Watchword for Week
You are chosen to proclaim the mighty acts of
the Lord, who called you out of darkness
into his own marvellous light.
(1 Peter 2:9)
(Verse for Christian Unity Week 2016)
ORGAN PRELUDE
WELCOME and OPENING RESPONSES
(Verses from Psalm 145)
I will bless your name for ever and ever.
I will bless your name for ever and ever.
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
I will bless your name for ever and ever.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
I will bless your name for ever and ever.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
I will bless your name for ever and ever.
Hymn 594 1-2 Come, Holy Spirit, come!
PRAYERS for the HOLY SPIRIT
Holy Spirit, gift of the Father through his Son
Jesus Christ, dwell in us all, open our hearts
and help us to listen to your voice.
Holy Spirit, come upon us.
Holy Spirit, Divine Love, source of unity and
holiness, show us the love of the Father.
Holy Spirit, come upon us.
Holy Spirit, Fire of Love, purify us, removing all
the divisions in our hearts, in our communities
and in the world; make us one in Jesus’ name.
Holy Spirit, come upon us.
Holy Spirit, strengthen our faith in Jesus’ truly
divine and truly human, who carried our sins of
division to the Cross and brought us to
communion in his Resurrection.
Holy Spirit, come upon us.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, dwell in us so that
we may become a communion of love and
holiness. Make us one in you, who live and reign
for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn 594 3-4 Come with the gift to heal
PRAYERS of RECONCILIATION
Lord, you created us in your own image. Forgive
us when we do not respect our nature and the
world that you gave us. Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, you invite us to be perfect
as our heavenly Father is perfect. Forgive us
when we fail to be holy, to be people of integrity
and to respect human rights and dignity.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord of life, of peace and justice, forgive us
when we transmit the culture of death,
of war and of injustice, and fail to build a
civilisation of love. Lord, have mercy.
Merciful God, fill us with your grace and
holiness. Make us apostles of love wherever we
- This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn 594 5-6 Give us the tongues to speak
(Children may leave for their Kids’ Church program)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
The Word of God that we will hear
is an explosion of love in our lives.
Listen and you will live: Thanks be to God!
Isaiah 55:1-3 OT p. 720 (721)
Listen and you will live: Thanks be to God!
St. Matthew 5:1-16 NT p. 7
People may stand for the Gospel reading.
Listen and you will live: Thanks be to God!
Hymn 341 * Blest are they, the poor in spirit
People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)
SERMON Rev. James Brown
Hymn 327 Brightest and best of the sons
(Hymn of the Month, January 2016 – Tune: Epiphany 638)
(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)
A GESTURE of COMMITMENT
We have listened to the Scriptures which we honour
and treasure, and we have been nourished together
at one table of the Word. We will carry this holy Word
out into the world with us, for we are joined in one
mission, to be Salt of the Earth, to be Light to the
World, and to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord.
Please come forward, taste a small pinch of the salt
from the bowl, then light an individual candle from the
large candle, and place it on the altar.
NOTICES and PRAYERS of HOPE
Response: Make us all your people;
Make us holy and one in Christ.
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, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
SHARING GOD’S PEACE
Jesus says: You are the salt of the earth. You
are the light of the world. Let your light shine
before others, so that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Be salt of the earth. Be light to the world.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
Hymn 252 * As a fire is meant for burning
(Tune: Blaenwern 468)
BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)
ORGAN POSTLUDE
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