Journey through January week 3

Introduction

There are many points in the year when a fresh start can be made: the new school year, the tax year, Advent. The turn from December to January and our counting of the years of the Common Era is another opportunity to take stock and assess our lives: our needs, aspirations and hopes. We can also reflect on the needs of others and of the whole creation.

It is during this change as we move into January that the hymn Lord, for the years, can be appropriate and helpful. Using the five verses we can consider aspects of our life and of creation at the beginning of New Year, 2022.
———————————————————————————–

The week beginning Sunday 16 January 2022

*Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
Speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
Teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word, receives your people’s praise.

We thank you, Father, for all the blessings we have received:
for the wisdom we have been offered in the reading,
preaching, teaching and discussion of your word,
for opportunities for renewal, service and care,
for babies born, for baptisms, for the joy of marriages,
and other celebrations.

Tuesday 18 January is the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Covid-19 global pandemic and the other many problems that beset the world underline the need for a light to shine in the darkness. The star that shone two thousand years ago still leads us to the manger, to where Christ was born.
It draws us to where the Spirit of God is alive and active.

It is the mission of the Church to be the star that lights the way to Christ who is the light of the world. Christians, united in their worship of Christ, become a sign of the unity that God desires for all of creation. Churches working together can build a good future in which all human beings can experience life, peace, justice, and love.

———————————————————————-
*Lord for the Years by Timothy Dudley Smith (CCLI copyright covered by CCL 118111)
© 1969 Hope Publishing Company