Week 5: December 30, 2018 - January 5, 2019
Tuesday, January 1, 2019: Holy Name of Jesus / New Year's Day
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The Dwelling Place of God Is with Us Revelation 21.1-6a
In his apocalyptic vision of the end, John beheld an entirely new heaven and a new earth, for the first earth had passed away. He saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared “as a bride adorned for her husband.” John testifies that he heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” God will wipe all tears from the eyes of the redeemed, and death will be no more, along with mourning, crying, or any form of pain, “for all the former things have passed away.”
John then heard the one who is seated on the throne declare, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” The one on the throne said to John, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” In the time to come, Jesus will complete the work he began in his passion and resurrection, and all effects of the curse, the result of the fall, will come to an end. Hallelujah!
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Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
O Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who didst manifest Thyself in our flesh at this season, shine graciously into our hearts, that, walking as children of light, we may glorify Thee before men, and being always ready to obey Thy call, may, in our place and measure hold up the light of life to them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Hear us. O Lord, for Thy great mercies’ sake, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. Amen.
~ Rev. H. Stobart, Nineteenth Century (Fox, 215)
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
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Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen. -
Chronological Reading for the Day New Year's Day: Job 40-42
Lectionary Readings for Holy Name of JesusPsalm: Ps. 8
OT: Num. 6.22-27
Gospel: Luke 2.15-21
NT: Phil. 2.1-6a
Lectionary Readings for New Year's DayPsalm: Ps. 8
OT: Eccles. 3.1-13
Gospel: Matt. 25.31-46
NT: Rev. 21.1-6a
(Click here for all readings)
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling -
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. -
Benediction
May Christ our Lord, Who is the Head of every beginning, grant us so to pass through the coming year with faithful hearts, that we may be able in all things to please His loving eyes. O God, Who art the Self-same, Whose years shall not fail, grant us to spend this year as Thy devoted servants, according to Thy good pleasure. Fill the earth with fruit, grant our bodies to be free from disease, our souls from offences; take away scandals, and keep far from our borders all manner of calamitous events; through Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, Amen.~ The Mozarabic Missal and Breviary (Bright, p. 164)
Affirmation for the Day
Soon and very soon, the dwelling place of God will come down and be with humankind. He will dwell with them and they will be his people!Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
Even so, come Lord Jesus, and establish the dwelling place of God on this earth for your people! -
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
A Savior Is Born
Luke 2.1-20
Book ReadingColeman, The Master Plan of Evangelism
