January 17th - Called to be God's holy people

Readings
Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 40:1-11 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42		God's chosen servant God has called me Called to be God's holy people The call of the first disciples

Hymns		from Rejoice and Sing unless stated
90 189 364 433 489 518 688 Songs of fellowship 544		O Lord all the world belongs to you Why Herod so unpitying Just as I am without one plea O thou who camest from above Be thou my vision Father, I place into your hands I waited for the Lord my God There is a redeemer

Call To Worship (based on Psalm 40:1-5)

When I call O Lord,              YOU ANSWER ME.
When I am in danger,            YOU RESCUE ME.
When I am unsure,                YOU SET ME SAFELY ON A ROCK
When I have nothing to say    YOU TEACH ME TO SING A NEW SONG
You have done so many wonderful things for me, O Lord my God.
THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU!

Prayers

Prayer of praise Sing a new song!                  WE SING A SONG OF PRAISE TO OUR LORD In the morning we sing a new song to our Lord, for a day full of new hope, for the refreshment of sleep, for the excitement of the unknown. And even if our sleep was broken or troubled, if we face a day filled with mundane tasks, or unpleasant ones, if life seems without hope or humour, we feel the security of your love, the constancy of your presence. And so we... Sing a new song!                  WE SING A SONG OF PRAISE TO OUR LORD At midday we sing a new song to our Lord, for a morning filled with interest and tasks accomplished, for the chance to take a well-earned break, for good food enjoyed. And even if things have gone from bad to worse, the demands of others fill every minute, the morning passed slow and empty, you help us to count our blessings, to take our refreshment in you. And so we... Sing a new song!                  WE SING A SONG OF PRAISE TO OUR LORD In the evening we sing a new song to our Lord, for respite from caring for others, for a chance to follow our interests, for the glow of tired satisfaction of a day well lived. And even if there is no respite, if evening brings fear of the dark and those who stalk in it, if all we can say is 'well that's another day got through' you keep us safe and offer us hope And so we... Sing a new song!                  WE SING A SONG OF PRAISE TO OUR LORD Amen

Prayer of confession God has called us - to love But we so often act in unloving ways God has called us - to listen But we ignore his call and are deaf to the cries of the needy God has called us - to share But we are selfish and keep our riches and resources to ourselves God has called us - to be lights to the world But we live as those in the darkness God has called us - to care But our hearts are hardened O God forgive us when we fail to answer our call. With the Spirit's help may we respond with willing heart and open hands ready to be filled with the challenge of discipleship Listen everyone, for hear is good news! God sent his son to show us what love is, to live and die and rise again for you and me. To all who turn to him in faith and sorrow for what they have done wrong, Jesus says 'Your sins are forgiven' He also says 'Come, follow me' Thanks be to God. Amen.

Offertory prayer    (from Psalm 40) Loving God you don't want us to sacrifice animals or give you burnt offerings. Instead we offer you our money - given with love and not just a sense of duty And we offer ourselves - our time and our lives. How we love to do your will O Lord! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession (from John 1:29-42) Lamb of God                 LORD JESUS, HEAR OUR PRAYER O Jesus, Lamb of God, we pray for your flock, for those who are struggling through life because they are hungry and don't know where their next meal will come from... because they are living in the midst of war or civil unrest and don't know what the future will bring... because life is harder to cope with than usual at the moment... Lamb of God                 LORD JESUS, HEAR OUR PRAYER O Jesus, Lamb of God, we pray for your flock, for those who feel they are outsiders because they are refugees, speaking a strange language, at the mercy of strangers... because they are hated by their neighbours due to centuries old rifts and suspicions... because they feel different from other people in some way - the colour of their skin, their religious beliefs, the level of their ability... Lamb of God                 LORD JESUS, HEAR OUR PRAYER O Jesus, Lamb of God, we pray for your flock, for your lambs for children who come second in their parents lives and priorities... for children who are in care... for children who suffer abuse of any kind... for children who are seriously ill or dying... Lamb of God                 LORD JESUS, HEAR OUR PRAYER O Jesus, Lamb of God, we pray for your flock, for those who are frail and weak, for those elderly people who feel alone and vulnerable even in their own homes... for those who mourn the loss of a loved one... for those who are ill in body, mind or soul... in particular we pray for..... Lamb of God                 LORD JESUS, HEAR OUR PRAYER O Jesus, Lamb of God, we pray for your flock, for those who are called to be your light to the nations... we pray for your church and ourselves - help us as we do our work of bringing people to you Give us courage to witness to your love in our words and actions and in our prayers... Lamb of God                 LORD JESUS, HEAR OUR PRAYER. Amen

Blessing

We are called to be God's holy people
WE BELONG TO HIM IN UNION WITH CHRIST OUR LORD
Let us go and be a light to the nations
LET US FOLLOW THE LAMB OF GOD
May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
GIVE US GRACE AND PEACE, NOW AND FOREVER. AMEN.