who have not heard the gospel of Christ.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Joseph protected the child Jesus and his mother from the wrath of Herod:
may we always seek to shield those who are weak and vulnerable:
We pray for . . . . [Sick, suffering, helpless etc]
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Joseph took his family and returned to his native land:
We pray for those who have died recently . . . . . . .
May we, with them and all the faithful departed, be welcomed
to the banquet of eternal life.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Almighty God,
we give you thanks for Joseph
and for the whole company of your saints in glory,
with whom in fellowship we join our prayers and praises;
by your grace may we, like them, be made perfect in your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
they shall be called children of God.
We meet in the name of Christ and share his peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
Lord our God,
grant that as Saint Joseph faithfully cared for your only Son,
born of the Virgin Mary,
so we may serve you with pure and loyal hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And now we give you thanks because in his earthly childhood
you entrusted him to the care of a human family.
In Mary and Joseph you give us an example
of love and devotion to him,
and also a pattern of family life.[i]
It is indeed right and good,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Today we honour Saint Joseph,
the just man whom you gave as husband
to the Virgin Mother of your Son,
the wise and faithful servant whom you placed over your household.
With a father’s love he cared for Jesus, your only Son,
conceived by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.
Through Christ the choirs of angels and all the powers of heaven
worship in awe before your presence.
May our voices blend with theirs
as they sing with joy the hymn of your glory:[ii]
Heavenly Father,
whose Son grew in wisdom and stature
in the home of Joseph the carpenter of Nazareth
and on the wood of the cross
perfected the
work of the world’s salvation:
help us, strengthened by this sacrament of his passion,
to count the wisdom of the world as foolishness,
and to walk with him in simplicity and trust;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised:
there is no end of his greatness.
One generation shall praise your works to another:
and shall declare your power.
All your works praise you, Lord:
and your faithful servants bless
you.
They make known the glory of your kingdom:
and speak of your power.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord:
let all flesh bless his holy name
for ever and ever.
May the love of the Holy Family surround you.
May the joy that was Mary’s refresh you.
May the faithfulness that was Joseph’s encourage you.
May the peace of the Christ Child fill your lives. Amen.
Joseph was the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born,
who is called the Messiah. Matthew 1.16
Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,
for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1.20
Joseph made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled. Matthew 2.23
Who is the faithful and prudent servant the Lord has put in charge of his household? cf Luke 12.42
When Joseph and Mary had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.”
Let us confess our sins and failings to God our merciful Father.
We have done what was wrong in your sight
and chosen what has displeased you.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
As a mother comforts her child so shall you comfort us.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Let us return to you for you know our every deed and thought.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment
of what was spoken to her by the Lord. Luke 1.45
Alleluia.
Steadfast love and faithfulness have met;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other. cf. Psalm 85.10
God of mercy,
accept our gifts and all we bring before you
as you accepted the love of Mary,
the mother of your Son Jesus Christ,
who is Lord, now and for ever.[iii]
And now we give you thanks
because in choosing the blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son
you have exalted the humble and meek.
Your angel hailed her as most highly favoured;
with all generations we call her blessed
and with her we rejoice and magnify your holy name.
It is indeed right and good,
our duty and our salvation,
almighty Father, ever-living God,
to proclaim the wonders you have worked in all your saints,
and on this feast of Mary, ever blessed,
to echo her praise of your loving kindness.
For you have truly done great things
and holy is your name,
and your mercy is on those who fear you
in every generation.
When you looked with favour on your lowly servant
you remembered your promise of mercy
and gave the world through her
your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Through him the hosts of heaven adore you
and rejoice in your presence for ever.
May our voices join with theirs
in the triumphant hymn of praise:
Gracious God,
who gave joy to Elizabeth and Mary
as they recognized the signs of redemption
at work within
them:
help us, who have shared in the joy of this eucharist,
to know the Lord deep within us
and his love shining out in our lives,
that the world may rejoice in your salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Your salvation is near
to those who fear you;
that glory may dwell in
our land.
