THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD

6 January,201

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The Service

This form of the holy communion service is from page 6 of the Supplement to Lutheran Hymnal, which was authorised by the Lutheran Church of Australia at its 1987 General Synod. 3

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Opening sentenceM: Arise, shine; for your light has

come, C: and the glory of the Lord has

risen upon you.(Isa 60:1 NRSV)

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PREPARATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

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Opening HymnWe sing our opening hymn:

Shine Jesus, Shine

ATE 217 – Graham Kendrick, 1988Cal 293

Shine Jesus, Shine1. Lord, the light of your love is

shiningin the midst of the darkness,

shining;Jesus, Light of the world, shine

upon us;set us free by the truth you now

bring us;shine on me, shine on me.

Shine Jesus, ShineShine, Jesus, shine;fill this land with the Father’s glory;blaze, Spirit, blaze;set our hearts on fire.Flow, river, flow;flood the nations with grace and

mercy;send forth your word, Lord,and let there be light.

Shine Jesus, Shine2. Lord, I come to your awesome

presence,from the shadows into your

radiance;by the blood I may enter your

brightness.Search me, try me, consume all my

darkness.Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine Jesus, ShineShine, Jesus, shine;fill this land with the Father’s glory;blaze, Spirit, blaze;set our hearts on fire.Flow, river, flow;flood the nations with grace and

mercy;send forth your word, Lord,and let there be light.

Shine Jesus, Shine3. As we gaze on your kingly

brightness,so our faces display your likeness,ever changing from glory to glory;mirrored here, may our lives tell

your story.Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine Jesus, ShineShine, Jesus, shine;fill this land with the Father’s glory;blaze, Spirit, blaze;set our hearts on fire.Flow, river, flow;flood the nations with grace and

mercy;send forth your word, Lord,and let there be light. †

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

M: Friends in Christ:Jesus says: 'I have come as light into the

world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.'

Let us therefore confess our sins to God our Father, and ask him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

M: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

C: ♫ He máde heavên and earth.M: I said, I will confess my sins to

the Lord.C: ♫ Then hé forgave the guilt of

my sin.

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

C: Almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor helpless sinner, confess to you all my sins, and repent of all the evil I have done. I have deeply displeased you and deserve your punishment in time and in eternity.

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

But I am sorry for my sins, and I ask you, for the sake of the holy innocent sufferings and death of your dear Son Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me. Amen.

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

M: I ask each of you in the presence of God who searches the heart:

Do you confess that you have sinned, and do you repent of your sins?

I do.

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

M: Do you believe that Jesus Christ has redeemed you from all your sins, and do you desire forgiveness in his name?

C:I do.

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

M: Do you intend with the help of the Holy Spirit to live as in God's presence, and to strive daily to lead a holy life, even as Christ has made you holy?

C: I do.

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

M: Christ gave to his church the authority to forgive the sins of those who repent, and to declare to those who do not repent that their sins are not forgiven.

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Therefore, upon your confession, I, as a called and ordained servant of the word, announce the grace of God to all of you, and on behalf of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you.Amen.

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LORD, HAVE MERCY

M: Kyrie eleison C: ♫ Lord, have mercy.M: Christe eleison C: ♫ Christ, have mercy.M: Kyrie eleison C: ♫ Lord, have mercy.

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HYMN OF ADORATION: GLORY TO GOD IN THE

HIGHESTM: Glory to God in the highest,C: ♫ and on earth peace, among

those with whom he is pleased.We praise you, we bless you,we worship you, we glorify you,we give thanks to you for your great glory,O Lord God, heavênly king,God, the Father almighty.

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HYMN OF ADORATION: GLORY TO GOD IN THE

HIGHESTO Lord, the only begotten Son,

Jesus Christ,O Lord God, Lamb of God,Son of the Father,you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.You take away the sin of the world; receive our prayer.

