Third Sunday After Epiphany
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle A
Object:
Words Of Assurance
The Lord our God is a forgiving God, taking away the sins of all who are repentant.
Pastoral Prayer
Our Father, who in Christ has come into the world as a saving Servant, and who calls us to be disciples in his name, we praise you for the glorious company of apostles, martyrs, and witnesses who carried the gospel beyond their own national borders into all nations. O God, we are breathless with wonder as we behold your life in Christ. Still you are going before us in everlasting truth and leading us with the power of your eternal Spirit. Yet you do patiently wait for us when we linger behind -- confused, blinded, and leaderless. When we stumble in our sins, you raise us to the stature of righteousness. When in overconfidence we venture beyond our wisdom and strength, you look upon us as an understanding Friend. O Christ, of God, we thank you for your forgiveness and guidance. Help us to learn from you. Keep us close to the influence of your love and within hearing of your voice.
O Master of the good life, teach us to minister instead of waiting to be ministered unto, until we find our life in your joy and likeness. Send us forth day by day as those who know that you did become flesh to live redemptively on this earth. Keep us confident in discipleship wherein we die unto self and live unto you. Preserve us from jealousy of the gifts and attainments of others. Unite our differing talents in the doing of your will. Reveal the times in which we are to stand in faith or when we are to venture boldly in your name. Send us to the fields of humanity where we shall enter into the struggle between heartache and joy, shame and honor, despair and hope.
Sustain the spirit of those who know that they are close to heaven's door. Quicken the spirit of those who must make the decisions for many people. Break the hardness of heart of those who have turned from you.
And now we pray, O Lord, that you will cleanse the hearts of every person that the kingdoms of this world might indeed become the kingdom of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Benediction
Having come to receive, go forth to give. Having come to be blessed, go forth to bless. Having come to learn, go forth to teach. Having come to pray, go forth to work; and the blessing of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit go with you. Amen.
The Lord our God is a forgiving God, taking away the sins of all who are repentant.
Pastoral Prayer
Our Father, who in Christ has come into the world as a saving Servant, and who calls us to be disciples in his name, we praise you for the glorious company of apostles, martyrs, and witnesses who carried the gospel beyond their own national borders into all nations. O God, we are breathless with wonder as we behold your life in Christ. Still you are going before us in everlasting truth and leading us with the power of your eternal Spirit. Yet you do patiently wait for us when we linger behind -- confused, blinded, and leaderless. When we stumble in our sins, you raise us to the stature of righteousness. When in overconfidence we venture beyond our wisdom and strength, you look upon us as an understanding Friend. O Christ, of God, we thank you for your forgiveness and guidance. Help us to learn from you. Keep us close to the influence of your love and within hearing of your voice.
O Master of the good life, teach us to minister instead of waiting to be ministered unto, until we find our life in your joy and likeness. Send us forth day by day as those who know that you did become flesh to live redemptively on this earth. Keep us confident in discipleship wherein we die unto self and live unto you. Preserve us from jealousy of the gifts and attainments of others. Unite our differing talents in the doing of your will. Reveal the times in which we are to stand in faith or when we are to venture boldly in your name. Send us to the fields of humanity where we shall enter into the struggle between heartache and joy, shame and honor, despair and hope.
Sustain the spirit of those who know that they are close to heaven's door. Quicken the spirit of those who must make the decisions for many people. Break the hardness of heart of those who have turned from you.
And now we pray, O Lord, that you will cleanse the hearts of every person that the kingdoms of this world might indeed become the kingdom of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Benediction
Having come to receive, go forth to give. Having come to be blessed, go forth to bless. Having come to learn, go forth to teach. Having come to pray, go forth to work; and the blessing of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit go with you. Amen.
