THE EPIPHANY
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids -- Series C
First Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6
Theme: God's salvation is revealed as a light to be shared with the world
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Behold, God has revealed his salvation as a light which draws people from their darkness.
People:
He has indeed blessed us with the glory of his only Son, our Savior!
Pastor:
His Son, Jesus, is our Light, our Savior, our Glory; and not ours only, but the whole world.
People:
We celebrate the glory of God's Son; and share the light of his salvation with our world.
Collect
Eternal God, who has given your Son as a light which draws people of all nations from the darkness of sin into your salvation: Enable us to reflect your glory in our lives; that people may continue to find their way out of darkness into your glorious light of salvation, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Your light has come, Father, and your glory is upon us. But we need to hear more boldly, your command to arise and shine. Forgive us for our weak efforts to lead our world into a knowledge of Christ and his salvation. May your light shine through us, giving us reason to rejoice over those who come into your presence. We pray through Christ, our Light. Amen.
Hymns
"Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy"
"Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies"
"Light of the World, We Hail Thee"
"We've a Story to Tell to the Nations"
No. 23 - THE EPIPHANY OR THE MANISFESTATION OF GOD
IN JESUS CHRIST (January 6)
(Or on the Sunday nearest)
Second Lesson Ephesians 3:1-12
Theme: Jews and Gentiles are united in Christ's church
Call to Worship
Pastor:
God has sent his Son into our world to share his salvation with all who will respond.
People:
We thank God that his redemption is for all people of every generation.
Pastor:
It is God's desire that people of all nations be united in his church.
People:
Let the whole world know the doors of Christ's church are open to all who will accept his salvation!
Collect
Gracious Father, who has revealed the mystery of your plan to unite all humanity in your church, founded by Christ Jesus your Son: Open our hearts as you have opened your church; that we may be your messengers to our world, proclaiming salvation for all humanity, united in Christ our Lord, through whom we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We love your church, O God, and are thankful to be a part of it. But we confess we have prevented ourselves from understanding and appreciating your desire to unite all humanity in your church. Forgive us for closing doors that you have opened, for excluding those you have included. Give us hearts willing to share the riches of Christ with all persons. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"At Length There Dawns the Glorious Day"
"Heralds of Christ"
"In Christ There Is No East Or West"
"One Holy Church of God Appears"
No. 24 - THE EPIPHANY OR THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD
IN JESUS CHRIST (January 6)
(Or on the Sunday nearest)
Gospel:
Matthew 2:1-12
Theme: The visit of the wise men
Call to Worship
Pastor:
When Jesus was born, God caused his birth to attract persons outside the Jewish faith.
People:
His star was like a birth announcement that invited all persons to accept him as Savior.
Pastor:
Jesus does fulfill God's plan of redemption. It is to him that all must turn to receive God's salvation.
People:
We follow that star to our Savior; and commit ourselves to help others find God's salvation.
Collect
God of all creation, who led Gentile worshipers to your Son by the light of a star, signifying your salvation to be for all mankind: Accept our worship of your Son; and then direct us in the paths you would have us to go, that we may share the good news of your salvation with the world. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Dear God, you have manifested yourself as a redeeming God. Wise men of old followed your star and found their Savior. That star is also precious to us, but we have let it become a mere decoration, instead of your declaration of mercy. Forgive us for putting off the journey it beckons us to make. May we not only follow the star ourselves, but keep it shining brightly, that all may rise up and follow. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"As With Gladness Men of Old"
"Brightest and Best"
"Christ Is the World's True Light"
Theme: God's salvation is revealed as a light to be shared with the world
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Behold, God has revealed his salvation as a light which draws people from their darkness.
People:
He has indeed blessed us with the glory of his only Son, our Savior!
Pastor:
His Son, Jesus, is our Light, our Savior, our Glory; and not ours only, but the whole world.
People:
We celebrate the glory of God's Son; and share the light of his salvation with our world.
Collect
Eternal God, who has given your Son as a light which draws people of all nations from the darkness of sin into your salvation: Enable us to reflect your glory in our lives; that people may continue to find their way out of darkness into your glorious light of salvation, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Your light has come, Father, and your glory is upon us. But we need to hear more boldly, your command to arise and shine. Forgive us for our weak efforts to lead our world into a knowledge of Christ and his salvation. May your light shine through us, giving us reason to rejoice over those who come into your presence. We pray through Christ, our Light. Amen.
Hymns
"Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy"
"Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies"
"Light of the World, We Hail Thee"
"We've a Story to Tell to the Nations"
No. 23 - THE EPIPHANY OR THE MANISFESTATION OF GOD
IN JESUS CHRIST (January 6)
(Or on the Sunday nearest)
Second Lesson Ephesians 3:1-12
Theme: Jews and Gentiles are united in Christ's church
Call to Worship
Pastor:
God has sent his Son into our world to share his salvation with all who will respond.
People:
We thank God that his redemption is for all people of every generation.
Pastor:
It is God's desire that people of all nations be united in his church.
People:
Let the whole world know the doors of Christ's church are open to all who will accept his salvation!
Collect
Gracious Father, who has revealed the mystery of your plan to unite all humanity in your church, founded by Christ Jesus your Son: Open our hearts as you have opened your church; that we may be your messengers to our world, proclaiming salvation for all humanity, united in Christ our Lord, through whom we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We love your church, O God, and are thankful to be a part of it. But we confess we have prevented ourselves from understanding and appreciating your desire to unite all humanity in your church. Forgive us for closing doors that you have opened, for excluding those you have included. Give us hearts willing to share the riches of Christ with all persons. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"At Length There Dawns the Glorious Day"
"Heralds of Christ"
"In Christ There Is No East Or West"
"One Holy Church of God Appears"
No. 24 - THE EPIPHANY OR THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD
IN JESUS CHRIST (January 6)
(Or on the Sunday nearest)
Gospel:
Matthew 2:1-12
Theme: The visit of the wise men
Call to Worship
Pastor:
When Jesus was born, God caused his birth to attract persons outside the Jewish faith.
People:
His star was like a birth announcement that invited all persons to accept him as Savior.
Pastor:
Jesus does fulfill God's plan of redemption. It is to him that all must turn to receive God's salvation.
People:
We follow that star to our Savior; and commit ourselves to help others find God's salvation.
Collect
God of all creation, who led Gentile worshipers to your Son by the light of a star, signifying your salvation to be for all mankind: Accept our worship of your Son; and then direct us in the paths you would have us to go, that we may share the good news of your salvation with the world. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Dear God, you have manifested yourself as a redeeming God. Wise men of old followed your star and found their Savior. That star is also precious to us, but we have let it become a mere decoration, instead of your declaration of mercy. Forgive us for putting off the journey it beckons us to make. May we not only follow the star ourselves, but keep it shining brightly, that all may rise up and follow. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"As With Gladness Men of Old"
"Brightest and Best"
"Christ Is the World's True Light"
