The Epiphany of the Lord – Sun 08 Jan: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 ~ Savior of all nations

The Epiphany of the Lord

On Epiphany Sunday, we celebrate the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Savior of all nations, including ours. We worship God who wants all people to be saved.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Lord God of the nations, we have seen the star of your glory rising in splendour. The radiance of your incarnate Word pierces the darkness that covers the earth and signals the dawn of peace and justice.

Make radiant the lives of your people with that same brightness, and beckon all the nations to walk as one in your light.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendor of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
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“Arise, Shine (Kumi Ori)”

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1-6 (NLT)
[Isaiah refers to foreign people coming to worship the God of Israel, just as the wise men did.]

“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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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“Psalm 72” – Big Tent Revival

My Lord will soon be coming down | Like the rain on new mown grass | Showers fallin’ on the thirsty land

The righteous man will flourish in those days | And for as long as the moon runs ’round | Peace will abound

I sing praises, I sing praises | Praises to my Savior | Praises to my Lord

All those who dwell in wilderness | Will bow down licking dust | And kings will follow, bringing gifts to my Lord

With one cry, He’ll deliver those in need | All the meek | And those who have oppressors in the world

I sing praises, I sing praises | Praises to my Savior | Praises to my Lord

And blessed be the Power | Blessed be the Glory | And blessed be the Name

I sing praises, I sing praises | Praises to my Savior | Praises to my Lord | Jesus

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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 (NLT)
[Paul talks about the meaning of the feast: in Jesus, salvation is made available to Jews and pagans alike.]

You know 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.
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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.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)
[The events celebrated on the Epiphany are described in the Gospel.]

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.
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” We Three Kings” – Hillsong

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Intercessory Prayer:

God of the nations: you save all people when they cry out for help. Lord, hear us.

+ For the people of all nations — that they may believe the Good News of salvation. Lord, hear us.
+ For the Jewish people, our brothers and sisters – that through your faithfulness, they too may enter the Kingdom…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians in every nations – that together we may meet the challenges facing humanity…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people of all faiths and of none – that in this New Year they may grow in mutual respect and tolerance…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those in our midst who are sick or in sorrow – that your healing presence may bring them peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all Christians suffering persecution and violence – that they may be protected and delivered from evil…. Lord hear us.
+ For our friends and family members who have died – that eternal life with you may be theirs…. Lord, hear us.

O God, you rule the earth with justice: help us according to our needs, we pray, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.
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“Christmas Hallelujah” – Abigail Schmidt

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Benediction:

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.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: Fri, 06 Jan – 1 John 5:5-13; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; Mark 1:7-11 ~ it’s all about Jesus, the Son of God

Friday of the Second Week of Christmas

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.
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Reading: 1 John 5:5-13 (NLT)

And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. So we have these three witnesses—the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree. Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son. All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
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Reading: Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20 (NLT)

Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!

For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls. He sends peace across your nation and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat. He sends his orders to the world—how swiftly his word flies!
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He has revealed his words to Jacob, his decrees and regulations to Israel. He has not done this for any other nation; they do not know his regulations.

Praise the Lord!
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Reading: Mark 1:7-11 (NLT)

John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
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Prayer:

Christ our Redeemer: you humbled yourself to receive baptism at the hands of John, have mercy on us.

+ Lord, you taught us how to live; open our eyes to the light which is ever ready to enlighten us.
+ Lord, you humbled yourself to receive baptism from your servant: help us to give ourselves for others.
+ Lord, your baptism has made us children of the Father: grant the Spirit of adoption to all who seek you.
+ Lord, with baptism you have opened the door of repentance: make us living ministers of your gospel of new life.
+ Lord, your baptism has revealed to us the persons of the Trinity: renew your Spirit in all baptized believers.

Almighty, ever-living God, when Christ was baptized in the river Jordan the Holy Spirit came upon him and your voice proclaimed from heaven, ‘This is my beloved Son.’ Grant that we, who by water and the Holy Spirit are your adopted children, may continue steadfast in your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“It’s All About You Jesus” – Passion

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Blessing

This is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Thu, 05 Jan – 1 John 3:11-21; Psalm 100:1-5; John 1:43-51 ~ love is a sacrifice

Thursday of the Second Week of Christmas

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. Today a great light has come upon the earth.
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Reading: 1 John 3:11-21 (NLT)

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.

Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence.
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Reading: Psalm 100:1-5 (NLT)

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
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Reading: John 1:43-51 (NLT)

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.

Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”

“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”

Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”

Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”
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Prayer:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, sent by God to be for us the One who is Wise, Just and Holy – our Redeemer.

+ Lord of the universe, the shepherds found you in a manger: save us from a selfish, self-serving lifestyle.
+ You so loved us in all our weakness that you came to be our Savior; help us to respect the dignity of every man and woman.
+ You took our nature but you did not sin; help us to use your gifts in the service of others.
+ You made the Church your bride without defect or blemish: grant that all your people may persevere to the end.

God, our Father, since through the human birth of your only Son you began in us the work of redemption, keep us firm in faith, and with Christ as the Shepherd of our souls bring us the glory you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“Good Shepherd of My Soul” – Keith & Kristyn Getty

Good Shepherd of my soul come dwell within me. Take all I am and mold your likeness in me. Before the cross of Christ, this is my sacrifice: a life laid down and ready to follow.

The troubled find their peace in true surrender. The prisoners their release from chains of anger. In springs of living grace, I find a resting place to rise refreshed, determined to follow.

I’ll walk this narrow road with Christ before me, where thorns and thistles grow and cords ensnare me. Though doubted and denied, He never leaves my side. But lifts my head and calls me to follow.

And when my days are gone, my strength is failing, He’ll carry me along through death’s unveiling. Earth’s struggles overcome, heav’n’s journey just begun, to search Christ’s depths and ever to follow.
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Blessing

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Wed, 04 Jan – 1 John 3:7-10; Psalm 98:1, 7-9; John 1:35-42 ~ who’s your daddy?

Wednesday of the Second Week of Christmas

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!
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Reading: 1 John 3:7-10 (NLT)

Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.
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Reading: Psalm 98:1, 7-9 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!
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Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.
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Reading: John 1:35-42 (NLT)

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.

They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”.

Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).
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Prayer:

The Word of God was manifested in the flesh, seen by angels and preached among the nations. Let us praise him: Only Son of God, we adore you.

+ Redeemer of all men, you made us children of God; may we never know a day apart from you.
+ You manifested to us the faithfulness of God: may you always be the light of our lives.
+ You let us see the Father’s love for us: may we show others your loving care.
+ You came to live among us: make us worthy to be your friends.

Almighty God, the light of a new star in heaven heralded your saving love. Let the light of your salvation dawn in our hearts and keep them always open to your life-giving grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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” Lamb of God” – Vertical Church Band

You came from heaven’s throne | Acquainted with our sorrow | To trade the debt we owed | Your suffering for our freedom

The Lamb of God in my place | Your blood poured out, my sin erased | It was my death You died | I am raised to life | Hallelujah, the Lamb of God

My name upon Your heart | My shame upon Your shoulders | The power of sin undone | the cross for my salvation

My God, there is no greater love | There is no greater love | The Savior lifted up | There is no greater love
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Blessing

Put on the righteousness of Christ; demonstrate that you are a child of God.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Tue, 03 Jan – 1 John 2:29–3:6; Psalm 98:1, 3-6; John 1:29-34 ~ the Lamb has adopted me

Tuesday of the Second Week of Christmas

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

The Word was made flesh, and he lived among us, full of grace and truth. From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace, alleluia.
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Reading: 1 John 2:29–3:6 (NLT)

Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.
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Reading: Psalm 98:1, 3-6 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!
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The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!
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Reading: John 1:29-34 (NLT)

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel – our Redeemer, the Son of God, who became man to renew our human nature – be with us now.

+ Jesus, Splendor of the Father, Son of the Virgin Mary, brighten this day by your presence among us.
+ Jesus, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, put us on the path to holiness, be our guide.
+ Jesus, all-powerful, obedient and humble, inspire all believers to pour out their lives in the service of others.
+ Jesus, father of the poor, our way and our life, grant to your Church the spirit of detachment from earthly things.

Almighty God, your Son’s manhood, born of the Virgin, was a new creation, untainted by our sinful condition. Renew us, then, in Christ and cleanse us from all trace of sin that we might live faithfully as your children. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“Children Of God” – Third Day

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Blessing

Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

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