Greeting

There’s a pulling in our hearts, there’s anticipation and wondering, and there’s thirst and hunger calling us to worship.  In gratitude we praise God!

May the peace of Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

 

Lighting the Christ Candle

‘One Sacred Light,’ as we light the Christ candle, we welcome the Light, that shines from God through Jesus the Christ.  Praise be to the ‘One Sacred Light.’

 

Call to Worship

We have life because God created it.

Life had its beginning in God.

We need not fear the end of life.

In God, it will come to completion and its meaning will be fully revealed.

All creation, including us, will find fulfillment in God.

Now we see in part.  Then we shall see face to face.

Let us worship God, who is the Creator of Life and the Victor over death!

 

Opening Prayer

God of power and might, God of grace and mercy,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

You chose to become one of us in Jesus Christ,

sharing our joys and sorrows,

displaying your greatness in the child of the manger.

We praise you for your amazing love,

great enough to embrace the expanding universe,

ugh to enter our humble hearts.

During this time worship, surprise us with your grace once again,

that we, with the whole Church and your precious creation,

may praise and honour your holy name,

O God, our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.  Amen.

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*Opening Hymn VU # 54 (vs 1,4) “Unto Us A Boy Is Born”

     Unto us a boy is born!  King of all creation,

     Came he to a world forlorn, the Lord of every nation, the Lord of every nation.

 

     Now may Mary’s son who came, so long ago to love us,

     Lead us all with hearts aflame unto the joys above us, unto the joys above us.        

 

Prayer of Confession

God of goodness and guidance,

In Christ you sent us light to live by,

yet we seek shadows in which to hide. 

In him, you promise new life,

but we prefer with old habits,

nursing grievances and clinging to familiar opinions.

You are generous with your love,

but we reject neighbors and fear strangers who differ from us. 

Remake us in the image of your Son with your mercy,

and teach us how to follow him in the year ahead.

 

Assurance of Grace

Here is the good news of the Gospel! Jesus Christ is God’s elect, chosen for our salvation. In him we find God’s acceptance. Let us give thanks to God for this gift, and be at peace with ourselves and with one another.

           

Scripture Readings

Hebrew Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm 147:12-20

New Testament Scriptures: Ephesians 1:3-14

Hear what the scriptures are saying to the church.

Thanks be to God!

 

*Hymn VU # 74: “What Child Is This”

What child is this, who came to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping?

    

     Refrain

     This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing,

     haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!  

               

Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christian, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Refrain

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So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come one and all, to own him.

The King of Kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. Refrain    

 

Gospel Reading: John 1: (1-9) 10-18

This is the Good News of Jesus the Christ.

Praise be to God! 

 

Prayer of Illumination   (Based on John 1)

O God, through your Word all things came into being.

In the fullness of time, your Word became flesh in Christ Jesus and lived among us.

As we hear your written Word, help us to see your truth and to testify to it,

that all might believe in your Living Word, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

Message     

A new year is here! This means new beginnings, new journeys, and new resolutions. The New Year is often an opportunity to improve ourselves or expand what we have. But while this can be a healthy practice, it is also beneficial to reflect on the blessings that we already have. This New Year, let us open our hearts and ears and receive what God has already given us. Let us experience his grace and love through the light of his son, Jesus Christ.

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The theme for the second week after Christmas is the God who comes to our rescue. Our Psalm speaks to God’s power to bless his children and emphasizes that nothing can stand against him. In Jeremiah we read about how God is the redeemer of Israel and about the joy that comes from being rescued by him. In Ephesians, Paul celebrates Jesus as our Savior, facilitating our adoption through his life, death, and resurrection. John speaks about Jesus, in his incarnation, as the light for all people who lived among us.

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A New Light, A New Beginning

Happy New Year! We are lovingly gifted by God with another year to worship him and to be a blessing to each other. Every hour for a 24-hour period, people around the world watched their clocks strike midnight and brought in the new year with fireworks, celebrations, and time with loved ones. It seems like, at least for a little while, we were all united in our gratitude for another year of life. For many, a new year brings hope because it represents a chance for a new start.

