Sunday, January 6^th, 2019

The Epiphany of the Lord (PF) (White)

Readings
ISAIAH 60:1?ô?ç??6; PSALM 72:1?ô?ç??7, 10?ô?ç??14; EPHESIANS 3:1?ô?ç??12; MATTHEW 2:1?ô?ç??12

Collect
Eternal God, who by a star led wise men to the worship of your Son. Guide by your light the nations of the earth, that the whole world may know your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
1Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses?ô?ç?û arms. 5Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
ISAIAH 60:1?ô?ç??6

Psalm
PSALM
Refrain All nations shall serve him.
1Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the king?ô?ç?ûs son; 2That he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice; 3That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, and the little hills bring righteousness. R 4He shall defend the needy among the people; he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor. 5He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another. R 6He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, like showers that water the earth. 7 In his time shall the righteous flourish; there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more. R 10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts. 11All kings shall bow down before him, and all the nations do him service. 12For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper. R 13 He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; he shall preserve the lives of the needy. 14He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and dear shall their blood be in his sight. R
PSALM 72:1?ô?ç??7, 10?ô?ç??14

Second Reading
A READING FROM THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS
1This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles?ô?ç?? 2for surely you have already heard of the commission of God?ô?ç?ûs grace that was given me for you, 3and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God?ô?ç?ûs grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
EPHESIANS 3:1?ô?ç??12

Gospel
THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, ?ô?ç?úWhere is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.?ô?ç?ý 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, ?ô?ç?úIn Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6?ô?ç??And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.?ô?ç?û?ô?ç?ý 7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ?ô?ç?úGo and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.?ô?ç?ý 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
MATTHEW 2:1?ô?ç??12

Prayer over the Gifts
Gracious God,
accept the offering of your Church,
the hearts of your people
joined in praise and thanksgiving,
in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Prayer After Communion
God of all the nations of the earth,
guide us with your light.
Help us to recognize Christ as he comes to us
in this eucharist and in our neighbours.
May we welcome him with love,
for he is Lord now and for ever.