Sunday 22 January, 2017

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

See below for hymns suitable for marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25 January). Also see the StF article Week of Prayer for Christian Unity , which points to additional hymns and resources.

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

Isaiah 9: 1-4

Angel voices ever singing (StF 39)
Darkness like a shroud covers the earth (“Arise, shine, your light has come”) (StF 170)
Great is the darkness that covers the earth (StF 405)
Light of the world, you stepped into darkness (StF 175)
I heard the voice of Jesus say (StF 248)
Your hand, O God, has guided your flock, from age to age (StF 692)

Psalm 27: 1, 4-9

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme

Lord, we turn to you for mercy (StF 429)
O Lord, we are always in your presence (StF 33)
Son of God, if your free grace (StF 336)
Stupendous height of heavenly love  (StF 512)
You showed us mercy when we were in darkness (StF 488)

1 Corinthians 1: 10-18

Because the Saviour prayed that we be one (StF 675)
Christ, from whom all blessings flow (StF 676)
Come, all who look to Christ today (StF 678)
I come with joy, a child of God (StF 588)
Jesus, Lord, we look to thee, let us in they name agree (StF 686)
Lord, we come to ask your healing, teach us of love (StF 652)
* Summoned by the God who made us rich in our diversity (StF 689)
Thou God of truth and love (StF 620)

Matthew 4: 12-23

Born in the night, Mary's child (StF 193)
Christ, whose glory fills the skies (StF 134)
Come, build the Church – not heaps of stone (StF 679)
Come, let us with our Lord arise (StF 148)
Dear Lord and Father of mankind (StF 495)
God’s spirit is in my heart (StF 404)
Lord, you have come to the seashore (StF 558)
* Summoned by the God who made us rich in our diversity (StF 689)
The Kingdom of God is justice and joy (StF 255)
Where will we find you, Lord Jesus our Master? (StF 672)
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? (StF 673)
Would I have answered when you called..? (StF 674)

This week is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18 ^th -25 ^th ) and the Epistle addresses disunity in the Church. The Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) theme this year is ’Crossing Barriers’ and the Ecumenical service takes its theme from 2 Corinthians 5: 14-20 , which speaks of 'Reconciliation – the love of Christ compels us'. The other readings in the service are listed below.

The service, service leaflet and PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded from CTBI in English and Welsh .  No hymn suggestions are made but the following may be useful:

Ezekiel 36: 25-27

Holy Spirit, gift bestower (StF 383)
Into the darkness of this world(StF 173)
O Holy Spirit, Lord of grace (StF 392)

Psalm 18: 26-32

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme

Great is our redeeming Lord  (StF 683)
Thou God of truth and love (StF 620)

2 Corinthians 5: 14-20

All praise to our redeeming Lord  (StF 608)
Baptise us with your Spirit (StF 369)
Because the Saviour prayed that we be one (StF 675)
Christ, from whom all blessings flow (StF 676)
Come, and let us sweetly join (StF 646)
Here on the threshold of a new beginning  (StF 684)
In Christ there is no east or west (StF 685)
Let every Christian pray (StF 388)
We come from the mountains, the valleys and plains (StF 417)
What shall our greeting be..? (StF 691)

Luke 15: 11-32

I come with joy, a child of God (StF 588)
God give us life (StF 612)
God, how can we forgive..? (StF 613)
Jesus, Lord, we look to thee, let us in they name agree (StF 686)
Lord, we come to ask your healing, teach us of love (StF 652)
When deep despair casts out all light (StF 399)