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2021 had to be one of the most anticipated years of all time. 2020 brought us a global pandemic, a racial reckoning, and a slew of devastating natural disasters. For many, 2020 was a year they wanted to see in their rearview mirror—as if ending the year would bring an end to the challenges we faced. It was commonly said, “2021 is going to be better because it can’t be any worse than 2020!” Despite social distancing requirements, we brought in 2021 with hope and gusto. We craved a new beginning—the opportunity for a better tomorrow. Now that we are saying “goodbye” to 2021, we have to admit that 2021 did not solve all our problems. Furthermore, some 2020 challenges are still with us, in one degree or another, as we head into 2022.

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Scientifically speaking, there is no magic in the coming of a new year. Most people understand that New Year’s Day celebrates another successful trip of the earth around the sun and not some mystical “reset button” on our lives. We intellectually understand that we will have the same problems on January 1 as we did on December 31. Yet, every year we make resolutions, celebrate, and hope for a brighter day. It is like the hope of a new beginning is irresistible.

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Perhaps we are wired to crave a new beginning. It could be because we want an unpleasant situation to end. Maybe we are in a rut, and we desire a break in the monotony. Or it could be that we carry pain or shame, and we want freedom from that emotional burden. Whatever the reason, there is something inside us that is attracted to the thought of a fresh start. It may be that deep down all humans subconsciously know that our lives, our world, need to be remade. We need to be made new. We need a new beginning.

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Towards the end of the second century, life for the Christian community was challenging. The Jerusalem church was being scattered because of the destruction of the Holy City and persecution by Jewish leaders. Most of the 12 apostles had been martyred and believers had good reason to fear for their lives. Christianity was catching fire in the Gentile world, but disagreements between Jewish and non-Jewish Christians threatened to divide the emerging church. It is in this climate that the apostle John wrote his Gospel.

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To John, Jesus is the beginning of everything; he is the light the world needed. Christ’s relationship with the Father, with the Holy Spirit in their midst, is the true start to all things. This passage should remind us of the creation story in Genesis because John quoted the phrase, “In the beginning.” The world had become dark, and God started by saying, “Let there be light.” In a similar way, the apostle was presenting his audience with a new beginning—the light has come, and he has a name.

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Further, John is giving us a glimpse into the relationship between the Father and the Eternal Son apart from us, and their connection is deeply intimate. It is a relationship of love that led to the creation of the universe. It is that same love that compelled Christ to put on human flesh and dwell amongst us – to become the light that removes the darkness.

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John’s relationship with Christ gave the apostle the insight to see creation as a relational act—the result of the internal relations of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Moses, the author of Genesis, was inspired to write about the beginning of the world, and the law was given through Moses but Moses did not enjoy meals with Jesus. Moses was a mighty prophet, but he did not hear Jesus laugh or sing. Moses saw incredible things, but he never felt Jesus’ comforting embrace. It is no wonder that John wanted to reintroduce his audience to the God of relationship.

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The Holy Spirit inspired John to understand that his readers needed to be reminded who Jesus is – to help them deal with all the challenges they faced. It may have seemed like a dark time to John’s audience. It may have seemed like the gospel movement would end. Many believers were suffering for the sake of Christ, so John wanted to shine a light on Jesus and remind them he was the true light. He did not want his audience to have a superficial, shallow understanding of Christ. Rather, the apostle wanted Christians to live in the reality of God’s power and love. So, John started by revealing that Jesus is the Creator God. He is the one John the Baptist spoke about; he is the one and only Son, who came from the Father; he is the Son of God who became the Son of Man. Their hope in Christ is well placed because he is the reason that hope exists. He is the source of hope and the light for all humanity.

