The Epiphany
6th January 1401
Year / Epiphany / White
Principal Service
Collect One
Almighty God,
who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word;
Grant that the same light, enkindled in our hearts,
may shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Collect Two
O God,
who by the leading of a star
manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
Mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The First Reading
The Psalm
The Second Reading
The Gospel Reading
View readings View readingsPost Communion Prayer
Lord God,
the bright splendour whom the nations seek:
May we, who with the wise men
have been drawn by your light,
discern the glory of your presence in your incarnate Son;
who suffered, died, and was buried,
and who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.
Suggested Hymns
1st Reading Isaiah 60: 1–6
190* Brightest and best of the suns of the morning
125* Hail to the Lord’s anointed
192 How brightly beams the morning star
195* Lord, the light of your love is shining
196* O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
199* The people that in darkness walked
Psalm Psalm 72: 1–7, 10–15
250* All hail the power of Jesu’s name
688* Come, bless the Lord, God of our forebears
353* Give to our God immortal praise
125* Hail to the Lord’s anointed
97* Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
166* Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
140 The Lord will come and not be slow
2nd Reading Ephesians 3: 1–12
642* Amazing grace (how sweet the sound!)
562* Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine
11* Can we by searching find out God
352* Give thanks with a grateful heart
481* God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year
522* In Christ there is no east or west
103* O Christ the same, through all our story’s pages
73* The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended
112* There is a Redeemer
The Gospel Matthew 2: 1–12
147 Angels from the realms of glory
189* As with gladness men of old
190* Brightest and best of the suns of the morning
152* Come and join the celebration
194* Earth has many a noble city
162* In the bleak mid–winter
170* Love came down at Christmas
196* O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
198* The first Nowell the angel did say
600 The wise may bring their learning
201* We three kings of Orient are
202* What child is this, who, laid to rest
Second Service
Collect One
Almighty God,
who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word;
Grant that the same light, enkindled in our hearts,
may shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Collect Two
O God,
who by the leading of a star
manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
Mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The First Reading
The Psalm
The Gospel Reading
View readings View readingsPost Communion Prayer
Lord God,
the bright splendour whom the nations seek:
May we, who with the wise men
have been drawn by your light,
discern the glory of your presence in your incarnate Son;
who suffered, died, and was buried,
and who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.
Suggested Hymns
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Daily Prayer (Morning)
Preparation
A Sentence of Scripture
The righteous will be remembered for ever; the memory of the righteous is a blessing. Psalm 112: 6, Proverbs 10: 7
Versicles and Responses
O Lord, open our lips
All and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
All as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Praise the Lord.
All The Lord’s name be praised.
The Word of God
A Psalm
A Canticle
Which may be said here or between the readings
Benedicite
1 Bless the Lord all created things:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
2 Bless the Lord you heavens:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
3 Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord:
bless the Lord all you his hosts.
4 Bless the Lord you waters above the heavens:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
5 Bless the Lord sun and moon:
bless the Lord you stars of heaven.
6 Bless the Lord all rain and dew:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
7 Bless the Lord all winds that blow:
bless the Lord you fire and heat.
8 Bless the Lord scorching wind and bitter cold:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
9 Bless the Lord dews and falling snows:
bless the Lord you nights and days.
10 Bless the Lord light and darkness:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
11 Bless the Lord frost and cold:
bless the Lord you ice and snow.
12 Bless the Lord lightnings and clouds:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
13 O let the earth bless the Lord;
bless the Lord you mountains and hills.
14 Bless the Lord all that grows in the ground:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
15 Bless the Lord you springs:
bless the Lord you seas and rivers.
16 Bless the Lord you whales and all that swim in the waters:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
17 Bless the Lord all birds of the air:
bless the Lord you beasts and cattle.
18 Bless the Lord all men on the earth:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
19 O people of God bless the Lord:
bless the Lord you priests of the Lord.
20 Bless the Lord you servants of the Lord:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
21 Bless the Lord all men of upright spirit:
bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart.
22 Bless the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit:
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
One or two readings
The Gospel Canticle
Benedictus
1 Blessèd be the Lord the God of Israel,
who has come to his people and set them free.
2 The Lord has raised up for us a mighty saviour,
born of the house of his servant David.
3 Through the holy prophets God promised of old
to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of those who hate us,
4 to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember his holy covenant.
5 This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies.
6 Free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous before him all the days of our life.
7 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
8 To give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of all their sins.
9 In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us.
10 To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen
The Apostles’ Creed
May be said
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living 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.
