VERSION: 9 April 2002
FESTIVAL OF ST JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST
(27 December)
ST JOHN
John the Divine (ie the theologian), with his brother James and with Peter, formed the inner circle of the apostles. The fourth gospel, the three letters that bear his name, and Revelation are attributed to John. He is assumed to be the 'beloved disciple' of the John's gospel to whose care Jesus at the crucifixion entrusted his mother. Tradition says that John lived at Ephesus and there, in advanced age, died a natural death, the only one of the apostles not to die a martyr's death. (Information from Contemporary Worship 6: The Church Year, Calendar and Lectionary, 1973)
LITURGY
SENTENCES
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(John 1:1 NRSV)
OR, use the standard Christmas Sentence in the document 'Christmas season', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Two collects could be used if observing this festival. After using one of the collects for Christmas Day, use one of these collects for the festival of St John.
EITHER, for apostles (modified)
Almighty God,
you have built your church
on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
Join us together in one spirit
by the teaching of the apostle St John,
and make us into a holy temple pleasing to you.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, for evangelists (modified)
Lord, come to your church with your love.
Bring the light of your gospel truth,
which you made known through your holy evangelist, St John.
Strengthen our faith in you,
and let us inherit the kingdom
that you have prepared for us.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, alternative
Merciful Father,
your Son is the light of the world.
Guide your church
by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist St John,
so that we may walk in the light
who has come among us
and know him as the light of eternal life.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FIRST READING
Genesis 1:1-5, 26-31 In the beginning
PSALM
Psalm 116:12-19
Antiphon:
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
(Ps 116:13 NRSV)
SECOND READING
1 John 1:1 - 2:2 We have seen the word of life
ALLELUIA VERSE
Alleluia alleluia. (John 21:24 NRSV)
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them,
and we know that his testimony is true. Alleluia.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
John 21:20-25 We know that John's testimony is true
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The acclamations may be modified as follows.
Glory to you, O Lord, Light of the world.
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ, Light of the world.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
The Word of God became a human being so that he might draw us to the Father. Through Jesus, let us pray to our Father for all our needs.
The regular response, OR:
Father, hear our prayer
for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son.
Suggested petitions
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for those who are young, like St John when he was called to be a disciple, that like him they may be befriended by Christ
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for the elderly, especially for retired pastors, that like St John they may continue to witness to Christ in their old age
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for those who are spending time with their family this Christmas, that peace may be in every home
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for all who are caught up in hatred and find it hard to love, that the love of Christ may warm their hearts.
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Concluding prayer
Lord, you taught us by your apostle St John, the disciple whom you loved, that if we love one another, God dwells in us and his love is made perfect in us. Pour into our hearts the spirit of true love, so that we may do good to all people and always find joy in loving you. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SEASONAL PREFACE
It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You have revealed your glorious presence to us
in a new way
through the mystery of the Word made flesh,
so that as we see you in your Son,
we are drawn to love you
whom we cannot see.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:
COMMUNION INVITATION
Jesus says: 'I am the living bread
that came down from heaven.
The bread that I will give you is my flesh,
which I give so that the world may live.'
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
For a post-communion prayer, see the document 'Christmas season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Alternatively, use the following prayer.
Almighty God,
you bind your chosen people together
into one fellowship in the body of your Son.
By this holy communion,
enable us to imitate the faith and life
of your beloved disciple, St John,
so that together with him and all the saints
we may come to the joy
which you have prepared
for all who love you.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SEASONAL BLESSING
This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.
(May) Christ the Son of God give you joy and peace by his presence with you; . . .
HYMNS AND SONGS
PSALM 116:12-19
For musical settings of this psalm, see Music Packages 2, 3, 5 and 8.
TIS 71 I love the Lord who has heard my prayer is a version of Psalm 116:1-5,12-20.
The following metrical version of Psalm 116:12-19 by David Sch¸tz may be sung to either Melita (LH 578, TIS 138) or Peter Schmidt's tune to the Song of Mary (Magnificat) from Worship Today, Modern Vespers. If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
What shall I offer to the Lord
for all his goodness shown to me?
