Epiphany 3 / Ordinary Time 3
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook, Series IV, Cycle C
Soul Motion
A single song is being inflected through all the colorations of the human choir.
The way to become human is to recognize the lineaments of God in all the wonderful modulations of the face [of humankind].
-- Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces
Call To Worship
Leader: Welcome! Together we'll explore ancient stories about a public reading, the awesomeness of Creation, satisfying life together, and we will claim our God-given abilities.
People: We've come to thank God for the Holy Spirit, for the wonders of nature, and for the gifts given to humankind. And we've come to ask for help in the rough, dark spots of our journey.
Leader: Then let our conversations and our songs acknowledge Divine Presence; let our activities express our needs and joys.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
Gracious God -- thank you for today and for the multifaceted ways you are with us. For this place we call "Church Home" and for these companions we call the "Body of Christ," we are grateful. We're glad to be called "Beloved" and "God-Pleasing," glad for our life together. For this hour, we relax in your inspiring presence, listening for ideas that will sustain us during the coming week. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
We learn about God as we look at Creation, for nature reveals God's creativity and orderliness. Let us take time to reflect on our souls and minds, so we learn about ourselves. Join me in the Community Confession.
Community Confession (Unison)
Living God -- disappointments and betrayals clutter our minds. Nasty words and bitterness hamper our relationships.
Belligerent attitudes get in the way of your guidance. We regret these thoughts and behaviors and we pray for freedom from guilt and shame.
As this new year matures, transform us to live generously with the gifts of your Spirit. Amen.
Word Of Grace (Leader)
In the light of God, we can see our errors; open to the Spirit, we can recognize hidden faults and be freed from them. Our words and our thoughts are acceptable to God! Hallelujah! Jesus the Christ leads us to a dynamic relationship with the living God!
Sermon Idea
The 1 Corinthians passage continues the theme of last week. Today, the preacher/speaker might consider asking how a well-functioning Body of Christ will interact with nature, with the city, and with government. The first six verses of the lectionary psalm might lead the way into ecological issues: clean skies, fresh air, planet atmosphere, and awareness of nature at different places: North Pole, South Pole, Australia, desert, wet lands, and so on. Verses 7-14 suggest that good government honors justice more than profit, happiness more than wealth, and fairness more than personal power. Verses 12 and 13 speak of needing one another as well as self-reflection in order to see clearly since we can rarely see our own faults. Given the downward turn of the economy, will church communities support one another? Will faith families actually share what individuals have so that houses are not lost, medical care is available, and food is on every table? Will disciples of Jesus practice loving one another?
Contemporary Affirmation (Unison)
Throughout nature we see the imagination of the creating God.
In Jesus the Christ we learn how to be in relationship with the Holy.
With the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to embody divine love and mercy.
In community, we experience belonging and receive the encouragement to live as faithful disciples of Jesus and to struggle for justice and peace for all creatures.
Together, we have an insistent voice, proclaiming that there can be a "kingdom of heaven."
Offertory Statement (Leader)
We each have roles in our life together. One role we share is to be benevolent supporters of the ministry of Christ in this place.
Doxology
Now Thank We All Our God, tune: NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT
Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done in whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love and still is ours today.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
This is your world, Holy One. Thank you for loving and sustaining it. Thank you, too, for the opportunity to be co-creators with you. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
Eternal God -- thank you for your undeniable presence. Where there is dis-ease among us, free us from it. Where there is retaliation and vengeance among tribes and nations, dismiss the grudges that hold people captive. Where there is war and terror, give people a new sense of what it means to be a nation within a global environment.
Mothering God -- we are a part of the Body of Christ. With our skills and thoughts, nurture this place and this whole community. Help us each to play our part eagerly and happily.
Fathering God -- our Body of Christ is a small part of the whole. As we work with one another for goodness and beauty here, inspire us develop justice and mutuality, lodging and food, education and hope for all peoples.
God of Body and Soul -- touch us with healing in our psyches and in our bodies. Guide us to wholeness and happiness. Give us strength sufficient for each day; free us from pain. Sustain us on our journey to you. Amen.
Benediction/Charge (Leader)
Fingers and toes, tongue and thoughts --
It is our privilege to use them to benefit many people.
Go from here with ideas for the week ahead;
Be loving and gentle at home and at work, at school and at play.
Take time to enjoy the Holy.
Music
All Beautiful The March Of Days
Words: Frances Whitmarsh Wile, 1911
Music: English folk melody; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
FOREST GREEN
In Loving Partnership
Words and Music: Jim Strathdee, 1983
PARTNERSHIP
Live Into Hope
Words: Jane Parker Huber, 1976
Music: Thomas Williams, 1789; harm. Lowell Mason (1792-1872)
TRURO
The Heavens Above Declare God's Praise
Words: Christopher L. Webber, 1986
Music: Scottish Psalter, 1635; harm. The English Hymnal 1906, alt.
