Sunday 1 January, 2012- New Year’s Day/Name of Jesus/First Sunday after Christmas, Year B

Happy New Year!

Here are the resources you need for this Sunday. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.

This Sunday may be observed as New Year’s Day, Name of Jesus or 1st Sunday after Christmas. Please choose the appropriate readings and resources for your chosen theme.

• Altar colour: White
  
• Bible readings:
  New Year’s Day:
  FIRST READING  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 For everything there is a time
  PSALM Psalm 8 *For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
  SECOND READING Revelation 21:1-6a A new heaven and a new earth
  GOSPEL Matthew 25:31-46 The last judgment
  Name of Jesus:
  FIRST READING Numbers 6:22-27 The priestly blessing
  PSALM Psalm 8 *For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
  SECOND READING  Galatians 4:4-7 God’s Son, born of woman under the law
  OR Philippians 2:5-11 At the name of Jesus every knee will bow
  GOSPEL Luke 2:15-21 The naming and circumcision of Jesus
  1st Sunday after Christmas:
  FIRST READING Isaiah 61:10- 62:3 The Lord will save his people
  PSALM Psalm 148 *For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
  SECOND READING Galatians 4:4-7 God sent his Son to free us
  GOSPEL  Luke 2:22-40 Simeon and Anna see Jesus
• Sermons:
  Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
  For New Year’s Day/ Name of Jesus: Pr Stephen Pietsch ; edited for lay reading sermon – luke 2 15-21- new years day-name of jesus
  For 1st Sunday after Christmas: Pr Vince Gerhardy ; Pr Tim Stringer ; edited for lay reading sermon – luke 2 22-40 – year b – Christmas 1
  
• Orders of service:
  Christmas Sunday Word and Prayer (pdf/ doc/ ppt)
  Service of the Word (pdf / rtf / ppt)
  Morning Praise (pdf / rtf / ppt)
  Service without communion (pdf / doc / ppt)
• Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the following
  New Year’s Day
  Traditional
  Almighty and eternal God,
  as you have in the past year given us
  so much that is good:
  Grant that the new year
  may also be filled with your blessing;
  through your Son,
  Jesus Christ our Lord,
  who lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  OR, modernised traditional
  Almighty and eternal God,
  we thank you for all the good things
  you have given us in the past year.
  Let the new year
  also be filled with your blessings.
  We ask this through your Son,
  Jesus Christ our Lord,
  who lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  OR, alternative
  (Let us pray that we may use our time wisely. [silence])
  Heavenly Father,
  you have set the times and seasons
  of our lives.
  Teach us to live wisely here on earth
  and make the most of our opportunities,
  until we reach our heavenly home.
  We ask this through your Son,
  Jesus Christ our Lord,
  who lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  Or, for beginning the new year in the name of Jesus
  Lord God, heavenly Father,
  you have given your dear Son for our salvation.
  Help us to begin the new year
  in the name of Jesus,
  and praise you, our Father, in all that we do.
  We ask this through your Son,
  Jesus Christ our Lord,
  who lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever
  Amen.

  Name of Jesus
  Traditional
  O Lord God,
  since your blessed Son, our Saviour,
  became obedient to the Law for us,
  and received the circumcision of the flesh:
  Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit,
  that our hearts may be purified
  from all sinful desires;
  through your Son,
  Jesus Christ our Lord,
  who lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  OR, modernised traditional
  Lord God,
  your Son, our Saviour, became obedient to the law for us,
  and was circumcised.
  Give us the true circumcision of the Spirit,
  so that our hearts may be purified
  from all sinful desires.
  We ask this through your Son,
  Jesus Christ our Lord,
  who lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  OR, another traditional collect modernised
  Lord God, heavenly Father,
  you have given your dear Son for our salvation.
  Help us to begin the new year
  in the name of Jesus,
  and praise you, our Father, in all that we do.
  We ask this through your Son,
  Jesus Christ our Lord,
  who lives and reigns with you
  and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  OR, alternative
  (Let us pray that we proclaim the name of Jesus. [silence])
  Almighty and merciful God,
  your Son was circumcised
  and given the name that is above every name.
  May we who bear his name
  worship him in the freedom of the Spirit
  and proclaim him as Saviour of the world.
  For he lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  1st Sunday after Christmas
  Traditional
  Almighty and eternal God,
  direct our actions according to your good pleasure,
  that in the name of your beloved Son
  we may be made to abound in good works;
  through your Son,
  Jesus Christ our Lord,
  who lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  OR, modernised traditional
  Almighty and eternal God,
  direct our actions according to your good pleasure.
  Make us rich in good works,
  in the name of your dear Son,
  who lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  OR, alternative
  (Let us pray that we may love one another as God has loved us. [silence])
  Lord, help us,
  in all our dealings with one another,
  to be subject to you, the Father of all.
  May we follow the pattern of your Son, Jesus Christ,
  who was obedient to your will,
  and gave up his life for us.
  For he lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  OR, new
  (Let us pray that through Jesus we share in God’s nature. [silence])
  Almighty and merciful God,
  we thank you for sending your Son
  to become human like us,
  so that we might become your children.
  Make us who trust in Jesus
  to be more and more like him.
  For he lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