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HYMN OF ADORATION: GLORY TO GOD IN THE

HIGHESTYou are seated at the right hand of

God the Father;have mercy on us.For you alone are holy,you alone are Lord,you alone, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit,are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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Liturgy of the WORD

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GREETING

M: The Lord be with youC: And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY M: Let us pray that people of all nations

come to faith in Christ. C: Eternal God, you led the wise men

by the shining of a star to adore your Son. Guide the nations by his light, so that the whole world sees your glory.

PRAYER OF THE DAY We ask this through Jesus Christ our

Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST READINGR: The first reading for Epiphany

Sunday is written in the 60th Chapter of Isaiah beginning at Verse 1

Isaiah 60:1-6 CEVThe nations will come to the light.

Isaiah 60:1-6Jerusalem, stand up! Shine! Your new day is dawning. The glory of

the LORD shines brightly on you. 2The earth and its people are covered

with darkness, but the glory of the LORD is shining upon you. 3Nations and kings will come to the light of your dawning day. 

Isaiah 60:1-6The LORD said: 4Open your eyes!

Look around! Crowds are coming. Your sons are on their way from distant

lands; your daughters are being carried like little children.

5When you see this, your faces will glow; your hearts will pound and swell with pride.

Isaiah 60:1-6Treasures from across the sea and the

wealth of nations will be brought to you. 6Your country will be covered with caravans of young camels from Midian and Ephah The people of Sheba will bring gold and spices in praise of me, the LORD.

This is the Word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 CEV

 R: The Psalm is Psalm 72 R: 1Please help the king to be honest

and fair just like you, our God. C: 2Let him be honest and fair with

all your people, especially the poor.

Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 CEV

 R: 3Let peace and justice rule every

mountain and hill. C: 4Let the king defend the poor,

rescue the homeless, and crush everyone who hurts them.

R: 5Let the king live forever like the sun and the moon.

Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 CEV

 C: 6Let him be as helpful as rain

that refreshes the meadows and the ground.

R: 7Let the king be fair with everyone, and let there be peace until the moon falls from the sky.

Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 CEV

 C: 10Force the rulers of Tarshish

and of the islands to pay taxes to him. Make the kings of Sheba and of Seba bring gifts.

R: 11Make other rulers bow down and all nations serve him.

Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 CEV

 C: 12Do this because the king

rescues the homeless when they cry out, and he helps everyone who is poor and in need.  

R: 13The king has pity on the weak and the helpless and protects those in need.

Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 CEV

 C: 14He cares when they hurt, and

he saves them from cruel and violent deaths.

C: Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit

As it was in the beginning is now and will be for ever. Amen.

SECOND READINGR: The second reading for today is

written in the 3rd Chapter of Ephesians beginning at verse one.

Ephesians 3:1-12 CEVGod reveals his age-long purpose in Christ

Ephesians 3:1-12R: Christ Jesus made me his

prisoner, so that I could help you Gentiles.

2You have surely heard about God's kindness in choosing me to help you.

3In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways.

Ephesians 3:1-124As you read the letter, you will also

find out how well I really do understand the mystery about Christ. 5No one knew about this mystery until God's Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets.

Ephesians 3:1-126And the mystery is this: Because of Christ Jesus, the good

news has given the Gentiles a share in the promises that God gave to the Jews. God has also let the Gentiles be part of the same body.

Ephesians 3:1-127God treated me with kindness. His

power worked in me, and it became my job to spread the good news.

8I am the least important of all God's people. But God was kind and chose me to tell the Gentiles that because of Christ there are blessings that cannot be measured.

Ephesians 3:1-129God, who created everything,

wanted me to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had always been hidden in his mind.

Ephesians 3:1-1210Then God would use the church to

show the powers and authorities in the spiritual world that he has many different kinds of wisdom.11God did this according to his eternal plan. And he was able to do what he had planned because of all that Christ Jesus our Lord had done.

