SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III
* CALL TO WORSHIP
In Christ Jesus every one of God's promises is a "Yes." For this
reason through him let us say the "Amen," to the glory of God.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Patient Parent, holy and forgiving, we would rather speak to
those who speak to us, to love those who love us in return. We
enjoy the common enthusiasms of our own country and its people.
We would rather hate our enemies than pray for them and for those
who harass us. The passive resistance that Jesus teaches seems
unworkable to us and unfair, giving the advantage to our
adversaries, at the expense of our personal rights. Forgive us
for following our own devices and not obeying the instruction of
Jesus Christ. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! To us as to others, Jesus says, "Your sins
are forgiven." Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ,
we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
Do not bear hatred for your brothers and sisters in your heart.
Do not take revenge or cherish grudges. The Lord says to love
your neighbor as yourself.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Your goodness, O God, knows no bounds. Increase our goodness
beyond its present limits to higher stages of maturity, that our
love and forgiveness may become more nearly like that of your
Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Gracious God, your benevolence is not limited to the deserving or
those who would receive the many benefits that we take for
granted. You make your sun to rise on good and bad alike and
send the rain on the honest and the dishonest. We are grateful
for all your gifts and for the friendships that have come to us
without our seeking them, for those who have been kind and
helpful to us without any initiative on our part. Help us to
show our
thankfulness by taking the initiative in reaching out to others
who need friends, by going the extra mile to be helpful,
especially for those who may not be able to ask for help. We
appreciate being part of your family gathered in the Spirit. We
are humbled by the thought that as we belong to Christ, we belong
to you, God of all. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
You honor us, Divine Spirit, by making your home within us. Make
us more fitting temples for your habitation, urging us toward the
maturity and open-heartedness that is the genius of our Divine
Parent. Bless our church as a means to that end, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
* PSALM 41
Happy are those who consider the poor;
the LORD delivers them in the day of trouble.
The LORD protects them and keeps them alive;
they are called happy in the land.
You do not give them up to the will of their enemies.
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed;
in their illness you heal all their infirmities.
As for me, I said, "O LORD, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you."
My enemies wonder in malice when I will die,
and my name perish.
And when they come to see me, they utter empty words,
while their hearts gather mischief;
when they go out, they tell it abroad.
All who hate me whisper together about me;
they imagine the worst for me.
They think that a deadly thing has fastened on me,
that I will not rise again from where I lie.
Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted,
who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me.
But you, O LORD, be gracious to me,
and raise me up, that I may repay them.
By this I know that you are pleased with me;
because my enemy has not triumphed over me.
But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in your presence forever.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen
and Amen.
In Christ Jesus every one of God's promises is a "Yes." For this
reason through him let us say the "Amen," to the glory of God.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Patient Parent, holy and forgiving, we would rather speak to
those who speak to us, to love those who love us in return. We
enjoy the common enthusiasms of our own country and its people.
We would rather hate our enemies than pray for them and for those
who harass us. The passive resistance that Jesus teaches seems
unworkable to us and unfair, giving the advantage to our
adversaries, at the expense of our personal rights. Forgive us
for following our own devices and not obeying the instruction of
Jesus Christ. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! To us as to others, Jesus says, "Your sins
are forgiven." Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ,
we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
Do not bear hatred for your brothers and sisters in your heart.
Do not take revenge or cherish grudges. The Lord says to love
your neighbor as yourself.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Your goodness, O God, knows no bounds. Increase our goodness
beyond its present limits to higher stages of maturity, that our
love and forgiveness may become more nearly like that of your
Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Gracious God, your benevolence is not limited to the deserving or
those who would receive the many benefits that we take for
granted. You make your sun to rise on good and bad alike and
send the rain on the honest and the dishonest. We are grateful
for all your gifts and for the friendships that have come to us
without our seeking them, for those who have been kind and
helpful to us without any initiative on our part. Help us to
show our
thankfulness by taking the initiative in reaching out to others
who need friends, by going the extra mile to be helpful,
especially for those who may not be able to ask for help. We
appreciate being part of your family gathered in the Spirit. We
are humbled by the thought that as we belong to Christ, we belong
to you, God of all. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
You honor us, Divine Spirit, by making your home within us. Make
us more fitting temples for your habitation, urging us toward the
maturity and open-heartedness that is the genius of our Divine
Parent. Bless our church as a means to that end, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
* PSALM 41
Happy are those who consider the poor;
the LORD delivers them in the day of trouble.
The LORD protects them and keeps them alive;
they are called happy in the land.
You do not give them up to the will of their enemies.
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed;
in their illness you heal all their infirmities.
As for me, I said, "O LORD, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you."
My enemies wonder in malice when I will die,
and my name perish.
And when they come to see me, they utter empty words,
while their hearts gather mischief;
when they go out, they tell it abroad.
All who hate me whisper together about me;
they imagine the worst for me.
They think that a deadly thing has fastened on me,
that I will not rise again from where I lie.
Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted,
who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me.
But you, O LORD, be gracious to me,
and raise me up, that I may repay them.
By this I know that you are pleased with me;
because my enemy has not triumphed over me.
But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in your presence forever.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen
and Amen.
