Gospel | John 1:1-18 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah) by Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, and Scott Cash

Lyrics:
Light of the World Treasure of Heaven
Brilliant like the stars in the wintery sky
Joy of the Father reach through the darkness
Shine across the earth send the shadows to flight

Light of the World from the beginning
The tragedies of time were no match for Your love
From great heights of glory You saw my story
God You entered in and became one of us

Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah for the things He has done
Come and adore Him
Bow down before Him
Sing hallelujah to the Light of the World

Light of the world crown in a manger
Born for the cross to suffer to save
High King of Heaven death is the poorer
We are the richer by the price that He paid

Light of the World soon will be coming
With fire in His eyes He will ransom His own
Through clouds He will lead us straight into glory
And there He shall reign forevermore forevermore

Passage:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’”) 16 Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, 17 for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him.
(John 1:1-18 CSB17)

Musical Reflection:
Harp meditation No. 1 by Gretchen Kirby

Reflection Notes:
A repetitive pattern in the left hand provides a meditative foundation while the right hand experiments with ascending lines. The tune is meant to be joyful and evoke delight.

Prayer:
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, kindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.