Ephesians 3:1-1212Christ now gives us courage and

confidence, so that we can come to God by faith.

This is the word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God.

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RESPONSE

C: ♫ Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

gospelM: The Holy Gospel is written in 2nd

Chapter of Matthew beginning at verse 1.

C: ♫ Glory to you, O Lord.

Matthew 2:1-12 CEVWise men worship Christ the king

Matthew 2:1-12M: When Jesus was born in the

village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem  2and said, "Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-123When King Herod heard about this,

he was worried, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem.  

4Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, "Where will the Messiah be born?”

Matthew 2:1-125They told him, "He will be born in

Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote, 6'Bethlehem in the land of Judea, you are very important among the towns of Judea. From your town will come a leader, who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel.’

Matthew 2:1-127Herod secretly called in the wise

men and asked them when they had first seen the star.   8He told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I want to go and worship him too.“ 

Matthew 2:1-129The wise men listened to what the

king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.   10They were thrilled and excited to see the star.

Matthew 2:1-1211When the men went into the house

and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him. 

Matthew 2:1-1212Later they were warned in a dream

not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road. 

This is the Gospel of the Lord.C: ♫ Praise to you, O Christ.

Prayer after the gospel

M: Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself to the Gentiles, so that they could worship you.

Lead us also to worship you. C: Amen.

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C: We believe in one God,the Father, the Almighty,maker of heaven and earth,of all that is, seen and unseen.

NICENE CREED

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We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,the only Son of God,eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,true God from true God,begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.

NICENE CREED

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For us* and for our salvationhe came down from heaven,was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;he suffered death and was buried.

* This means: us human beings

NICENE CREED

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On the third day he rose againin accordance with the Scriptures;he ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,and his kingdom will have no end.

NICENE CREED

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We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,who proceeds from the Father and the Son,who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,who has spoken through the prophets.

NICENE CREED

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We believe in one holy christian† and apostolic church.We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.We look for the resurrection of the dead,and the life of the world to come. Amen.

† or:; 'catholic' original meaning 'universal'

NICENE CREED

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Hymn

We sing :

Angels from the Realms of Glory

LH 46 CAL 293 James Montgomery (1771-1854)

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Angels from the Realms of Glory

1. Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born king.

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Angels from the Realms of Glory

2. Shepherds, in the field abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant light: Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born king.

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Angels from the Realms of Glory

3. Sages, leave your contemplations,

Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great desire of nations; Ye have seen His natal star: Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born king

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Angels from the Realms of Glory

4. Saints, before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear: Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born king.

†

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Sermon

Hymn

We sing as our free will offering is received.

When Jesus lived among us

LHS 750 CAL293 Timothy Dudley-Smith 1926- (1980)

When Jesus lived among us

1. When Jesus lived among us he came a child of earthto wear our human likeness, to share our human birth;and after flight and exile, an alien refugee,return in peace and safety at last to Galilee; › ›

When Jesus lived among us

through sunlit days of childhood a loving home to know;in wisdom and in favour with God and man to grow.

When Jesus lived among us

2. He came, the friend of sinners, to meet us in our need;the gospel of his kingdom declare in word and deed;to touch and cure the leper, the lost to seek and find,to heal in signs and wonders the deaf and dumb and blind. ›

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When Jesus lived among us

The voice of their Creator the wind and waters heard;to those with ears to listen he spoke the living word.

When Jesus lived among us

3 ‘The Son of Man must suffer’, he taught by word and sign;like bread his body broken, his blood poured out like wine.His cross is for our pardon, our sacrifice for sins,and by his resurrection our risen life begins. › ›

When Jesus lived among us

We come in faith to Jesus to follow where he trod;O Son of Man receive us, and make us sons of God.

†

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OFFERTORY SONG: create in me

C: ♫ Create in me a clean heart, O God,and put a new and right spirit within me.Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

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OFFERTORY SONG: create in me

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Offering PrayerC: Thank you, Lord, for shining on

us with the brightness of your presence.

