THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
Be constant in God's house all the days of your life. Gaze upon the beauty of the Eternal One and seek the Eternal in God's temple.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have dishonored your name by our quarrels and dissensions. We have frequently bragged about our own denominations, at the expense of other denominations. We have guessed at the opinions and beliefs of others, without the patience to ask and to listen to them in order to understand. Too often we have stressed our differences, without any appreciation of our common faith and baptism. Forgive such pride that projects our own "wisdom" and clouds the gospel of your cross; for your own name's sake. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! Christ has not been divided among us. He was crucified for us all. We are not divided by our baptism by whomever we were baptized. Friends, believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Agree among yourselves and avoid divisions. Be firmly joined in unity of mind and thought. We are all followers of Jesus of Nazareth.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Divine Educator, teach us in our churches. Proclaimer of the kingdom, preach to us in our chapels. Sacred Healer, cure us of our illnesses and infirmities. Light of eternity, dawn on all who dwell in the land of death's dark shadows. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Light too dazzling for human eyes, Light in focus in human form, Light dispersed in human beings, you have increased our joy and given us great gladness. You have freed those who were oppressed and given new dignity to those who were demeaned. You have brought light and freedom where there was constraint and gloom. You have gathered children of light wherever the good news is preached, and sent them out as lighthearers to those living still in the land of death's darkshadow. We rejoice with allwho have seen the light and known your healing and in gathering. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
You may be worshipped in tent or tabernacle, in temple or house, God-everywhere. We will acclaim you with sacrifices of praise and monetary offerings to maintain this house of prayer; to the glory of your name, Parent above all, ever-loving Brother, familial Spirit. Amen.
PSALM 27:1, 4-9
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent,
he will set me high on a rock.
Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
"Come," my heart says, "seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, do I seek.
Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off,
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
Be constant in God's house all the days of your life. Gaze upon the beauty of the Eternal One and seek the Eternal in God's temple.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have dishonored your name by our quarrels and dissensions. We have frequently bragged about our own denominations, at the expense of other denominations. We have guessed at the opinions and beliefs of others, without the patience to ask and to listen to them in order to understand. Too often we have stressed our differences, without any appreciation of our common faith and baptism. Forgive such pride that projects our own "wisdom" and clouds the gospel of your cross; for your own name's sake. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! Christ has not been divided among us. He was crucified for us all. We are not divided by our baptism by whomever we were baptized. Friends, believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Agree among yourselves and avoid divisions. Be firmly joined in unity of mind and thought. We are all followers of Jesus of Nazareth.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Divine Educator, teach us in our churches. Proclaimer of the kingdom, preach to us in our chapels. Sacred Healer, cure us of our illnesses and infirmities. Light of eternity, dawn on all who dwell in the land of death's dark shadows. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Light too dazzling for human eyes, Light in focus in human form, Light dispersed in human beings, you have increased our joy and given us great gladness. You have freed those who were oppressed and given new dignity to those who were demeaned. You have brought light and freedom where there was constraint and gloom. You have gathered children of light wherever the good news is preached, and sent them out as lighthearers to those living still in the land of death's darkshadow. We rejoice with allwho have seen the light and known your healing and in gathering. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
You may be worshipped in tent or tabernacle, in temple or house, God-everywhere. We will acclaim you with sacrifices of praise and monetary offerings to maintain this house of prayer; to the glory of your name, Parent above all, ever-loving Brother, familial Spirit. Amen.
PSALM 27:1, 4-9
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent,
he will set me high on a rock.
Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
"Come," my heart says, "seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, do I seek.
Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off,
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
