The third Sunday of Epiphany

The Gathering 

Our worship begins at the sound of the bell, please stand as the sacred ministers enter, during which the introit hymn is sung. 

Father, Lord of all creation, 
Ground of Being, Life and Love, 
Height and depth beyond description 
Only life in you can prove: 
You are mortal life’s dependence: 
Thought, speech, sight are ours by grace; 
Yours is ev’ry hour’s existence, 
Sov’reign Lord of time and space. 

Jesus Christ, the Man for Others, 
We, your people, make our prayer: 
Help us love – as sisters, brothers –  
All whose burdens we can share. 
Where your name binds us together 
You, Lord Christ, will surely be; 
Where no selfishness can sever 
There your love the world may see. 

Holy Spirit, rushing, burning 
Wind and flame of Pentecost, 
Fire our hearts afresh with yearning 
To regain what we have lost. 
May your love unite our action, 
Nevermore to speak alone: 
God, in us abolish faction, 
God, through us your love make known. 

Words: Stewart Cross (1928-1989) 
Music: Cyril Vincent Taylor (1907-1991) 
Hymn Tune: ABBOT’S LEIGH 

In the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen. 

The Greeting 

Grace, mercy and peace 
from God our Father 
and the Lord Jesus Christ 
be with you 

and also with you. 

Words of Welcome 

Invitation to Confession 

The grace of God has dawned upon the world 
through our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
who sacrificed himself for us to purify a people as his own. 
Let us confess our sins. 

cf Titus 2.11-14 

Silence is kept. 

Lord Jesus, illuminate the darkness in our hearts: 

Lord, have mercy. 

Lord, have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, open our eyes to your saving love: 

Christ, have mercy. 

Christ, have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, unstop our ears to hear your living word: 

Lord, have mercy. 

Lord, have mercy. 

May the God of love and power 
forgive you and free you from your sins, 
heal and strengthen you by his Spirit, 
and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.  

Amen. 

Gloria in Excelsis 

Glory to God in the highest, 
and peace to his people on earth. 

Lord God, heavenly King, 
almighty God and Father, 
we worship you, we give you thanks, 
we praise you for your glory. 

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, 
Lord God, Lamb of God, 
you take away the sin of the world: 
have mercy on us; 
you are seated at the right hand of the Father: 
receive our prayer. 

For you alone are the Holy One, 
you alone are the Lord, 
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, 
with the Holy Spirit, 
in the glory of God the Father. 
Amen. 

The Collect 

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’. 

Almighty God, 
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles 
the wonder of your saving presence: 
renew your people with your heavenly grace, 
and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power; 
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 
who is alive and reigns with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever. 

Amen. 

The Liturgy of the Word 

Please sit. 

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians. 

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been made clear to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel—and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

1 Corinthians 1. 10-18 

This is the word of the Lord. 

Thanks be to God. 

Please stand as the gradual hymn is sung. At the end of the hymn, we remain standing and turn to face the place where the Gospel is proclaimed. 

Firmly I believe and truly 
God is Three, and God is One, 
And I next acknowledge duly 
Manhood taken by the Son. 

And I trust and hope most fully 
In that Manhood crucified; 
And each thought and deed unruly 
Do to death, as he has died. 

Simply to his grace and wholly 
Light and life and strength belong, 
And I love supremely, solely, 
Him the holy, him the strong. 

And I hold in veneration, 
For the love of him alone, 
Holy Church as his creation, 
And her teachings as his own. 

Adoration ay be given, 
With and through th’angelic host, 
To the God of earth and heaven, 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

Words: John Henry Newman (1801-1890) 
Music: Version of a melody by William Boyce (1711-1779) 
in Samuel Sebastian Wesley’s ‘European Psalmist’ (1872) 
Hymn Tune: HALTON HOLGATE 

Gospel Reading 

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. 

Glory to you, O Lord. 

