Embedded Files
at St. John's and St Barnabas' churches
at St. John's and St Barnabas' churches
Welcome
Welcome
Welcome to a service of the Holy Eucharist, sometimes known as mass or communion. Eucharist comes from the Greek word literally meaning thanksgiving.
Our service is simply that — coming together as a family to give thanks and praise to God for his love towards us. Christians over the centuries have gathered in this way; it is an ancient practice of the Church.
As we offer him our praise, he offers himself again to us as we share in the sacred bread and wine — the body and blood of Christ.
Here at St John’s and St Barnabas’ this is a way of life for us. We meet regularly in this way to be spiritually renewed. However you come today, our prayer is that you leave knowing the blessing and love of Jesus Christ.
The readings and hymns can be found in the 'Pews News' leaflet
Hymn numbers are also displayed at the front and Hymn books are available.
There are Children’s activity boxes at the churches. If you feel your child would like to use these during the service, please ask one of the Welcomers when you pick up your service leaflets.
The words in bold are said together.
Please set your phone to aeroplane mode, and lower the screen brightness if you’re using this to follow the order of service.
This helps us all to worship without distraction and to share in the stillness of this sacred time together.
We stand to sing the first hymn
First Hymn
First Hymn
(Pews news)
1
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
2
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
3
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
4
By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
The Gathering
The Gathering
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Grace and peace be with you.
And keep you in the love of Christ.
Or in Eastertide:
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Heavenly Father, all hearts are open to you. No secrets are hidden from you. Purify us with the fire of your Holy Spirit that we may love and worship you faithfully, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We sit or kneel for the Kyries.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15)
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened; and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28)
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Let us then show our love for him by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.
We confess together:
Heavenly Father, we have sinned in thought, word and deed, and have failed to do what we ought to have done. We are sorry and truly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us, forgive us all that is past and lead us in his way to walk as children of light. Amen.
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy on you and set you free from sin, strengthen you in goodness and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We stand for the 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 of the Day.
The Collect of the Day is a prayer that gathers our thoughts and focuses our worship. It reflects the theme of the season or festival and prepares us to hear God’s word.
Let us pray.
Please be seated as we listen to the readings from God’s word.
The Proclamation of the Word
The Proclamation of the Word
Readings and psalms can be found in the Pews News or followed in the next section**
The Old Testament Reading:
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Psalm:
(response)**
The New Testament Reading:
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please stand for the Gospel.
Listen to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to …
Glory to you, O Lord.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated for the Sermon.
Sunday 11.01.26 - The Baptism of Christ - Epiphany 1
Sunday 11.01.26 - The Baptism of Christ - Epiphany 1
Collect
Collect
Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; 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.
A reading from the prophet Isaiah (42.1-9)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah (42.1-9)
Thus says the Lord: ‘Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.’
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: ‘I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
‘I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.’
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 29
Psalm 29
Response: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon; He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning; the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare; in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’
The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
The Lord sits enthroned above the water-flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore. The Lord shall give strength to his people; the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (10.34-43)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (10.34-43)
Peter began to speak to those assembled in the house of Cornelius. ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
‘You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
‘We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
‘He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
===================
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St Matthew (3.13-17)
Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’
But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented.
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Post communion Prayer
Post communion Prayer
Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son: by the power of your Spirit complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Nicene Creed
Nicene Creed
Please stand to affirm our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed.
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; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from 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.
Intercession
Intercession
Please sit or kneel for the intercessions.
In the intercessions we pray for the Church, the world, and all in need.
Respond to the bidding:
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Peace
The Peace
Please stand.
Jesus said, This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.
Love in all sincerity. Never pay back evil for evil. If possible, so far as it lies with you, live at peace with all.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
We shake hands and offer each other a sign of peace and say “Peace be with you”
The Offertory Hymn**
During this hymn we prepare the altar and bring our gifts to God.
This hymn marks the Offertory — a time to give thanks for all God’s blessings and, if you are able, to support the life and ministry of our church.
Your offerings help sustain our worship, outreach, and community care.
