Saint Macartin’s Cathedral Enniskillen
MORNING PRAYER (1) – PAGE 84 
The First Sunday of Christmas 28th December 2025

Processional Hymn: 164 It came upon the midnight clear
A GENERAL CONFESSION
Almighty and most merciful Father; We have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare Thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore Thou them that are penitent; According to Thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of Thy holy Name. Amen.
THE ABSOLUTION
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live; and hath given power, and commandment, to His Ministers, to declare and pronounce to His people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins: He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe His holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech Him to grant us true repentance, and His Holy Spirit, that those things may please Him which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to His eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord, open Thou our lips and our mouth shall show forth Thy praise.
God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise ye the Lord. The Lord's Name be praised.

VENITE

The First Reading: 1 Samuel 2: 18-20, 26
Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy wearing a linen ephod. His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, ‘May the Lord repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the Lord’; and then they would return to their home.
Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favour with the Lord and with the people.
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Psalm 148 -  page 764 (486)
1  Alleluia.
   Praise the Lord from the Heavens; ♦
   praise Him in the Heights.
2  Praise Him, all you His angels; ♦
   praise Him, all His host.
3  Praise Him, sun and moon; ♦
   praise Him, all you stars of light.
4  Praise Him, Heaven of Heavens, ♦
   and you waters above the Heavens.
5  Let them praise the name of the Lord, ♦
   for He commanded and they were created.
6  He made them fast for ever and ever; ♦
   He gave them a law which shall not pass away.
7  Praise the Lord from the earth, ♦
   you sea monsters and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and mist, ♦
   tempestuous wind, fulfilling His word;
9  Mountains and all hills, ♦
   fruit trees and all cedars;
10  Wild beasts and all cattle, ♦
   creeping things and birds on the wing;
11  Kings of the earth and all peoples, ♦
   princes and all rulers of the world;
12  Young men and women,
      old and young together; ♦
   let them praise the name of the Lord.
13  For His name only is exalted, ♦
   His splendour above earth and Heaven.
14  He has raised up the horn of His people
      and praise for all His faithful servants, ♦
   the children of Israel, a people who are near Him.
      Alleluia.

The Epistle: Colossians 3: 12-17
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Hymn:  151 Child in a Manger 

The Gospel: Luke 2: 41-52
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. Assuming that He was in the group of travellers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for Him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and his answers. When His parents saw Him they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, ‘Child, why have You treated us like this? Look, Your father and I have been searching for You in great anxiety.’ He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what He said to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour. 

THE APOSTLES' CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Lord, have mercy upon us Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

O Lord, show thy mercy upon us and grant us Thy salvation.

O Lord, save the King and mercifully hear us when we call upon Thee.

Endue Thy ministers with righteousness and make Thy chosen people joyful.

O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.

Give peace in our time, O Lord, because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only Thou, O God.

O God, make clean our hearts within us and take not Thy Holy Spirit from us.

THE COLLECTS
The Collect of the Day - page 247 (160)

COLLECT ONE
Almighty God, Who hast given us Thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made Thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by Thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end.

or 

COLLECT TWO
Almighty God, Who wonderfully created us in Tour own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through Your Son Jesus Christ: Grant that, as He came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of His divinity; Who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

THE SECOND COLLECT For Peace
O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of Whom standeth our eternal life, Whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us Thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in Thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE THIRD COLLECT For Grace
O Lord, our Heavenly Father, Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same with Thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by Thy governance, to do always that is righteous in Thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS

Hymn: 159 Good Christians all rejoice 

The Sermon

Offertory Hymn:  157 Glory to God

The Blessing 

Hymn: 162 In the bleak midwinter 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mothers’ Union
We wish to thank everyone who so generously donated to our Women’s Aid Appeal. The response this year has been overwhelming. All items have been delivered and Women’s Aid are very grateful to the parishioners of St Macartin’s Cathedral for their incredible kindness.
Holy Baptism
If any families have children or adults not baptised, please speak to the Dean.  If desired a private baptism can be arranged for adults and older children.
Adult Confirmation
Any adults, who are not already confirmed, and would like to be confirmed please contact the clergy. This takes place at a private service just for those involved.
St Macartin’s Cathedral History Books
These are available from the Churchwardens in the Vestry immediately after services or from the Cathedral Office, and still at the launch price of £20 each.
Freewill Offering Envelopes
The end of the church’s financial year is 31 December 2025, after which date the annual accounts are prepared and audited. For this reason, we are asking all parishioners to return all their white 2025 envelopes by that date.  Any amounts received after December 31, 2025 will be added to the 2026 accounts.
Hope Healing Growth
The Aisling Centre Annual Day of Inspiration takes place on Saturday 10th January. The event now sold out but there is still availability to attend virtually.  Register via https://HHG2026.eventbrite.co.uk. For further information contact Aisling Centre by email at  info@theaislingcentre.com or  telephone on 028663252811.
Mothers’ Union
Our first meeting of 2026 is on Monday 12th January at 7.30pm. We commence with a Service of Holy Communion with Dean Hall, followed by the AGM. We look forward to seeing you there.
Beetle Drive
St Macartin’s Mothers’ Union invite you to a Beetle Drive on Friday 23rd January 2026 at 7.00pm, in St Macartin’s Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen. This will be fun for all with no experience or skill required. Admission is free and supper will be served. All are very welcome.
Sunday 28th December - The First Sunday of  Christmas
9.00am –       Holy Communion
11.00am –     Morning Prayer
Sunday 4th January - The Second Sunday of Christmas
9.00am –       Holy Communion
11.00am –     Holy Communion
Thursday 8th January
11.00am –     Holy Communion
Sunday 11th January - The First Sunday after the Epiphany
9.00am –       Holy Communion
11.00am –     Morning Prayer
Thursday 15th January
11.00am –     Holy Communion
Sunday 18th January - The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
9.00am –       Holy Communion
11.00am –     Holy Communion