VERSION: 9 April 2002
NEW YEAR'S DAY
(1 January)
Note: Alternative for New Year's Day: Name of Jesus
LITURGY
SENTENCES
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.
A thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4 NRSV)
OR
With the Lord one day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years are like one day. (2 Peter 3:8 NRSV)
OR
For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven. (Eccl 3:1 NRSV)
OR
Jesus said: 'I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end.' (Rev 21:6a 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)
EITHER traditional
Almighty and eternal God,
as you have in the past year given us
so much that is good:
Grant that the new year
may also be filled with your blessing;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, modernised traditional
Almighty and eternal God,
we thank you for all the good things
you have given us in the past year.
Let the new year
also be filled with your blessings.
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
(Let us pray that we may use our time wisely. [silence])
Heavenly Father,
you have set the times and seasons
of our lives.
Teach us to live wisely here on earth
and make the most of our opportunities,
until we reach our heavenly home.
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 beginning the new year in the name of Jesus
Lord God, heavenly Father,
you have given your dear Son for our salvation.
Help us to begin the new year
in the name of Jesus,
and praise you, our Father, in all that we do.
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
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 For everything there is a time
PSALM
Psalm 8
Antiphon:
What are human beings that God is mindful of them?
(Ps 8:4 NRSV alt)
SECOND READING
Revelation 21:1-6a A new heaven and a new earth
ALLELUIA VERSE (Matt 25:31 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,
then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Alleluia.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Matthew 25:31-46 The last judgment
(Begin: 'Jesus said to his disciples:')
PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ (, Light of the world).
Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ,
for preparing your kingdom for us.
Make us faithful servants throughout this year and forever.
Amen.
OFFERING PRAYER
Lord God, thank you for the blessings
you have given us year after year.
Help us to wisely use the time you have given us.
Lead us, while we remain here on earth,
to serve you through all the people around us
who are in need.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
There is a time for everything under heaven. Let us enter the new year by coming to God in prayer.
The regular response,
OR, silent prayer after each petition
Suggested intercessions
*
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for those who will be born this year, and for those who will die; for those who will be wounded and for those who will need healing; for those who will laugh and those who will mourn
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*
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for God's blessing on the crops that are planted this year, on the harvest that will be gathered in, and on every new venture that we begin and everything that is brought to an end
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*
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for wisdom to see what must be torn down and what must be built up; for the courage to throw away the things we no longer need, and for the strength to gather in the things we need to keep close and dear
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*
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for times when we may embrace those whom we have refrained from embracing; when we may seek those that we have lost; when we may love those whom we have hated
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*
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for wisdom to know the time to speak and the time to keep silent; the time for war and the time for peace
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*
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for the Commonwealth of Australia, and for all who live in its states and territories.
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Concluding prayer
Lord God, you have made everything suitable for its time; you have put a sense of past and future into our minds; yet we cannot know everything you have done from the beginning to the end. Be with us through all our days and years, for our times are in your hands. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, the following prayer may be used.
God of mercy, you live in everlasting glory, and your name is eternal. We give thanks that you have revealed to us the name of your only Son, Jesus, our Saviour, the name above every name, the only name by which we are saved, the name in which we have been baptised, and at whose name every knee will bow.
We give thanks for all the blessings of this past year. You have helped us in the past, and there is no end to your mercy. In these difficult times, protect your church from the assaults of the evil one. Keep all pastors from false teaching, and keep your flock from indifference and shame.
Bless the nations of the earth with leaders who are wise and just, with public servants who are compassionate and patient, and with citizens who are honourable and respectful. Bless all the lawful actions taken by our country. Do not let us grow weary in well-doing.
Bless the resources of the earth and the labour of all workers. Bless our children. Grant that they may grow in virtue and faithfulness until the end.
Have mercy on those who are lonely, tired, anxious, or despairing; on those without home, employment, or family, and especially on those who have lost hope. Remember us in our dark times, and teach us all not to worry about the future.
Merciful Lord, forgive us for the sins of the past year. As we look to a new year, we confess to you that we are anxious and uncertain, for we do not know what will come to us. Yet, Lord, we know that you will be with us according to your mercy.
You are our God; our times are in your hands. Give strength to the weary, and new strength to those who wait, especially to us as we wait for the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.
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 third prayer of the day (as listed above). It may be modified as follows.
Heavenly Father,
you have set the times and seasons
of our lives.
May this sacrament
which we have received here on earth
prepare us for our heavenly home.
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.
CLOSING SENTENCES
I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore. (from Psalm 121)
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; . . .
DISMISSAL
Go in peace, living as people made righteous through Christ.
Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.
HYMNS AND SONGS
FOR THE READINGS
Please note: * = Modernised version available
G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .
GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
LHS
414
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God moves in a mysterious way G7
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467
|
For the beauty of the earth G7
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493
|
Brief life is here our portion G6
|
555
|
While with ceaseless course the sun G7
|
558
|
Great God, we sing that mighty hand G6
|
813
|
For strength to work till close of day
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870
|
Lord of all hopefulness G6
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AT
180
|
A time for building bridges
|
405
|
Lord of all hopefulness
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TIS
102
|
Praise to the living God
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124
|
Great God, we sing that mighty hand
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126
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God moves in a mysterious way
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137
|
For the beauty of the earth
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613
|
Lord of all hopefulness
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Second reading: Revelation 21:1-6a
LHS
147
|
O Morning Star, so bright and fair* G3
|
156
|
Jesus our Saviour, of true joy the giver* G3
|
164
|
Love divine, all loves excelling G3
|
251
|
Only begotten, Word of God eternal* G6
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306
|
I heard the voice of Jesus say G7
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494
|
Jerusalem the golden G6
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854
|
Be still, my soul (esp v 4)
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859
|
Seek, O seek the Lord
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AT
137
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I heard the voice of Jesus say
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479
|
For living, for dying
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TIS
199
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Lord Jesus, our bright Morning Star
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208
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Jesus has come, and brings joy as our Saviour
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217
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Love divine, all loves excelling
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464
|
Seek, O seek the Lord
|
585
|
I heard the voice of Jesus say
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Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
LHS
356
|
Lord of glory, who hast bought us* G3
|
485
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The day is surely drawing near* G5
|
492
|
And will the Judge descend G7
|
780
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We go to God when we are sorely placed GS
|
804
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The church of Christ in every age G5
|
816
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O Fount of good, for all your love G7
|
821
|
Where cross the crowded ways of life G7
|
855
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Brother, let me be your servant GS
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AT
148
|
Born for resurrection
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191
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Brother, let me be your servant
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197
|
When I needed a neighbour
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286
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Lord, hear my praying
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608
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Where cross the crowded ways of life
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629
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When I needed a neighbour
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650
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Brother, sister, let me serve you
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689
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Lord, hear my praying
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OTHER HYMNS
Lutheran Hymnal and Supplement
See the section 'Opening and close of the year' LH 551-559
Also:
181
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Abide, O dearest Jesus*
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301
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Take Thou my hand and lead me*
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343
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Heavenward still our pathway tends
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All Together Books
NB Some of these are 'morning' songs for a new day, but are also appropriate for a new year.
13
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Lord of the morning (Could sing 'here is the new year' in the first verse)
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18
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From the rising of the sun
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67
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Let your word fill my days
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101
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Jesus, please watch over us
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153
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The steadfast love of the Lord
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180
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A time for building bridges
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320
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I was there to hear your borning cry
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385
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If there was ever a time
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Together in Song
5
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O Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle
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14
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O Lord, make me know your ways
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47
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Our God, our help in ages past
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112
|
Through all the changing scenes of life
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124
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Great God, we sing that mighty hand
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284
|
O bless the God of Israel
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478
|
I bind unto myself today
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563
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Let him to whom we now belong
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573
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A charge to keep I have
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582
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Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom
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593
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Lord, take my hand and lead me
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617
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By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered
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637
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Lord of the living, in your name assembled
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PSALM 8
For musical settings of Psalm 8, see Music Packages 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8.
Versions of Psalm 8 may also be found in TIS, 3 Lord, our Lord, your glorious name, and 4 O Lord, our Governor.
A paraphrased version of Psalm 8 from the Iona Community may be found in John L Bell, Psalms of patience, protest and praise on page 8.
The following paraphrase, by David Sch¸tz, is sung to the tune Portland, LHS 374. If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
O Lord, our Lord, in all the earth
your glorious name is ever praised.
Even on lips of infant babes
your song is raised.
When I look at the sun and moon,
the stars and all in heav'n above,
how is it that we humans know
your saving love?
How can it be that you should care
for us poor creatures of the dust?
Yet you have made us like yourself
and honoured us.
Over all creatures great and small
you let us share your power to reign.
O Lord, our Lord, in all the earth
we praise your name.
IONA COMMUNITY SONGS SUITABLE FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY
The following songs from the Iona Community are suitable for New Year's day.
John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs Vol. 1 Heaven Shall Not Wait
World without end page 24
John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs Vol. 3 Love from Below
Today I awake page 13
GOD OF OUR LIFE
The following hymn, by Hugh T Kerr, has been modernised by David Sch¸tz and may be sung to the tune Sandon (LH 396, TIS 582).
God of our life, through all the circling years,
we trust in you.
In years now past, we've seen, through hopes and fears,
all you can do.
With each new day, when morning lifts the veil,
we own your gifts, dear Lord, which never fail.
God of the past, our times are in your hand;
stay by our side.
Lead us by faith to hope's true promised land;
and be our guide.
With you to bless, the darkness shines as light,
through faith our blindness changes into sight.
God of the coming years, through paths unknown
we follow you;
Be our companion, leave us not alone
in all we do.
Be for us every day our daily bread,
our heart's true home whence all our years have led.
VISUAL
A picture of Christ on his heavenly throne or a symbol of the cross on the orb of the world may be displayed, especially during the reading of the gospel.
DRAMA
'MEGA DRAMA'
See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.
DRAMATISING THE READINGS
The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the first reading could be read by three readers: one to read the opening and the close, and the other two to read alternate lines of verses 2-8; and the gospel could be read by five readers: the pastor to introduce and close the reading, Jesus, the king, person on right, person on left.
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