CALL TO WORSHIP, AND OPENING PRAYER

The Word was made flesh and lived among us:

Come, let us worship.

Give praise to the Father almighty,

to his Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord,

to the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,

both now and for ever. Amen.

Alleluia!

Blessed are you, Christ our Lord,

our everlasting light

and redeemer of the world.

   [a few words of praise and adoration may be said here]

By taking upon yourself our mortal nature

you saved humanity

and restored joy to the whole world.

Blessed be God for ever!

PSALM, AND SCRIPTURE SONG

Psalm 145 1-9

I will extol you, my God and King,
   and bless your name for ever and ever. 
Every day I will bless you,
   and praise your name for ever and ever. 
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
   his greatness is unsearchable. 

One generation shall laud your works to another,
   and shall declare your mighty acts. 
On the glorious splendour of your majesty,
   and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 
The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
   and I will declare your greatness. 
They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
   and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 
The Lord is good to all,
   and his compassion is over all that he has made. 

Give praise to the Father almighty,

to his Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord,

to the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,

both now and for ever. Amen.

A Song of Christ’s Appearing

[1 Timothy 3.16;6.15-16]

Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh

and vindicated in the spirit.

He was seen by angels

and proclaimed among the nations.

Believed in throughout the world,

he was taken up in glory.

This will be made manifest at the proper time

by the blessed and only Sovereign,

who alone has immortality,

and dwells in unapproachable light.

To the King of kings and Lord of lords

be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.

SHORT READING

Hebrews 1.1-3a

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.

a time for reflection on the scriptures …

… completed with:

You are the holy one of God, you have the words of eternal life.

Lord, to whom can we go, you have the words of eternal life.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

who has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

God has mercy on those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

The Lord has shown strength with his arm

and scattered the proud in their conceit,

casting down the mighty from their thrones

and lifting up the lowly.

God has filled the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,

to remember the promise of mercy,

the promise made to our forebears,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Give praise to the Father almighty,

to his Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord,

to the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,

both now and for ever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER,

thanksgiving, petition, intercession

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.

a time for personal prayer and intercession …

… you may include this ‘Prayer for the Earth’:

Father, we give thanks for the blessings of this life,

and remember those less fortunate than ourselves.

Help us, who have more than enough,

to live more simply, that others may simply live.

As we borrow the earth from our children,

may we not take more than we can return.

… and sum up your own prayers with these responses:

Glory to God in the highest heaven;

goodwill to his people on earth.

Let the mountains be laden with peace,

and the hills with prosperity.

May righteousness flourish in our time.

Your dominion stretch from sea to sea.

O God give justice to the poor;

deliver the needy when they cry.

For you alone do great wonders.

Let the whole earth be filled with your glory.

CONCLUDING PRAYER, AND ENDING

God of all mercy,

your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,

release to the captives,

and freedom to the oppressed:

anoint us with your Holy Spirit

and set all your people free

to praise you in Christ our Lord.

May God, who has called us out of darkness into his wonderful light,

give us his peace and goodwill. Amen.

a full River Tyne: last white water before sea level