THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY YEAR A
Introduction
My brothers and sisters, we gather around the table of the Lord to celebrate this memorial sacrifice of the redemption of Jesus Christ offered to us now through the body and blood of the Lamb of God. May our participation in the life and death of the servant Jesus help us in offering ourselves as servants of the will of God our Father.
Sentence
God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1Corinthians 1.9
Collect
Almighty God, whose Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, is the light of the world: may your people, illumined by your word and sacraments, shine with the radiance of his glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reading Introductions
Isaiah 49:1-7. Among the finest passages in the Old Testament are the “Servant Songs” in Isaiah, written at the end of the exile in Babylon. The author expresses his hopes for Israel through living as God’s servant.
1 Corinthians 1:1-9. Paul’s relationships with the church in Corinth were at times strained. His first letter addresses a number of issues that troubled the church. Paul begins by touching on themes he will develop later.
John 1:29-42. All four Gospels mention the baptism of Jesus at the start of his ministry, but John alone sees Jesus identified by his baptism as the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.
Alleluia, Alleluia
The World of God became flesh and dwelt among us. He enabled those who accepted him to become the children of God.
Alleluia!
Post Communion Prayer:
God of glory, you nourish us with your Word who is the bread of life: fill us with your Holy Spirit that through us the light of your glory may shine in all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
The Blessing:
May God the Father, who led the wise men by the shining of a star to find the Christ, the Light from Light, lead you also in your pilgrimage to find the Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always.
Copyright
Introduction, A Celebrant’s Guide to the New Sacramentary, Kevin W. Irwin; Pueblo Publishing Company, New York 1977
Collect, A Prayer Book for Australia 1996
Reading Introductions, Ken Booth
Alleluia Verse, The Sunday Missal, 1982
Post Communion Sentence, Church House Publishing 1997
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Year A)