NINTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Worship the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who
has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, Compassionate Christ, Generous Spirit, what a
treasure you have given us in the church. Save us from
unwarranted pride and dogmatism that obscure our fallibility and
put in the shadow the truth and grace that belong only to you.
Grant us modesty and true humility in the sharing of our
convictions and discrimination as to their source. Let your
light continue to shine on us that we may be saved; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! The light of the knowledge of the glory of
God has shone upon us in the face of Jesus Christ. Friends,
believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
May the life of Jesus also be made visible in our bodies.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Lord of Time, teach us how to use our time wisely in labor and
rest with concern for others' healing and health as well as our
own. Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Creator of all things, Firstborn of all Creation, Timeless
Spirit: how wonderful are the cycles of your universe and the
measures of time that govern our life in days and weeks and
years. What suspense spices our days in the uncertainties of
climate that provoke adaptability in us and all your creatures!
What delight we may take in good weather after what we call bad
weather. Give us wisdom to enjoy also the changing moods of our
spirits, always giving thanks to you in good times and in bad;
through Jesus Christ your Son, who shared our human condition in
all its variation except sin. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of Eternity, of time, of history, receive our offerings as a
measure of our devotion to you in hours and days and years;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
* PSALM 80:1-10
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim,
shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry
with your people's prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.
Worship the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who
has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, Compassionate Christ, Generous Spirit, what a
treasure you have given us in the church. Save us from
unwarranted pride and dogmatism that obscure our fallibility and
put in the shadow the truth and grace that belong only to you.
Grant us modesty and true humility in the sharing of our
convictions and discrimination as to their source. Let your
light continue to shine on us that we may be saved; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! The light of the knowledge of the glory of
God has shone upon us in the face of Jesus Christ. Friends,
believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
May the life of Jesus also be made visible in our bodies.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Lord of Time, teach us how to use our time wisely in labor and
rest with concern for others' healing and health as well as our
own. Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Creator of all things, Firstborn of all Creation, Timeless
Spirit: how wonderful are the cycles of your universe and the
measures of time that govern our life in days and weeks and
years. What suspense spices our days in the uncertainties of
climate that provoke adaptability in us and all your creatures!
What delight we may take in good weather after what we call bad
weather. Give us wisdom to enjoy also the changing moods of our
spirits, always giving thanks to you in good times and in bad;
through Jesus Christ your Son, who shared our human condition in
all its variation except sin. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of Eternity, of time, of history, receive our offerings as a
measure of our devotion to you in hours and days and years;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
* PSALM 80:1-10
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim,
shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry
with your people's prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.