• Prayer of the Church/ General Prayer:Prayer of the Church- New Years-Name of Jesus B ; Prayer of the Church- Christmas 1B
  
• Offering prayer:
  New Year’s Day
  Lord God, thank you for the blessings
  you have given us year after year.
  Help us to wisely use the time you have given us.
  Lead us, while we remain here on earth,
  to serve you through all the people around us
  who are in need.
  Amen.

  Name of Jesus
  Lord, we thank you for blessing us
  by revealing yourself to us through your Son.
  Help us always to honour the name of Jesus, our Saviour,
  and do everything in his name.
  May our lives, as Christians,
  lead others to worship his name.
  Amen.

  1st Sunday after Christmas
  Thank you, Lord,
  for sending your Son Jesus Christ to save us
  and to set us free from sin
  and the condemnation of the law.
  Lead us to live as people who are truly free to serve you.
  May your Spirit live in our hearts
  and guide us to do your will.
  Amen.

• Visual images for the day: His Word in Pictures
• Song/Hymn suggestions: * =  Modernised version available (please click here to download the modernised text file) ;G3, G4 . . . =  Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS =  Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
  New Year’s Day
  First reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
  LHS
  414    God moves in a mysterious way G7
  467    For the beauty of the earth G7
  493    Brief life is here our portion G6
  555    While with ceaseless course the sun G7
  558    Great God, we sing that mighty hand G6
  813    For strength to work till close of day
  870    Lord of all hopefulness G6
  AT
  180    A time for building bridges
  230    Christ the worker
  242    Son of the Father
  337    The grass withers
  405    Lord of all hopefulness
  427    God’s time
  TIS
  102    Praise to the living God
  124    Great God, we sing that mighty hand
  126    God moves in a mysterious way
  137    For the beauty of the earth
  613    Lord of all hopefulness

  Second reading: Revelation 21:1-6a
  LHS
  147    O Morning Star, so bright and fair* G3
  156    Jesus our Saviour, of true joy the giver* G3
  164    Love divine, all loves excelling G3
  251    Only begotten, Word of God eternal* G6
  306    I heard the voice of Jesus say G7
  494    Jerusalem the golden G6
  854    Be still, my soul (esp v 4)
  859    Seek, O seek the Lord
  AT
  137    I heard the voice of Jesus say
  479    For living, for dying
  512   All things new
  519   New Beginning
  TIS
  123    Be still, my soul
  199    Lord Jesus, our bright Morning Star
  208    Jesus has come, and brings joy as our Saviour
  217    Love divine, all loves excelling
  464    Seek, O seek the Lord
  585    I heard the voice of Jesus say

  Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
  LHS
  356    Lord of glory, who hast bought us* G3
  485    The day is surely drawing near* G5
  487    Wake, awake* G6
  492    And will the Judge descend G7
  780     We go to God when we are sorely placed GS
  804    The church of Christ in every age G5
  816    O Fount of good, for all your love G7
  821    Where cross the crowded ways of life G7
  855    Brother, let me be your servant GS
  AT
  148    Born for resurrection
  191    Brother, let me be your servant
  197    When I needed a neighbour
  286    Lord, hear my praying
  376    Faith hope and love
  487    Make your home in me
  499    It was me
  503    Show me heaven
  561    Community
  582    Like a candle
  TIS
  240    All go to God
  256    From heaven you came
  266    Wake, awake
  608    Where cross the crowded ways of life
  629    When I needed a neighbour
  650    Brother, sister, let me serve you
  689    Lord, hear my praying

  OTHER HYMNS
  Lutheran Hymnal and Supplement
  See the section ‘Opening and close of the year’ LH 551-559
  Also:
  181    Abide, O dearest Jesus*
  301    Take Thou my hand and lead me*
  343    Heavenward still our pathway tends
  396    Lead thou me on