Your salvation is
near to those who fear you;
that glory may dwell
in our land.
Mercy and truth have
met together;
righteousness and peace
have kissed each other.
That glory may dwell
in our land.
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
Your salvation is
near to those who fear you;
that glory may dwell in our land.[iv]
Come and listen, all you who fear God,
and I will tell you what he has done for my soul. Psalm 66.14
My heart exults in the Lord, my strength is exalted in my God.
1 Samuel 2.1
All generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1.48, 49
The Lord has filled the hungry with good things. Luke 1.53
John the Baptist proclaimed,
“Repent for the kingdom of God has come near.”
Let us turn to the Lord in penitence and faith
and humbly confess our sin.
Alleluia, alleluia!
You, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. Luke 1.76
Alleluia.
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
let us pray to the Father.
Lord God,
who promised Zechariah a son
filled with the spirit and power of Elijah,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord
we pray for reconciliation between all people,
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord God,
when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting
the baby leapt in her womb
may we bless among women she who believed your promise,
and proclaim with joy the good news of your Christ.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord God,
at John's birth Zechariah proclaimed
he would be the prophet of the Most High
we pray for all who preach the Good News,
(especially the diocese of ...).
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord God,
when your Son came to the Jordan and was baptized by John
he saw the heavens open and the Spirit descending as a dove
may we who are baptized into your Church
faithfully proclaim in the world the words of your beloved Son.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord God,
John proclaimed your Son as 'the Lamb of God'
and John's disciples followed Jesus
help us to follow him too,
and by our words and deeds
to bring our families and friends closer to you.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord God,
who sent John to witness to the light,
to be the voice of one crying in the wilderness
and to prepare the way of the Lord:
comfort your people
and bring your healing to the sick and needy
to the broken-hearted and the oppressed,
to prisoners and captives.
(Especially we pray for. . . . ),
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord God,
John preached the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins
and suffered imprisonment and death for proclaiming your Law:
we pray with and for all who have died in your service,
joining our prayers with John the Baptist, and all the saints;
and grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
God our Father,
in your tender compassion
the dawn from on high has broken upon us.
Shine, Lord, on those who dwell
in darkness and the shadow of death
and guide our feet into the way of peace.
Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord God of Israel has come to his people to set them free
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
God of our salvation,
as we praise you for your servant John Baptist,
accept all we bring to you this day,
and free us to worship you without fear,
in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.[v]
And now we give you thanks
because you prepared the way of your Son Jesus Christ
by the preaching of your servant John the Baptist,
who proclaimed him as the Lamb of God, our Saviour.
It is indeed right and good,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Among those born of women
you marked out John the Baptist with your special favour
as the one who prepared the way before your Son.
His birth brought great rejoicing;
even in the womb he leapt for joy, so near was our salvation.
Alone of all the prophets,
John hailed the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
He baptized Jesus, the author of baptism,
in waters made holy by the one baptized.
By shedding his blood
he gave his last and greatest witness to your Son.
And so with angels and archangels
and all the heavenly host
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise:
Merciful Lord,
whose prophet John the Baptist
proclaimed your Son as the Lamb of God
who takes away
the sin of the world:
grant that we who in this sacrament
have known your
forgiveness and your life-giving love
may ever tell of your mercy and your peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. You will have joy and gladness and many shall rejoice at his birth for he will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. cf. Luke 1.14-16
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.
Luke 1.68
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. Luke 1.76
In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us. Luke 1.78
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light. John 1.6,7
Alleluia, alleluia
Mary Magdalen announced to the disciples,
“I have seen the Lord.”
Alleluia.
