FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
Ascribe to the Eternal the glory due to God's name; bow down to the Holy One in the splendor of holiness.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of life and light and love, we confess that our own lives are too dear to us. By comparison we do not want for others as much as we want for ourselves. We want justice and power for our party or nation, but not for all parties and nations. We have some concern for our own enlightenment but not for the enlightenment of all people everywhere. Sometimes we need to have patience with ourselves: more often, patience with others. Forgive the narrowness of our vision and of our commitment to others and to you, Creator of Life, Light of our eyes, Universal Spirit of Justice. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. It is to him that all the prophets testify, declaring that everyone who trusts in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
God has commanded the church to proclaim Jesus Christ to the people and to affirm that he is the one who has been designated by God as judge of the living and the dead.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Condescending God, we also would conform to all that you require, both being baptized and baptizing in the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Grant us the assurance that we are your children, blessed and beloved, that we may obey you with joy. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God of everywhere and anywhere, we thank you for Jesus of Nazareth and for all to whom he relates us, not only the apostles and Cornelius the Centurion in past centuries, but also the God-fearing of every nation in our own time. We celebrate the good news of Jesus, that he went about doing good and healing all who were sick in mind, body or spirit. We remember with devotion the death on the cross for us and rising from the dead, witnessed by the apostles and women of faith, chosen in advance. We ascribe to you creativity, caring and covenanting. Give us life, granting us healing and forgiveness, gathering us into the church of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of glory, we respond to all you have spoken, in the wonders of nature, in words of the Scriptures, in the Word made human to dwell among us. We glorify you in the presentation of flowers and funds, words and music, and by our presence in this sanctuary, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PSALM 29:1-11
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name;
worship the LORD in holy splendor.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!
Ascribe to the Eternal the glory due to God's name; bow down to the Holy One in the splendor of holiness.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of life and light and love, we confess that our own lives are too dear to us. By comparison we do not want for others as much as we want for ourselves. We want justice and power for our party or nation, but not for all parties and nations. We have some concern for our own enlightenment but not for the enlightenment of all people everywhere. Sometimes we need to have patience with ourselves: more often, patience with others. Forgive the narrowness of our vision and of our commitment to others and to you, Creator of Life, Light of our eyes, Universal Spirit of Justice. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. It is to him that all the prophets testify, declaring that everyone who trusts in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
God has commanded the church to proclaim Jesus Christ to the people and to affirm that he is the one who has been designated by God as judge of the living and the dead.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Condescending God, we also would conform to all that you require, both being baptized and baptizing in the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Grant us the assurance that we are your children, blessed and beloved, that we may obey you with joy. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God of everywhere and anywhere, we thank you for Jesus of Nazareth and for all to whom he relates us, not only the apostles and Cornelius the Centurion in past centuries, but also the God-fearing of every nation in our own time. We celebrate the good news of Jesus, that he went about doing good and healing all who were sick in mind, body or spirit. We remember with devotion the death on the cross for us and rising from the dead, witnessed by the apostles and women of faith, chosen in advance. We ascribe to you creativity, caring and covenanting. Give us life, granting us healing and forgiveness, gathering us into the church of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of glory, we respond to all you have spoken, in the wonders of nature, in words of the Scriptures, in the Word made human to dwell among us. We glorify you in the presentation of flowers and funds, words and music, and by our presence in this sanctuary, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PSALM 29:1-11
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name;
worship the LORD in holy splendor.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!