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 

“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, 
    on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles— 
the people who sat in darkness 
    have seen a great light, 
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death 
    light has dawned.” 

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 

Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 

Matthew 4.12-23 

This is the Gospel of the Lord. 

Praise to you, O Christ. 

Sermon 

Please sit after the preacher leads us in prayer. 

The Nicene Creed 

Please stand with the president. 

Let us declare our faith in God. 

We believe in one God, 
the Father, the Almighty, 
maker of heaven and earth, 
of all that is, 
seen and unseen. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, 
the only Son of God, 
eternally begotten of the Father, 
God from God, Light from Light, 
true God from true God, 
begotten, not made, 
of one Being with the Father; 
through him all things were made. 
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, 
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary 
and was made man. 
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; 
he suffered death and was buried. 
On the third day he rose again 
in accordance with the Scriptures; 
he ascended into heaven 
and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, 
and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, 
the Lord, the giver of life, 
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, 
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, 
who has spoken through the prophets. 
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. 
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 
We look for the resurrection of the dead, 
and the life of the world to come. 
Amen. 

Prayers of Intercession 

Following an invitation to pray from the intercessor we kneel or sit to pray. 

The response to the bidding 

Lord, in your mercy. 

Hear our prayer. 

then at the end 

Merciful Father, 

accept these prayers 
for the sake of your Son, 
our Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

The Liturgy of the Sacrament 

Please stand with the president. 

The Peace 

Christ is our peace. 
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. 
The old has passed away: behold, everything has become new. 

2 Corinthians 5.17 

The peace of the Lord be always with you 

and also with you. 

Let us offer one another a sign of peace. 

This is usually a handshake shared with those near you. 

Preparation of the Table 

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it. 

A hymn is sung. During this hymn a collection, our financial offering in support of the work of the church both at St. Mary’s and across our diocese, is taken. 

You can place cash or giving envelopes in the collection plates as they are passed around. If you would prefer, or if you miss the plate, you can also give by tapping your contactless card or device on the giving plate by the door as you leave, or on our donations page.

Songs of thankfulness and praise, 
Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise, 
Manifested by the star 
To the sages from afar; 
Branch of royal David’s stem, 
In thy birth at Bethlehem; 
Anthems be to thee addressed: 
God in man, made manifest. 

Manifest at Jordan’s stream, 
Prophet, priest and King supreme, 
And at Cana wedding-guest, 
In the Godhead manifest, 
Manifest in pow’r divine, 
Changing water into wine; 
Anthems be to thee addressed: 
God in man, made manifest. 

Manifest in making whole, 
Palsied limbs and fainting soul, 
Manifest in valiant fight, 
Quelling all the devil’s might, 
Manifest in gracious will, 
Ever bringing good from ill; 
Anthems be to thee addressed: 
God in man, made manifest. 

Sun and moon shall darkened be, 
Stars shall fall, the heav’ns shall flee; 
Christ will then like lightning shine, 
All will see his glorious sign. 
All will then the trumpet hear, 
All will see the judge appear; 
Thou by all wilt be confessed: 
God in man, made manifest. 

Grant us grace to see thee, Lord, 
Mirrored in thy holy word; 
May we imitate thee now, 
And be pure, as pure art thou; 
That we like to thee may be 
At thy great Epiphany, 
And may praise thee, ever blest, 
God in man, made manifest. 

Words: Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885) 
Music: Charles Steggall (1826-1905) 
Hymn Tune: SAINT EDMUND 

Taking of the Bread and Wine 

Gracious God, 
accept the offering of your Church, 
the hearts of your people 
joined in praise and thanksgiving, 
in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. 

Amen. 

The Eucharistic Prayer (E) 

Please kneel or sit. 

The Lord is here. 

His Spirit is with us. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them to the Lord. 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 

It is right to give thanks and praise.  

