The Greeting

 

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Welcome

Today our inspiration comes from the churches in the Middle East – that part of the Body of Christ geographically linked to the story of the coming of the Magi. The Magi reveal to us a unity of nations as desired by God. They travel from far-off countries and from different cultures, driven by the same hunger to see and know the new born king. This leads them to gather in the little house in Bethlehem for the simple act of giving homage and offering gifts. In our own multi-cultural society, we can see some expressions of that rich variety.

At this time of year, some of us may feel we have moved on in our worship, from Bethlehem and the story of the coming of the Magi from the East. But our sisters and brothers in the Middle East invite us to focus on this story anew. Uniting with them and journeying again with the Wise Men, may our time together allow us to come face-to-face with our Lord Christ. May our worship bring a sense of joy and wonder and allow us to respond as we go on further in our own journey of faith.

Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving and joy.

Hymn 303 Lord of the Church Tune Londonderry Air

Reader   During this service we’ll be listening to the words of Matthew 2:1-12.

Let’s pay attention to the beginning of that story.

Reader   Matthew 2, verses 1 and 2

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.”

The Magi saw the star and were so moved by its appearing that they left everything and crossed the world to follow it, to find the child to whom the star pointed.

In our own lives, God invites us, too, to follow. Let’s take time to remember our own personal journeys towards Jesus, towards discipleship. Perhaps there was an event or a person who in our lives inspired us, a moment when we, too, were moved to follow God’s invitation.

Some of us will notice more one invitation, all leading to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Let us hold the memory of our particular guiding light, shining like a star. And if you can’t identify a star, perhaps you can hold a simple desire to come closer to God.

Glory be to you Father Almighty, for you have revealed yourself through your creation and invited all people to gather in your presence. We have seen the star of Jesus in our lives and have come to worship him just as the Magi did. We offer him ourselves today and we ask for the presence of the Holy Spirit among us.

As we pray today for the unity of the Church, may we and our communities also be lights that guide others to Jesus the Saviour.

All        Unite us as we come from every corner of our community to worship you, our heavenly king. Amen.

Reader    Matthew 2, verses 3 to 6:

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.’”

The seekers have come so far guided by the splendour of the universe. But to find their final destination, they need the help of others and the guidance and insight of the Scriptures. They discover that God’s word “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.

Psalm 119:105

All        Lord, we thank you

For those who have helped us on our journey

that led to you.

Lord, we worship you

For lighting our path through chaos and doubt

by your Holy Spirit.

Reader   Matthew 2, verses 7 and 8

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.”

On our journey, at times we have to encounter people who do not have good intentions. The Magi were asked to meet with Herod in the secretive corridors of power. Herod wants only to protect his own interests and ultimately to destroy whatever he sees as threatening them. We too have to contend with voices and messages that pretend to respect the good, but end up being destructive.

All        Lord,

we have damaged our common home

through endless consuming.

Like Herod,

we seek to protect our palaces

rather than sharing the riches of human dignity.

Light our way

as together we seek the path

to a better future for all.

Hymn 299 Holy Spirit, come, confirm us Tune All for Jesus

Reader   Matthew 2: verses 9 to 10

When the wise men 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.

God our heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the gift of joy in our own lives and in the lives of all who know and love you.

We pray that as we journey towards the goal of Christian unity, our lives together may give a luminous and joyful witness that leads others to know Christ.

All        We praise God, united in joy.

Reader   Matthew 2, verses 11 and 12

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.

They enter the little house and see face to face the one their hearts were seeking. They worship and, opening their treasures, offer their gifts. Having encountered the Saviour, the Magi return to their countries by a different way. Similarly, may the communion we share in our prayer together inspire us to return to our lives, our churches and our world by new ways, changed by meeting the Lord.

Intercessions

With faith and confidence, we come in prayer, before God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Reader    The Magi came from the East to pay homage and to offer gifts from their cultures and countries. We pray today for Christian communities throughout the world in their diversity of worship and tradition: Lord, preserve these treasures, particularly in areas where the presence and survival of the Church is threatened by violence and oppression.

All         Lord hear our prayer

Reader   The early years of the Lord’s life were marked by massacres at the orders of the despot Herod. We pray for children living in places in the world where violence continues.

               Lord, inspire us to work without ceasing to defend the oppressed and include the marginalized.

All        Lord hear our prayer

Reader   After the visit of the Magi, the holy family had to flee and became refugees in the land of Egypt. We pray for all uprooted people:

               Equip us, Lord, to show hospitality to those driven from their homes, and grant us the spirit of welcome to those looking for a safe haven.

All        Lord hear our prayer

Reader   The birth of Jesus was announced as good news for all humanity. We pray for our efforts to seek harmony and dialogue with other faiths:

               Lord, give us humility and patience to walk with others with respect.

All        Lord hear our prayer

Reader   The Magi returned to their home by a different way. Lord, help us to find new and creative ways to follow you and to witness to you so that the world may believe.

All        Lord hear our prayer

Leader   At the beginning of our service, we were invited to remember our own personal journey towards Jesus, towards discipleship, recalling an event or a person who has inspired us. Or we may have simply desired to come closer to God.

At this time we ask for grace and strength so that we may be an influence for good. Perhaps you may ask for the opportunity to be alongside someone in need, to be their support. Or you may simply re-affirm your desire to continue your journey of discipleship.

The Magi brought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and willingly offered them to the Christ-child. God asks the same of you and me. Christ can use us all and give us the grace to be salt and light in our everyday lives.

Hymn 114 Thou didst leave Tune Margaret (omit verse 3)

Leader   Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom.

Our Father, who art in heaven:

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory

for ever and ever. Amen.

Sending and Blessing

Leader     Go now and live as children of light.

All        For the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.

Leader     Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness.

All        Let us wake from sleep and Christ will shine upon us.

Leader     Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all

who have an undying love

for our Lord Jesus Christ.

All        Amen. Thanks be to God.

Hymn     113 Battle Hymn