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Not only does John distinguish his Gospel by invoking Genesis 1, but he also gave Jesus a title not found in Matthew, Mark, or Luke. John called Jesus “the Word,” which is a term packed with meaning. In Greek, the term refers to a person’s words and the logic and reason behind those words. In Hebrew, “the word of God” is a synonym for “the law of God.” The law was viewed as the tool God used to bring about his will on the earth. Since John was appealing to people with both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds, it made sense for the apostle to have both definitions in mind. Therefore, John explained that Christ embodies the reason and wisdom of God, and he is the means by which God accomplished his will on the earth. Jesus has the power to make things new and to make new beginnings. John hoped his audience would live in the reality of Christ. He wanted them to see their situation through the lens of Jesus, the One whom the darkness cannot conquer.

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As we celebrate a new year (and we are free to celebrate), we need not wait for a planet to orbit the sun to get our new beginning. We can turn to Christ as the light for our way out of any darkness. He is our fresh start. This process begins with honest, humble prayer. We should be transparent before God and tell him our heart’s desire. At the same time, we need to humbly acknowledge that our desire may be misguided. For example, a person may ask God to help them lose weight, which is the most common New Year’s resolution. In his love, God may give the person what they need instead of what they want. While losing weight may be helpful, God may be more concerned about that person’s self-image or concept of beauty. What may seem like God ignoring our prayer may be God working to cure our disease and not treat our symptoms.

 

The next step in seeing the way forward is letting God make us new. We can be so focused on what we think we need that we do not let God give us what we truly need. We can derail God’s restorative work if he operates in a way we do not expect. Using the same example, the person who desires weight loss may have a negative self-image due to past trauma. In praying about the weight loss, God may begin to bring those past hurts to light. It is natural to want to avoid thinking about those painful memories, but God would not bring it up unless he was willing to bring healing. In this example, talking to someone, especially someone with counseling experience, could help find God’s path to renewal. As believers, we need to follow where the Spirit leads, trusting God to know the best way to make us new.

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When we allow the light to show us the way and to make us new, the final step in the process is to share our newness with others. Christ followers belong to each other, and God will not make us new for ourselves alone. We can share our newness by sharing our testimony—telling the story of how God brought renewal to our lives. We could also seek to bless those who are trying to make the same journey. Sharing the insights that God gave us can be of tremendous benefit to others. Plus, helping our brothers and sisters gives our own struggles meaning and allows us the joy of seeing God make someone else new.

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Celebrating the new year can be a great reminder of the new beginning we have in Jesus. We do not have to wait another year to get our fresh start because Jesus is the Creator. He knows how to make something out of nothing. He is also the Light and he knows how to chase away the darkness. He is the Word so he knows how to accomplish God’s will in our lives. Our Jesus knows how to make everything new.

 

A New Creed

          We are not alone,
               we live in God’s world.

             We believe in God:
               who has created and is creating,
               who has come in Jesus,
                        the Word made flesh,
             to reconcile and make new,
                        who works in us and others
             by the Spirit.

            We trust in God. 

            We are called to be the Church:
               to celebrate God’s presence,
               to live with respect in Creation,
               to love and serve others,
               to seek justice and resist evil,
               to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
                  our judge and our hope.

            In life, in death, in life beyond death,
               God is with us.
                       We are not alone.

           Thanks be to God.

 

*Hymn  # 206: “We Three Kings”

We three kings of Orient are;

bearing gifts we traverse afar,

field and fountain, moor and mountain,

following yonder star.

 

Refrain:

O star of wonder, star of light,

star with royal beauty bright,

westward leading, still proceeding,

guide us to thy perfect light.

