VERSION: 9 April 2002

NEW YEAR'S EVE
(31 December)

NEW YEAR'S EVE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
See also the document 'New Year's Eve watchnight service' in the 'Rites and services' folder.

LITURGY

SENTENCES
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

A thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night.  (Ps 90:4 NRSV)

OR
With the Lord one day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years are like one day.
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness,
but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.  (2 Pet 3:8,9 NRSV)

OR
The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever.  (Isa 40:8 NRSV)

OR, use the standard Christmas Sentence in the document 'Christmas season', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
EITHER, traditional
Almighty and eternal God, 
as you have in the past year given us 
so much that is good: 
Grant that the new year 
may also be filled with your blessing; 
through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, modernised traditional 
Almighty and eternal God, 
we thank you for all the good things 
you have given us in the past year. 
Let the new year 
also be filled with your blessings. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, alternative
(Let us pray that we may use our time wisely. [silence])
Heavenly Father, 
you have set the times and seasons 
of our lives. 
Teach us to live wisely here on earth 
and make the most of our opportunities, 
until we reach our heavenly home. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

FIRST READING
Jeremiah 24:1-7 The vision of the two baskets of figs

PSALM
Psalm 102:24-28
Antiphon: 
But you, my God, remain the same, and your years will never end.  
(Ps 102:27 NIV)

SECOND READING
1 Peter 1:22-25 We are born anew by the word of God

ALLELUIA VERSE (based on Matt 3:10,8 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus said: Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees;
so bear fruit worthy of repentance. Alleluia!  
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 13:6-9 The parable of the unfruitful fig tree
(Begin: 'Jesus told . . . ')

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ (, Light of the world).
Lord Jesus Christ,
thank you for your kindness and patience to us.
Lead us to repent and produce good fruits in our lives.
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Note: For other suggested prayers that may be used tonight, see also the document 'New Year's Eve watchnight service' in the 'Rites and services' folder.

Call to prayer
To God, a thousand years are as one day, and one day is as a thousand years. Yet he cares for us every moment of our lives. So let us pray to him in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ.

The regular response, OR:
Lord of our days,
we place our lives in your hands.

Suggested petitions
*	for those who hope for a better future
*	for those who know the guilt of sin and want to make a new start
*	for those who mourn the death of a loved one in the past year
*	for our friends and relatives, that the new year may bring them blessing
*	for those who have harmed us in any way in the past year, and that we may forgive them.

Concluding prayer
Father of time, you have led us safely through the year that is past, supporting us in times of trouble and blessing us in times of prosperity. Receive our prayers for the new year in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

OR, the following prayer may be used.
God of mercy, you live in everlasting glory, and your name is eternal. We give thanks that you have revealed to us the name of your only Son, Jesus, our Saviour, the name above every name, the only name by which we are saved, the name in which we have been baptised, and at whose name every knee will bow.

We give thanks for all the blessings of this past year. You have helped us in the past, and there is no end to your mercy. In these difficult times, protect your church from the assaults of the evil one. Keep all pastors from false teaching, and keep your flock from indifference and shame.

Bless the nations of the earth with leaders who are wise and just, with public servants who are compassionate and patient, and with citizens who are honourable and respectful. Bless all the lawful actions taken by our country. Do not let us grow weary in well-doing.

Bless the resources of the earth and the labour of all workers. Bless our children. Grant that they may grow in virtue and faithfulness until the end.

Have mercy on those who are lonely, tired, anxious, or despairing; on those without home, employment, or family, and especially on those who have lost hope. Remember us in our dark times, and teach us all not to worry about the future.

Merciful Lord, forgive us for the sins of the past year. As we look to a new year, we confess to you that we are anxious and uncertain, for we do not know what will come to us. Yet, Lord, we know that you will be with us according to your mercy.

