Printed Service – Sunday 5th January 2025
Prepared by Rev. Paulson Devasahayam
A Journey with the Promise and the Promise Keeper
Call to worship: Psalm 147:1,12-13 (NRSV)
Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God, for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.. Extol the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
Hymn StF 83 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
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Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to his feet your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore his praises sing.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King!
Praise him for his grace and favor
to his people in distress.
Praise him, still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness!
Fatherlike he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows.
In his hand he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows!
Angels, help us to adore him;
you behold him face to face.
Sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!
Prayer of Adoration
We praise you, Lord. You are the God of promise and presence. We adore you for your steadfast love, which restores us, and your faithfulness, which never wavers.
We praise you, Lord. You are the Creator of all, yet you chose to dwell among us through your Son, Jesus Christ. You are the God who moves into our lives, bringing hope, healing, and renewal.
We praise you, Lord. You are the source of life, light, and love. You are our refuge in times of trouble, our guide on the journey, and our joy in seasons of celebration. We find all that we need in you—peace for our restless hearts and courage for the road ahead.
Be glorified, O Lord, as we lift our voices and our lives to you. May your presence among us transform us, and may your promises sustain us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we worship and adore You. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
O Christ the Light, you come to us as Word, Wisdom, and God’s creative life yearning to do a new thing in the world. But we like our own ideas and ways; we prefer to remain pure; we remain within our circle because we want to know who is on our side.
Silence.
O Christ the Light, you come to us as Truth, as glory. You tell us our story, but in a way we have not heard before. You show us that our tradition was larger than we had imagined. You understand our experience, but you lead us beyond it. And it frightens us. We do not want to recognise ourselves like this. So we turn aside from knowing; we do not want you close; we refuse to place in you our trust; we drown out your song with a clamour of our own.
Silence.
O Christ the Light, you come to us as the power to change, the strengthening grace to be different, to live an alternative future, and to transform the world. May we grow into wiser versions of ourselves, seeking your fullness, your maturity, your freedom, that wisdom and grace may be made flesh in us, and we may witness to your glory. Amen
Hymn StF 175 Light of the world,
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Light of the world,
you stepped down into darkness.
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore you
Hope of the life spend with you.
So here I am to worship,
here I am to bow down
here I am to say that You are my God
and you’re altogether lovely,
altogether worthy
altogether wonderful to me.
King of all days.
Oh, so highly exalted
glorious in heaven above.
Humble you came
to the earth you created.
All for love’s sake become poor
Refrain
And I’ll never know how much it cost.
To see my sin upon that cross.
And I’ll never know how much it cost.
To see my sin upon that cross.
Refrain
Reading – Jeremiah 31: 7-14 (NRSV) : For thus says the LORD: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘Save, O LORD, your people, the remnant of Israel.’ See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labour, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.’ For the LORD has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the LORD.
Reading – John 1:10-14 : He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Hymn StF 455 All my hope on God is founded
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All my hope on God is founded;
he doth still my trust renew.
Me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true.
God unknown,
he alone
calls my heart to be his own.
Human pride and earthly glory,
sword and crown betray his trust;
what with care and toil he buildeth,
tower and temple, fall to dust.
But God’s power,
hour by hour,
is my temple and my tower.
God’s great goodness aye endureth,
deep his wisdom, passing thought:
splendour, light, and life attend him,
beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore
from his store
new-born worlds rise and adore.
Daily doth the Almighty giver
bounteous gifts on us bestow;
his desire our soul delighteth,
pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand
at his hand;
joy doth wait on his command.
Still from earth to God eternal
sacrifice of praise be done,
high above all praises praising
for the gift of Christ his Son.
Christ doth call
one and all:
ye who follow shall not fall
Sermon:
As the Christmas festivities come to a close, we find ourselves returning to the rhythms of everyday life. Yet, as we step into 2025, a year filled with plans, dreams, and hopes, I wish you all a very happy and blessed New Year.
Journeys, whether physical or spiritual, often evoke excitement and a sense of mystery. The beginning of a new year carries its own sense of anticipation. Among the resolutions and aspirations we set for ourselves, I encourage each of you to carry the dream of the future. Our faith, after all, is intertwined with hope. We may have stumbled, faced distractions, or experienced disappointment, but hope for the future always remains. The Scripture readings for this Sunday, from Jeremiah and the Gospel of John, call us to embark on the new year’s journey with renewed confidence and conviction.
