December 2, 2025
You know the time has come: you must wake up now: our salvation is even nearer than it was when we first became believers. Romans 13: 11
CPWI 050 Rejoice, rejoice, Believers!
1 Rejoice, rejoice, believers,
and let your lights appear!
The evening is advancing,
and darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising
and soon he will draw nigh;
up, watch in expectation!
At midnight comes the cry.
2 See that your lamps are burning,
replenish them with oil;
and wait for your salvation,
the end of sin and toil.
The marriage feast is waiting
the gates wide open stand
rise up, ye heirs of glory,
the Bridegroom is at hand!
3 Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, O Sun so longed for,
above the darkened sphere.
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth’s redemption
that sets your people free!
O Lord, answer us in the day of trouble,
Send us help from your holy place.
Show us the path of life,
For in your presence there is joy.
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad;
May your glory endure for ever.
Your kingship has dominion over all
And with you is our redemption.
O God our Father, you have bidden light to shine out of darkness,
and have awakened us again to praise your goodness and to seek
your grace; make us children of the light and of the day, that our
lives being open to your glory, we may shine as lights in the world,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 123
1 To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until he has mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
4 Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those
who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.
GLORIA
A READING: Matthew 24:36-42
Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to GOD.
[…Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light…
A HAPPY NEW CHRISTIAN NEW YEAR’ to you!!!
As we begin a new cycle of worship and service and proclaiming the ‘Good News’ , we should note the urgency in the text from DAY-1. We are encouraged, actually warned, to be watchful and diligent in expect-ation of our Lord’s coming. We do not know the hour or the moment, but we are called to be ready and prepared. Notice too, that the ‘where we meet’ is as inscrutable as the ‘when we meet!’ He is coming, but we can be snatched away. Give a thought for your loved ones Do your best to encourage the same faith in them that you have in Jesus our Saviour. As our Lord pointed out, in the midst of Noah’s preparation, only he and his family were saved. Let us proclaim the Salvation already prepared for us There is room for more at the foot of the cross, and before the ‘Throne of Grace!’ ***
…Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day
your Lord is coming...]
THE PRAYERS:
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
As our Saviour has taught us, let us pray
Our Father in heaven, allowed 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.
V. Lord reveal your love among us
R. That we may know the joy of your salvation
V. Grant peace within and among all nations;
R. And teach our leaders wisdom
V. Endow your church with faithfulness
R. And her Servants with knowledge and true godliness
V. Defend, O Lord, the rights of the poor and the oppressed
R. That your justice may be known among all people.
V. Lord, renew your Spirit within us
R. That in us and through us your will be done
COLLECT ADVENT -1
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all that lives: So guide us in the things we do, that we may do them not for self alone, but for the common good; Arouse our concern for those who are endangered or challenged. Speak peace and calm into our anxious lives: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sweet Jesus, Sweet Jesus, what a wonder you are
You are brighter than the Morning Star.
You are fairer, much fairer
than the Lily that grows by the way
You are precious, more precious than gold.
THE DISMISSAL
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or conceive, by the power which is at work among us, to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all ages. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
*** Today’s reflection is a repeat from 2022. We believe it is as relevant now as then
Prepared by ::: St Mary the Virgin ::: 99 Molynes Road ::: Kgn.20