The Beginning
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle B
Call To Worship
In the beginning God said, "Let there be light," and God said that the light was good.
With the birth of Christ a new light came into the world.
Come, let us worship the Light that no darkness can put out.
Collect
O, Creator God, we know that in the beginning you brought forth light to overcome the darkness, and in the birth of Jesus you brought forth the Light of the World that no darkness can overcome. We come now to give you thanks, for it is only through your Son, Jesus Christ, that we are able to find the way you would have us walk. In this hour may your Spirit touch each of us in ways that will enable us to go forth into the world with confidence and hope. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Almighty God our Father, we come before you with gratitude that our Lord Jesus identified with our sins through his baptism, and that he showed us your mercy and forgiveness. We come, therefore, with penitent hearts seeking your forgiveness for all the ways in which we have failed to be your faithful children. Amen.
Hymns
"God Created Heaven And Earth"
"Breathe On Me, Breath of God"
Baptism Of Our Lord (Epiphany 1)
Second Lesson: Acts 19:1-7
Theme: Baptism And The Holy Spirit
Call To Worship
John the Baptist came preaching a Baptism of Repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
Jesus came preaching a Baptism of Forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
Come, let us repent of our sins, renew the vows of our baptism, and rekindle the Spirit within us.
Collect
Lord God, you have revealed yourself to us through your Son, Jesus Christ. We humble ourselves before you in this time of worship, and pray that as we think of the Baptism of our Lord, we may also reflect on the meaning of our own baptism. May your Holy Spirit come upon us once again, enabling us to live more fully and faithfully, as loyal disciples of our Master. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Dear God, so often it is the sins of the heart that do the most damage, and it is these very failings that we tend to excuse in ourselves. We remember this morning, with saddened hearts, the times when we have lost our tempers, said unkind things to those we love, and ignored the opportunities to be helpful to others. Forgive us, we pray, and by the power of your Holy Spirit strengthen us to show your love for all humanity by the way we act. Amen.
Hymns
"Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire"
"This Is The Spirit's Entry Now"
Baptism Of Our Lord (Epiphany 1)
Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:4-11
Theme: The Baptism Of Jesus
Call To Worship
At his baptism Jesus was recognized as the Son of God.
At our baptism we are recognized as children of God, brothers and sisters with Christ in God's family.
Come, let us worship the God and Father of us all.
Collect
O God, as we come to worship you we pray that we may be aware of your presence with us through the Holy Spirit. Open our ears to hear you speak to us through the songs we sing and the words we hear. Open, too, our hearts that, being warmed by your Spirit, we may be ready to go back to our daily tasks ready to witness to your love. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Dear Lord, we bow before you in contrition because we are unworthy of your great love; but we also come to you in gratitude because we have learned from you of God's great mercy and forgiveness. We come, therefore, with penitent hearts to claim that forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Hymns
"When Jesus Came To Jordan"
"Praise And Thanksgiving Be To God"
In the beginning God said, "Let there be light," and God said that the light was good.
With the birth of Christ a new light came into the world.
Come, let us worship the Light that no darkness can put out.
Collect
O, Creator God, we know that in the beginning you brought forth light to overcome the darkness, and in the birth of Jesus you brought forth the Light of the World that no darkness can overcome. We come now to give you thanks, for it is only through your Son, Jesus Christ, that we are able to find the way you would have us walk. In this hour may your Spirit touch each of us in ways that will enable us to go forth into the world with confidence and hope. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Almighty God our Father, we come before you with gratitude that our Lord Jesus identified with our sins through his baptism, and that he showed us your mercy and forgiveness. We come, therefore, with penitent hearts seeking your forgiveness for all the ways in which we have failed to be your faithful children. Amen.
Hymns
"God Created Heaven And Earth"
"Breathe On Me, Breath of God"
Baptism Of Our Lord (Epiphany 1)
Second Lesson: Acts 19:1-7
Theme: Baptism And The Holy Spirit
Call To Worship
John the Baptist came preaching a Baptism of Repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
Jesus came preaching a Baptism of Forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
Come, let us repent of our sins, renew the vows of our baptism, and rekindle the Spirit within us.
Collect
Lord God, you have revealed yourself to us through your Son, Jesus Christ. We humble ourselves before you in this time of worship, and pray that as we think of the Baptism of our Lord, we may also reflect on the meaning of our own baptism. May your Holy Spirit come upon us once again, enabling us to live more fully and faithfully, as loyal disciples of our Master. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Dear God, so often it is the sins of the heart that do the most damage, and it is these very failings that we tend to excuse in ourselves. We remember this morning, with saddened hearts, the times when we have lost our tempers, said unkind things to those we love, and ignored the opportunities to be helpful to others. Forgive us, we pray, and by the power of your Holy Spirit strengthen us to show your love for all humanity by the way we act. Amen.
Hymns
"Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire"
"This Is The Spirit's Entry Now"
Baptism Of Our Lord (Epiphany 1)
Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:4-11
Theme: The Baptism Of Jesus
Call To Worship
At his baptism Jesus was recognized as the Son of God.
At our baptism we are recognized as children of God, brothers and sisters with Christ in God's family.
Come, let us worship the God and Father of us all.
Collect
O God, as we come to worship you we pray that we may be aware of your presence with us through the Holy Spirit. Open our ears to hear you speak to us through the songs we sing and the words we hear. Open, too, our hearts that, being warmed by your Spirit, we may be ready to go back to our daily tasks ready to witness to your love. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Dear Lord, we bow before you in contrition because we are unworthy of your great love; but we also come to you in gratitude because we have learned from you of God's great mercy and forgiveness. We come, therefore, with penitent hearts to claim that forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Hymns
"When Jesus Came To Jordan"
"Praise And Thanksgiving Be To God"
