God's eternal plan: a Gospel for the world
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: The axis around which this (probably pseudoPau line) passage turns is the idea of God's eternal and mysterious plan to extend the gospel of salvation in Christ to all humanity - a "mystery" apparently kept even from the heavenly host. This plan is now revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Fellow sojourners, we meet to worship God!
People:
OURS IS THE GOD OF ISRAEL, OF MOSES, OF DAVID!
Leader:
But ours also is the God of the nations, the world, the universe!
People:
LET US GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE TO THE ETERNAL GOD OF ALL!
Collect
God of everlasting love, you have graciously included all of humanity in your eternal plan of self-manifestation and salvation in Christ Jesus. Make us worthy recipients of its benefits by your grace: that, touched and tamed by your forgiveness, we may assist you in extending it to all the world. In Jesus' holy name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God, we confess that our love and compassion are not as limitless as yours, and that we let our preferences and prejudices restrict the sharing of the gospel only to people who resemble ourselves. Forgive us, O God, and help us to overcome all of those affections and attitudes that stand in the way of our serving you and your eternal, divine plan to extend your love and care, your mercy'and forgiveness in Jesus to all people. In his most holy name we pray. Amen
Epiphany
Gospel:
Matthew 2:1-12
Theme:
A Christ for all nations
Exegetical note: Matthew here artfully pieces together elements drawn from specific Old Testament texts (foreigners drawn to a divine light and bringing gold and frankincense from Isaiah 60:1-6; foreigners bearing gifts and paying tribute to a new king from Psalm 72; Bethlehem from Micah 5:2), in order to express the common belief that the salvation under the Messiah would apply to all nations. Later popular imagination went back to those source texts in order to turn the Magi into kings, name their kingdoms, and give them camels.
Call to Worship
Leader:
And the wise men followed the star to its resting place.
People:
AND WHEN THEY SAW THE CHILD THEY FELL DOWN AND WORSHIPED!
Leader:
Then opening their treasures, they gave him gifts.
People:
FOR THIS KING OF THE JEWS WAS THE REDEEMER OF ALL NATIONS!
Collect
Holy God of Israel, you have sent a Messiah bringing redemption, not just for his own people, but for all humankind. Let us behold him with those ancient visitors from the East: that, seeing his glory and recognizing his majesty, we may bow in wonder and depart to witness. In his holy name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we confess that we often lose any sense of awe before the Christ, and reduce him in our imaginations to the level of the commonplace and everyday. Forgive us, we pray, and impress upon us again his glory, his majesty, and his power as your savior of all humankind. Fill us with a sense of wonder and devotion to him and his holy mission as your Christ for our troubled world. In his high and holy name we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
Leader:
Fellow sojourners, we meet to worship God!
People:
OURS IS THE GOD OF ISRAEL, OF MOSES, OF DAVID!
Leader:
But ours also is the God of the nations, the world, the universe!
People:
LET US GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE TO THE ETERNAL GOD OF ALL!
Collect
God of everlasting love, you have graciously included all of humanity in your eternal plan of self-manifestation and salvation in Christ Jesus. Make us worthy recipients of its benefits by your grace: that, touched and tamed by your forgiveness, we may assist you in extending it to all the world. In Jesus' holy name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God, we confess that our love and compassion are not as limitless as yours, and that we let our preferences and prejudices restrict the sharing of the gospel only to people who resemble ourselves. Forgive us, O God, and help us to overcome all of those affections and attitudes that stand in the way of our serving you and your eternal, divine plan to extend your love and care, your mercy'and forgiveness in Jesus to all people. In his most holy name we pray. Amen
Epiphany
Gospel:
Matthew 2:1-12
Theme:
A Christ for all nations
Exegetical note: Matthew here artfully pieces together elements drawn from specific Old Testament texts (foreigners drawn to a divine light and bringing gold and frankincense from Isaiah 60:1-6; foreigners bearing gifts and paying tribute to a new king from Psalm 72; Bethlehem from Micah 5:2), in order to express the common belief that the salvation under the Messiah would apply to all nations. Later popular imagination went back to those source texts in order to turn the Magi into kings, name their kingdoms, and give them camels.
Call to Worship
Leader:
And the wise men followed the star to its resting place.
People:
AND WHEN THEY SAW THE CHILD THEY FELL DOWN AND WORSHIPED!
Leader:
Then opening their treasures, they gave him gifts.
People:
FOR THIS KING OF THE JEWS WAS THE REDEEMER OF ALL NATIONS!
Collect
Holy God of Israel, you have sent a Messiah bringing redemption, not just for his own people, but for all humankind. Let us behold him with those ancient visitors from the East: that, seeing his glory and recognizing his majesty, we may bow in wonder and depart to witness. In his holy name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we confess that we often lose any sense of awe before the Christ, and reduce him in our imaginations to the level of the commonplace and everyday. Forgive us, we pray, and impress upon us again his glory, his majesty, and his power as your savior of all humankind. Fill us with a sense of wonder and devotion to him and his holy mission as your Christ for our troubled world. In his high and holy name we pray. Amen
