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Preaching Notes for Nov. 30 to Jan 4
Advent to Christmas 2
January 4 (Christmas 2)
Lectionary
John 1: 10 - 18
He was in the world - unrecognised
Word become flesh
Full of grace and Truth
The law through Moses - Grace and truth through Jesus Christ
Psalm 147 12 -20
Praise the Lord
Security and safety, peace, food
Lord of creation
Mighty God declares his word.
Jer 31: 7 - 14
The gathering of all peoples
God the consolation with all their needs met and their sadness turned to joy.
Eph.1: 3 - 14
Spiritual blessings
Call to worship
God of the universe,
as the sun melts the frost and dissolves the snow
so your love overcomes fear and gives new life.
Shine your love into our lives that we may be part of the new beginnings of your grace,
draw near us and heal us, Lord. Amen
Prayer of Approach
From all the generations the witness to your faithfulness is heard, O Lord.
From land to land across the seas the message of your grace and mercy is heard. Wonderful is your loving kindness, healing is your love.
Bruised from life and hurting from the testing we have known we come seeking the balm of your peace, Lord. Touch us with your mercy, warm us with your grace that we may be refreshed and renewed from your company. Help us to let go the pain of the past that we may rejoice in the company of the saints and take refuge in your forgiveness. Wonderful is your loving kindness, healing is your love.
As we worship reshape our view, clear our understanding, remind us of the
wonder of your love that we may rise refreshed to carry your peace to the
world in Jesus name. Amen
Prayer for others
God of the east and west, Lord of the north and south, as people of every
nation have gathered about the manger to celebrate the nativity we have
become aware of our obligations to them and humbly we offer our prayers.
We pray for peace on earth. As the angels sang so we pray that the
weapons of war may be melted into the tools of industry and the energy of
young people may be used to enrich the lives of the less fortunate.
We pray for the wholeness of life - your intention for all people. With
heavy hearts we remember the needs of so many whose life expectancy is
limited by malnutrition, disease and the lethal litter of past wars
We pray for the children whose lives have been warped by the
dislocation of society, whose education has been interrupted , whose hopes
have been twisted and whose laughter has been stilled.
We pray for the leaders of nations that they may recognise the truth
and act with grace towards those with whom they have disagreed. Grant that
where security has been destroyed and families scattered there may yet be a
new beginning of hope.
We pray for our own land, that here there may be a sanctuary for the needy, a place of hope for the dispossessed and a refuge for the downtrodden.
Give peace and grace to our nation, Lord.
We offer our silent prayers for those known to us whose need is great,
naming them in our hearts, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
God of mercy and peace, hear our prayer, use us as your agents of love,
In Jesus name. Amen
Suggested Hymns
Stand up and bless the Lord
Child in a manger
As with gladness
Sermon suggestions
Most of us live within a set of rules. The people of Israel lived within the rules derived from the commandments that Moses received on the mountain. The generations of teachers had interpreted the commandments to find answers to a thousand questions of behaviour. Many of us live by a set of rules that were the framework within which we grew up. Parental guidance alerted us to what was acceptable behaviour and what was not. Some of our family rules were built on the Mosaic commandments - after all our parents had learned them in Sunday School. But the rules derived from Moses' teaching could not cope with the complications of our society so extensions needed to be employed. Our parents had, of course the benefit of the two commandments of Jesus though for many these were not given any authority greater than the more familiar laws of Moses. John reminds his readers that while Moses gave the law [and that was interpreted for the Hebrews] by Jesus Christ came Grace and truth. The law was for Israel. The shock of the incarnation is that God's love, expressed in grace and truth, comes with the ministry of Jesus Christ. The boundaries of God's relationship with humanity are blown away. The God of Israel is seen to be the God of all humanity and the love of God is not to be measured in terms of obedience to the law of Moses or descent from Abraham but by the shockingly extravagant grace of God. In the Gospel frame the Samaritan is no longer an outcast but the very expression of the grace of God. The God of creation gives each of us the opportunity to recognise the frozen beauty of the snow clad mountains, to taste the luxury of fine flour made into crust-crisp bread is the God of all. The God love is extended towards every mortal. The incarnation begins a revolution in religious thought. The wise men will come from foreign lands to worship and their gifts will be acceptable. As the prophets of Israel had imagined , in their better moments, [ Jer 31: 7 - 14] the strangers, foreigners, and the imperfect will come and celebrate the God whom Israel has known but is now known to be the Lord of all. The new law calls for grace and truth to rule in our lives.