I will lift up salvation's cup
and call upon God's holy name,
I'll keep my promises to him
among his people gathered here.
O Lord, how dearly you are pained
when one of your true people dies!
I am your slave, your slavegirl's child,
so, Lord, I'll serve you all my days.
For you have freed me from the chains
that made me captive to the grave.
I pay my sacrifice of thanks,
and call upon God's holy name.
I pay my vows unto the Lord
among his people gathered here,
here in the holy house of God,
here in your midst, Jerusalem.
FROM THE 'ALL TOGETHER' BOOKS
A few suggestions from the 'All Together' books:
244
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We have seen the word of life
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307
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Walking in the light of God
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FROM 'TOGETHER IN SONG'
Suggested hymns/songs may be found on page 1093 of the harmony edition of TIS, in the Church's Year index.
BY ALL YOUR SAINTS
Horatio Bolton Nelson wrote this hymn which has various middle verses for various minor festival occasions. It may be sung to the tune Nyland (LH 16), or to King's Lynn (TIS 249). The first and last verses given below are as they appear in Lutheran Worship and Lutheran Book of Worship; the middle verse is Nelson's original that has been slightly modernised. The first line of verse 1 could be changed to: 'By saints on earth who struggle'.
By all your saints in warfare,
for all your saints at rest,
your holy name, O Jesus,
for evermore be blest!
For you have won the battle
that they might wear the crown;
and now they shine in glory
reflected from your throne.
For John, your dear disciple,
exiled to Patmos' shore,
and for your revelation
in visions that he saw,
and for his faithful gospel,
which speaks of Word made flesh,
we praise you, King of glory,
the Lamb who conquered death.
Then let us praise the Father,
and worship God the Son,
and sing to God the Spirit,
eternal Three-in-one,
till all the ransomed number
fall down before the throne,
ascribing power and glory,
and praise to God alone.
IN THE BEGINNING, FATHER, YOU MADE US
This hymn, which was written as a wedding hymn by David Sch¸tz, is sung to the tune Bunessan, LHS 811, ATA 123, TIS 156 (Morning has broken). It is especially suited to the first reading from Genesis.
In the beginning, Father, you made us,
all creation you declared good.
Morning and evening, as each day passes,
we will give thanks for all you have made.
Light in the darkness, water and dry land,
fruits of the garden, sun, moon and stars,
fish in the oceans, birds in the heavens,
beasts of the jungle - all were made good.
Then on the sixth day, you crowned creation
with your own image: woman and man;
and on that union you gave your blessing
with your pronouncement: It's very good.
Grant us the blessing you gave creation,
and feed your people with daily bread:
health and contentment, good friends and family,
home and employment, long life and peace.
Then, as you rested, Lord, from your labours
when you had finished all you had done,
grant, when our labour and days are ended,
that we may enter into your rest.
WORD SUPREME, BEFORE CREATION
The following hymn is given by Herbert Lindemann in The Daily Office (Concordia, 1965). It has been modernised here. It may be sung to Oriel LHS 35.
Word supreme, before creation,
born of God eternally,
you were glad for our salvation
to be born on earth and die.
Long your people kept their station
watching till your hour drew nigh.
Now you've come, and faith can see you,
like the rays of sun at dawn.
One there was who closely saw you:
your beloved, youngest born.
In your glory he could see you,
reigning from your cross of scorn.
Much he asked in loving wonder,
seated at your side, dear Lord.
In that secret place of thunder,
you gave him your loving word,
wisdom for your church to ponder
till the day of our reward.
Heaven's doors lift up, revealing
how your hidden judgments move:
scrolls unfolded, trumpets pealing,
winecups full of wrath above;
yet o'er all a soft voice stealing:
'Little children, trust and love.'
You, almighty King eternal,
Father of the living Word;
you, the Father's Word supernal;
you, the Comforter adored;
heaven and earth and realms infernal
know one glorious God and Lord.
VISUAL
SYMBOL
When shown as an apostle rather than as an evangelist, St John's usual symbol is that of a snake issuing out of a chalice. But by far the most common symbol is that of an eagle, one of the four living creatures, which shows him as the fourth evangelist.
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