The Epiphany of the Lord
+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening prayer:
On this the first Sunday of 2015, we come to worship our new-born King… and to seeek God’s guidance and protection as we face the uncertainties of the New Year.
_____
God most high, Your only Son embraced the weakness of our flesh to give us the power to become Your children; Your eternal Word chose to dwell among us, that we might live in the light of Your presence.
Grant us a spirit of wisdom to know how rich is the glory You have made our own, and how great the hope to which we are called in Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
__________
As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold; as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; so, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.
As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to thy lowly bed, there to bend the knee before thee, whom heaven and earth adore; so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare at thy manger, rude and bare, so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, our heavenly king.
Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way; and when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide.
__________
A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 60:1-6 (NLT)
“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.
“Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home. Your eyes will shine, and your heart will thrill with joy, for merchants from around the world will come to you. They will bring you the wealth of many lands. Vast caravans of camels will converge on you, the camels of Midian and Ephah. The people of Sheba will bring gold and frankincense and will come worshiping the Lord.
__________
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 (NLT)
Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.
_____
May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more. May he reign from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
_____
The western kings of Tarshish and other distant lands will bring him tribute. The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him gifts. All kings will bow before him, and all nations will serve him. He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.
__________
__________
A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 3:2-6 (NLT)
God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
__________
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”
After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
__________
Oh how I need Your grace / More than my words can say / Jesus I come Jesus I come
In all my weaknesses / You are my confidence / Jesus I come Jesus I come
I will rise stand redeemed / Heaven open over me / To Your name eternally / Endless glory I will bring
Oh what amazing love / We need Your cleansing flood / Jesus I come Jesus I come
In every broken place / You are my righteousness / Jesus I come Jesus I come
Thank You Jesus / Just as I am I come / Hallelujah / Oh what amazing love
__________
Intercessions:
Amazing God, who in Jesus was made flesh to offer us light and life – hear our prayers:
+ For those who claim the name of Christian – that they may accept the mystery of Jesus, human and divine….
Lord, hear us.
+ For people for whom God seems distant and uncaring – that they see the full beauty of God, revealed in Jesus….
Lord, hear us.
+ For nations where war and strife cause much suffering (especially in the Middle East) – that this New Year may bring peace….
Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians facing persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ – that they may have our faithful support….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all of us, in this two thousand and fifteenth year of our Saviour – that we may have the grace and courage to make a new start….
Lord, hear us.
+ For those of us who find life difficult at the moment – that God may pour out his mercy and grace on us….
Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died – that perpetual light may shine on them….
Lord, hear us.
Almighty, ever-living God, light of every faithful soul, fill the world with Your glory and reveal to all nations the splendor of Your presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________
Kumi ori / Ki va orech
U’ch’vod Adonai alayich zarach
Hineh ha’choshech yechaseh eretz / Ve’arafel leumim
Ve’alayich yizrach Adonai / U’ch’vodo alayich yira-eh
Arise, shine / For your light is come
And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you
Behold darkness has covered the land / And thick fog over the people
But the LORD will shine upon you / And His glory will appear over you
__________
Benediction:
May God, the source of every blessing, grant you the fullness of grace and keep you safe throughout the coming year.
May God safeguard the purity of your faith, give you an unwavering hope and a love that patiently endures to the end.
And, may God order your works and days in peace, listen to your every prayer, and lead you safely to eternal life.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 