On The Day Of Midian
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series VII, Cycle A
Third Sunday After Epiphany
First Lesson: Isaiah 9:1-4
Theme: On The Day Of Midian
Call To Worship
The Lord shines a light in our darkness. All you who have walked in darkness, look today to the light of God!
Collect
Father, when we least expect it you burst into our lives. When we lose hope you rekindle it. Today we gather in worship, calling to mind your constant presence and thankful for your call to your suffering people. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Sovereign God, there are times when everything falls apart around us, as with your people on the Day of Midian. Things don't add up; we lose sight of our moorings and are cast adrift. The storm rages all about us. At times like this we look to you as the compass of our life. Increase our joy not in the place of our sorrow, but in the middle of it. Shine your light, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Hymns
"When the Storms Of Life Are Raging"
"Shine, Jesus, Shine"
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"
Third Sunday After Epiphany
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Theme: Church Divided, By Christ United
Call To Worship
Savior, let your light dawn in our lives and call us to share that light with others through the ministries of our caring and love which we share beyond this, our time of worship together.
Collect
Lord of light, in this season of Epiphany we discover to our surprise that the light has already dawned upon your people. You are our light and our salvation. You are our hope and security. Today we seek to behold your beauty here in this, your house. Consecrate us as your people today as we seek to cherish this light, and to carry it out into the world, inviting others to join us. Be our light and salvation, no matter where this journey may lead. These things we pray in your name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
God, we confess today that you are God, you are One, yet our witness to you is divided by our sinful insistance that our differences are more crucial than our discipleship in your name. Heal us both within our congregation and within the whole of Christendom. These things we pray in your name. Amen.
Hymns
"Praise, I Will Praise You Lord"
"O Holy Spirit, Making Whole"
"Heart With Loving Heart United"
Third Sunday After Epiphany
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 4:12-23
Theme: Drop The Net
Call To Worship (Psalm 27:1, 4)
One: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
All: The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
One: One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
All: To live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
Collect
God of Glory, we accept your welcome to us as we come together in your name. Grant us the grace to extend the same welcome to others who have come to worship in our midst. May we, like your apostles, become fishers of new disciples. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord Jesus, you call to me where I live, where I work, where I play. You speak to me in my language. If I have ignored your call, I pledge to listen now. I hear you call, Lord Jesus. You are Lord of my life. Lord Jesus, yes. To your call I say, "Yes." Amen.
Hymns
"Two Fishermen Who Lived Along The Sea"
"Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling"
"Strong Righteous Man Of Galilee"
First Lesson: Isaiah 9:1-4
Theme: On The Day Of Midian
Call To Worship
The Lord shines a light in our darkness. All you who have walked in darkness, look today to the light of God!
Collect
Father, when we least expect it you burst into our lives. When we lose hope you rekindle it. Today we gather in worship, calling to mind your constant presence and thankful for your call to your suffering people. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Sovereign God, there are times when everything falls apart around us, as with your people on the Day of Midian. Things don't add up; we lose sight of our moorings and are cast adrift. The storm rages all about us. At times like this we look to you as the compass of our life. Increase our joy not in the place of our sorrow, but in the middle of it. Shine your light, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Hymns
"When the Storms Of Life Are Raging"
"Shine, Jesus, Shine"
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"
Third Sunday After Epiphany
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Theme: Church Divided, By Christ United
Call To Worship
Savior, let your light dawn in our lives and call us to share that light with others through the ministries of our caring and love which we share beyond this, our time of worship together.
Collect
Lord of light, in this season of Epiphany we discover to our surprise that the light has already dawned upon your people. You are our light and our salvation. You are our hope and security. Today we seek to behold your beauty here in this, your house. Consecrate us as your people today as we seek to cherish this light, and to carry it out into the world, inviting others to join us. Be our light and salvation, no matter where this journey may lead. These things we pray in your name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
God, we confess today that you are God, you are One, yet our witness to you is divided by our sinful insistance that our differences are more crucial than our discipleship in your name. Heal us both within our congregation and within the whole of Christendom. These things we pray in your name. Amen.
Hymns
"Praise, I Will Praise You Lord"
"O Holy Spirit, Making Whole"
"Heart With Loving Heart United"
Third Sunday After Epiphany
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 4:12-23
Theme: Drop The Net
Call To Worship (Psalm 27:1, 4)
One: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
All: The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
One: One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
All: To live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
Collect
God of Glory, we accept your welcome to us as we come together in your name. Grant us the grace to extend the same welcome to others who have come to worship in our midst. May we, like your apostles, become fishers of new disciples. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord Jesus, you call to me where I live, where I work, where I play. You speak to me in my language. If I have ignored your call, I pledge to listen now. I hear you call, Lord Jesus. You are Lord of my life. Lord Jesus, yes. To your call I say, "Yes." Amen.
Hymns
"Two Fishermen Who Lived Along The Sea"
"Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling"
"Strong Righteous Man Of Galilee"