God of life and health,
in your Son Jesus Christ
we find the forgiveness of all that is past,
Grant that in this eucharist today
we may find the healing of all our sins.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.[vi]
or
Lord Jesus Christ,
grant that by the mystery of your body and blood,
we may watch at your cross,
weep at your tomb
and witness to your resurrection;
for you are alive for ever and ever.[vii]
And now we give you thanks that Mary Magdalen
who followed Christ in love
was first to announce to his apostles
that he had risen from the dead.
It is indeed right and good,
our duty and our salvation,
to praise you, the all-powerful Father, in every season,
and on this holy day to celebrate the glory of your saints.
In Mary Magdalene you kindled a fire of love for Christ
whose word had set her free.
You gave her the courage of love
to follow him even to the cross.
Seeking her teacher after his death,
so great was her longing
that you made her the first to behold him
risen from the dead,
and the first to announce to the apostles
his new and glorious risen life.
Her words still ring throughout your Church,
to strengthen faith and encourage hope
in those who gather faithfully for prayer.
And so with her, and all the citizens of heaven,
we join our voices to acclaim your glory
in this their joyful hymn of praise:[viii]
God of life and
love,
whose risen Son called Mary Magdalene by name
and sent her to tell of his resurrection to his apostles:
in your mercy, help us,
who have been united with him in this eucharist,
to proclaim the good news
that he is alive
and reigns, now and for ever.
Jesus said to Mary Magdalen: “Go to my brothers and say to them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” John 20.17
Those who live, live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5.15
Go quickly and tell his disciples: Jesus has been raised from the dead. Matthew 28.7
We have done what was wrong in the Lord's sight
and chosen what displeased him.
Yet as a mother comforts her child,
so shall the Lord himself comfort us.
So let us come to him who knows our every deed and thought.
or
Born of a woman, born under the law,
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of sin:
let us come to him that he may heal us and set us free:
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of Peace:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and splendour of the Father;
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
or
For our sake you were made to be sin who knew no sin.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Though you were rich,
yet for our sake you became poor that we might become rich.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
You emptied yourself taking the form of a servant
and became obedient unto death.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Alleluia.
or
Alleluia, alleluia.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Alleluia.
or
Alleluia, alleluia.
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with
favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Alleluia. Luke 1.47, 48
or
Alleluia, Alleluia.
My soul magnifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
Alleluia. Luke 1. 46, 47
As we pray to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we say with Mary:
Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.
Holy is your name.
Your prophet of old foretold a day when a virgin would conceive
and bear a son who would be called God-with-us.
Help us to looked forward to your deliverance
and to seek the fullness of your kingdom.
Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.
Holy is your name.
Your angel declared to Mary that she was to be
the mother of the Saviour.
Help (…and) every Christian person to be open to your world
and obedient to your will.
Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.
Holy is your name.
Mary rejoiced with Elizabeth, and sang your praise,
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.’
Help us to live joyful lives that sing your praise.
Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.
Holy is your name.
Mary bore a son of David’s line,
a king whose reign would never end.
Bless (… and) all the nations of the world with Christ’s gift of peace.
Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.
Holy is your name.
The child Jesus grew in wisdom and stature
in the home of Mary and Joseph.
Strengthen our homes and families,
and keep under your protection (… and) al those whom we love.
Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.
Holy is your name.
At the foot of the cross of Christ stood his mother,
and from the cross she received his lifeless body in her arms.
Give comfort and healing to (… and) all who suffer
and all who watch the suffering of those they love.
Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.
Holy is your name.
The apostle John saw a vision of a woman in heaven,
robed with the sun.
Bring us with (… and) all those who have died in the faith of Christ
to share the joy of heaven with Mary and all the saints.
Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.
Holy is your name.
Almighty and everlasting God,
who stooped to raise fallen humanity
through the child-bearing of blessed Mary:
grant that we, who have seen your glory
revealed
in our human nature
and your love made perfect in our weakness,
may daily be renewed in your image
and conformed to the pattern of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,
and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace Isaiah 9.6
And now we give you thanks
because, by the power of the Holy Spirit,
he took our nature upon him
and was born of the Virgin Mary his mother,
that being himself without sin,
he might make us clean from all sin.
or
And now we give you thanks
because in choosing the blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son
you have exalted the humble and meek.
