VERSION: 29 April 2002
ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LORD
(25 March)
THE DATE
The date of the angelic announcement to Mary of the birth of Jesus is exactly nine months before the date of the birth (Christmas Day). It may fall in Lent, Holy Week, or the Easter season (most often in Lent).
LITURGY
SENTENCES
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.
(Mary said:) 'Here I am, the servant of the Lord;
let it be with me according to your word.' (Luke 1:38 NRSV alt.)
PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Modernised traditional
Lord,
we have heard the angel's message
that your Son became a human being.
Bring us, by his suffering and death,
to the glory of his resurrection.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, alternative
Heavenly Father,
as your Son came to share our human nature
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
so, by the same power,
may we come to share his nature,
that when he appears in glory,
we may live with him for all eternity,
where he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FIRST READING
Isaiah 7:10–14 The sign of Immanuel
(For clarity, add the words 'for God is with us' (Isaiah 8:10c) to the end of verse 14)
PSALM
Psalm 45
Antiphon:
Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. (Ps 45:6a NRSV)
OR
Psalm 40:5–10
Antiphon:
Here I am; I delight to do your will. (Ps 40:7a,8a NRSV)
SECOND READING
Hebrews 10:4–10 Christ came to do God's will
VERSE
The angel said, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
You will conceive and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.'
(if in Easter season add alleluias)
GOSPEL
Luke 1:26–38 Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
Mary received the word of God in faith, and bore the Saviour of the world. Let us pray that the church may continue to receive God's word in faith, and so bring God's salvation to the world.
The regular response, OR:
God our Saviour,
hear our prayer.
Suggested intercessions
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for the church, that we might bear the word of God into the world
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*
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for the nations of the world and their leaders, that God would give them wisdom, peace, and justice
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*
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for the poor and needy, that God would fill them with good things
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*
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that God would give his protection to pregnant women, his guidance to young parents, his comfort to those who have experienced miscarriage, and his forgiveness and healing to those who have had an abortion
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*
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for all members of this congregation, that we might willingly obey the call of God
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Concluding prayer
We rejoice in you, God our Saviour, because you have looked on the lowliness of your servants, and have freely given us your salvation. Always remember your gracious promises to us, and hear the prayer we bring to you in the name of Jesus, both the Son of Mary and your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SEASONAL PREFACE
The Annunciation is usually in Lent. The seasonal preface given here is a modernised text recommended for use by the Department of Liturgics with all forms of the liturgy during Lent. For the various original texts for Lent from the Supplement to Lutheran Hymnal, see the document 'Lent season', under 'Seasonal preface', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. (For Holy Week or Easter, see the documents 'Holy Week' or 'Easter season' respectvely.)
It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He has taken on himself our sin,
so that we might die to sin
and live to righteousness.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:
COMMUNION INVITATION
One of the following invitations, as appropriate to the season, may be used. The congregation may respond with the words 'Thanks be to God' after the verse, before the invitation, 'Come . . .'
Lent / Holy Week
Every time we eat this bread and drink from this cup
we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.
Easter
Jesus says: 'Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life,
and I will raise them up on the last day.'
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
See the document 'Lent season', 'Holy Week', or 'Easter season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder, for a post-communion prayer for the season. Alternatively, use the following prayer.
Heavenly Father,
you were with the Virgin Mary
and blessed her by choosing her
to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour.
Be with us and bless us
through the healing gift of this sacrament,
so that in everything
we may accept your holy will
and rejoice with her in your salvation.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SEASONAL BLESSING
This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.
Lent / Holy Week
(May) Christ our crucified Saviour draw you to himself,
so that you may find in him the assurance of sins forgiven
and the gift of eternal life . . . (the blessing follows)
Easter
(May) the God of peace,
who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus,
provide you with every good thing you need in order to do his will . . . (the blessing follows)
HYMNS AND SONGS
FROM LHS, AT, TIS
The following songs are suitable for festivals connected with the Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord.