Firstly, Jeremiah brings to us a Vision of Promise.
In the book of Jeremiah, we find a divine promise that transcends even the darkest of circumstances. Jeremiah’s prophecy shows a vivid picture of restoration, even before Israel’s exile begins, a disaster that seemed unimaginable at the time. This promise of restoration is captured beautifully in Jeremiah 31:7–9, where the whole passage describes God as a provider, protector, and parent of his people. Those who are blind, lame, weeping, or vulnerable are promised a safe path back to springs of water and level roads. Joy replaces mourning, abundance overtakes scarcity, and God’s people are gathered in unity, sharing in the hope of restoration.
Jeremiah reminds us that age, gender, or status do not hinder God’s restoration—it is for everyone. Whether life unfolds as planned or takes unexpected turns, we can trust God’s promise to guide and restore us.
Secondly, John invites us on a journey with the Promise Keeper.
The Gospel of John takes us even deeper into this hope, declaring that “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This profound statement invites us to reflect on the mystery at the heart of Christianity: the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. The same God who created time and space chose to enter it, to live among us, and to share in our human experience.
The Incarnation is more than a historical event; it is the ongoing reality of God moving into our lives. The Word made flesh dwells not just in history but also in our present experiences, joys, and struggles. In Jesus, we see the glory of God—accessible, relatable, and transformative.
The poet T.S. Eliot called the Incarnation “the still turning point, the intersection of time and timelessness.” It is a mystery that speaks to the sacredness of human life and the divine commitment to redeem it. God did not move on from the brokenness of creation but moved in, sharing in our vulnerabilities and lifting us toward wholeness.
Through the Incarnation, we are reminded of the sanctity of our own humanity. As St. Irenaeus wrote in the second century, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” Jesus exemplifies this truth, showing us how to embrace our physicality and humanity while striving for holiness.
As we embark on the journey of a new year, we are called to live with courage and purpose. Jeremiah assures us of God’s ability to restore, while John proclaims God’s presence with us. These truths empower us to face the challenges and opportunities ahead with confidence.
Let us:
Look back with gratitude for God’s faithfulness.
Look forward with trust in His promises.
Look around to serve those in need.
Look within to find His presence in our hearts.
No matter how uncertain life may appear, we can live bravely and, hopefully, knowing that God is with us. As the Apostle Paul writes, “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever, Amen.” (Eph 3: 20-21).
As we step into 2025, let us carry this hope and faith, trusting in the One who restores, redeems, and dwells among us. Amen.
Prayer of Petition
Loving God, at the turn of another year, and the start of another chapter in the life of this church, we come to you, seeking your guidance and committing ourselves once again to your service.
Take what we are, and direct what we shall be.
We come to share with you and one another, to offer our thanks and confession, to bring you our hopes and fears for the future, and to learn more of your purpose for our lives.
Take what we are, and direct what we shall be.
Help us to make the most of the days ahead – to use them to the full, enjoying each one, celebrating your many blessings, and bringing honour to you through the way we live.
Take what we are, and direct what we shall be.
Help us to make proper time for ourselves – time to work rest, play and reflect.
Take what we are, and direct what we shall be.
Help us to make time for our loved ones – to give them the love, support and care they deserve.
Take what we are, and direct what we shall be.
Help us to make time for others – to listen, encourage, serve and share.
Take what we are, and direct what we shall be.
Help us to make time for you – to read your word, offer our prayers, seek your will and respond to your calling.
Take what we are, and direct what we shall be.
Loving God, we come at the start of another year. Speak to us now, and help us to hear your voice. Lead us, and help us to see your hand. Teach us, and help us to know your will. Send us out, and help us to walk by faith, in the knowledge that, as you have been with us in the years gone by, so you will continue to guide and bless us in the days ahead. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
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.
Hymn StF 465 Guide me O thou great Jehovah.
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Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore;
Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing waters flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
Strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee;
Songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee.
Blessing : Remember all God has done, Rejoice in all he is doing, Receive all he shall yet do, Put your hand in his, The God of past, present and future, and walk with him wherever he may lead, Knowing that he will walk with you, this day and always, Amen.
Acknowledgement:
The Prayer of Confession is adapted from Companion to the Revised Common Lectionary (1998)by Julie M. Hulme, Epworth Press.
The Prayer of Petition and Blessing is adapted from Prayer for All Seasons, Book 2 (2001) by Nick Fawcett, Kevin Mayhew Ltd.