SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
Prayer
Psalms And Prayers For Congregational Participation
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, Christians, worship the one who delights in you. You are not forsaken and desolate. You are called by the new name of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
FAITHFUL GOD, YOU HAVE NOT FORSAKEN US. WE HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN FAITHFUL TO YOU. WE VALUE YOUR CALL TO VIRTUOUS LIVING, BUT OFTEN LIVE AT A LOWER LEVEL. WE APPRECIATE THE FIDELITY OF OUR FRIENDS AND SPOUSES, BUT SOMETIMES BETRAY AND ABANDON THEM. YOU GIVE US A VARIETY OF GIFTS TO SERVE YOU IN THE CHURCH, BUT MUCH REMAINS UNDONE BECAUSE WE SQUANDER THE ABILITIES YOU HAVE GIVEN US ON LESS WORTHY CAUSES. FORGIVE OUR ERRATIC SERVICE THAT REFLECTS INCOMPLETE OBEDIENCE, FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR EVER-OBEDIENT SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Friends, hear the Good News. Your God rejoices over you as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride. Friends, believe the Good News. IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
You all have a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are varieties of service. Let us serve the same God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
DIVINE WINEMAKER, THE WINE YOU GIVE US AT YOUR TABLE IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN THE WINE YOU MADE AT CANA. WE ARE PLEDGED TO DO WHATEVER YOU TELL US TO DO, SO THAT WITH THE WHOLE CHURCH WE MAY EXTEND YOUR TABLE TO THE REMOTEST PLACES IN HUMAN SOCIETY, AND MANY MAY COME AT THE LAST TO THE WEDDING FEAST OF THE LAMB. AMEN
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LOVING GOD, YOU GIVE YOURSELF TO ALL OF US, TO THE YOUNG AND THE INNOCENT, TO THE JADED AND THE
DISENCHANTED, TO THE TIRED AND DESPAIRING. YOUR LOVE IS LIKE THE LOVE OF THE YOUNG BRIDEGROOM, LIKE THE LOVE OF THE LONELY WIDOWER FINDING A LONELY WIDOW, LIKE THE LOVE OF A KING THAT MARRIES AN UNLIKELY COMMONER. NONE CAN BE DESERVING OF YOUR LOVE, BUT ALL OF US CAN BE GRATEFUL AND RETURN YOUR LOVE WITH THANKFUL DEVOTION, LIKE YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SUPREME WORKER, THE OFFERINGS WE BRING HAVE BEEN EARNED IN A VARIETY OF JOBS. IT IS OUR INTENTION THAT ALL OUR WORK SHOULD SERVE YOUR PURPOSES FOR ALL YOUR PEOPLE. USE THESE GIFTS TO SERVE MANY PEOPLE IN MANY WAYS; THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN
PSALM 36:5-10
Lord, your constant love reaches the heavens;
YOUR FAITHFULNESS EXTENDS TO THE SKIES.
Your righteousness is towering like the mountains;
YOUR JUSTICE IS LIKE THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA.
Men and animals are in your care.
HOW PRECIOUS, O GOD IS YOUR CONSTANT LOVE!
We find protection under the shadow of your wings.
WE FEAST ON THE ABUNDANT FOOD YOU PROVIDE;
You let us drink from the river of your goodness.
YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE, AND BECAUSE OF YOUR LIGHT WE SEE THE LIGHT.
Continue to love those who know you,
AND TO DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS.
Come, Christians, worship the one who delights in you. You are not forsaken and desolate. You are called by the new name of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
FAITHFUL GOD, YOU HAVE NOT FORSAKEN US. WE HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN FAITHFUL TO YOU. WE VALUE YOUR CALL TO VIRTUOUS LIVING, BUT OFTEN LIVE AT A LOWER LEVEL. WE APPRECIATE THE FIDELITY OF OUR FRIENDS AND SPOUSES, BUT SOMETIMES BETRAY AND ABANDON THEM. YOU GIVE US A VARIETY OF GIFTS TO SERVE YOU IN THE CHURCH, BUT MUCH REMAINS UNDONE BECAUSE WE SQUANDER THE ABILITIES YOU HAVE GIVEN US ON LESS WORTHY CAUSES. FORGIVE OUR ERRATIC SERVICE THAT REFLECTS INCOMPLETE OBEDIENCE, FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR EVER-OBEDIENT SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Friends, hear the Good News. Your God rejoices over you as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride. Friends, believe the Good News. IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
You all have a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are varieties of service. Let us serve the same God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
DIVINE WINEMAKER, THE WINE YOU GIVE US AT YOUR TABLE IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN THE WINE YOU MADE AT CANA. WE ARE PLEDGED TO DO WHATEVER YOU TELL US TO DO, SO THAT WITH THE WHOLE CHURCH WE MAY EXTEND YOUR TABLE TO THE REMOTEST PLACES IN HUMAN SOCIETY, AND MANY MAY COME AT THE LAST TO THE WEDDING FEAST OF THE LAMB. AMEN
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LOVING GOD, YOU GIVE YOURSELF TO ALL OF US, TO THE YOUNG AND THE INNOCENT, TO THE JADED AND THE
DISENCHANTED, TO THE TIRED AND DESPAIRING. YOUR LOVE IS LIKE THE LOVE OF THE YOUNG BRIDEGROOM, LIKE THE LOVE OF THE LONELY WIDOWER FINDING A LONELY WIDOW, LIKE THE LOVE OF A KING THAT MARRIES AN UNLIKELY COMMONER. NONE CAN BE DESERVING OF YOUR LOVE, BUT ALL OF US CAN BE GRATEFUL AND RETURN YOUR LOVE WITH THANKFUL DEVOTION, LIKE YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SUPREME WORKER, THE OFFERINGS WE BRING HAVE BEEN EARNED IN A VARIETY OF JOBS. IT IS OUR INTENTION THAT ALL OUR WORK SHOULD SERVE YOUR PURPOSES FOR ALL YOUR PEOPLE. USE THESE GIFTS TO SERVE MANY PEOPLE IN MANY WAYS; THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN
PSALM 36:5-10
Lord, your constant love reaches the heavens;
YOUR FAITHFULNESS EXTENDS TO THE SKIES.
Your righteousness is towering like the mountains;
YOUR JUSTICE IS LIKE THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA.
Men and animals are in your care.
HOW PRECIOUS, O GOD IS YOUR CONSTANT LOVE!
We find protection under the shadow of your wings.
WE FEAST ON THE ABUNDANT FOOD YOU PROVIDE;
You let us drink from the river of your goodness.
YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE, AND BECAUSE OF YOUR LIGHT WE SEE THE LIGHT.
Continue to love those who know you,
AND TO DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS.
