Second Sunday After Epiphany
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle A
Hymns
Jesus, Priceless Treasure (LBW457, 458, PH365, NCH480, UM532, CBH595)
Jesus Calls Us, O'er The Tumult (LBW494, NCH171--172, UM398)
On Jordan's Bank The Baptist's Cry (PH10, CBH183)
Just As I Am, Without One Plea (PH370, NCH207, UM357, CBH516)
Come Gracious Spirit (CBH303)
Like The Murmur Of The Dove's Song (PH314, NCH270, UM544, CBH29)
Spirit Of God, Descend (NCH290, PH326, UM500, CBH502)
All Praise To You, O Lord (LBW78)
Anthems
I Waited For The Lord, Mendelssohn, G. Schirmer, SATB
From the Messiah: Behold The Lamb Of God, G. F. Handel, SATB
Little Lamb/Pequeno Cordes, Patterson, CGA
Like The Murmur Of The Dove's Song, White, CGA, Unison/2--part
Call to Worship
Leader: Grace to you and peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
People: We give thanks to our God always because of the grace given us in Christ Jesus.
Leader: God will strengthen you to the end.
People: God is faithful; God called us into the fellowship of Jesus Christ through this church.
All: Let us worship this faithful God.
Scripture Readings
Psalm 40:1--11: This psalm is another passage that would work well if people sitting in the congregation just stood in place. It should be people who can speak clearly and can be heard, or they should have a microphone. It would be most effective if each verse was read by a different person, who then would remain standing until the end, when all those standing would read the last verse together.
John 1:24--42: This could easily be acted out by older children or teens. Cast would consist of a Narrator, John the Baptist, four to five Followers, including Andrew and Simon Peter, and Jesus. Narrator stands at lectern; John and Followers stand in front of or to the side of the pulpit. Simon Peter is sitting on the front row in the congregation.
Narrator: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared:
John: (To his Followers as Jesus walks toward them) Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, "After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me." I didn't even know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel. I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." (Pauses) And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God. (Walks with Followers to other side of stage. Followers leave except for Andrew and one other)
Narrator: The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples (Jesus crosses in front and stands on side of sanctuary), and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed,
John: Look, here is the Lamb of God!
Narrator: The two disciples immediately followed Jesus. When Jesus saw them following, he said to them,
Jesus: (As two disciples approach) What are you looking for?
Followers: Rabbi, where are you staying?
Jesus: Come and see. (All walk off)
Narrator: They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. (Andrew comes back and draws up brother Simon who is sitting in the front row of congregation) He found his brother Simon and said to him,
Andrew: We have found the Messiah! (Walks over to Jesus who has returned and is standing in front of the pulpit)
Jesus: You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas, or Peter.
Prayer of Dedication (after the offering)
Gracious God, as we bring our meager gifts to you, help us remember the amazement and joy of John the Baptist as he told his followers about Jesus. Let us remember the glee as Andrew greeted Peter with the news, "We have found the Messiah!" May our gifts be given with such glee and may they be used to help others know the joy of finding the Messiah. Amen.
Benediction
Leader: Wait patiently for God. He will hear our cries.
People: May God put a new song on our lips, and may we sing that song to all who will see and hear.
Leader: May all who hear put their trust also in God.
People: Happy are those who make God their trust, who do no turn to the proud, to those who go astray after idols.
Leader: May God's steadfast love and faithfulness keep you safe forever. Amen.
Jesus, Priceless Treasure (LBW457, 458, PH365, NCH480, UM532, CBH595)
Jesus Calls Us, O'er The Tumult (LBW494, NCH171--172, UM398)
On Jordan's Bank The Baptist's Cry (PH10, CBH183)
Just As I Am, Without One Plea (PH370, NCH207, UM357, CBH516)
Come Gracious Spirit (CBH303)
Like The Murmur Of The Dove's Song (PH314, NCH270, UM544, CBH29)
Spirit Of God, Descend (NCH290, PH326, UM500, CBH502)
All Praise To You, O Lord (LBW78)
Anthems
I Waited For The Lord, Mendelssohn, G. Schirmer, SATB
From the Messiah: Behold The Lamb Of God, G. F. Handel, SATB
Little Lamb/Pequeno Cordes, Patterson, CGA
Like The Murmur Of The Dove's Song, White, CGA, Unison/2--part
Call to Worship
Leader: Grace to you and peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
People: We give thanks to our God always because of the grace given us in Christ Jesus.
Leader: God will strengthen you to the end.
People: God is faithful; God called us into the fellowship of Jesus Christ through this church.
All: Let us worship this faithful God.
Scripture Readings
Psalm 40:1--11: This psalm is another passage that would work well if people sitting in the congregation just stood in place. It should be people who can speak clearly and can be heard, or they should have a microphone. It would be most effective if each verse was read by a different person, who then would remain standing until the end, when all those standing would read the last verse together.
John 1:24--42: This could easily be acted out by older children or teens. Cast would consist of a Narrator, John the Baptist, four to five Followers, including Andrew and Simon Peter, and Jesus. Narrator stands at lectern; John and Followers stand in front of or to the side of the pulpit. Simon Peter is sitting on the front row in the congregation.
Narrator: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared:
John: (To his Followers as Jesus walks toward them) Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, "After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me." I didn't even know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel. I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." (Pauses) And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God. (Walks with Followers to other side of stage. Followers leave except for Andrew and one other)
Narrator: The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples (Jesus crosses in front and stands on side of sanctuary), and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed,
John: Look, here is the Lamb of God!
Narrator: The two disciples immediately followed Jesus. When Jesus saw them following, he said to them,
Jesus: (As two disciples approach) What are you looking for?
Followers: Rabbi, where are you staying?
Jesus: Come and see. (All walk off)
Narrator: They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. (Andrew comes back and draws up brother Simon who is sitting in the front row of congregation) He found his brother Simon and said to him,
Andrew: We have found the Messiah! (Walks over to Jesus who has returned and is standing in front of the pulpit)
Jesus: You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas, or Peter.
Prayer of Dedication (after the offering)
Gracious God, as we bring our meager gifts to you, help us remember the amazement and joy of John the Baptist as he told his followers about Jesus. Let us remember the glee as Andrew greeted Peter with the news, "We have found the Messiah!" May our gifts be given with such glee and may they be used to help others know the joy of finding the Messiah. Amen.
Benediction
Leader: Wait patiently for God. He will hear our cries.
People: May God put a new song on our lips, and may we sing that song to all who will see and hear.
Leader: May all who hear put their trust also in God.
People: Happy are those who make God their trust, who do no turn to the proud, to those who go astray after idols.
Leader: May God's steadfast love and faithfulness keep you safe forever. Amen.
