Printed Service – Sunday 29th December 2024
Prepared by Rev. Saul Tadzaushe
The promise is fulfilled
Hymn STF 11 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God almighty.
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Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning
Our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy!
Though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy
There is none beside Thee
Perfect in power, in love and purity
Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty
All Thy works shall praise Thy name
In earth and sky and sea
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity
Songwriters: Tim Lauer / Reginald Heber / John B DykesHoly, Holy, Holy lyrics © Tcf Music Publishing Inc
Prayer
O God of majesty, we adore you, for you have made known to us the mystery of the ages, you have revealed to us your love in Christ, your Spirit is leading us into all truth. We will sing our love and joy. Amen
Reading : John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome] it.There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Theme: The Promise Is Fulfilled
Illustration: Imagine seeing a flourishing beautiful garden.
You think of the importance of environment, cultivation, care and commitment to the creation of a beautiful garden.
The Gospel of John begins with a powerful declaration that sets the new beginning of God’s transformational work of the world and humanity.
Through this passage we encounter profound truths about the nature of Christ and the fulfilment of God’s promises.
This passage assures us that God’s Word, which was with him and is God himself became flesh and dwelled among us.
As we explore this scripture, let us grasp the significance of this fulfilment of promises.
1 The nature of Jesus must be understood theologically It is a mystery.
2 The inclusivity of God’s Kingdom in Jesus Christ. He came for all
3The incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ and the world
4 The offering of transformation and eternal life.
The church is invited to participate in this great commission of transformation. Let us respond the love and calling of God in faith and action.
Hymn 255 The kingdom of God
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The kingdom of God
is justice and joy,
for Jesus restores
what sin would destroy.
God’s power and glory
in Jesus we know;
and here and hereafter
the kingdom shall grow.
The kingdom of God
is mercy and grace;
the captives are freed,
the sinners find place,
the outcast are welcomed
God’s banquet to share,
and hope is awakened
in place of despair.
The kingdom of God
is challenge and choice:
believe the good news,
repent and rejoice!
His love for us sinners
brought Christ to his cross:
our crisis of judgement
for gain or for loss.
God’s kingdom is come,
the gift and the goal;
in Jesus begun,
in heaven made whole.
The heirs of the kingdom
shall answer his call,
and all things cry glory
to God all in all.
The Nicene creed to be read :
We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Let us pray
O God of the transformation Spring, well up within our hearts as life, as love, as peace, as joy that new hopes may be sown in the world. May gardens grow in ruined towns and desert places.
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.
Blessing : The Blessing of God, The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Be with us now, and for evermore. Amen