Cruden Parish Church
The Second Sunday of Christmas Sunday 10.00am
Sunday 3 January 2021
‘For my eyes have seen your salvation’ (Luke 2:30)
Welcome & Call to Worship
On the first Sunday of the New Year we gather to declare our hope in Jesus - who is the light of the world.
Let the darkness lift,
to welcome a dawn of plenty,
with enough for everyone
and people ready to share.
Let the light shine,
to open a path to safety
for all who are seeking home
and longing for life.
Let the sun rise
on the beginning of the end of the pandemic
to renew our grieving and weary souls
Let the day begin,
with new energy for the people of God
to rekindle the church and bring revival to the nation
On the first Sunday of the New Year we come to worship Jesus - who is the light of the world.
Hymn 320 Joy to the world
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Poem ‘Ring out, wild bells by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Prayers of Approach
The Lord’s prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
you will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen
Bible Reading
Luke 2:22-40
Jesus Presented in the Temple
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
Sermon ‘Simeon & Anna – The faithful generation’
Church News
Prayers of Intercession
Hymn 295 Who would think that what was needed
Who would think that what was needed
To transform and save the earth
Might not be a plan or army,
Proud in purpose, proved in worth?
Who would think, despite derision,
That a child should lead the way?
God surprises earth with heaven,
Coming here on Christmas Day.
Shepherds watch and wise men wonder,
Monarchs scorn and angels sing;
Such a place as none would reckon
Hosts a holy helpless thing;
Stable beasts and by-passed strangers
Watch a baby laid in hay:
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day.
Centuries of skill and science
Span the past from which we move,
Yet experience questions whether,
With such progress, we improve.
While the human lot we ponder,
Lest our hopes and humour fray,
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day.
Dismissal & Blessing for the New Year
Loving God, now your servants may go in peace,
just as your word has promised.
for our own eyes have seen your salvation
made ready with everyone looking on,
a revealing light for outsiders,
and a glory for all your faithful people.
Grace mercy and peace,
from the Creator, Saviour and Counsellor,
with you now and throughout the year ahead.
Amen!
CHURCH NEWS
Due to the continued threat posed by Covid-19 and the increase of positive test results in Aberdeenshire, the Kirk Session have taken the difficult decision to suspend public worship until further notice. This also means that our Sunday worship will not be broadcast on Facebook.
Our Sunday morning services will now be broadcast live via Zoom at 10.00 am every Sunday morning. For a copy of the link please contact Robert or Sean. (07791 755976)
Pastoral Care-Please advise the minister if you know of anybody would appreciate a pastoral phone call. Sean can be contacted on 07791 755976 or sswindells@churchofscotland.org.uk