Saturday 6 January, 2024

The Epiphany                                                           

 As 6 January is a weekday, these readings may replace those of Sunday 7 January. [Also note that, in the past, Epiphany commemorated Jesus’ baptism as well as the coming of the Magi – see Epiphany – arrivals and beginnings]

(Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading)

General

Be still for the presence of the Lord (StF 20)
He came down that we may have love (Wild Goose: Many and Great #4)
Jesus stand among us (StF 30)
*O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (StF 34)

Isaiah 60: 1-6

Angels from the realms of glory (vv.3 & 5) (StF 190)
*Bethlehem, of noblest cities (StF 225)
*Brightest and best of the sons of the morning (StF 227)
Darkness like a shroud (StF 170)
Great is the darkness that covers the earth (StF 405)
*Hail to the Lord's anointed (StF 228)
Hills of the north, rejoice (StF 172)
See how great a flame aspires (StF 412)
*We do not look for angel choirs (website only)
We’re going to shine like the sun (Wild Goose: Enemy of Apathy)

Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14

Hymns echoing the psalmist's theme

Everyone needs  compassion, love that's never failing (StF 627)
Beauty for brokenness (StF 693)
*Hail to the Lord's anointed (StF 228)
Pray for a world where every child finds welcome in a sheltered space (StF 527)

Ephesians 3: 1-12

A charge to keep I have (StF 658)
Brother, sister, let me serve you (StF 611)
Called by Christ to be disciples (StF 660)
Christ, our King before creation (StF 318)
God it was who said to Abraham (StF 464)
There's a wideness in God’s mercy (StF 416)

Matthew 2: 1-12

A special star (StF 223)
Angels from the realms of glory (v.3) (StF 190)
As with gladness men of old (StF 224)
*Bethlehem, of noblest cities (StF 225)
*Brightest and best of the sons of the morning (StF 227)
Child of joy and peace (StF 194)
Come, thou long expected Jesus (StF 169)
Deep in the darkness a starlight is gleaming (StF 625)
*Hail to the Lord's anointed (StF 228)
How hard was that journey (website only)
If my name was Mary (unpublished - freely available in writing from Iona Community)
In the bleak midwinter (StF 204) esp. v.4
Into the darkness of this world (StF 173)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence (StF 591)
Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour (StF 593)
Love came down at Christmas (StF 210)
Riding out across the desert (StF 230)
The silent stars shine down on us (StF 231)
*We do not look for angel choirs (website only)
We three kings of Orient are (website only)
Who would think that what was needed (StF 222)