  All Together Books
  NB Some of these are ‘morning’ songs for a new day, but are also appropriate for a new year.
  1    Lord of our days
  13    Lord of the morning (Could sing ‘here is the new year’ in the first verse)
  18    From the rising of the sun
  67    Let your word fill my days
  87    Walking down the road
  101    Jesus, please watch over us
  103    Send your servant
  123    Morning has broken
  153    The steadfast love of the Lord
  180    A time for building bridges
  290    We are gathering
  294    God give you joy
  320    I was there to hear your borning cry
  337    The grass withers
  385    If there was ever a time

  Together in Song
  5    O Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle
  14    O Lord, make me know your ways
  47    Our God, our help in ages past
  112    Through all the changing scenes of life
  124    Great God, we sing that mighty hand
  284    O bless the God of Israel
  478    I bind unto myself today
  563    Let him to whom we now belong
  573    A charge to keep I have
  582    Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom
  593    Lord, take my hand and lead me
  617    By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered
  637    Lord of the living, in your name assembled

  Name of Jesus
  First reading : Numbers 6:22-27
  LHS
  462    God of mercy, God of grace G6
  512    Lord, Thy blessing send us* G7
  514    Saviour, again to Thy dear name* G7
  521    O holy, blessed Trinity G5
  AT
  94    The Benediction
  408    May the Lord bless you today
  TIS
  452    God of mercy, God of grace
  776    The Lord bless you

  Second reading (a) : Galatians 4:4-7
  LHS
  25    To shepherds as they watched* G4
  26    Praise God the Lord, ye sons of men G4
  32    O rejoice, ye Christians loudly G7
  33    Hark! the herald angels sing G4
  121    Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord
  322    Dear Christians, one and all rejoice* G3
  323    Blessed are the sons of God* G4
  324    Salvation unto us has come*
  805    We are heirs of the Father GS
  901    Our Father, you from heaven above
  AT
  12    We are heirs of the Father
  251    God sends us his Spirit
  448    Loving Spirit
  TIS
  195    Salvation  now to us has come
  196    Dear Christians, one and all rejoice
  298    Let all together praise our God
  303    Hark! the herald angels sing
  308    To us a child of royal birth
  399    Come, Spirit of God, holy Lord
  412    God sends us his Spirit

  Second reading (b): Philippians 2:5-11
  LHS
  159    O for a thousand tongues to sing* G5
  166    All hail the power of Jesus’ name G8
  174    All praise to Thee G7
  219    Jesus shall reign G3
  454    Ye servants of God
  782    At the name of Jesus (alt tune 298, G8)
  AT
  26    He is Lord
  31    Freely, freely
  50    I will sing (v 5)
  55    His name is Wonderful
  139    Christ humbled himself
  157    Jesus, name above all names
  261    From heav’n you came
  370    You are glorious
  554    Jesus, you’re the one
  TIS
  202    I know that my redeemer
  207    Jesus shall reign
  210    O for a thousand tongues to sing
  215    You servants of God
  218    Jesus! the name high over all
  224    All hail the power of Jesus’ name
  231    At the name of Jesus
  247    Let all be one in mind and heart
  256    From heav’n you came

  Gospel:  Luke 2:15-21
  LHS
  25    To shepherds as they watched by night* G4
  35    To the name of our salvation G8
  36    Jesus, name of wondrous love* G5
  159    O for a thousand tongues to sing* G5
  161    How sweet the name of Jesus sounds G5
  514    Saviour, again to your dear name* G7
  625    Christians awake, salute the happy morn
  AT
  58    Praise the name of Jesus
  TIS
  113    Now to the Lord a noble song
  210    O for a thousand tongues to sing
  223    How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
  306    Christians awake, salute the happy morn

  1st Sunday after Christmas
  First reading: Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3
  LHS
  67    And can it be, that  I should gain (tune: TIS 209)
  215    Arise, O God, and shine*
  327    Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness* G3
  AT
  130    I am covered over
  217    Shine, Jesus, shine
  TIS
  209    And can it be

  Second reading: Galatians 4:4-7
  LHS
  25    To shepherds as they watched* G4
  26    Praise God the Lord, ye sons of men G4
  32    O rejoice, ye Christians, loudly G7
  33    Hark, the herald angels sing G4
  323    Blessed are the sons of God* G4
  805    We are heirs of the Father GS
  901    Our Father, you from heaven above G5
  AT
  12    We are heirs of the Father
  251    God sends us his Spirit
  448   Loving spirit
  TIS
  298    Let all together praise our God
  303    Hark, the herald angels sing

  Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
  LHS
  21    Of the Father’s love begotten G7
  38    In peace and joy I now depart* G4
  44    Thou Light of gentile nations* G4
  898    Now, Lord, you let your servant go GS
  900    O Lord, now let your servant G6
  AT
  104    Now, Lord, you let your servant go
  TIS
  290    Of the Father’s love begotten
  319    Child in the manger
  324    Lord, bid your servant

  PSALM 8
  Versions of Psalm 8 may be found in TIS, 3 Lord, our Lord, your glorious name, and 4 O Lord, our Governor.