Prayer
Kneel
Let us pray
Lord, have mercy
All Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
Weekday Intercessions and Thanksgivings
The Incarnate Life of Christ: Revelation and Human Knowledge
God our Father,
you gave us your Son, Jesus Christ,
to share our life on earth,
to grow in wisdom,
to toil with his hands,
and to make known the ways of your kingdom
Intercession
We pray for [The Community]
those who work ...
the unemployed ...
those in education ...
those in research ...
those in communications ...
those who maintain the life of the community ...
Thanksgiving
God our Father, we give you thanks
for Christ’s revelation of yourself,
his care for people,
for the order of created things, the resources of the earth,
and his joy in obedience ...
for the value he gave to human labour,
the strength he promised us for service,
the call to follow in his way ...
for all opportunities of work and of leisure,
all truth that we have learned,
and all discoveries we have made ...
Concluding Prayer
Give us deeper reverence for the truth,
and such wisdom in the use of knowledge
that your kingdom may be advanced
and your name glorified;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
O God,
who by the leading of a star
manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
Mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Alternative collects
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord,
to know you is eternal life, and to serve you is perfect freedom:
Defend us in all assaults of our enemies,
that we, surely trusting in your protection,
may not fear the power of any adversaries;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everliving God,
we give you thanks for bringing us safely to this day:
Keep us from falling into sin or running into danger,
and in all things guide us to know and do your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Go before us, Lord, in all our doings, with your most gracious favour,
and further us with your continual help;
that in all our works begun, continued and ended in you,
we may glorify your holy name,
and finally by your mercy attain everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
in whom we live and move and have our being:
We humbly pray that your Holy Spirit may so guide and govern us
that in all the cares and occupations of our daily life,
we may never forget your presence
but may remember that we are always walking in your sight,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Going out as God’s people
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.
All Amen
To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God
be honour and glory for ever and ever.
All Amen
May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the Holy Spirit
you may abound in hope.
All Amen
Daily Prayer (Evening)
Preparation
Penitence
All say
Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.
The priest pronounces the absolution.
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
If no priest is present the absolution is omitted and the following prayer may be said:
Merciful Lord,
grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Versicles and Responses
O Lord, open our lips
All and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
All as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Praise the Lord.
All The Lord’s name be praised.
A Psalm
Psalm 98
1Sing to the Lord a | new | song, ■
for | he•has done | marvellous | things.
2His own right hand and his | holy | arm ■
have | won for | him the | victory.
3The Lord has made | known his sal | vation; ■
his deliverance has he openly | shown•in the | sight of the | nations.
4He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness towards the | house of | Israel, ■
and all the ends of the earth have seen the sal | vation | of our | God.
5Sound praises to the Lord, | all the | earth; ■
break into | singing | and make | music.
6Make music to the | Lord•with the | lyre, ■
with the | lyre•and the | voice of | melody.
7With trumpets and the | sound of the | horn ■
sound praises be | fore the | Lord, the | King.
8Let the sea thunder and | all that | fills it, ■
the world and | all that | dwell up | on it.
9Let the rivers | clap their | hands ■
and let the hills ring out together before the Lord, for he | comes to | judge the | earth.
10In righteousness shall he | judge the | world ■
and the | peoples | with | equity.
Psalm 100
1O be joyful in the Lord, | all the | earth; ■
serve the Lord with gladness and come before his | presence | with a | song.
2Know that the | Lord is | God; ■
it is he that has made us and we are his; we are his | people•and the | sheep of his | pasture.
3Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his | courts with | praise; ■
give thanks to | him and | bless his | name.
4For the Lord is gracious; his steadfast love is | ever | lasting, ■
and his faithfulness endures from gene | ration to | gene | ration.
A Canticle
Which may be said here or between the readings
Bless the Lord
1 Bless the Lord the God of our forebears,
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
2 Bless his holy and glorious name,
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
3 Bless him in his holy and glorious temple,
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
4 Bless him who beholds the depths,
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
5 Bless him seated between the cherubim,
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
6 Bless him on the throne of his kingdom,
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
7 Bless him in the heights of heaven,
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
8 Bless the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit,
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
One or two readings
The Gospel Canticle
Magnificat
1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
2 who has looked with favour on his lowly servant;
from this day all generations will call me blessèd;
3 the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his name.
4 God has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
5 The Lord has shown strength with his arm
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
6 casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.