LHS
19
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Come, Thou Saviour of our race *
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20
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O Jesus Christ, all praise to thee *
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21
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Of the Father's love begotten
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295
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O Lord, we praise thee, bless thee and adore thee *
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622
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Behold, a rose is growing *
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* modernised version available
AT
141
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Born in the night, Mary's child
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260
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My soul is praising the Lord
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TIS
150
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Ye watchers and ye holy ones
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172
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My soul gives glory to my God, my heart
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173
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My soul gives glory to the Lord, in God
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277
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He who by a mother's love
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283
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Long ago prophets knew Christ would come
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287
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No wind at the window
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290
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Of the Father's love begotten
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294
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Behold, a rose is growing
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295
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Saviour of the nations, come
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302
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The angel Gabriel from heaven came
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323
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Born in the night, Mary's child
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324
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Lord, bid your servant go in peace
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325
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Who is the baby an hour or two old
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334
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At the cross her station keeping
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338
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Easter glory fills the sky
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526
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Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us
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'THE LORD WHOM EARTH AND SEA AND SKY'
This hymn, by Venantius Fortunatus (530-609), translated by J M Neale, has been modernised. It may be sung to tune Puer nobis nascitur, LH 13, TIS 194.
The One whom earth and sea and sky
adore and praise and magnify,
now, making what he made his home,
is carried in the Virgin's womb.
The One whose will is always done
by earth and stars and moon and sun,
now, as a human, takes our flesh,
from Mary, whom his grace possessed.
How blest that mother, in whose womb
the Architect of all the world,
whose hand contains the earth and sky,
was pleased to dwell as in a shrine;
blest, in the message Gabriel brought,
blest, by the work the Spirit wrought,
from whom the Great Desire of earth
took human flesh and human birth.
All honour, glory, praise be sung,
to Jesus, Virgin-born, God's Son;
to Father, Spirit ever be
all praise now and eternally.
PSALM 45
For musical settings, see Music Package 6 (for Ps 45:1,2,6-9) or Music Package 3 (for Ps 45:10-17).
OR, the following paraphrase of Psalm 45 by David Sch¸tz may be used on this day. It is sung to the tune Hanover (LH 454, TIS 133). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
My heart overflows with beautiful verse,
in songs for the king my tongue pens its words,
you are the most handsome, your lips speak with grace,
and so God has blessed you throughout all your days.
With sword at your side, in majesty ride,
victorious and strong, defend right from wrong,
Your right hand is lifted t'ward our enemies,
your arrows fly swiftly, they fall to their knees.
The throne of our God will always endure.
You hate wickedness, with justice you rule,
and so God anoints you with gladness for oil,
above your companions, you rule over all.
In ivory halls, the harps make you sing.
Around you attend the daughters of kings.
The queen stands beside you in gold of Ophir,
and your robes are fragrant with aloes and myrrh.
PSALM 40:5-10
For Musical settings of Psalm 40:1-11, see Music Package 1, and also TIS 23, I waited patiently for the Lord.
Here is a metrical paraphrase of Psalm 40:4-11 by David Sch¸tz, It is to be sung to the tune Moscow (LH 222, TIS 221). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
Those who trust in the Lord
and who reject false gods,
happy are they.
You, Lord, have done great things,
and plan great things for us.
None can compare with you,
O Lord our God.
I could not hope to tell
all that you've done for us,
but this I know:
you don't want sacrifice
for all the things you've done,
yet you have given me
an open ear.
So I say, Here am I:
your book contains my words:
'I will delight
to do your will, O Lord;
your law is in my heart.'
I will tell all the world
of your good news.
I do not seal my lips,
I do not hide your help.
I speak of you,
and of your faithfulness,
and of your steadfast love!
Your mercy, truth and love
will keep me safe.
CANTICLES
The canticle for the day is the Song of Mary (Magnificat). For various versions of this canticle, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Canticles', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
VISUAL
SYMBOLS OF THE ANNUNCIATION
The following symbols are used for the Annunciation:
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