Prayers – Christmas ii – Online
January 2, 2022, 10:00 a.m.
 
Welcome
 
The Gathering of the Community
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.
 
Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
You laid the foundation of the earth
and the heavens are the work of your hands. Alleluia.
 
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.
Blessed be God for ever.
 
Hymn 139: The First Nowell
 
Canticle 7: The New Jerusalem (Isaiah 60.1–3, 11ab, 14cd, 18–19)
Arise, shine, for your light has come; * the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Though night still covers the earth * and darkness covers the nations,
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
 
Over you will the Lord arise, * over you will his glory appear.
Nations will stream to your light * and kings to your dawning brightness.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
 
Your gates will always be open; * day or night, they will never be shut.
They will call you, The City of the Lord, * The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
 
Violence will no more be heard in your land, * ruin or destruction within your borders;
you will name your walls, Salvation, * you will call your gates, Praise.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
 
No longer will the sun be your light by day, * no longer the moon give you light by night;
the Lord will be your eternal light; * your God will be your glory
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
 
First Reading: Ephesians 3:1-12
A Reading from The Letter Of Paul To The Ephesians
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles - for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
 
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
A Reading from The Gospel according to Matthew
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 word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
 
Sermon
 
Song: Do You Hear What I Hear?, solo: Katherine Lowings
 
The Prayers of the Community
As we join the angels, shepherds and magi to celebrate with joy the birth of Jesus Christ, let us offer prayers to God, who shines the light of Christ on all creation, saying: “Hear our prayer.”
 
O God, we pray for the Church in all places, remembering especially Linda, our Primate, and Sandra, our bishop, that our worship and praise may give you glory, and our witness and ministry bring new hope to many. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
 
We pray for this Parish of St. Paul’s, that we may show the good news of your saving love and be instruments of peace to all who walk the human journey with us. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
 
We pray for all who live in Bethlehem and the hill country of Judah, and for Christians, Jews, and Muslims everywhere, that your spirit will open new pathways of peace and hope to all who live in danger and fear. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
 
We pray for our nation, that you will preserve public peace, and guide all leaders to new cooperation in addressing the needs of those who are unemployed, hungry, or homeless. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
 
We pray for all those who are caring for others, that you will strengthen and protect healthcare workers, public safety and utility workers, and those who care for the poor and vulnerable. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
 
We pray for those whose lives are touched by fear, anxiety, or depression, and for all those in need of our prayers,
- …
that Christ will bring healing, light and hope to their hearts. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
 
We give thanks for all your blessings, that we may receive them with gratitude, and rejoice that Christ is born again in our hearts, and in our lives. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
 
We pray for those who have died, remembering especially…
-
that they may rejoice in the light of your incarnate Word. God of love.
Hear our prayer.
 
Source of light and gladness, accept the prayers we offer on this joyful feast. May the Rising Sun of Christ spread across the world, and brighten all humanity. Glory to God in the Highest and peace among those whom God favors. Amen.
 
Confession and Absolution
Christ the light of the world has come
to dispel the darkness of our hearts.
Let us turn to the light and confess our sins.
 
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.
 
Almighty God have mercy upon you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
 
Announcements
 
Hymn 128: The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy
 
Collect
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.
 
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
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.
 
 
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
 
Announcements
 
Hymn 138: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
 
Blessing
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.
 
The Scattering
Alleluia! Go forth into the world,
rejoicing in the birth of our Savior.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!