Epiphany Services - January 2021
- Sat 2nd January - 6pm - Eucharist - on Lands End Churches Facebook
- Sun 3rd January - 6pm - Compline - on Lands End Churches Facebook
Sun 3rd January - Church Services
- 9.15am in St Levan Church
- 10.15am in St Buryan Church
- 11.15am in St Sennen Church
Click here for Service of the Word wording
Click here for Eucharist Service wording
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Service of the Word for Epiphany Service - 3rd January 2020
Vestry Prayer
Lord God, we are here today to offer to you our sacrifice of worship. We are here to listen to your Word, to bring to you the concerns of our hearts and to join together in fellowship. Speak to us; through Scripture, hymns, prayer and silence. Grant us ears to hear, hearts to listen, and lives prepared to do your will. Amen
Welcome and Opening Prayer
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. cf Isaiah 9.2,6
The story is out! Jesus Christ, Light of the World has been born to dispel the darkness that covers its people. God’s glory appears in human form. Life on earth will never be the same again!
Father God, the star that led the Magi to the stable announced to the world that its Saviour was born. Today we live in a world that is still covered by darkness, and still needing to make that journey to the stable door. May our lives reflect your light day by day, as we seek to serve where you have placed us. That we might be the means through which others can encounter Jesus Christ. Amen. John Birch
Confession and Absolution we sit or kneel
In silence we prepare to confess to God our sins and mistakes:
Forgive us, Lord when we are struggling with life,
searching for answers in vain,
relying on our own strength and failing again.
Remind us, Lord that you are the strength
upon whom we can call, the power to endure,
the answer that we seek, the one in whose arms we can safely fall.
Forgive us, Lord when we forget.
Absolution
The God who loves us, knows us by name and calls us his own,
Forgives us our sin, and has faith in us to resist temptation to sin,
God’s mercy is generous towards us, be freed from our sin
In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Collect
Creator of the heavens, who led the Magi by a star
to worship the Christ-child: guide and sustain us,
that we may find our journey’s end in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading Matthew 2. 1-12
When the Gospel is announced the reader says:
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
At the end the readers says: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Creed we stand
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe in God the Father, from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
cf Ephesians 3
Prayers concluding with the Lord’s Prayer we sit or kneel
Prayers of Intercession for Epiphany by Brian Simpson
Let us pray to the God who loves us and knows the journey we are making.
Jesus was shown to the Gentile world in the persons of the Wise Men. In our turn we thank you for all who brought to us the good news of Jesus, and all those who guide and strengthen our faith today. we pray that all your church may work together for the coming of your kingdom. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.
Herod was afraid, not knowing what the news meant. We thank you, Lord, for the knowledge that salvation is for everyone, and we pray for a world in which no-one is ignored, no-one is threatened, no-one is rejected, no-one is despised, no-one is treated with contempt. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As we remember the Holy Family, we thank you, Father, for the blessings of our families and our communities. We pray that that our homes and our churches may be places where all feel welcome and safe. Surround us all with your love. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.
We thank you, Lord, for the promise of healing and restoration in the Christ-child and work of all those who care for the vulnerable, especially at this time. May there be healing, wholeness, peace of mind, protection, and hope. We trust in you to be close to us all through this time of uncertainty. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.
We remember with thankfulness all those whose earthly journey is ended. Welcome them into your eternal presence. Enable us to use the time left to us to take your love to others. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.
We thank you, Father, for inviting us to join in your plan of salvation, and we pray that we will answer that call with joy and faithfulness. Merciful Father accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
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
Blessing and Dismissal
Where your love resides there is wholeness,
Where your peace inhabits there is harmony,
Where your Spirit lives there is freedom.
God of gentle whisper cooling breeze and sweet perfume,
infuse our lives with all that is good and pure and holy,
and we shall be a fragrant offering wherever you might need us.
And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.
The Epiphany Chalk Blessing of the Threshold:
Let us pray.
Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name and the writing of the names of your saints, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, all who worship in this church may receive health of body and protection of soul, we make this prayer through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Using the blessed chalk, we mark the front porch step as follows:
20 + C + M + B + 21
while saying:
Visit, O blessed Lord, this church with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.
May all who come to our church in this, our 1500th anniversary, year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet, that same Jesus who is your incarnate Word, now and forever. Amen.
Loving God bless this church. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart and gentleness, and abide in your will. We ask this through Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Go and follow the light of the star, the one Lord Jesus. We follow in His steps, today and always. Amen.
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Eucharist Service for Epiphany - 3rd January 2020
The Greeting
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe. From the rising of the sun to its setting your name is proclaimed in all the world.
The Lord of glory be with you. The Lord bless you.
Stand The Call (from Pax Christi)
We must strive:
To bring the light of the Gospel to those living in darkness,
To bring the hope of the Gospel to those living in despair,
To bring the healing of the Gospel to the lonely, the disadvantaged, the marginalized. And to bring the peace of the Gospel to a divided world.
Sit Prayers of Penitence
Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins. Silence is kept
Lord of grace and truth, we confess our unworthiness to stand in your presence as your children. We have sinned:
forgive and heal us.
The Virgin Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus. Forgive our disobedience to your will. We have sinned:
forgive and heal us.
Your Son our Saviour was born in poverty in a manger. Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. We have sinned:
forgive and heal us.
The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King. Forgive our reluctance to seek you. We have sinned:
forgive and heal us.
