‘Their splendour shows us your greatness,

which surpasses in goodness the whole of creation.' (Preface)
 

            V/ In the presence of the angels let us praise our God!

            R/ Glory to our Creator, and to the one who came and became one with us,
                and to the Holy Spirit, who guides our steps even today,

                as it was, is now, and will be forever. Amen

        Song:         'Come, Now is the Time to Worship' ( 'The Heart of Being Brother' CD)

OPENING PRAYER:
                        O God, in your great wisdom you have given to your angels and to your people each their proper tasks. Grant
                        us their protection, who serve ever in your presence, through Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
                        Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

READINGS:            Revelation    12

The Woman gave birth to a Son who will shepherd all nations with an iron rod. Her Son was seized and placed safely before God on his Throne. ... War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back, but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left. The great Dragon--ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray--thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth. Then I heard a strong voice out of Heaven saying,
 

Salvation and power are established!
Kingdom of our God,
authority of his Messiah!
The Accuser of our brothers and sisters thrown out,
who accused them day and night before God.
They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb
and the bold word of their witness.
They weren't in love with themselves;
they were willing to die for Christ.So rejoice, O Heavens, and all who live there,
but doom to earth and sea,
For the Devil's come down on you with both feet;
he's had a great fall;
He's wild and raging with anger;
he hasn't much time and he knows it.

PSALM RESPONSE
        R/ In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!"
Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
and say it again: "Thank you!"
 

        R/ In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Thank you for your love,
thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
most holy is your Word.
 

        R/ In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
you made my life large with strength.
When they hear what you have to say, GOD,
all earth's kings will say "Thank you."
 

        R/ In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
They'll sing of what you've done:
"How great the glory of GOD!"
And here's why: GOD, high above, sees far below;
no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.
 

        R/ In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.


READINGS:        Luke 1  (Translation from The Message)
 

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin's name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:
            Good morning!
            You're beautiful with God's beauty,
            Beautiful inside and out!
            God be with you.
She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
            He will be great,
            be called "Son of the Highest.'

            The Lord God will give him
            the throne of his father David;
            He will rule Jacob's house forever--
            no end, ever, to his kingdom."
 

Mary said to the angel, "But how? I've never slept with a man."
 

The angel answered,
            The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
            the power of the Highest hover over you;
            Therefore, the child you bring to birth
            will be called Holy, Son of God.

            "And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth

            conceived a son, old as she is?

            Everyone called her barren,

            and here she is six months' pregnant!

            Nothing, you see, is impossible with God."

            And Mary said,
                Yes, I see it all now:
                I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve.
                Let it be with me
                just as you say.
                Then the angel left her.


INTERCESSIONS:

To God who is enthroned upon the seraphim, we pray:
         R/ We give you thanks and praise!
 

Through the power of Michael, leader of the heavenly armies in the war against evil: - protect your people Lord!
       R/ We give you thanks and praise!
 

Through the word of Gabriel, message-bearer of the Gospel: - save your people, Lord!
        R/ We give you thanks and praise!
 

Through the intervention of Raphael, companion and healer: - comfort your people, Lord!
        R/ We give you thanks and praise!

LEADER:
            With your angels, we sing your praise, O God!

            You are all-holy and all-loving.

            You send your messengers to bear the tidings of salvation.

            You will to gather your people into your glory

            with all the angels, world without end. Amen.

CLOSING SONG:         any appropriate hymn

Br. Nick Morris (Rome)