Epiphany

The weeks of Epiphany deepen our understanding of the Incarnation – God living among as a human being – as we celebrate the ‘epiphany’ or ‘showing’ of Jesus’ divine glory to the world.

Hymn or Music

Opening Sentence – John 1:14

We have seen his glory,
the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

We have come together in the name of Christ
to offer our praise and thanksgiving,
to hear and receive God’s holy word,
to pray for the needs of the world,
and to seek the forgiveness of our sins,
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Opening Responses

O Lord, open our lips:
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

O God make speed to save us:
O Lord make haste to help us.

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

Hymn or Music

Prayer of Preparation

Let us prepare our hearts and minds to meet with God:

Faithful one,
whose word is life:
come with saving power to free our praise,
inspire our prayer,
and shape our lives
for the kingdom of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Confession

As we kneel with the Magi before the new born Christ child,
we open our hearts in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

Let us return to the Lord our God and say to him:

Father,
we have sinned against heaven and against you.
We are not worthy to be called your children.
We turn to you again.
Have mercy on us,
bring us back to yourself
as those who were once dead
but now have life through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Collect

Let us gather our prayers and pray:

O God,
who by the leading of a star
manifested your only son to the peoples of the earth:
mercifully grant that we,
who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face:
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

First Reading

Gospel Reading

Address

Hymn or Music

Affirmation of Faith

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?
We believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the church.
This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Silent Prayer

Let us pray in the quiet for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

For the world (for peace, for all leaders, for those suffering or in need)
For the church (for our bishops, clergy, the diocese, local churches)
For our community (for leaders, groups, and those in need or distress)
For our friends and family (for those we love and those no longer with us)
For ourselves (we give thanks and we ask for help and guidance)

We pray together:

Holy God,
Make us transparent with your light
and use our prayers to bring light to others.
Amen.

Jesus taught us to call God our Father, so in faith and trust 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.
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.

Hymn or Music

Prayer before Communion

Let us prepare to share in communion together:

As we eat and drink this holy meal,
may we be reminded of your unconditional love for us,
and may our eyes be opened
to recognise Jesus in each other.
We ask this prayer in his name
Amen.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

We praise you, heavenly Father,
for your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks.
He broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way after supper,
he took the cup, and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying,
“Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.”

We praise and thank you, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As we obey your command,
send your Holy Spirit,
that this bread and wine may be for us
the body and blood of your precious Son.
Amen.

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ
Though we are many we are one body because we all share in one bread.

Dear Friends,
receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
with faith and thanksgiving.
Remember that he gave himself for you.
Remember that he died for you,
and allow him to feed and nourish
your body, mind, and spirit.

The Distribution

(Instrumental music may be played)

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God:

May the bread and companionship we share
nourish our hearts and minds,
and with our spirits refreshed,
may we live our lives to your praise and glory,
now and forever.
Amen.

The Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
A light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
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.

Prayer

Let us commit to sharing the gospel and being witnesses to Christ’s love:

God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word who is the bread of life:
fill us with your Holy Spirit that through us
the light of your glory may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Hymn or Music

Blessing

May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
shine in our hearts and fill our lives with his joy and peace;
and may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ, Amen.