Worship for Sunday 

24th January 2021

The Third Sunday of Epiphany in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Organ Arioso from Cantata BWV 156 by JS Bach

Psalm 128

Prayers of Confession

Together we pray: 

Most merciful God, 

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

we confess that we have sinned 

in thought, word and deed. 

We have not loved you with our whole heart. 

We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. 

In your mercy 

forgive what we have been, 

help us to amend what we are, 

and direct what we shall be; 

that we may do justly, 

love mercy, 

and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. 

 Almighty God, 

who forgives all who truly repent, 

have mercy upon us, 

pardon and deliver us from all our sins, 

confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, 

and keep us in life eternal; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Lord's Prayer  sung by Andrea Bocelli

The Apostles Creed

we say together 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 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.

The Word of God 

Old Testament: Genesis 14. vv 17-20

New Testament: Revelation 19. vv 6-10

Gospel:   John 2. vv 1-11

Revd Stephen's Homily for today

Intercessions (Prayers for Others) for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18-25 January 2021

Reader God of love, through Christ you said to us: “You did not choose me but I chose you.” You  invite us to receive your friendship. Teach us to respond more deeply to this invitation, and to grow and grow in a life that is ever more complete.

 All The joy of our heart is in God. 

 Reader God of life, you call us to be praise in the midst of the world and to accept one another. May your loving gaze, which rests upon each person, inspire us to  celebrate  each other just as we are.

 All  The joy of our heart is in God.  

 Reader God you who gather, you knit us together as one vine in Jesus. May your loving Spirit abide in us at church and in our community that together we may celebrate you with joy.

 All The joy of our heart is in God.  

 Reader God of the one vineyard, you call us to live in your love in all we do and say. Touched by your goodness, grant us to be a reflection of that love in our homes, schools and workplaces. 

 All The joy of our heart is in God.  

Reader Holy Spirit, you create and re-create the Church in all places. Come and whisper in our hearts the prayer which Jesus addressed to his Father on the eve of his passion: “that they may all be one… so that the world may believe”. 

All Thank you. Amen.

Reader Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, light the fire of your love in us so that suspicions and misunderstanding cease in the Church. May the walls that separate us fall.

All Thank you. Amen.

Reader Holy Spirit, Consoler of all, open our hearts to forgiveness and reconciliation and bring us back to you when we lose our way.

All  Thank you. Amen.

Reader Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, give us poverty of spirit so that we may be open to your grace.

All Thank you. Amen.

Reader Holy Spirit, you never abandon the men, women and children who are persecuted for their faithfulness to the gospel. Give them strength and courage, and support those who help them.

All Thank you. Amen.

Reader God of life, you have created everyone in your image and likeness. We sing your praise for the gift of our many cultures and traditions. Grant us the courage to stand against injustice and prejudice 

All God of peace, God of love, in you is our hope!

Reader Merciful God, you have shown us in Christ that we are one in you. Teach us to use this gift in the world so that believers of all faiths in every country may be able to listen to each other and live in peace 

All God of peace, God of love, in you is our hope!

Reader O Jesus, you came into the world and shared fully in our humanity. You know the hardships of life for people who suffer in so many different ways. May the Spirit of compassion move us to share our time, gifts and resources with all those in need.

All God of peace, God of love, in you is our hope!

Reader Holy Spirit, you hear the fury of your wounded creation and the cries of those already suffering from climate change. Guide us toward new ways of living that are in harmony with all creation.

All God of peace, God of love, in you is our hope!

prepared by Lynne Chitty, on behalf of ROOTS for Churches Ltd. for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland https://ctbi.org.uk/resources-for-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2021/

Hymn:

Love Divine all Loves excelling. Tune:  Blaenwern

Massed Welsh choirs in the Royal Albert Hall, London

Our service ends with the Grace, 

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

and the Love of God, 

and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 

be with us all evermore. Amen. 

Organ Postlude 

Daniel Cook plays Fanfare (from Four Extemporizations) by Percy Whitlock

Daniel Cook is Master of the choristers and Organist of Durham Cathedral