Absolution
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Collect for Epiphany
Creator of the heavens, who led the Magi by a star to worship the Christ-child: guide and sustain us, that we may find our journey’s end in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Stand Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 2.1-12 Glory to you, O Lord.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Stand Acclamations at the Presentation of the Gifts
At the offering of gold
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe: to you be praise and glory for ever. As gold in the furnace is tried and purified seven times in the fire, so purify our hearts and minds that we may be a royal priesthood acceptable in the service of your kingdom. Blessed be God for ever.
At the offering of incense
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe: to you be praise and glory for ever. As our prayer rises up before you as incense, so may we be presented before you with penitent hearts and uplifted hands to offer ourselves in your priestly service. Blessed be God for ever.
At the offering of myrrh
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe: to you be praise and glory for ever. As you give medicine to heal our sickness and the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the nations, so anoint us with your healing power that we may be the first-fruits of your new creation. Blessed be God for ever.
Sit Sermon
Reflective Poem for Epiphany Journey of the Magi by T.S. Eliot
A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey:
The ways deep and the weather sharp,
The very dead of winter.
And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory,
Lying down in the melting snow.
There were times when we regretted
The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces,
And the silken girls bringing sherbet.
Then the camel men cursing and grumbling
And running away, and wanting their liquor and women,
And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters,And the cities dirty and the towns unfriendly
And the villages dirty and charging high prices:
A hard time we had of it.
At the end we preferred to travel all night,
Sleeping in snatches,
With the voices singing in our ears, saying
That this was all folly.
Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley,
Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation;
With a running stream and a water mill beating the darkness,
And three trees on the low sky,
And an old white horse galloped away in the meadow.
Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel,
Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver,
And feet kicking the empty wineskins.
But there was no information, and so we continued
And arrived at evening, not a moment too soon
Finding the place; it was (you may say) satisfactory.
All this was a long time ago, I remember,
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we led all that way for
Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,
We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death.
Sit Prayers of Intercession
Prayers of Intercession for Epiphany by Brian Simpson
Let us pray to the God who loves us and knows the journey we are making.
Jesus was shown to the Gentile world in the persons of the Wise Men. In our turn we thank you for all who brought to us the good news of Jesus, and all those who guide and strengthen our faith today. we pray that all your church may work together for the coming of your kingdom. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.
Herod was afraid, not knowing what the news meant. We thank you, Lord, for the knowledge that salvation is for everyone, and we pray for a world in which no-one is ignored, no-one is threatened, no-one is rejected, no-one is despised, no-one is treated with contempt. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As we remember the Holy Family, we thank you, Father, for the blessings of our families and our communities. We pray that that our homes and our churches may be places where all feel welcome and safe. Surround us all with your love. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.
We thank you, Lord, for the promise of healing and restoration in the Christ-child and work of all those who care for the vulnerable, especially at this time. May there be healing, wholeness, peace of mind, protection, and hope. We trust in you to be close to us all through this time of uncertainty. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.
We remember with thankfulness all those whose earthly journey is ended. Welcome them into your eternal presence. Enable us to use the time left to us to take your love to others. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.
We thank you, Father, for inviting us to join in your plan of salvation, and we pray that we will answer that call with joy and faithfulness.
Merciful Father accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer over the elements: Father, in Christ there has sprung up a light for the righteous; accept the offering of your Church and grant that Christ may shine in us to the praise and glory of your name. Amen.
Stand 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 our thanks and praise.
And now we give you thanks because, in the incarnation of the Word,
a new light has dawned upon the world, that all the nations may be brought out of darkness to see the radiance of your glory. Father, we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord because you are God almighty, creator of the world and all that is in it. Through him we have heard the word of truth, the good news of salvation, and you have marked us with the seal of your promised Spirit. He has made of us one new humanity and reconciled us to you by the cross. Through him with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, we come before you, Father, by the Holy Spirit, for ever praising you and saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Lord God, you are the most holy one, enthroned in splendour and light,
yet in the coming of your Son Jesus Christ you reveal the power of your love made perfect in our human weakness. Embracing our humanity, Jesus showed us the way of salvation; loving us to the end, he gave himself to death for us; dying for his own, he set us free from the bonds of sin, that we might rise and reign with him in glory.
On the night he gave up himself for us all he 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.
Therefore we proclaim the death that he suffered on the cross, we celebrate his resurrection, his bursting from the tomb, we rejoice that he reigns at your right hand on high and we long for his coming in glory.
As we recall the one, perfect sacrifice of our redemption, Father, by your Holy Spirit let these gifts of your creation be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; form us into the likeness of Christ and make us a perfect offering in your sight. Look with favour on your people and in your mercy hear the cry of our hearts. Bless the earth, heal the sick, let the oppressed go free and fill your Church with power from on high. Gather your people from the ends of the earth to feast with all your saints at the table in your kingdom, where the new creation is brought to perfection
in Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sit The Lord’s Prayer:
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.
Breaking of the Bread and Giving of Communion
We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.
God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.
God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people.
Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Sit Prayer after Communion
Grateful for the glory revealed today through God made flesh, let us pray: Creator of the heavens, who led the Magi by a star to worship the Christ-child: guide and sustain us, that we may find our journey’s end in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Blessing
Christ the Son of God perfect in you the image of his glory and gladden your hearts with the good news of his kingdom; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.
The ministers and people depart.
Copyright acknowledgement (where not already indicated above): Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops' Council 2000 Collect (Epiphany, Additional) © The Archbishops' Council 2004