 

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,

gold I bring to crown him again,

King forever, ceasing never,

over us all to reign. [Refrain]

 

Frankincense to offer have I;

incense owns a Deity nigh;

prayer and praising, voices raising,

worshiping God on high. [Refrain]

 

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume

breathes a life of gathering gloom;

sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

sealed in the stone-cold tomb. [Refrain]

 

Glorious now behold him arise;

King and God and sacrifice:

Alleluia, Alleluia,

sounds through the earth and skies. [Refrain]

 

Offering Invitation

The season of Epiphany begins January 6, the day celebrating the journey of the Magi to greet Christ, the new-born king.  They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. Our gifts are not so exotic, but what we offer today and throughout the year honours Jesus as Lord of our lives and Saviour of the world.

 

Offering Hymn VU # 543: “We Give Thee But Thine Own”

We give thee but thine own,
whate’er the gift may be:
all that we have is thine alone,
a trust, O God, from thee.

 

Prayer of Dedication

God of majesty and mystery, we bring our gifts to you, grateful that you are with us in good times and hard times. We do not know what the year ahead will hold but your love shines like a star to guide us. Bless these gifts that they may keep the light of Christ shining through the church to offer the world truth and wisdom, healing and hope in Jesus name. Amen.

 

Prayers of the People

God of all time and space,

as we gather in prayer, we recognize that our lives are but small details

in the vast expanse of your universe.

So we thank you for attending to the details of our lives.

We thank you for the year just past,

for walking through the good days and the hard days with us.

The pandemic has been exhausting in so many ways

but we are grateful for your steadfast love.

We give thanks for all the ways ministries have been able to adapt

and for faithful generosity to support the needs we confront.

Thank you for friendships and relationships that sustain us in uncertain times.

We ask for your Spirit to guide us into the future,

and create new possibilities for ministry and mission through our congregation.

In gratitude

Our hearts kneel before you, O God;

Receive our humble prayers.

 

God of all people and places,

The year just ending has held sorrows for so many in our community and around the world.

We remember dear ones of have died

and pray for those who look ahead in loneliness or sadness.....

            A silence is kept.

We pray for those who have faced challenges in health, in their families or at work.....

   A silence is kept.

Support each one who needs you close by.     

In compassion         

Our hearts kneel before you, O God;

Receive our humble prayers.

 

God of light and love,

As we face the year ahead, so much around us is still uncertain.

We seek your strength and guidance in each challenge we will face.

Draw near to each one who must confront illness, loss,

economic hardship or changing circumstances….

            A silence is kept.

Guide those for whom new opportunities appear and choices must be made

In anticipation          

Our hearts kneel before you, O God;

Receive our humble prayers.

 

God of community and commitment,

We pray for wisdom and courage in the year ahead.

Strengthen us as a congregation to be a lively and committed witness to your love.

Help us reach out to our community in faithfulness and service.

Guide leaders in our nation and around the world 

so that justice and peace may prevail,

especially in troubled places and vulnerable lives.

Show us all how to honour and protect your creation,

even when that takes sacrifice on our part.

Receive our humble prayers

and encourage us onward in the name of Jesus our Christ who taught us to pray together, saying, “Our Father…”

 

*Closing Hymn   Now Thank We All Our God

Now thank we all our God

with heart and hands and voices,

who wondrous things has done,

in whom his world rejoices;

who from our mothers' arms

has blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.

 

O may this bounteous God

through all our life be near us,

with ever joyful hearts

and blessed peace to cheer us,

to keep us in his grace,

and guide us when perplexed,

and free us from all ills

of this world in the next.

 

All praise and thanks to God

the Father now be given,

the Son and Spirit blest,

who reign in highest heaven

the one eternal God,

whom heaven and earth adore;

for thus it was, is now,

and shall be evermore. 

 

Commissioning

Go to praise God in all that you do. Go to celebrate the presence of God in all of creation. Clothe yourselves in love and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Grow in wisdom and grace and know that, wherever you may be, you are never lost – for God is with you. Always. Amen.

 

​Benediction

Go now in peace, go now in peace

May the love of God surround you

everywhere, everywhere you may go.

 

 

                                                     Sections taken from The Presbyterian Church of Canada

                                                               As well as the sermon from https://equipper.gci.org

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