You are our God; our times are in your hands. Give strength to the weary, and new strength to those who wait, especially to us as we wait for the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.
Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE
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.
You have revealed your glorious presence to us
in a new way
through the mystery of the Word made flesh,
so that as we see you in your Son,
we are drawn to love you
whom we cannot see.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:

COMMUNION INVITATION
Jesus says: 'I am the living bread 
that came down from heaven. 
The bread that I will give you is my flesh, 
which I give so that the world may live.'
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
For a post-communion prayer, see the document 'Christmas season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above). It may be modified as follows.

Heavenly Father,
you have set the times and seasons
of our lives.
May this sacrament
which we have received here on earth
prepare us for our heavenly home.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

CLOSING SENTENCES
I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, 
who made heaven and earth.
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.  (from Ps 121)

SEASONAL BLESSING
This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

(May) Christ the Son of God give you joy and peace by his presence with you; . . . 

DISMISSAL
Go in peace and confidence, for the future is in the hands of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.  OR  In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS
Please note:	* =	Modernised version available
	G3, G4 . . . =	Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . . 
	GS =	Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading: Jeremiah 24:1-7
LHS 
358	Renew me, O eternal light* G3
364	A new heart, Lord, create in me* G5
AT 
331	Turn to me with all your heart
357	Give us hearts to know you, Lord
TIS 
559	A new heart, Lord, create in me

Second reading: 1 Peter 1:22-25
LHS
228	Lord Jesus Christ, the cause is Thine* G3
273	We have a sure prophetic Word G7
552	The old year now has passed away G5
824	Your Word, O Lord, is gentle dew G7
AT 
177	Love one another
292	Because we bear your name
337	The grass withers
TIS 
460	The call of God resounding
563	Let him to whom we now belong
567	God of all power
617	By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered
637	Lord of the living, in your name assembled
686	Lord Jesus, we belong to you

Gospel: Luke 13:6-9
LHS
304	Delay not, delay not G7
305	Today Thy mercy calls us * G3
552	The old year now has passed away G5
AT
-
TIS
-

OTHER HYMNS
LHS
See the section 'Opening and close of the year' LH 551-559
Also:
181	Abide, O dearest Jesus*
301	Take thou my hand and lead me*
343	Heavenward still our pathway tends
396	Lead thou me on

AT
1	Lord of our days
18	From the rising of the sun
67	Let your word fill my days
87	Walking down the road
101	Jesus, please watch over us
103	Send your servant
180	A time for building bridges
290	We are gathering
294	God give you joy
320	I was there to hear your borning cry
337	The grass withers
385	If there was ever a time
414	Take this moment

TIS
5	O Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle
14	O Lord, make me know your ways
47	Our God, our help in ages past
112	Through all the changing scenes of life
124	Great God, we sing that mighty hand
284	O bless the God of Israel
478	I bind unto myself today
551	O stay with us, Lord Jesus
563	Let him to whom we now belong
573	A charge to keep I have
582	Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom
593	Lord, take my hand and lead me
617	By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered
637	Lord of the living, in your name assembled

PSALM 102:24-28
For musical settings of Psalm 102:24-28, see Music Packages 4 and 7.

IONA COMMUNITY SONGS SUITABLE FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE
The following songs from the Iona Community are suitable for New Year's Eve.

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs Vol. 1 Heaven Shall Not Wait 
World without end	page 24

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs Vol. 3 Love from Below
Near the ending of the day	page 39
Stay with us now	page 41
Take this moment	page 87

SAVIOUR, AGAIN, TO THY DEAR NAME WE RAISE
Recognising that the following day is Name of Jesus, the hymn LH 514 'Saviour, again to thy dear name we raise' could be appropriate as a closing song. See the modernised version.

OTHER

WATCHNIGHT SERVICE
While it has not been customary for our churches to hold a midnight service at New Year's Eve, it may be appropriate to hold a watchnight service. 'Watchnight' was the name given by early British Methodists to a form of vigil, now held almost exclusively on New Year's Eve. This service can be timed to conclude at midnight. A suggested service order may be found in the document 'New Year's Eve watchnight service' in the 'Rites and services' folder.