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Call to worship
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
God's glory has risen among you.
Behold, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds its peoples.
But upon you God shall rise.
God's glory will appear among you.
Nations will walk by your light,
their rulers by the brightness of your rising.
Raise your eyes and look around.
All gather together, all come to you.
They will bring your sons from afar.
They will carry your daughters like babes in arms.
Then you will see and be radiant.
Your heart will thrill and rejoice,
because they will bring you the sea's bounty.
The wealth of nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels will cover you,
the young camels of Midian, and Ephah, and Sheba.
They will bring gold and frankincense,
and will herald God's glory.
Your land will no longer hear the cry, 'Violence!'
nor 'Ruin and Destruction' your borders.
But you will call your walls, 'Salvation,'
and your gates, 'Praise.'
No more will you need the sun for your light by day,
nor the moon's brightness by night,
but God will be your everlasting light.
Your God will be your glory.
Introit to Epiphany: I saw the light
(Verse 1 and Chorus)
I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin
I wouldn’t let my dear Saviour in.
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord! I saw the light!
I saw the light. I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord! I saw the light.
Welcome and Land acknowledgement
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Concerns & Celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
Opening prayer and The Lord's prayer
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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn: As with gladness of men of old
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1
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 your splendour see.
2
As with joyful steps they sped,
to that lowly manger bed,
there to bend the knee before
Christ, whom heaven and earth adore;
so may we with eager pace
ever seek your throne of grace.
3
As they offered gifts most rare
at that manger crude and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin's alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to you, our heavenly King.
4
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 your glory hide.
5
In the heavenly country bright
none shall need created light;
you its light, its joy, its crown,
you its sun which goes not down;
there for ever may we sing
hallelujah to our King.
Greeting Christ in all of us - passing the peace
Children's hymn: The seven joys of Mary
1.
The first good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of One
To see her own son Jesus Christ
When He was first her Son
When He was first her Son, good man
And Blessed may he be
O Father, Son and Holy Ghost for all eternity
O Father, Son and Holy Ghost for all eternity
2.
When he was sent to school
3.
To make the blind to see
4.
To read the bible o’er
5.
To bring the dead alive
6.
Upon the crucifix
7.
The last good joy…
To wear the crown of heaven
The offering
The offering: “We give thee but thine own”
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We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Today's bible story: Vistors from the East, Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appearedHay. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture.
Amen
Hymn: When Heaven's bright with mystery
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1
When heaven's bright with mystery
and science searches nature's art,
when all creation yearns for peace
and hope sinks deep in human hearts,
appear to us, O Holy Light;
lift from our eyes the shades of night.
2
When Herod barters power and lives
and Rachel's weeping fills the night,
when suffering's mask marks every face,
and Love's a refugee in flight,
reveal to us your word of grace
and make us witness to your peace.
3
When fragile faith, like desert wind,
blows dry and empty, hope erased,
when withered grass and fading flower
proclaim again our day's brief space,
breathe on the clay of our despair
and work a new creation there.
4
When heaven's bright with mystery
and stars still lead an unknown way,
when love still lights a gentle path
where courts of power can hold no sway,
there with the Magi, let us kneel,
our gifts to share, God's world to heal.