Watchword for the Week
God is faithful; by him you were called into the
fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1 Corinthians 1:9)
(Moravian Daily Texts 2017)
ORGAN PRELUDE
WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP
(Verses from Psalm 40)
I waited patiently for the LORD’s help;
then he listened to me and heard my cry.
He pulled me out of a dangerous pit. He set
me safely on a rock and made me secure.
He taught me to sing a new song,
a song of praise to our God.
Many who see this will take heed
and will put their trust in the LORD.
You have done many things for us, O LORD
our God; there is no one like you!
You have made many wonderful plans for us.
I could never speak of them all –
their number is so great!
In the assembly of your people, LORD, I told the
good news that you save us.
In the assembly of your people I will not be
silent about your loyalty and constant love.
Hymn 113 * God the Father of Creation
People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)
OPENING PRAYER
We give thanks
for callings of leadership, callings of service,
callings of insight, callings of challenge.
God, you have called us by our names.
We give thanks for the gift
of difficult conversations,
knowing that we are called into deeper fellowship
and friendship with each other.
God, you have called us by our names.
We give thanks for those who have the courage
to call others into their own deepest name
God, you have called us by our names.
We give thanks for those who know how to rest,
knowing that we are more than what we do.
God, you have called us by our names.
We give thanks for the gift of being known.
To be known is to be loved.
God, you have called us by our names.
May we turn with love
towards all those we meet,
to offer the gift of naming, knowing and loving.
God, you have called us by our names.
In the life of John, we witness the power of
vocation and the power of humility.
We each have capacities and incapacities,
callings and limitations.
Often, we respond to each other with
comparison, jealousy and pain. Help us
change from the chaos of comparison,
and more toward the vocation of life.
In the life of two cousins, Jesus and John, we
witness people who knew their purpose and
identity. Our deepest purpose is love.
Make us people who live in our purpose.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the one who
invites us to join him where he is. Amen.
Hymn 251 * Here I am, Lord
WORDS of ASSURANCE (Psalm 40:11)
LORD, I know you will never stop being merciful
to me. Your love and loyalty will always keep me
safe. Thanks be to God. Amen.
CHILDREN’S TIME
SHARING GOD’S PEACE
(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 49:1-7 OT p. 713 (714)
Chorus * I have a Father
I have a Father who will never fail me;
I have a Father who will never fail me.
Jesus is my Saviour; he will never fail me.
Rock of Ages never ever fails me.
St. John 1:29-42 NT p. 117
People may stand for the Gospel reading.
The word of God: Thanks be to God!
Hymn 334 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
SERMON Rev. James Brown
Hymn 336 Christ is our light!
(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)
(Hymn of the Month, January 2017)
DEDICATION PRAYER
We could wait here for God to warm us with
stories of love and hope, but we will go to be
with those in the bleak midwinter of their
lives. We could wait in the security of this
sacred space for Jesus, but we will go to see
where he wants us to serve in faith. We could
wait in stillness with the Spirit, but we will go to
light a way for all hidden in the shadows of
life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS See Notices overleaf
Chorus * He’s a miracle-working God
He’s a miracle-working God. (2x)
He’s the Alpha and Omega.
He’s a miracle-working God.
PRAYERS for OTHERS
Lord, in your mercy, hear our 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, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn 248 For my sake and the gospel’s, go
BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)
ORGAN POSTLUDE
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