You can give by cash or card at the back of the church, or online via BACS after the service.
Give to St John’s and St Barnabas →
Offertory Hymn
Offertory Hymn
(Pews news)
Offertory Hymn – 41 / 307
Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
1
Lo! he comes with clouds descending,
once for favoured sinners slain;
thousand, thousand saints attending
swell the triumph of his train.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
God appears on earth to reign.
2
Every eye shall now behold him,
robed in dreadful majesty;
those who set at naught and sold him,
pierced and nailed him to a tree,
Deeply wailing,
deeply wailing,
deeply wailing,
shall the true Messiah see.
3
The dear tokens of his passion
still his dazzling body bears;
cause of endless exultation
to his ransomed worshippers;
With what rapture,
with what rapture,
with what rapture
gaze we on those glorious scars.
4
Yea, Amen! let all adore thee,
high on thine eternal throne;
Saviour, take the power and glory,
claim the kingdom for thine own.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Everlasting God, come down.
The ThanksGiving
The ThanksGiving
We celebrate together the gifts and grace of God.
We take this bread and wine to follow Christ’s example and obey his command.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, it is our duty and our joy at all times and in all places to give you thanks, holy Father, all-powerful and everliving God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Preface) Who by his death has destroyed death and by his rising to life again has restored to us eternal life.
We sing this at St. John's
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.
All praise and thanks to you, true and living God, Creator of all things, Giver of life. You formed us in your own image; but we have marred that image and fall short of your glory. We give you thanks that you sent your Son to share our life; you gave him up to death that the world might be saved, and you raised him from the dead that we might live in him and he in us.
Sanctify with your Spirit this bread and wine, your gifts to us, that they may be for us the body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
On the night he was betrayed, he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way after supper he took the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink from this, all of you, for 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.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come in glory.
As he has commanded us, Father, we remember Jesus Christ, your Son. Proclaiming his victorious death, rejoicing in his resurrection and waiting for him to come in glory we bring to you this bread, this cup. Accept our sacrifice of thanks and praise.
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, we boldly pray:
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.
The Communion
The Communion
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body for we all share in one bread.
The Agnus Dei
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
The Prayer of Humble Access
We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us. Amen.
Come, let us receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, given for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
If you wish to and are able to we go to the altar to receive the holy sacrament
The sacrament is shared with these words
The body of Christ keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The blood of Christ keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Return to sit and pray.
The Communion Hymns **
Communion Hymns
Communion Hymns
(Pews news)
Communion Hymns
448 / 227
I come with joy, a child of God,
forgiven, loved and free,
the life of Jesus to recall,
in love laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ’s communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.
The Spirit of the risen Christ,
unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known,
alive among us here.
Together met, together bound
by all that God has done,
we’ll go with joy, to give the world
the love that makes us one.
27 / 87
Colours of day dawn into the mind,
the sun has come up, the night is behind.
Go down in the city, into the street,
and let’s give the message to the people we meet.
So light up the fire and let the flame burn,
open the door, let Jesus return.
Take seeds of his Spirit, let the fruit grow,
tell the people of Jesus, let his love show.
Go through the park, on into the town;
the sun still shines on, it never goes down.
The Light of the World is risen again;
the people of darkness are needing a friend.
So light up the fire…
Open your eyes, look into the sky,
the darkness has come, the Son came to die.
The evening draws on, the sun disappears,
but Jesus is living, his Spirit is near.
So light up the fire…
The Sending OUt
The Sending OUt
Give thanks to the Lord for he is gracious:
His love is everlasting.
A Post Communion prayer may be said.
We thank you, Father, for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son in this holy sacrament, through which we are assured of the hope of eternal life. We offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice. Keep us in the fellowship of his body, the Church, and send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.
The Final Hymn (Please Stand)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The love of the Lord Jesus draw you to himself; the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen you in his service; the joy of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and those you love this day and for ever. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Or in Eastertide:
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia In the name of Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Final Hymn
Final Hymn
(Pews news)
Longing For Light, We Wait In Darkness.
Longing For Truth, We Turn To You.
