The Magi Visit the Messiah

(words for hymns can be found below the order of service)

Welcome
CH4 234 : Tis winter now the fallen snow
Reading Matthew 2 : 1 -12
Prayer & Lord’s prayer
MP 39 : As with gladness
Powerpoint
Reflection
CH4 325 : Bethlehem a noble city
Prayer for others
CH4 237 : Look forward in faith
Blessing

Call to Worship

At the beginning of 2021,
MAY THE GOD OF HOPE BE WITH US.

In our lamenting the losses of 2020,
MAY THE GOD OF PEACE BE WITH US.

In our celebrations of Christmas,
MAY THE GOD OF JOY BE WITH US.

In our caring for the world,
MAY THE GOD OF LOVE BE WITH US.

In our living of life in all its fullness,
MAY WE KNOW THAT GOD IS WITH US.

CH4 234 : Tis winter now the fallen snow

1 ‘Tis winter now; the fallen snow
has left the heavens all coldly clear;
through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow;
and all the earth lies dead and drear.

2 And yet God’s love is not withdrawn;
his life within the keen air breathes;
his beauty paints the crimson dawn,
and clothes each branch with glittering wreaths.

3 And though abroad the sharp winds blow;
and skies are chill, and frosts are keen,
home closer draws her circle now,
and warmer glows her light within.

4 O God, you give the winter’s cold,
as well as summer’s joyous rays,
you warmly in your love enfold
and keep us through life’s wintry days.

Matthew 2:1-12

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 when it rose 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 Messiah 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 shepherd 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 search carefully 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 when it rose 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 worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

MP 39 : As with gladness

1 As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold;
as with joy they hailed its light,
so, most gracious God, may we
led by You for ever be.

2 As with joyful steps they sped,
Saviour, to Your lowly bed,
there to bend the knee before
You whom heaven and earth adore,
so may we with one accord,
seek forgiveness from our Lord.

3 As they offered gifts more rare,
gold and frankincense and myrrh,
so may we, cleansed from our sin,
lives of service now begin,
as in love our treasures bring,
Christ, to You our heavenly King.

4 Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way;
and when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed souls at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds Your glory hide.

5 In the heavenly country bright
need they no created light;
You its light, its joy, its crown,
There for ever may we sing
hallelujahs to our King.

CH4 325 : Bethlehem, a noble city

1 Bethlehem , a noble city,
has been blessed beyond compare,
for the gracious God of heaven
once became incarnate there.

2 Fairer than the sun at morning
was the star that told his birth,
to the world its God announcing,
seen in human form on earth.

3 From the east came menof wisdom
bringing treasures prized of old,
tributes to a greater wisdom,
gifts of incense, myrrh, and gold.

4 Sacred gifts of mystic meaning:
incense shows that God has come,
gold proclaims him king of nations,
myrrh foretells his saving tomb.

5 Holy Jesus, in your brightness
to the Gentile world displayed,
with the Father and the Spirit
endless praise to you be paid.

CH4 237 : Look forward in faith

1 Look forward in faith,
all time is in God’s hand.
Walk humbly with him
and trust his future plan.
God has wisely led
his people by his power.
Look forward in hope,
he gives u seach new hour.

2 Look forward in faith,
the world is in God’s care.
His purpose of love
he calls on us to share.
In our neighbour’s need
the Lord is present still.
He blesses the meek!
The earth will know God’s will.

3 Look forward in faith,
God gives us life each day.
Go onward with Christ,
his Spirit guides our way.
Now God lets us live
with the sphere of grace.
Trust ever in him,
he rules o’er earth and space!

Blessing

We stand to face the future

Christ behind us in the past
Christ before us, the way ahead
Christ beside us in this moment
Christ beneath us in our weakness
Christ above us to shield us
Thus armed, guided and protected we face the new year

Now we arise and go forth on the journey before us
knowing that, where Christ leads, life is a journey home
Therefore we travel in faith, in hope, and in love.