Morning Prayer Thursday, 7 January 2021
OFFERINGS OF WORSHIP
The word ‘Epiphany’ means manifestation or revelation—There are several instances of this in the Old Testament, notably God’s revelation to Moses at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:2). From the middle of the 5th century, the Church at Rome commemorated the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles as signified by the visit to the infant Jesus of the Magi on 6th January, and from Rome this observance spread in the West. (Oxford Dictionary of the Bible). Epiphany was commemorated yesterday.
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. … And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him; gifts of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2: 1,2,11 NIV)
God of gold, we seek your glory:
the richness that transforms our drabness into colour, and brightens our dullness with vibrant light;
your wonder and joy at the heart of all life.
God of incense, we offer you our prayer:
our spoken and unspeakable longings, our questioning of truth, our search for your mystery deep within.
God of myrrh, we cry out to you in our suffering: the pain of all our rejections and bereavements, our baffled despair at undeserved suffering,
our rage at continuing injustice;
and we embrace you, God-with-us,
in our wealth, in our yearning, in our anger and loss.
(Jan Berry. Sheffield 1990
From Bread Of Tomorrow, SPCK)
Offerings of Worship
As wise men came and brought You gifts so we come now to place before you these offerings of our worship.
Here is the gift of praise- upon our lips and in our hearts.
Here is the gift of adoration- we hold you closely in our hearts.
And here is the gift of thanksgiving- our love and gratitude.
And with these gifts we bring you, Lord, a fourth which holds them all together,
The gift of self- our lives, our prayers, our hearts and hands held high in honour of Your Name-
The Name we praise and worship, the Name we magnify today. Amen
(Prayers for Worship, Patricia Batstone)
Lord Jesus
may your light shine our way,
as once it guided the steps of the magi:
that we too may be led into your presence
and worship you,
the Child of Mary,
the Word of the Father,
the King of nations,
the Saviour of mankind;
to whom be glory for ever.
Frank Colquhoun
Let us pray:
Father, this morning we come to you with prayerful, trusting hearts. In this New Year, help us to look forward in faith and not backwards because we know that better times are ahead. Sovereign God, it is through your wisdom that scientists have been able to invent vaccines to provide protection against the virus. Help us to take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our environment, in this latest lockdown of our country. Father, you told us to love our neighbours as ourselves; help us to look out for our neighbours, and to be intentionally selfless in how we live our lives. Loving God, we mourn with those who have suffered immense life changing losses. Alongside these tragic happenings in 2020; many experienced blessings in their lives. Please give wisdom to the Prime Minister, members of Cabinet, Members of Parliament, and members of Local Government that they will make right scientific, financial and other decisions for the welfare of all. Amen
Church family, may we be renewed and refreshed in this New Year. I wish you and your families peace and good health in 2021. Let us soldier on, and Keep the Faith. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
Hymn for Epiphany
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.
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.
Words: William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898)
Glynne Gordon-Carter
7th January 2020
