The Collects and Readings for Candlemass, Sunday 3rd February 2019 Collect Almighty and
ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant
that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Hebrews 2. 14-18 14 Since,
therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might
destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their lives were held
in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of
Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful
and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because
he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Luke 2. 22-40 22 When the time came for their purification
according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written
in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), 24and they
offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout,
looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him
by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit,
Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,
28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 ‘Master, now you are dismissing
your servant in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light
for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
33 And
the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and
said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign
that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own
soul too.’ 36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of
the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, 37then
as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day.
38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the
redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they
returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and
the favour of God was upon him. Post Communion Collect Lord,
you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond
words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Amen. Prayers - we have been asked to remember
in our prayers: David Aked-Walker, Father Mike, Katie Hakin, Carole
Harrington, Lynda Hinton, Diane Jones, Rev’d John Knight, Jill Knight, Philip Le Roux, Sylvia Reynolds, and James Wagstaffe.
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