The Epiphany of Our Lord
St. Paul’s Church, Charlottetown, PEI
January 7, 2024, 8:00 am & 10:00 am
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with you all.
And also with you.
May all the earth be filled with God’s glory.
Light has sprung up for the righteous,
And joyful gladness for those who are true-hearted.
Glory to God in the highest,
And peace to God’s people on earth.
Let us pray,
Eternal God, who by a star led magi to the worship of your Son. Guide by your light the nations of the earth, that the whole world may know your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the king's son; That he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice; That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, and the little hills bring righteousness.
All nations shall serve him.
He shall defend the needy among the people; he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor. He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another. He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, like showers that water the earth. In his time shall the righteous flourish; there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
All nations shall serve him.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts. All kings shall bow down before him, and all the nations do him service. For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper.
All nations shall serve him.
He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; he shall preserve the lives of the needy. He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
All nations shall serve him.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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 appeared. 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.
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
PRESIDER:
We pray for God’s faithfulness to be known in our world.
In a world of change and hope, of fear and adventure, in human rebellion and obedience, in our seeking and our finding, faithful God…
Remain with us.
In the common life of our society, in prosperity and need, as your Church proclaims your goodness in words and action, faithful God…
Remain with us.
Among our friends and in our homes, in our times of joy, in our days of sorrow, faithful God…
Remain with us.
In our strengths and triumphs, in our weakness and at our death, in your saints in glory and on the day of Christ’s coming, faithful God…
Remain with us.
We join together at this holy time to praise God, the creator and maker of all saying, “Hear our prayer.”
Hear our prayer.
We give thanks that messengers were sent to the shepherds, with news of great joy and peace for the whole world. We are grateful, O God, that the Good News is a comfort to the weak and a challenge to the strong; that we may embrace and ever hold fast to the Gospel proclaiming your love. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
We give thanks that Magi, wise people from the east, came to worship the One born in time, the timeless Son of God, God with us, God with everyone. We are grateful, O God, that your people everywhere are blessed with the spirit of love; that we may worship fully and without fear. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
We give thanks for the Holy Family, for Joseph and Mary, who lived as refugees in a time of great cruelty and hardship, and we ask you to look with mercy on all who are poor, powerless and who suffer. We are grateful, O God, that this extraordinary story of a birth, so long ago, fills us with hope and courage to do your will in this world. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
We give thanks for your son, who heralds peace, and we pray for people in war-torn places throughout the world. O God, grant an abundance of peace to your world; we pray for all your creatures, of land and sea and air; we pray for streams, rivers and oceans; we give thanks for all of creation; we pray for people of every nation, race and language. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
We pray for those who are without a home; without food or water; we pray for refugees and those who are persecuted for their beliefs. We seek their protection. We pray for those in particular need; for the sick and the suffering, especially those who are dear to us. Especially,
-
God of love.
Hear our prayer.
Rejoicing in the fellowship we share – we pray for the faithful departed, (especially for:
… we commend ourselves and all people to your unfailing love. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
O God, your love was so great for us that you gave us your Son to be born in the world and to shine in our darkness. Help us to make your light and love known in all the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God of mercy, hear us as we confess our sins.
Lord, forgive.
For the sin that has caused the poverty of our worship, the formality and selfishness of our prayers, our neglect of fellowship and the means of grace, and our hesitating witness for Christ: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, forgive.
For the sin that has led us to misuse your gifts, evade our responsibilities and fail to be good stewards of your creation: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, forgive.
For the sin that has made us unwilling to overcome evil with good, tolerant of injustice, quick to condemn and selfish in sharing your love with others: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, forgive.
Let us pray,
Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my offences. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin. Make in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Give me again the joy of your salvation and sustain me with your gracious spirit. Psalm 51.1, 2, 11, 13
May the God of all healing and forgiveness
draw us to himself,
and cleanse us from all our sins
that we may behold the glory of his Son,
the Word made flesh,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Prayer Over the Gifts
Let us pray,
Gracious God, accept the offering of your Church, the hearts of your people joined in praise and thanksgiving, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
we remember his death,
we proclaim his resurrection,
we await his coming in glory;
In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation;
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray
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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
We break the bread of life,
and that life is the light of the world.
God here among us,
light in the midst of us,
bring us to light and life.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
grant us your peace.
48 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
PB 99 Great is the Lord (repeated)
PB 99 Great is the Lord (repeated)
Let us pray,
God of all the nations of the earth, guide us with your light. Help us to recognize Christ as he comes to us in this eucharist and in our neighbours. May we welcome him with love, for he is Lord now and for ever. Amen.
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
May the God of infinite goodness
scatter the darkness of sin
and brighten your hearts with holiness;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
139 The First Nowell
The Scattering (Mark 4:20)
Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
