The Light Is Still Shining
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series VII, Cycle A
Call To Worship (Isaiah 60:1)
(Unison) Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Collect
Let the nations come to you, Lord. Let the nations come to us, to join us in our sanctuary, as we celebrate your light that shines in the darkness, brightening this day and all eternity. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession (based on Psalm 72:2-7)
One: Judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
All: May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills in righteousness.
One: Defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
All: And while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations,
One: Like the rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth,
All: May righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more. Amen.
Hymns
"O Splendor Of God's Glory Bright"
"Morning Star, O Cheering Sight!"
"Worship The Lord In The Beauty Of Holiness"
Epiphany Of Our Lord
Second Lesson: Ephesians 3:1-12
Theme: The Glory of Christ Revealed
Call To Worship (based on Ephesians 3:11-12)
Men: Come together, all God's people, in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Women: in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Collect
Lord, during this season of light we strive to shine, coming together today sure of your mercy and goodness, and determined to mirror these in our ministries to the world. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Surely, Lord, we see how all things have worked together in history to bring your plan of salvation to the world. We confess our hardness of heart and accept your forgivness, praying that you will shine the light of Christ, which has endured through the ages, again today, and in this place! Amen.
Hymns
"How Brightly Beams The Morning"
"Christ, Whose Glory Fills The Skies"
"Hail The Bless'd Morn"
Epiphany Of Our Lord
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:1-12
Theme: Come To Worship Him
Call To Worship (Matthew 2:2, 5, 6)
One: Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.
All: In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel."
Collect
Lord of light, at this time of new beginnings we come to worship you. Father of glory, we cry aloud with the joyous praise you have planted in our hearts. Spirit of power, descend to us, we pray, and move in our midst. You are the Word made flesh, you are the Word of revelation, you are the Word we read in your world all around us. Guide us today in our gathering. These things we pray to you this day. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
This is your church, O Lord, not ours, and yet by our deeds and words others might wonder if this were so. Are we acting as if this church were ours, as if our wants and desires mattered more than your kingdom? The nations are seeking your light. Mold us into your witnessing people, who put others before ourselves and you above all. Amen.
Hymns
"What Child Is This?"
"We Three Kings"
"As With Gladnesss Men Of Old"
(Unison) Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Collect
Let the nations come to you, Lord. Let the nations come to us, to join us in our sanctuary, as we celebrate your light that shines in the darkness, brightening this day and all eternity. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession (based on Psalm 72:2-7)
One: Judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
All: May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills in righteousness.
One: Defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
All: And while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations,
One: Like the rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth,
All: May righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more. Amen.
Hymns
"O Splendor Of God's Glory Bright"
"Morning Star, O Cheering Sight!"
"Worship The Lord In The Beauty Of Holiness"
Epiphany Of Our Lord
Second Lesson: Ephesians 3:1-12
Theme: The Glory of Christ Revealed
Call To Worship (based on Ephesians 3:11-12)
Men: Come together, all God's people, in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Women: in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Collect
Lord, during this season of light we strive to shine, coming together today sure of your mercy and goodness, and determined to mirror these in our ministries to the world. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Surely, Lord, we see how all things have worked together in history to bring your plan of salvation to the world. We confess our hardness of heart and accept your forgivness, praying that you will shine the light of Christ, which has endured through the ages, again today, and in this place! Amen.
Hymns
"How Brightly Beams The Morning"
"Christ, Whose Glory Fills The Skies"
"Hail The Bless'd Morn"
Epiphany Of Our Lord
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:1-12
Theme: Come To Worship Him
Call To Worship (Matthew 2:2, 5, 6)
One: Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.
All: In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel."
Collect
Lord of light, at this time of new beginnings we come to worship you. Father of glory, we cry aloud with the joyous praise you have planted in our hearts. Spirit of power, descend to us, we pray, and move in our midst. You are the Word made flesh, you are the Word of revelation, you are the Word we read in your world all around us. Guide us today in our gathering. These things we pray to you this day. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
This is your church, O Lord, not ours, and yet by our deeds and words others might wonder if this were so. Are we acting as if this church were ours, as if our wants and desires mattered more than your kingdom? The nations are seeking your light. Mold us into your witnessing people, who put others before ourselves and you above all. Amen.
Hymns
"What Child Is This?"
"We Three Kings"
"As With Gladnesss Men Of Old"