Lead us always to worship Christ our king, and to reflect your light to others by lives of loving service.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

M: Our heavenly Father has rescued us from darkness, and brought us into his wonderful light through his Son Jesus Christ. We pray to him that his light may shine in the darkness of our world.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCHresponse

M: Heavenly Father,C: shine your light on us.Concluding prayer

M: Father, make us walk in your light, and shine in the darkness of our world, so that all may see your life-bringing light.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCHWe pray in the name of our Lord

Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

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LITURGY OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

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PREFACE

M: The Lord be with you.C: ♫ And also with you.M: Lift up your hearts.C: ♫ We lift them up to the Lord.M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our

God.C: ♫ For that is fitting and right.

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PREFACE

M: 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.

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PREFACE

You have sent your only Son to appear among us as a human being, and through him you have fully revealed the light of your presence to us.

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PREFACE

And so, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we adore and praise your glorious name:

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HOLY, HOLY, HOLYC: ♫ Holy, holy, holy, Lord God

of hosts;heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest.

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LORD’S PRAYERC: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

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LORD’S PRAYER

C: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

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WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, and said: Take and eat; this is † my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

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WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M: In the same way he took the cup, after the supper, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, Drink of it, all of you; this is † my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

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PEACE

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: Amen.

COMMUNION INVITATIONM: Jesus says: 'The bread that God gives is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.‘ C: Thanks be to God. M: Come, everything is ready.

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LAMB OF GODC: ♫ O Christ, Lamb of God, you

take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us your peace. Amen.

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During the distribution the Minister or his assistant says:

Take and eat, this is the body of Christ, given for you.

Take and drink, this is the blood of Christ, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

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DISMISSAL

M: The body of our Lord Jesus Christ and his precious blood strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life eternal. Go in peace.†

C: Amen.

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POST-COMMUNION SONG: THANK THE LORD

C: ♫ LORD, NOW let your servant depart in peace,according to your word,for my eyes have seen your salvation,which yóu have prepared in the presence of äll people;

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POST-COMMUNION SONG: THANK THE LORD

a light to reveal you to the nations,and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father and the Sonand the Holy Spirit,as it was in the beginning, is now,and wíll be forevermore. Amen.

GREETINGM: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you.

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THANKSGIVING VERSE M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he

is good. Hallelujah!C: For his love endures forever.

Hallelujah!

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Post-Communion PrayerM: Let us pray.C: Eternal God, you led the wise men by the shining of

a star to adore your Son.

Guide the nations by his light, so that the whole world sees your glory,and gathers at his table in the feast of heaven.

Post-Communion PrayerFor he lives and reignswith you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and forever. Amen.

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CONCLUSION : BLESSING

M: Let us bless the Lord.C: ♫ God be praised forevermore.

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CONCLUSION : BLESSING

M: God the Father show you the light of his glory in the face of his Son, so that you may be a light to the world; . The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favour,† and give you peace. C: ♫ Amen. Amen. Amen.

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DISMISSAL

M: Go in peace. Live your life in joyful homage to Christ the king.

C: In the name of Christ. Amen.

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Closing hymn

O Lord, now let your servant

LHS 900 CAL 293Based on the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32)

Ernest E. Ryden 1886-?, alt.

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O Lord, now let your servant

1. O Lord, now let your servantdepart in heavenly peace,for I have seen the gloryof your redeeming grace:a light to lead the gentilesunto your holy hill,the glory of your people,your chosen Israel.

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O Lord, now let your servant

2. Then grant that I may followyour gleam, O glorious Light,till earthly shadows scatter,and faith is changed to sight.till raptured saints shall gatherupon that shining shore,where Christ, the blessed day-star,shall light them evermore. †

Go in peace. Live your life in

joyful homage to Christ the king.

Please stay a while and have a cuppa and chat with us.