FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
O praise the Lord! Happy is the person who fears the Eternal One and finds great joy in God's commandments.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Creator - Restorer - Ruler: We are prone to point the finger at others and to pervert justice by exaggerated charges. We want the rich to feed the hungry, but not to share from our own provisions. We prefer charity in principle, but in practice evade our duty even to our own kin. Some of us live in half-empty houses while there are families crowded into rooms too small for them, if they have rooms at all. Forgive our failure to live up to the best we know and to let the oppressed go free even after you have freed us. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! Our faith is not built on human wisdom, but on the power of God. Christ nailed to the cross attests the cost of God's love and forgiveness. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
You must shed light among your neighbors so that when they see the good you do, they may give praise to your heavenly Parent.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Divine Householder, use us in our everyday work, that our faith may not be put back on the shelf or away in the closet. Make our faith evident not only in worship on Sunday but also in daily activities at home and elsewhere. Preserve the best of human culture and bring zest to daily life by the presence in the world of your church and its members, young and old, male and female to the glory of your name. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Maker of men and women, Parent of growing children, Teacher for all learners, we give thanks for all whose compassion is shown in more than overflowing emotions, who feed the hungry, find warm beds for weary travellers, carry water for thirsty workers, stop to help the stranded motorist. We praise the generosity of those who give freely to the poor, who give the shirt off their backs, who loan their cars and machines, who risk what they own on those whose credit is uncertain at best. Your Spirit moves them to act as well as speak. You will reward their obedience and ours, as we respond to your prompting. Praise to you, Source of all goodness and love. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
What you require of us, God of even-handedness, is not self-denial for its own sake, but caring for the needy; not fasting for a rainy day, but to give food to the hungry. So we give, not that your house should be ornate, but that the light of the gospel may shine in worship and in public service, like the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Amen.
PSALM 112:1-9 (10)
Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD,
who greatly delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered forever.
They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in the LORD.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have distributed freely,
they have given to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn is exalted in honor.
(The wicked see it and are angry;
they gnash their teeth and melt away;
the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.)
O praise the Lord! Happy is the person who fears the Eternal One and finds great joy in God's commandments.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Creator - Restorer - Ruler: We are prone to point the finger at others and to pervert justice by exaggerated charges. We want the rich to feed the hungry, but not to share from our own provisions. We prefer charity in principle, but in practice evade our duty even to our own kin. Some of us live in half-empty houses while there are families crowded into rooms too small for them, if they have rooms at all. Forgive our failure to live up to the best we know and to let the oppressed go free even after you have freed us. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! Our faith is not built on human wisdom, but on the power of God. Christ nailed to the cross attests the cost of God's love and forgiveness. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
You must shed light among your neighbors so that when they see the good you do, they may give praise to your heavenly Parent.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Divine Householder, use us in our everyday work, that our faith may not be put back on the shelf or away in the closet. Make our faith evident not only in worship on Sunday but also in daily activities at home and elsewhere. Preserve the best of human culture and bring zest to daily life by the presence in the world of your church and its members, young and old, male and female to the glory of your name. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Maker of men and women, Parent of growing children, Teacher for all learners, we give thanks for all whose compassion is shown in more than overflowing emotions, who feed the hungry, find warm beds for weary travellers, carry water for thirsty workers, stop to help the stranded motorist. We praise the generosity of those who give freely to the poor, who give the shirt off their backs, who loan their cars and machines, who risk what they own on those whose credit is uncertain at best. Your Spirit moves them to act as well as speak. You will reward their obedience and ours, as we respond to your prompting. Praise to you, Source of all goodness and love. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
What you require of us, God of even-handedness, is not self-denial for its own sake, but caring for the needy; not fasting for a rainy day, but to give food to the hungry. So we give, not that your house should be ornate, but that the light of the gospel may shine in worship and in public service, like the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Amen.
PSALM 112:1-9 (10)
Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD,
who greatly delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered forever.
They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in the LORD.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have distributed freely,
they have given to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn is exalted in honor.
(The wicked see it and are angry;
they gnash their teeth and melt away;
the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.)