7 God has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
8 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel
to remember the promise of mercy,
9 The promise made to our forebears,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory
Kneel
Let us pray
Lord, have mercy
All Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
Weekday Intercessions and Thanksgivings
The Incarnate Life of Christ: Revelation and Human Knowledge
God our Father,
you gave us your Son, Jesus Christ,
to share our life on earth,
to grow in wisdom,
to toil with his hands,
and to make known the ways of your kingdom
Intercession
We pray for [The Community]
those who work ...
the unemployed ...
those in education ...
those in research ...
those in communications ...
those who maintain the life of the community ...
Thanksgiving
God our Father, we give you thanks
for Christ’s revelation of yourself,
his care for people,
for the order of created things, the resources of the earth,
and his joy in obedience ...
for the value he gave to human labour,
the strength he promised us for service,
the call to follow in his way ...
for all opportunities of work and of leisure,
all truth that we have learned,
and all discoveries we have made ...
Concluding Prayer
Give us deeper reverence for the truth,
and such wisdom in the use of knowledge
that your kingdom may be advanced
and your name glorified;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
may be said or one of the following alternative collects
Almighty God,
in the birth of your Son
you have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word,
and shown us the fullness of your love:
Help us to walk in this light and dwell in his love
that we may know the fullness of his joy;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Alternative collects
O God
from whom all holy desires
all good judgements
and all just works proceed:
Give to your servants
that peace which the world cannot give,
that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments,
and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies,
may pass our time in rest and quietness;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Amen.
Lighten our darkness, O Lord, we pray
and in your great mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Grant, O Lord,
that the word which we hear this day
may so take root in our hearts,
that we, living in accordance with your holy will,
may ever praise and magnify your glorious name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
The Ending
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.
All Amen
To God, who by the power at work within us,
is able to do far more abundantly
than all we ask or think,
to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations for ever and ever.
All Amen
To the King of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God
be honour and glory for ever and ever.
All Amen
May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the Holy Spirit
you may abound in hope.
All Amen
Holy Communion
Preparation for Communion
Jesus says: Come to me all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. (Matthew 11: 28)
God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that all who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3: 16)
I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall never be hungry and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty. (John 6: 35)
Thanksgiving
Thank God for all the many blessings you have received, and for all that is at present being done for you; for all doctors and nurses; (for this hospital and all who work here).
Repentance
Ask God’s forgiveness for the ways in which you have failed him and others.
Intercession and petition
Pray for all those you love: (for the other patients in your ward;) (for all who will be receiving communion with you;) for all who look after you; for all in need; for yourself, that you may come closer to God and his healing power.
All Lord Jesus Christ, you came to the poor and powerless and gave them hope. Come to me in this wonderful sacrament and raise me up in love to you, for I am helpless without you.
Be calm in the knowledge that you are under the protection of Almighty God.
The following prayer may be used in place of the Collect for Purity:
God of peace, you teach us that in returning to you we shall be saved:
By the power of your Spirit lift us to your presence,
where quietness and confidence shall be our strength;
and where we may be still and know that you are God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Collect of the Day
Almighty God,
in the birth of your Son
you have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word,
and shown us the fullness of your love:
Help us to walk in this light and dwell in his love
that we may know the fullness of his joy;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
The Ministry of the Word
One or two readings
a gospel reading should normally be included.
The priest says
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1: 8)
Let us confess our sins.
A short pause for self-examination.
All Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned in thought and word and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are truly sorry, and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may walk in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.
The priest says
Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer
Those present may mention personal needs and thanksgivings. The laying on of hands and/or anointing with oil may take place here or after receiving Holy Communion
The Great Thanksgiving
The priest takes the bread and wine.
The Lord is here.
All His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We give you thanks, our God and Father, for you have created us and you sustain us. Through your only Son Jesus Christ you have revealed your love and your care for all your people; you are ready to forgive and to save in time of need; so we proclaim your glory, saying
All Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night that he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, 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 when he had given thanks to you, he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you, for 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, Father, with this bread and this cup we do as Christ your Son commanded:
All we remember his passion and death, we celebrate his resurrection and ascension, and we look for the coming of his kingdom.
Accept through him our great high priest this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; and, as we eat and drink these holy gifts, grant by the power of the life-giving Spirit, that we may be made one in your holy Church and partakers of the body and blood of your Son, that he may dwell in us and we in him:
Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
All all honour and glory are yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
The priest breaks the bread, saying
The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
All We, being many, are one body for we all share in the one bread.
Communion
After all have received, silence is kept for a space and the priest says
Let us pray.
All Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Strengthen us by the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.
The Blessing
The peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your heart and mind
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you and remain with you always.
Amen.