Make Us Your Own, Your Holy People,
Light For The World To See.
Christ, Be Our Light! Shine In Our Hearts.
Shine Through The Darkness.
Christ, Be Our Light!
Shine In Your Church Gathered Today.
Longing For Peace, Our World Is Troubled.
Longing For Hope, Many Despair.
Your Word Alone Has Power To Save Us.
Make Us Your Living Voice.
Christ, Be Our Light!
Longing For Food, Many Are Hungry.
Longing For Water, Many Still Thirst.
Make Us Your Bread, Broken For Others,
Shared Until All Are Fed.
Christ, Be Our Light!
Longing For Shelter, Many Are Homeless.
Longing For Warmth, Many Are Cold.
Make Us Your Building, Sheltering Others,
Walls Made Of Living Stone.
Christ, Be Our Light!
Many The Gifts, Many The People,
Many The Hearts That Yearn To Belong.
Let Us Be Servants To One Another,
Making Your Kingdom Come.
Christ, Be Our Light!
Thank you for joining us in our worship, we hope it was an opportunity for you to encounter God. Please do stay after the service and feel part of the family. If you would like to pray with anyone or get to know more about the life of the church, please speak to Rev’d Ben or one of the ministry team.
You may now switch your phone back to your usual settings.
Sunday 18.01.2026 - The 2nd Sunday of Epiphany
Sunday 18.01.2026 - The 2nd Sunday of Epiphany
(Week of Prayers for Christian Unity)
(Week of Prayers for Christian Unity)
Collect
Collect
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; 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 forever.
Amen.
A reading from the prophet Isaiah (49.1-7)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah (49.1-7)
Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’
But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God.’
And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength. The Lord says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’
Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, ‘Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 40 1-12
Psalm 40 1-12
Response: Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me out of the roaring pit, out of the mire and clay; he set my feet upon a rock and made my footing sure.
Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many shall see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not turn to the proud that follow a lie.
Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God. How great your designs for us! There is none that can be compared with you. If I were to proclaim them and tell of them, they would be more than I am able to express.
Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but my ears you have opened; burnt offering and sacrifice for sin you have not required, then said I: ‘Lo, I come.
Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
‘In the scroll of the book it is written of me that I should do your will, O my God; I delight to do it: your law is within my heart.’ I have declared your righteousness in the great congregation; behold, I did not restrain my lips; and that, O Lord, you know.
Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
Your righteousness I have not hidden in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your loving-kindness and truth from the great congregation.
Do not withhold your compassion from me, O Lord; let your love and your faithfulness always preserve me.
Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
A reading from St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (1.1-9)
A reading from St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (1.1-9)
From Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind – just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you – so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
===================
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St John (1.29-42)
Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St John (1.29-42)
Glory to you, O Lord.
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”
I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’
And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’
The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’
They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’
He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.
One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed).
He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Post communion Prayer
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.
Sunday 25.01.2026 - The Conversion of St Paul
Sunday 25.01.2026 - The Conversion of St Paul
(World Leprosy Day)
(World Leprosy Day)
Collect
Collect
Almighty God, you caused the light of the gospel to shine throughout the world through the preaching of your servant Saint Paul: grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion may follow him in bearing witness to your truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles(9.1-22)
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’
He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’
The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’
He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’
The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’
But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’
But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’
So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’
And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’
All who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?’
Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 67
Response: Let the peoples praise you, God; let all the peoples praise you.
God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, God; let all the peoples praise you.
O let the nations rejoice and be glad, for you will judge the peoples righteously and govern the nations upon earth. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, and God, our own God, will bless us. God will bless us: and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
Let the peoples praise you, God; let all the peoples praise you.
A reading from St Paul’s letter to the Galatians (1.11-16a)
For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.
But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Listen to the Gospel of Christ according to St Matthew (19. [24-26,] 27-30)
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’
But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’]
Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’
Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Post communion Prayer
Holy Father, you gathered us here around the table of your Son to share this meal with all your household: in that new world where you reveal the fullness of your peace, gather people of every race and language to share with Paul and all your saints the eternal banquet of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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