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Gathering Together 

During the four weeks of the ‘Epiphany season’ the Sunday Gospel readings describe the first encounters Jesus had with various people, in which he revealed who he was and the purpose of his coming. Sometimes these encounters were accompanied by ‘signs and miracles’ (as today’s Collect says). But always they led to the ‘renewing’ and ‘sustaining’ of lives that were aimless or frail.

Gathering Together

The Lord of glory be with you.

The Lord bless you.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord: be strong, and let your heart take courage; 

wait for the Lord!  (Ps. 27:1, 13-14)

Opening Prayer

Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, 

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Hymn

Christ is our light! the bright and morning star

sung by St Martin’s Voices

 1 Christ is our light! the bright and morning star
 covering with radiance all from near and far.
 Christ be our light, shine on, shine on we pray
 into our hearts, into our world today.
 

2 Christ is our love! baptised that we may know
 the love of God among us, swooping low.
 Christ be our love, bring us to turn our face
 and see you in the light of heaven's embrace.
 

3 Christ is our joy! transforming wedding guest!
 Through water turned to wine the feast was blessed.
 Christ be our joy; your glory let us see,
 as your disciples did in Galilee.
 

Penitence

The leader will pray short prayers with the following responses:

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

The Gloria

Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,

almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father:

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

The Collect

The Gospel

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.

Glory to you, O Lord.

(After the reading)

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Thought for the Day

Affirmation of Faith 

Let us declare our faith in God:

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.

Second Hymn

Christ is the King! O friends rejoice

sung by St Martin’s Voices

1 Christ is the King! O friends rejoice;
 brothers and sisters, with one voice
 tell all the world he is your choice.
 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
 

2 O magnify the Lord, and raise
 anthems of joy and holy praise
 for Christ's brave saints of ancient days.
 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
 

3 O Christian women, Christian men,
 all the world over, seek again
 the way disciples followed then.
 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
 

4 Let love's unconquerable might
 your scattered companies unite
 in service to the Lord of light.
 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
 

5 So shall God's will on earth be done,
 new lamps be lit, new tasks begun,
 and the whole Church at last be one.
 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
 

Intercessions

Response:

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer. 

We remember with thanksgiving those who have died.

Father or all, grant us with them, and all the saints, a share in your eternal Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:

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. 

Final Hymn

Concluding Prayer

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely: and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (1 Thess. 5:23)

The Grace

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

The love of God

And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit

Be with us all, ever more, Amen.