26/01/2026

Service Sheet for Sunday 1st February 2026 – The Presentation of the Lord – Candlemas

Celebrant Fr. Benjamin Drury

Sung Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Processional: 156 (Coelites Plaudant) Sing how the age-long promise of a Saviour

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 24

Gradual: 157 (Old 120th) Hail to the Lord who comes

Offertory: 33 (Divinum Mysterium) Of the Father’s heart begotten Communion: Sheet (Be Still) Be still, for the presence of the Lord Recessional: 234 (Ratisbon) Christ, whose glory fills the skies

All are welcome to stay for refreshments after the liturgy.

The setting of the Gloria is at page 559 in the New English Hymnal. The setting of the Nicene Creed is on page 562. The setting of the Sanc- tus-Benedictus is on page 567. The setting of the Agnus Dei on page 569

A reading from the Book of Malachi (3: 1-4)

The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be wel- comed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 24: Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.

Let him enter, the king of glory! (Response) Who is the king of glory?

The Lord, the mighty, the valiant,

the Lord, the valiant in war. (Response) O gates, lift high your heads;

grow higher, ancient doors.

Let him enter, the king of glory! (Response) Who is he, the king of glory?

He, the Lord of armies,

he is the king of glory. (Response)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (2: 14-18)

Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Christ too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God’s religion, able to atone for human sins. That is, because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help others who are tempted.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! The light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel, your people. Alleluia!

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

+ A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (2: 22-40)

Glory to you, O Lord.

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’

As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising

of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’

There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty- four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliver- ance of Jerusalem.

When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, O Christ

O Lord, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (BCP Collect; Septuagesima)

Church Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Services: Unless noted, liturgies are followed by refreshments

Wednesday 4th February: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

Sun. 8th February: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass (5th in Ordinary Time; Sexuagesima)

Wednesday 11th February: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

Sun. 15th February: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass (6th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Study group & pilgrimage walking group: details from Fr. Benjamin

Community Connect Coffee Morning: 12th February (10:30 a.m.), Apollonos 6

Shrovetide Book Sale: Saturday, 14th February (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.), church garden; donations of books are very welcome on the day;

should any wish to bake a cake for the refreshment table, or help to serve teas and coffees it would be very much appreciated indeed: please communicate with Oliver Knight.

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