Opening Hymn – Gloria in Excelsis
1. Glory to god in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
2. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
3. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
4. you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;
5. you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
6. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
7. you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father, Amen.
Collect: Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
The First Lesson: Acts 7:55-60
The Gradual: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
The Epistle: 1 Peter 2:2-10
The Gospel: John 14:1-14
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
In union, dear Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church where your blessed Body and Blood are offered to the Father, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I entreat you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you and embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
Offering Hymn – How wondrous and great
1 How wondrous and great thy works, God of praise!
How just, King of saints, and true are thy ways!
O who shall not fear thee, and honor thy Name?
Thou only art holy, thou only supreme.
2 To nations of earth thy light shall be shown;
their worship and vows shall come to thy throne:
thy truth and thy judgments shall spread all abroad,
till earth’s every people confess thee their God.
Closing Hymn – Rise up, ye saints of God!
1 Rise up, ye saints of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of kings.
2 Rise up, ye saints of God!
His kingdom tarries long;
Lord, bring the day of truth and love
And end the night of wrong.
3 Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod;
And quickened by the Spirit’s power,
Rise up, ye saints of God!
