This Week’s Theme
The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Numbers 6.22-27

In instructing his favor upon his people, the LORD commanded Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel, saying to them the following blessing: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Num. 6.24-26). In saying these words, they were commanded to “put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them” (Num. 6.27).

This command reveals the healing, dynamic power of the name of God upon his people. Jesus’s name means “Yahweh saves” (Matt. 1.21), named after Israel’s champion, Joshua, but also rooted in his role as the savior and salvation of all humankind (cf. Luke 2.11; John 4.42; Titus 3.6). He has been granted a name above all other names, in this world and the next (Phil. 2.9-11), and there is no name under heaven given whereby human beings can be saved (Acts 4.12). Embrace the name of Jesus, be blessed and kept in his love through the powerful name of the Lord.

Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

O God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ became man that we might become the sons of God: Grant, we beseech thee, that being made partakers of the divine nature of thy Son, we may be conformed to his likeness; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.
~ The Book of English Collects, 1940 (Geffen, p. 73)

Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.

Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus 

You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.

Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day

Tuesday: Exod. 1-4; 1 Chron. 6.1-3a

Lectionary Readings for Holy Name of Jesus

Psalm: Ps. 8

OT: Num. 6.22-27

Gospel: Luke 2.15-21

NT: Gal. 4.4-7

(Click here for all Holy Name of Jesus readings)

Lectionary Readings for New Year’s Day

Psalm: Ps. 8

OT:  Eccles. 3.1-13

Gospel: Matt. 25.31-46

NT: Rev. 21.1-6a

(Click here for all New Year’s Day readings)

Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Departing to Serve
Benediction 

Grant, O Almighty God, that as thy blessed Son Jesus Christ at his first advent came to seek and to save that which was lost, so at his second and glorious appearing he may find in us the fruits of the redemption which he wrought; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

~ The Book of English Collects, 1549 (Geffen, p. 68)

Affirmation for the Day
Though we have dealt falsely with the Lord, he heals and pities us, and brings us safely to his home.

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day

Jesus! Jesus! Name most precious,
Balm in pain or mighty sword;
In Thy Name, we live and conquer,
Blessed, glorious, coming Lord.

~ from Glorious Mighty Name of Jesus by Margaret E Barber

For Your Weekly Journey
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Savior Is Born, Christ the Lord, Luke 2.8-20

Book Reading
Packer, Knowing God