Your angel hailed her as most highly favoured;
with all generations we call her blessed
and with her we rejoice and magnify your holy name.
or
And now we give you thanks
that he is your eternal Son, the King of glory.
When he took our flesh to set us free
he did not abhor the Virgin’s Womb.
Seated at your right hand in glory,
he will come to be our judge
and to bring us with the saints to glory everlasting.
or
And now we give you thanks because
he shared our life in human form
from the warmth of Mary’s womb to the stillness of the grave.
It is indeed right and good,
our duty and our salvation,
almighty Father, ever-living God,
to proclaim the wonders you have worked in all your saints,
and on the feast of Mary, ever blessed,
to echo her praise of your loving kindness.
For you have truly done great things
and holy is your name,
and your mercy is on those who fear you
in every generation.
When you looked with favour on your lowly servant
you remembered your promise of mercy
and gave the world through her
your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Through him the hosts of heaven adore you
and rejoice in your presence for ever.
May our voices join with theirs
in the triumphant hymn of praise:
or
It is indeed right and good,
our duty and our salvation,
almighty Father, ever-living God,
to give you thanks and praise
as we give honour to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
For by the overshadowing of your Holy Spirit
she conceived and bore the Word made flesh.
At the cross her vigil keeping
she accepted her Son’s last wish
and took to herself as sons and daughters
all those whom his death awakens to new life.
Joining her prayers with those of the apostles
she awaited his promised Spirit
and became the perfect pattern of the Church at prayer.
You raise her to the glory of your presence
and with a mother’s love she leads your pilgrim Church
in progress homeward
until the dawning of the day of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him the choirs of angels and all powers of heaven
worship in awe before your presence.
May our voices blend with theirs
as they sing with joy the hymn of your glory:
or
It is indeed right and good,
our duty and our salvation,
almighty Father, ever-living God,
to give you thanks and praise
for in the greatness of your mercy you chose the Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your only Son.
In her obedience the day of our redemption dawned
when by the overshadowing of your Holy Spirit
he took our flesh and dwelt in the darkness of her womb.
In her your glory shines as in the burning bush,
and so with every generation we call her blessed.
Her heart of love, obedient to your will,
endured the piercing sword of sorrow.
With her we rejoice in your salvation
and ponder in our hearts the mystery of your love
that we like her may share the joy of heaven.
And now with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven
we join our praise with hers
and sing with joy the hymn of your glory:[ix]
See also Extended Preface for Christmastide, CW p303
See also Extended Preface for the Annunciation, CW p310
God most high,
whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh:
we thank you that in this sacrament of our redemption
you visit us with your Holy Spirit
and overshadow us by your power;
strengthen us to walk with Mary the joyful path of obedience
and so to bring forth the fruits of holiness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
May the Father,
who has loved the eternal Son
from before the foundation of the world,
shed that love upon you his children. Amen.
May Christ,
who by his incarnation gathered into one
things earthly and heavenly,
fill you with joy and peace. Amen.
May the Holy Spirit,
by whose overshadowing Mary became the God-bearer,
give you grace to carry the good news of Christ. Amen.
And may blessing…
or
When the Word became flesh
earth was joined to heaven in the womb of Mary:
may the love and obedience of Mary be your example. Amen.
May the peace of Christ
rule in your heart and home. Amen.
May you be filled with the joy of the Spirit
and the gifts of your eternal home. Amen.
And the blessing…
or
Christ the Son of God, born of Mary,
fill you with his grace to trust his promises and obey his will;
and the blessing …
or
May the love of the Holy Family surround you.
May the joy that was Mary’s refresh you.
May the faithfulness that was Joseph’s encourage you.
May the peace of the Christ Child fill your lives. Amen.
