Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle A
Object:
Words Of Assurance
In this be confident: that the grace of God is active enough to forgive, and the love of God is powerful enough to transform.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty God, you spoke your Word in the beginning and gave us life, you spoke your Word in Jesus Christ and brought us wholeness. We rejoice that by your grace your Word continues on the lips of women and men. We give thanks for words which stirred our hearts to respond to you: for loving and gentle words which assured us of our worth; for thanksgivings that bond us together more closely in gratitude; for a friend's rebuke that inflicted a moment's pain before showing us a better way; for a stranger's needful request that summoned us to follow that way of discipleship more faithfully; for that right word at the right time that disclosed something of the holy mystery; for the lines of hymns and prayers that mustered our unspoken praise; and for the words of scripture that tell and retell your goodness. By your Holy Spirit make our words sufficient to give thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ever-present God, you are the source of our lives and the destiny of our pilgrimage. Teach us by your Holy Spirit the gracious language of your kingdom while we are yet at a distance. Grant us your love that we may speak with caring; your mercy that we may declare forgiveness; your gentleness that we may speak with patience. Give us courage to tell of the hope that leads us on the way toward the kingdom preached and taught by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ever-eloquent God, in each generation you raise up women and men to speak your Word and make known your desire to bless. Send forth your Holy Spirit that they may speak in power. We pray this morning for teachers: encourage them and give them wisdom to behold the vast importance of their nurturing work. We pray, too, for students and teachers in our colleges: let your wisdom appear among the many lessons and lectures that they may rejoice in the challenges before them. We pray for the prophets of our day: though their words disturb us, strengthen their voices that your people might rightly hear the call to a more costly righteousness. We pray for poets and writers: enliven their imaginations to discover the subtle movements of your grace. You watch over your Word, O God. Let it come among us in power, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Benediction
Go now to complete your worship through service. Go in the power of the Spirit of God to be the Church in the world; and the blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you. Amen.
In this be confident: that the grace of God is active enough to forgive, and the love of God is powerful enough to transform.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty God, you spoke your Word in the beginning and gave us life, you spoke your Word in Jesus Christ and brought us wholeness. We rejoice that by your grace your Word continues on the lips of women and men. We give thanks for words which stirred our hearts to respond to you: for loving and gentle words which assured us of our worth; for thanksgivings that bond us together more closely in gratitude; for a friend's rebuke that inflicted a moment's pain before showing us a better way; for a stranger's needful request that summoned us to follow that way of discipleship more faithfully; for that right word at the right time that disclosed something of the holy mystery; for the lines of hymns and prayers that mustered our unspoken praise; and for the words of scripture that tell and retell your goodness. By your Holy Spirit make our words sufficient to give thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ever-present God, you are the source of our lives and the destiny of our pilgrimage. Teach us by your Holy Spirit the gracious language of your kingdom while we are yet at a distance. Grant us your love that we may speak with caring; your mercy that we may declare forgiveness; your gentleness that we may speak with patience. Give us courage to tell of the hope that leads us on the way toward the kingdom preached and taught by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ever-eloquent God, in each generation you raise up women and men to speak your Word and make known your desire to bless. Send forth your Holy Spirit that they may speak in power. We pray this morning for teachers: encourage them and give them wisdom to behold the vast importance of their nurturing work. We pray, too, for students and teachers in our colleges: let your wisdom appear among the many lessons and lectures that they may rejoice in the challenges before them. We pray for the prophets of our day: though their words disturb us, strengthen their voices that your people might rightly hear the call to a more costly righteousness. We pray for poets and writers: enliven their imaginations to discover the subtle movements of your grace. You watch over your Word, O God. Let it come among us in power, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Benediction
Go now to complete your worship through service. Go in the power of the Spirit of God to be the Church in the world; and the blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you. Amen.
