January 3rd 2021

You may find it helpful to print out this page before the service begins. Scroll to the bottom for the Printer version.

The Youtube Live Link will begin at 10:00am:-      

Click here to join in.

We will be enoying 'Virtual Coffee' after the service.

Please have your device microphone and camera switched on if you want to be seen and heard. Then click here to download the ZOOM software (it's free) put the kettle on and join in.

Sunday 3^rd January 2021                          Christmas 2

Welcome

O Lord, open our lips
All   and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

You laid the foundation of the earth
All and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Blessed are you, sovereign God,
creator of heaven and earth,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your living Word, eternal in heaven,
assumed the frailty of our mortal flesh,
may the light of your love be born in us
to fill our hearts with joy as we sing:

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
All Blessed be God for ever.

A Song of the Bride

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, •
my soul shall exult in my God;

Who has clothed me with the garments of salvation, •
and has covered me with the cloak of integrity,

As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, •
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth puts forth her blossom, •
and as seeds in the garden spring up,

So shall God make righteousness and praise •
blossom before all the nations.

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, •
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest

Until her deliverance shines out like the dawn, •
and her salvation as a burning torch.

The nations shall see your deliverance, •
and all rulers shall see your glory;

Then you shall be called by a new name •
which the mouth of God will give.

You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, •
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Isaiah 61.10,11; 62.1-3

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever.
Amen.

Leader:      A welcome to our You Tube service and notices

Please join us for coffee on Zoom immediately after this service (click on the second link on this service sheet at the top of page.)

Zoom Children’s Church is at 9:30am via a private link please speak to Liz Collins for how to join or see our website.

Reopening of churches for services – details are on the website and will be updated (the usual calendar has been removed)

Please remember, if you are entering a church building it is now mandatory to wear a face covering.

Online services will continue

Foodbank – give food donations at local collection points or online donations. To find out how to donate please go to our Foodbank page

Zoom coffee mornings weekdays 10:30 (link on Virtual Church Hall tab)

Zoom Night Prayer (compline) 9:00PM Mon-Fri – via website. 

1^st Reading: Zechariah 8:1-8

Again the Lord’s message came to me:

² The Lord Almighty says, “I am greatly concerned—yes, furiously angry—because of all that Jerusalem’s enemies have done to her. ³ Now I am going to return to my land, and I, myself, will live within Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem shall be called ‘The Faithful City,’ and ‘The Holy Mountain,’ and ‘The Mountain of the Lord Almighty.’”

⁴ The Lord Almighty declares that Jerusalem will have peace and prosperity so long that there will once again be aged men and women hobbling through her streets on canes, ⁵ and the streets will be filled with boys and girls at play.

⁶ The Lord says, “This seems unbelievable to you—a remnant, small, discouraged as you are—but it is no great thing for me. ⁷ You can be sure that I will rescue my people from east and west, wherever they are scattered. ⁸ I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem, and they will be my people, and I will be their God, just and true and yet forgiving them their sins!”

A song of the Messiah

To us a child is born, to us a son is given

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in a land of deep darkness, upon them the light has dawned.

You have increased their joy and given them great gladness; they rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest.

For you have shattered the yoke that burdened them the collar that lay heavy on their shoulders.

For to us a child is born and to us a son is given and the government will be upon his shoulder.

And his name will be called Wonderful Counsellor; the Mighty God; the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.

Upon the throne of God and over his kingdom; to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness

From this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord will do this.

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

To us a child is born, to us a son is given.

2^nd Reading Luke 2: 41-52

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

⁴¹ Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. ⁴³ When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. ⁴⁴ Assuming that he was in the group of travellers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” ⁴⁹ He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”  ⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he said to them. ⁵¹ Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour.

Reflection from the Vicarage

Time to pray

The Collect

Almighty God

In the birth of your Son you have poured out the new light of your incarnate Word and shown us the fullness of your love; help us to walk in his light and dwell in his love that we may know the fullness of his joy, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever

Amen

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

Ending

 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.  Luke 2:10 NRSV

Amen

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or conceive, by the power which is at work among us, to him be Glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all ages.

Amen

Blessing

The love of the Lord Jesus draw you to himself,

The power of the Lord Jesus strengthen you in his service 

The joy of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts;

and the blessing of God  Almighty,

the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen

© Common Worship Church House Publishing 2005