Blessed is she who had faith
that the Lord’s promise would be fulfilled.
All generations shall call her
blessed.
So tenderly has he looked upon his servant.
All generations shall call her
blessed.
Blessed is she among women and blessed is the fruit of her womb.
All generations shall call her
blessed.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Holy is his name.
All generations shall call her
blessed.
Blessèd is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord. Luke 1.45
Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Luke 1.38
Jesus said, "Blessèd are those who hear the word of God and obey it!" Luke 11.28
Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2.19
We have come to Mount Zion,
the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem,
to myriads of angels,
to God the judge of all,
and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant.
Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Woe is me, for I am lost;
I am a person of unclean lips.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Our guilt is taken away,
and our sin is forgiven.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Father in heaven,
by his blood your Christ has ransomed us to you,
and has made us a kingdom and priests to you our God.
As the angels minister to you in heaven,
strengthen your Church to serve you here on earth.
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
Father in heaven,
when the angels greeted the birth of your Son
they sang for joy ‘Glory to God and peace on earth’.
Bless with Christ’s peace the nations of the world.
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
Father in heaven,
you Son has promised to your children
the care of the guardian angels who look upon your face.
Protect by your mercy our neighbours, families and friends.
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
Father in heaven,
you give your angels charge over those who trust in you
to guard them in all their ways.
Be with those in trouble…,
rescue them and show them your salvation.
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
Father in heaven,
your angel declares ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.’
‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘for they may rest fro their
labours, for they take with them the record of their deeds.’
Enfold in your love (…and) all who come in faith
to your judgement seat in heaven.
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
Father in heaven,
the angels sing by day and night around your throne:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty.’
With Michael, prince of the angels, who contends by our side,
with Gabriel, your herald, who brings glad tidings,
and with the holy company of heaven,
we worship you, we give you glory,
we sing your praise and exalt you for ever. Amen.
Hear again the song of the angels:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.
Through him the archangels sing your praise,
the angels fulfil your commands,
the cherubim and seraphim continually proclaim your holiness;
the whole company of heaven glorifies your name
and rejoices to do your will.
Therefore we pray that our voices may be heard with theirs,
for ever praising you and saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord …
or
And now we give you thanks and praise you holy name
because the splendour of your faithful angels and archangels
shows us your greatness,
which surpasses in goodness the whole of creation.
So as the hosts of angels rejoice in your glory,
we give you, their Creator, glory and worship.
In adoration and joy we make their hymn of praise our own:
Holy, holy, holy Lord …
Lord of heaven,
in this eucharist you have brought us near
to an
innumerable company of angels
and to the
spirits of the saints made perfect:
as in this food of our earthly pilgrimage
we have shared
their fellowship,
so may we come to share their joy in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God keep you in the fellowship of his saints.
Christ protect you by the ministry of the angels
The Spirit make you holy in God’s service;
and the blessing…
or
God bring you to the home
that Christ prepares for all who love him.
Amen.
God give you the will to live each day
in life eternal.
Amen.
God make you citizens of heaven,
with the whole company of the redeemed.
Amen.
And the blessing…
or
Blessing and honour and thanksgiving and praise
more than we can utter, more than we can conceive,
be to you, most holy and glorious Trinity,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
from all angels, and all people, all creations
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Lord commands his angels
to keep you in all your
ways.
Give thanks to the Lord, all his angels, mighty in power,
who fulfil his command and
heed the voice of his word.
Give thanks to the Lord, all his hosts,
his servants that do his
will.
Give thanks to the Lord, all his works,
in every place where he rules,
my soul give thanks to the
Lord.
For he commands his angels,
to keep you in all your
ways.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all you his angels; praise him all his host. Psalm 148
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the supper of the Lamb.” Revelation 19.9
Mortals ate the bread of angels;
the Lord sent them food in plenty. Psalm 78.25
We run the race set before us,
surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.
Therefore let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which clings so closely,
bringing