The Epiphany Of Our Lord
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids, Cradled in God's Heart
Series VIII, Cycle A
Object:
Call To Worship
One: He came as a baby,
to bring laughter to children;
All: he came for young adults home from college,
and for newborns at their mothers' breasts.
One: He was born in a stable,
to bring hope to the poor;
All: he came for those who have more than they need,
and for those who could give away more than they dare.
One: He was worshiped by shepherds,
and gifted by kings;
All: the Christ Child is born!
Let us follow the star to find him.
Prayer Of The Day
They waited until your star appeared
and then rushed to find you,
bringing expectant hearts,
rejoicing in the light that guided them,
hoping that all their dreams would come true.
We thank you for the waiting,
God of Advent.
They rejoiced in the simplicity of a stable,
when no homes were opened to them;
their hearts celebrated your birth
as the shepherds rejoiced at the manger;
they hoped their dreams
would come true.
We thank you for the joy,
Child of Christmas.
We are drawn to your light
like moths to a flame;
our emptiness is filled with your grace
as your glory shines in all nations;
we are led to the wonders of hope,
as the light of faith reveals the way.
We thank you for revealing the mystery,
Spirit of Epiphany.
God in Community, Holy in One,
we thank you for the gift of the star,
as we pray as Jesus teaches us, saying,
Our Father ...
Call To Reconciliation
The light has come, but we still seem to prefer the darkness of temptation and desire. Let us confess our sins to God, so the light will fill every shadow of our lives.
Unison Prayer Of Confession
In truth, God of Epiphany, we come to worship you, but our motives (like Herod's) are not pure. We want you to reward us because we are here, and not someplace else. We want you to gift us with health, with wealth, with answers to our questions. We want you to overlook our unfaithfulness, rather than shining the bright light of the Christ Child in our lives.
Forgive us, Star Shaper, that we are not more like those wise ones of so long ago. In following a star, they found hope; in gifting a child, they received grace; in seeking your signs, they discovered life. Be with us, in mercy and joy, as we journey with your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, in the season of light.
Silence is kept
Assurance Of Pardon
One: Come, stand up, on your feet! God's grace has dawned in our hearts, eternity's light shines in our souls.
All: The light of the world shines in our lives, delivering us from evil, gracing us with hope and joy. Thanks be to God. Amen.
One: He came as a baby,
to bring laughter to children;
All: he came for young adults home from college,
and for newborns at their mothers' breasts.
One: He was born in a stable,
to bring hope to the poor;
All: he came for those who have more than they need,
and for those who could give away more than they dare.
One: He was worshiped by shepherds,
and gifted by kings;
All: the Christ Child is born!
Let us follow the star to find him.
Prayer Of The Day
They waited until your star appeared
and then rushed to find you,
bringing expectant hearts,
rejoicing in the light that guided them,
hoping that all their dreams would come true.
We thank you for the waiting,
God of Advent.
They rejoiced in the simplicity of a stable,
when no homes were opened to them;
their hearts celebrated your birth
as the shepherds rejoiced at the manger;
they hoped their dreams
would come true.
We thank you for the joy,
Child of Christmas.
We are drawn to your light
like moths to a flame;
our emptiness is filled with your grace
as your glory shines in all nations;
we are led to the wonders of hope,
as the light of faith reveals the way.
We thank you for revealing the mystery,
Spirit of Epiphany.
God in Community, Holy in One,
we thank you for the gift of the star,
as we pray as Jesus teaches us, saying,
Our Father ...
Call To Reconciliation
The light has come, but we still seem to prefer the darkness of temptation and desire. Let us confess our sins to God, so the light will fill every shadow of our lives.
Unison Prayer Of Confession
In truth, God of Epiphany, we come to worship you, but our motives (like Herod's) are not pure. We want you to reward us because we are here, and not someplace else. We want you to gift us with health, with wealth, with answers to our questions. We want you to overlook our unfaithfulness, rather than shining the bright light of the Christ Child in our lives.
Forgive us, Star Shaper, that we are not more like those wise ones of so long ago. In following a star, they found hope; in gifting a child, they received grace; in seeking your signs, they discovered life. Be with us, in mercy and joy, as we journey with your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, in the season of light.
Silence is kept
Assurance Of Pardon
One: Come, stand up, on your feet! God's grace has dawned in our hearts, eternity's light shines in our souls.
All: The light of the world shines in our lives, delivering us from evil, gracing us with hope and joy. Thanks be to God. Amen.