  A paraphrased version of Psalm 8 from the Iona Community may be found in John L Bell, Psalms of patience, protest and praise on page 8.

  The following paraphrase, by David Schütz, is sung to the tune Portland, LHS 374. If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

  O Lord, our Lord, in all the earth
  your glorious name is ever praised.
  Even on lips of infant babes
  your song is raised.

  When I look at the sun and moon,
  the stars and all in heav’n above,
  how is it that we humans know
  your saving love?

  How can it be that you should care
  for us poor creatures of the dust?
  Yet you have made us like yourself
  and honoured us.

  Over all creatures great and small
  you let us share your power to reign.
  O Lord, our Lord, in all the earth
  we praise your name.

  Music Resources Vol 3- Psalm settings- Psalm 8 p11 , Psalm 8 p12

  PSALM 148
  A paraphrased version of Psalm 148 from the Iona Community may be found in John L Bell, Psalms of patience, protest and praise on page 57 (also available in TIS 94). Another song version is ‘Great in power’, ATW 426.

  There are also two hymns based partly on this psalm: ‘O praise ye the Lord’, LH 468 / ‘Sing praise to the Lord’, TIS 96; and ‘Praise the Lord, ye/you heavens adore him’, sung to Austria (LH 458, TIS 93). However, the second verse of the latter is not a paraphrase of the psalm. The Psalter (1912) gives two extra verses that are true paraphrases of the psalm, which are provided here in a modernised form. The first verse below is the modernised text from TIS.

  Praise the Lord, you heavens adore him;
  praise him, angels in the height;
  sun and moon, rejoice before him,
  praise him, all you stars and light.
  Praise the Lord, for he has spoken,
  worlds his mighty voice obeyed:
  laws, that never shall be broken,
  for their guidance he has made.

  On the earth let all things praise him:
  seas and all that they contain,
  stormy winds that do his bidding,
  hail and lightning, snow and rain.
  Hills and mountains, praise your Maker;
  praise him, all you flocks and herds.
  Fields and orchards, sing his glory;
  praise him, creeping things and birds.

  All you nations, come before him:
  earthly rulers and all kings,
  men and women, parents, children,
  join with all created things.
  Praise the God of our salvation,
  who restores from sin and shame.
  Heaven and earth and all creation,
  praise and glorify his name.

  Music Resources Vol 3- Psalm settings- Psalm 148 p247 , Psalm 148 p248

  FAMILY HYMNS AND SONGS- 1st Sunday after Christmas
  As today is sometimes celebrated as a day of special emphasis on families, the following hymns and songs are also appropriate.
  LHS
  82    Jesus, loving to the end (Pt III)
  467     For the beauty of the earth (esp. v 3)
  587     O happy home, where thou art loved the dearest
  588     O blest the house, whate’er befall*
  589     O blessed home where man and wife
  802     One family
  805     We are heirs of the Father
  893     Our Father, by whose name
  AT
  12     We are heirs of the Father
  62     One family
  242     Son of the Father (offering song)
  284     Come in, come in and sit down (opening song)
  TIS
  137    For the beauty of the earth
  288    Not the powerful
  530     Now let us from this table rise
  581    Happy the home that welcomes you, Lord Jesus

  COVENTRY CAROL
  The medieval Coventry Carol (‘Lullay, thou little tiny child’) is well suited for singing on this day. The text is as follows, and the tune may be found in Together at Christmas (LPH 1987), the Oxford Book of Carols, or a similar Christmas carol book.

  Chorus:    Lullay, thou little tiny child,
  by by, lully, lullay.
  Lullay, thou little tiny child,
  by by, lully, lullay.

  Women:    O sisters, too, how may we do,
  for to preserve this day -
  this poor youngling, for whom we sing,
  by by, lully, lullay.

  Men:    Herod the king, in his raging,
  charged he hath this day
  his men of might, in his own sight,
  all children young to slay.

  All:    Then woe is me, poor child, for thee!
  And ever morn and day,
  for thy parting nor say nor sing
  by by, lully, lullay.