All honour and praise be yours always and everywhere, 
mighty creator, ever-living God, 
through Jesus Christ your only Son our Lord: 
for at this time we celebrate your glory 
made present in our midst. 
In the coming of the magi 
the King of all the world was revealed to the nations. 
In the waters of baptism 
Jesus was revealed as the Christ, 
the Saviour sent to redeem us. 
In the water made wine 
the new creation was revealed at the wedding feast. 
Poverty was turned to riches, sorrow into joy. 
Therefore with all the angels of heaven 
we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name 
and sing our joyful hymn of praise:  

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 
God of power and might, 
heaven and earth are full of your glory. 
Hosanna in the highest. 
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 
Hosanna in the highest.  

We praise and bless you, loving Father,  
through Jesus Christ, our Lord;  
and as we obey his command,  
send your Holy Spirit,  
that broken bread and wine outpoured  
may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.  

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends 
and, taking bread, he praised you. 
He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: 
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; 
do this in remembrance of me. 

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. 
Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: 
Drink this, all of you; 
this is my blood of the new covenant, 
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. 
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. 

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,  
in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice  
made once for all upon the cross.  
Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,  
we proclaim his death and resurrection  
until he comes in glory. 

Great is the mystery of faith: 

Christ has died, 
Christ is risen, 
Christ will come again. 

Lord of all life,  
help us to work together for that day  
when your kingdom comes  
and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.  
Look with favour on your people,  
gather us in your loving arms 
and bring us with Blessed Mary  
St Francis De Sales, SS Timothy and Titus, St Thomas Aquinas 
and all the saints 
to feast at your table in heaven. 
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, 
for ever and ever.  

Amen. 

Silence is kept. 

The Lord’s Prayer 

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.  

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name; 
thy kingdom come; 
thy will be done; 
on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against us. 
And lead us not into temptation; 
but deliver us from evil. 
For thine is the kingdom, 
the power and the glory, 
for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

Breaking of the Bread 

The president breaks the consecrated bread. 

We break this bread 
to share in the body of Christ. 

Though we are many, we are one body, 
because we all share in one bread. 

The Agnus Dei is sung as the bread is broken for distribution. 

Jesus, Lamb of God, 
have mercy on us. 

Jesus, bearer of our sins, 
have mercy on us. 

Jesus, redeemer of the world, 
grant us peace. 

Invitation to Communion 

Jesus is the Lamb of God 
who takes away the sin of the world. 
Blessed are those who are called to his supper. 

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, 
but only say the word, and I shall be healed. 

The president and people receive communion. All baptised Christians are welcome to receive the sacrament. Please follow the guidance offered by the stewards. 

If you are not baptised, or would prefer to not receive then do still come forward for a blessing bringing this book with you so the president knows your intention. 

The sacrament is available in both kinds, however if you wish to only receive the bread please do so and then return to your place. Receiving in one kind is still considered to be full communion by the Church of England. Please do not dip bread in the wine (sometimes called ‘intincting’). 

For those at home it might be helpful to use this prayer during the distribution. 

God of all people 
you sent your Son 
into the shrouded world 
into the borderlands; 
may his dawning light 
give hope to the broken, 
the persecuted, 
the alien and the excluded, 
that we might feel the kingdom drawing near 
and turn to follow him; 
through Jesus Christ, the morning star. 
Amen. 

‘For those upon another shore’ 

A piece of organ music composed and played by Aaran Fleet (b. 2007) 
Written in memory of Geoffrey William Lidster (1948-2022) 

Choir Anthem 

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind 

Dear Lord and Father of mankind, 
Forgive our foolish ways! 
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind, 
In purer lives thy service find, 
In deeper rev’rence praise, 
In deeper rev’rence praise. 

In simple trust like theirs who heard, 
Beside the Syrian sea, 
The gracious calling of the Lord, 
Let us, like them, without a word 
Rise up and follow thee, 
Rise up and follow thee. 

