First Sunday after Christmas
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! How pleasant it is to honour him with praise!
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, kindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint John.
Listen to David speak to this gospel.
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for 1st Sunday after Christmas 2024
Grace and mercy are yours, now and forever, through Jesus the Christ. <Amen>
Welcome friends. Peace be with you.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
Here is an incredible message for us to hear; announced by the angels, received by the shepherds, pursued by the wise men, feared by Herod, ignored by most of the world, loved by Mary and Joseph.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
Here, wrapped in swaddling cloths in an obscure village, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
Here is God in human form, God expressing himself in a language that we can all understand. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
Here is God becoming one with us, frail and vulnerable humanity. Here is God becoming one of us. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” <PAUSE>
This word, ‘dwelt’, is an interesting one. There’s a modern translation of the Bible called ‘The Message’, which translates this verse: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood”.
I’ve always liked this translation, because the word ‘dwelt’ in Greek derives from the word for ‘a tent’. So, God became human and pitched his tent among us. Just wonderful! <PAUSE>
For too many years, the Israelites had been waiting on God in a huge temple, strong to the elements, invincible to invading powers. But God became human and pitched his TENT among them.
Earlier this week I was at Cologne Cathedral and I wondered … for too many years, have we expected to confine God in beautiful, medieval buildings as if only the grandeur of such places is worthy of him. But God became human and pitched his TENT among us.
Even now, we want to house God in the fine church, the majestic Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace, the ancient “World Heritage” site. But God became human and has pitched his TENT among us.
God has moved into OUR neighbourhood in the frail and vulnerable tent of humanity; exposed to the elements, at the mercy of the whims of human nature.
God became human and pitched his tent AMONG us.
God has moved into OUR neighbourhood.
As a result, we learn that God is not a theological doctrine, but a relationship. Jesus is not a principle but a person: He moved into OUR neighbourhood and lives AMONG us.
This means we can’t talk about Jesus in the abstract. He’s not some story to wheel out for the kids at Christmas and Easter. Jesus has moved into the neighbourhood. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
This means that Jesus knows our neighbourhood: He knows the loneliness, He knows the grieving, He knows the fears and the anxieties, He knows how and when you and I are hurting, and He knows when you and I give thanks and rejoice.
Raise your voice. Shout for joy. The Word became flesh and moved into our neighbourhoods. He has pitched His tent alongside me here in Germany. He pitched His tent alongside you - yes, WHEREVER you may be. He’s alongside YOU in YOUR neighbourhood. <PAUSE>
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
THIS is the incredible message of Christmas, what we celebrate here today: the Word becoming flesh and living among us. God in the neighbourhood, God with you and me.
Whatever your joys, whatever your sorrows, whatever your hopes, whatever your fears - the Word has become flesh and dwells with you.
It’s through Jesus that we are able to enjoy a relationship with God. If we want to make sense of our lives, make sense of our hopes and joys, make sense of our disappointments and sufferings, we need to go back 2024 years to that stable in Bethlehem where the Word became a human being and dwelt among us and realise AFRESH that, through His Holy Spirit, he dwells with us still.
That baby who was born in a manger 2024 years ago, that man Jesus who died on the Cross, that Word of God who was raised from the dead three days later, is alive and with us today by his Holy Spirit.
This Jesus who came to live amongst us 2024 years ago, stands among us and wants us to let Him into our lives; to give our lives over to him so that we might live for Him.
If we do this, lives can be transformed. Those without hope can find hope for the future. Those who are sad can receive joy. Those who are sick can receive healing.
Christmas is a time of peace and joy - but it’s also a time of challenge: a challenge to find new life in the loving arms of the God, who became a human being in Bethlehem all those years ago.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”.
If you need God’s love – then be assured of it.
If you need God’s comfort – then allow him to put his arms around you.
If you need God’s challenge – then respond by turning to him.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. That is the greatest truth any of us will ever need to hear - and we celebrate it today.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
In the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit <AMEN>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our plea is, “hear our prayer”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy : Hear our prayer.
Father God, help us to remember that the Christmas story did not end in the stable but continued as Jesus grew into a man, unnoticed by the world until his appearance at the temple which was for Him his spiritual home on earth.
As 2024 draws to a close and a New Year begins and with it the next chapter of our lives, help us to grow in faith and wisdom and to recognise Your presence with us in all we do and say.
(LONGER pause for silent, personal reflection)
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our response is, “hear our prayer!”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Everlasting God, strengthen Your people that we may be communities united in prayer and in practical help and support for one another. We pray for courage, wisdom and guidance to stand up for our faith when it is challenged. Inspire us to lead and guide us all in our ministries as we go into 2025.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Loving God, creator and preserver of all humankind, we pray for people of every race, and in every kind of need: make Your ways known on earth, Your saving power among nations.
We earnestly pray that the coming year will see an end to war, militancy and terrorism and we pray for all who are striving to find a peaceful solution in those war-torn parts of our world.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Father God, we are reminded that Jesus came to live among us and faced the same problem we so often face; to follow Your call whist at the same time pleasing our families and friends. Sometimes we can’t do both so help us to live our lives with care and integrity.
Most of all, we thank you for your understanding when we make mistakes and ask for your guidance whenever we face a challenge in the year ahead.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Gracious God, You sent the angels to sing at the birth of Your son in Bethlehem, give the song of the kingdom to all who weep; to the sick and the lonely; the aged and the dying.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Faithful God, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them, for members of our families who have died and whose anniversary we recall. Help us to experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit within us, and the fellowship of the faithful family around us until we are reunited once more in Your heavenly kingdom.
May all the faithful departed now rest in peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your Mercy: Hear our prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries. Make the things that we choose to do worthy of the life, death, and rising again of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
As we look forward to the year that is ahead, we have faith that God will supply every need of ours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus
Christ The Saviour is born - come, fill the hearts of Your faithful people and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
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.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
