Isaiah 49:1-7 I give you as a light to the nations
Psalm 40:1-11 I waited patiently for the Lord
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 He will strengthen you
John 1:29-42 "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

Suggested Hymns (From Denis Towner. TIS = Together in Song; AHB = Australian Hymn Book; SA = Sing Alleluia)
 

lesson	Hymns for Epiphany +2, Yr.A	TIS	AHB	SA
	At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow	231	170
	Awake awake! Fling off the night		412
G	Behold the Lamb of God	705
s	Blessed Jesus at your word	437	352
s	Brightest and best of the stars of the morning	310	234
E	Christ from whom all blessings flow	440	364
O/Ps	Christ is made the sure foundation	432	343
	Christ is the world's light, he and none other	246	191
E	Christ is the world's redeemer	192	123
O	Christ is the world's true light	238	179
G	Christ when for us you were baptized	250		20
O	Christ whose glory fills the skies	212	140
G	Come let us join our cheerful songs	204	133
G	Crown him with many crowns	228	163
O/G	Do not be afraid I am with you	16		28
	Fairest Lord Jesus	203	131
	Father in whom we live		51
E	Father Lord of all creation	631	567
	Father whose everlasting love	213	142
E	Give thanks with a grateful heart	719
O	God is our strength and refuge	28
	God moves in a mysterious way	126	54
E	God of grace and God of glory	611	543
	God of mercy, God of grace	452	379
E	Great is your faithfulness	154
	Guide me, O thou great Redeemer	569	478
G	Hail our once-despised Jesus	373	295
s	Hail to the Lord's anointed	275	203
G	Hark a herald voice is calling	264	192
G	He walked on earth showing glimpses of heaven	260
Ps	Here I am Lord! I come to do your will			46
O	Holy God we praise your name	127	86
G	Holy most holy Lamb of God		448
E	Holy Spirit, come confirm us	413	327
O	How brightly beams the Morning Star	[199]	220
E/G	I sing a song of the saints of God		551
Ps	I waited for the Lord my God		18
	I waited, I waited for the Lord			46
	I'm not ashamed to own my Lord	562	470
O	Immortal invisible, God only wise	143	80
	In Christ there is no east or west	459	391
G	Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult	589	505
G	Jesus priceless treasure		463
G	Jesus the name high over all	218	150
G	Just as I am without one plea	584	497
	Let all mortal flesh keep silence	497	418
E	Like the murmur of the dove's song	419
	Lord bid your servant go in peace	324	248
G	Lord enthroned in heavenly splendour	520	441
	Lord Jesus Christ on this your day of light	487	414
	Lord Jesus joy of loving hearts	499	[420]
O	Lord Jesus our bright Morning Star	199	[220]
	Lord Jesus think on me	546	122
	Lord of light whose name shines brighter		392
	Lord the light of your love is shining	675
O	Lord your almighty word	447	61
	O for a closer walk with God	576	488
	O Jesus Christ may grateful hymns be rising	620	553
G	O let the Son of God enfold you	655
Ps	O Lord, do not withhold your mercy	23
	O love how deep, how broad, how high	194	6
	O Spirit of the living God	405	318
G	On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry	270	199
	Praise to the Lord the Almighty	111	28
E/G	Rejoice in God's saints today and all days	470		73
O	Safe in the shadow of the Lord	644		74
Ps	Sing praise and thanksgiving	107	25
	Son of God eternal Saviour	606	529
E	Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands	496	417
Ps	The Lord Jehovah reigns	117	37
s	The people that in darkness walked	274	202
E	The Saviour's precious blood		400
	This this is the God we adore	220	153
Ps	You are my hiding place	754
O/G	You servants of God, your Master proclaim	215	144

Other Possible Hymns
(Numbers refer to The Australian Hymn Book and Sing Alleluia. TIS = Together in Song)
6 O God our help in ages past
150 Jesus the name high over all
258 When I survey the wondrous cross
420 Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts

Sermon Summary (Click here for complete sermon)

Introducing disciples

After he had spent a while with Jesus, Andrew found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. This is the beginning of the recruitment of disciples by one sharing with another their own experience of the Messiah. [John 1:41]. That is the most basic model of evangelism: having something to share with someone you care about. Actually Andrew did do a little more than tell Simon about Jesus, he brought him to meet Jesus. [John 1:42]

Sharing the good news without waiting
Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. It was Jesus himself who brought about the change in Simon. Andrew certainly had not known Jesus for very long or very well. It is not necessary to wait until you know a great deal about him to tell other of Jesus. The answer is "Come and see." [eg. Philip: John 1:45-46].

The inspiration to follow the Lamb of God
Andrew heard John the Baptist call Jesus "the Lamb of God" and testify that he was "the Son of God" and began to follow him. [John 1:29,32-40]. It was in that very early period before they had seen very much of him. So let us encourage one another to share what we know and introduce people without waiting until we have travelled a long way and learned a great deal. Let others learn with us as we travel with the Lord.

Lamb of God: king and servant
Jesus identified himself with "the servant" whose work for others is described in the prophecy of Isaiah. See Isaiah 53:1-10, the lamb that went quietly to his death (compare with 1 Cor.5:7 and 1 Peter 1:18-20; Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [John 1:29]); and Isaiah 49:6 the light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. (Compare Revelation 5:6-12.)

The Spirit who sends out witnesses
He was not the Messiah only of his own people, or of his own time and place. -- The sign of Jonah, the dove, the Spirit who sends people out with the sacred and eternal message of eternal salvation.

| RCL Resources Index |

Order of Service - Epiphany 2 - Year A

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We give thanks to God always because of the grace of God that has been given to us in Christ Jesus. -- from 1 Corinthians 3-4.
"Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"-- John 1:29
Let us worship God.
In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMN 258 When I survey the wondrous cross

PRAYER OF ADORATION

CONFESSION
Loving God, Lord of the Church, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed: we have not loved you with all our heart or served you with all our strength; we have been blind to the vision of a renewed world and deaf to your call to costly discipleship; we have been indifferent to the suffering of others and unwilling to forgive one another. In your mercy, Lord, pardon and restore us, that together in the ministry of Christ we may serve you with joy all the days of our life. Amen.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9]
Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: Your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY: Hymn 144 Ye servants of God [verses 2 and 3]

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME:
A word to the children.

OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 49:1-7 I give you as a light to the nations
PSALM 40:1-11 I waited patiently for the Lord
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
Happy are those who make the LORD their trust,
who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
Then I said, "Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD.
I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Do not, O LORD, withhold your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.

[EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 He will strengthen you]
GOSPEL John 1:29-42 "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
HYMN 191 Christ is the world's light, he and no other

SERMON

HYMN 497 Just as I am, without one plea
OFFERING AND DEDICATION
SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations, requests for intercessions]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
COLLECT FOR THE DAY
Heavenly Father,
you have called us to see you in the world.
Bend our hearts to your will,
that we may gladly follow Christ,
and strive ceaselessly for your kingdom
of righteousness and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
one God, for ever and ever.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN 46 O God our help in ages past
WORD OF MISSION
One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. {41} He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" .... {42} He brought Simon to Jesus, .... -- John 1:40-42

BLESSING
DISMISSAL
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

| RCL Resources Index |
| DBHome | Christian Beliefs | Family History | Public Affairs | Higher Ed Research | Hobbies and Interests | Issues in the UCA | Personal Background | Psychological Research | Templestowe UC | Worship and Preaching |