Drop thy still dews of quietness, 
Till all our strivings cease; 
Take from our souls the strain and stress, 
And let our ordered lives confess 
The beauty of thy peace, 
The beauty of thy peace. 

Breathe through the heats of our desire 
Thy coolness and thy balm; 
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire; 
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire, 
O still small voice of calm, 
O still small voice of calm! 

Words: John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) 
Music: Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918) 
arranged by Herbert Arthur Chambers (1880-1967) 

The following communion hymns may be sung during the distribution, if time allows. Please remain seated. 

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 
In a believer’s ear! 
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, 
And drives away his fear. 

It makes the wounded spirit whole, 
And calms the troubled breast; 
’Tis manna to the hungry soul, 
And to the weary rest. 

Dear name! the rock on which I build, 
My shield and hiding-place, 
My never-failing treasury filled 
With boundless stores of grace. 

Jesus! my shepherd, brother, friend, 
My prophet, priest, and king, 
My Lord, my life, my way, my end, 
Accept the praise I bring. 

Weak is the effort of my heart, 
And cold my warmest thought; 
But when I see thee as thou art, 
I’ll praise thee as I ought. 

Till then I would thy love proclaim 
With ev’ry fleeting breath; 
And may the music of thy name 
Refresh my soul in death. 

Words: John Newton (1725-1807) 
Music: Alexander Robert Reinagle (1799-1877) 
Hymn Tune: SAINT PETER 

O thou who camest from above 
The pure celestial fire to impart, 
Kindle a flame of sacred love 
On the mean altar of my heart. 

There let it for thy glory burn 
With inextinguishable blaze, 
And trembling to its source return 
In humble prayer and fervent praise. 

Jesus, confirm my heart’s desire 
To work, and speak, and think for thee; 
Still let me guard the holy fire 
And still stir up thy gift in me. 

Ready for all thy perfect will, 
My acts of faith and love repeat, 
Till death thy endless mercies seal, 
And make the sacrifice complete. 

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788) 
based on Leviticus 6.13 
Music: Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876) 
Hymn Tune: HEREFORD 

In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful, 
In the Lord I will rejoice! 
Look to God, do not be afraid; 
Lift up your voices: the Lord is near, 
Lift up your voices: the Lord is near. 

Words: Taizé Community 
Music: Jacques Berthier (1923-1994) 

The Post Communion Prayer 

Please stand with the president who introduces a time of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’. 

Almighty Father, 
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; 
for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. 

Amen. 

Father of all, 
we give you thanks and praise, 
that when we were still far off 
you met us in your Son and brought us home. 
Dying and living, he declared your love, 
gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. 
May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; 
we who drink his cup bring life to others; 
we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. 
Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, 
so we and all your children shall be free, 
and the whole earth live to praise your name; 
through Christ our Lord. 
Amen.  

A hymn is sung. 

King of glory, King of peace, 
I will love thee; 
And, that love may never cease, 
I will move thee. 
Thou hast granted my request, 
Tho hast heard me; 
Thou didst note my working breast, 
Thou hast spared me. 

Wherefore with my utmost art, 
I will sing thee, 
And the cream of all my heart 
I will bring thee. 
Though my sins against me cried, 
Thou didst clear me, 
And alone, when they replied, 
Thou didst hear me. 

Sev’n whole days, not one in sev’n, 
I will praise thee; 
In my heart, though not in heav’n, 
I can raise thee. 
Small it is, in this poor sort 
To enrol thee: 
E’en eternity’s too short 
To extol thee. 

Words: George Herbert (1593-1633) 
Music: John David Jones (1827-1870 
Hymn Tune: GWALCHMAI 

The Dismissal 

The Blessing 

Christ our Lord, 
to whom kings bowed down in worship and offered gifts, 
reveal to you his glory 
and pour upon you the riches of his grace; 
and the blessing of God almighty, 
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 
be among you and remain with you always. 

Amen. 

The Dismissal 

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. 

In the name of Christ. Amen.