CAITHNESS
The way to become human is to recognize the lineaments of God in all the wonderful modulations of the face [of humankind].
-- Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces
Call To Worship
Leader: Welcome! Together we'll explore ancient stories about a public reading, the awesomeness of Creation, satisfying life together, and we will claim our God-given abilities.
People: We've come to thank God for the Holy Spirit, for the wonders of nature, and for the gifts given to humankind. And we've come to ask for help in the rough, dark spots of our journey.
Leader: Then let our conversations and our songs acknowledge Divine Presence; let our activities express our needs and joys.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
Gracious God -- thank you for today and for the multifaceted ways you are with us. For this place we call "Church Home" and for these companions we call the "Body of Christ," we are grateful. We're glad to be called "Beloved" and "God-Pleasing," glad for our life together. For this hour, we relax in your inspiring presence, listening for ideas that will sustain us during the coming week. Amen.
Call To Confession (Leader)
We learn about God as we look at Creation, for nature reveals God's creativity and orderliness. Let us take time to reflect on our souls and minds, so we learn about ourselves. Join me in the Community Confession.
Community Confession (Unison)
Living God -- disappointments and betrayals clutter our minds. Nasty words and bitterness hamper our relationships.
Belligerent attitudes get in the way of your guidance. We regret these thoughts and behaviors and we pray for freedom from guilt and shame.
As this new year matures, transform us to live generously with the gifts of your Spirit. Amen.
Word Of Grace (Leader)
In the light of God, we can see our errors; open to the Spirit, we can recognize hidden faults and be freed from them. Our words and our thoughts are acceptable to God! Hallelujah! Jesus the Christ leads us to a dynamic relationship with the living God!
Sermon Idea
The 1 Corinthians passage continues the theme of last week. Today, the preacher/speaker might consider asking how a well-functioning Body of Christ will interact with nature, with the city, and with government. The first six verses of the lectionary psalm might lead the way into ecological issues: clean skies, fresh air, planet atmosphere, and awareness of nature at different places: North Pole, South Pole, Australia, desert, wet lands, and so on. Verses 7-14 suggest that good government honors justice more than profit, happiness more than wealth, and fairness more than personal power. Verses 12 and 13 speak of needing one another as well as self-reflection in order to see clearly since we can rarely see our own faults. Given the downward turn of the economy, will church communities support one another? Will faith families actually share what individuals have so that houses are not lost, medical care is available, and food is on every table? Will disciples of Jesus practice loving one another?
Contemporary Affirmation (Unison)
Throughout nature we see the imagination of the creating God.
In Jesus the Christ we learn how to be in relationship with the Holy.
With the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to embody divine love and mercy.
In community, we experience belonging and receive the encouragement to live as faithful disciples of Jesus and to struggle for justice and peace for all creatures.
Together, we have an insistent voice, proclaiming that there can be a "kingdom of heaven."
Offertory Statement (Leader)
We each have roles in our life together. One role we share is to be benevolent supporters of the ministry of Christ in this place.
Doxology
Now Thank We All Our God, tune: NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT
Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done in whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love and still is ours today.
Prayer Of Thanksgiving (Leader)
This is your world, Holy One. Thank you for loving and sustaining it. Thank you, too, for the opportunity to be co-creators with you. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers (Leader or Readers)
Eternal God -- thank you for your undeniable presence. Where there is dis-ease among us, free us from it. Where there is retaliation and vengeance among tribes and nations, dismiss the grudges that hold people captive. Where there is war and terror, give people a new sense of what it means to be a nation within a global environment.
Mothering God -- we are a part of the Body of Christ. With our skills and thoughts, nurture this place and this whole community. Help us each to play our part eagerly and happily.
Fathering God -- our Body of Christ is a small part of the whole. As we work with one another for goodness and beauty here, inspire us develop justice and mutuality, lodging and food, education and hope for all peoples.
God of Body and Soul -- touch us with healing in our psyches and in our bodies. Guide us to wholeness and happiness. Give us strength sufficient for each day; free us from pain. Sustain us on our journey to you. Amen.
Benediction/Charge (Leader)
Fingers and toes, tongue and thoughts --
It is our privilege to use them to benefit many people.
Go from here with ideas for the week ahead;
Be loving and gentle at home and at work, at school and at play.
Take time to enjoy the Holy.
Music
All Beautiful The March Of Days
Words: Frances Whitmarsh Wile, 1911
Music: English folk melody; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
FOREST GREEN
In Loving Partnership
Words and Music: Jim Strathdee, 1983
PARTNERSHIP
Live Into Hope
Words: Jane Parker Huber, 1976
Music: Thomas Williams, 1789; harm. Lowell Mason (1792-1872)
TRURO
The Heavens Above Declare God's Praise
Words: Christopher L. Webber, 1986
Music: Scottish Psalter, 1635; harm. The English Hymnal 1906, alt.
CAITHNESS
