And that by believing you may have life in his name (John 1:1–5)

Good morning.

This morning's reading is, we've got a couple of readings in John's Gospel.

The first one, starting right at the beginning, that's John chapter 1, verses 1 to 5.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Then we're going to jump to chapter 20, verses 30 to 31.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book.

But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in his name.

Amy, thank you so much for reading for us.

Let me add my welcome to Jace.

It's great to be here this morning.

It's great to have these amazing words open in front of us.

It'd be a huge help to me if they were open in front of you.

Shall we bow our heads and pray for the Lord's help together? Heavenly Father, we praise you that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

Thank you so much that you sent your light, your word, that source of life.

into the world, that he came willingly, that he displayed your glory most supremely by allowing himself to be nailed to a Roman cross.

and dying for us.

We praise you for him.

We praise you that in that moment when the darkness thought it had won, actually the greatest victory ever was wrought by the light.

And we pray now, Lord, that you would shine that light in our hearts, open the eyes of our hearts, open our eyes, help us to engage, help us to listen, help us to be shaped by what we hear and see in your word this morning.

And we ask this very much in Jesus' name and for his glory.

Amen.

Amen.