Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle C
Theme: The Call Of Jeremiah
Call To Worship
Leader: Lord, we come to you for protection; never let us be defeated.
People: Because you are righteous, help us and rescue us.
Leader: O God, rescue us from wicked people.
People: From the power of cruel and evil people.
Leader: Sovereign Lord, we put our hope in you.
People: We have relied on you all our life.
All: We will always praise you. Amen.
Collect
O God, we know that you have called us to speak for you, to act for you, and to represent you in the world; but often we have resisted that call. We have made excuses and claimed to be inadequate for the task. In this time of worship, renew our faith and trust in you that when we hear your call we may respond: "Here am I, use me," knowing that you will be with us. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, even as you used Jeremiah in his youth, we know that the voices of the young as well as the aged often bring your messages. Forgive us when we have refused to listen because of the age of the messenger. Open our ears to hear your words even when the voice comes from an unlikely messenger. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
We bring these gifts that they may be used by your church to nurture your children from the cradle to the grave in the way of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Bless the gifts and the givers, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"De Tierra Lejana Venimos" ("From A Distant Home")
"There Is A Balm In Gilead"
"Jesus Calls Us"
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Theme: Love
Call To Worship
Leader: From a world filled with hate and enmity we are called to worship a God of love.
People: We may have all the faith needed to move mountains, but if we have no love we are nothing.
Leader: We come to worship the source of all love, the fountain of life.
People: We come to drink from that fountain that we may go from this place to demonstrate God's love to all we meet.
All: Thanks be to the God of love! Amen.
Collect
Lord, we come this morning because we know how much we need faith, hope, and love. We understand that love never gives up, and faith, hope, and patience never fail when we truly love. Send your Spirit upon us as we worship that love may be rekindled in our lives, and as it burns within us it may ignite all our actions. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, when we read the Apostle Paul's description of love, we realize how often we fall short. Too often we are jealous, impatient, conceited, irritable, and ill-mannered. Forgive us, we pray, and create in us a new spirit that will demonstrate your love in all that we do. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
O God, we do not present these offerings in order to proclaim our own righteousness, but as symbols of our love for you and your Church. Bless them we pray, and may they be as loving arms reaching out to show your love for your needy children. Amen.
Hymns
"The Gift Of Love"
"Morning Glory, Starlit Sky"
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
Gospel Lesson: Luke 4:21-30
Theme: The Words Of Jesus Anger The Crowd
Call To Worship
Leader: Jesus calls us to rise up and follow him.
People: Though the path be rough and the way be fraught with danger, we will follow the Master.
Leader: Jesus says we are to speak the Truth, and the Truth will set us free.
People: Following the example of Jesus, we will not compromise the Truth to please the crowd.
All: We come to worship and sing praises to Jesus, the source of all Truth and Life. Amen.
Collect
"Holy Spirit, Truth Divine, shine upon this life of mine." O God, your message of love and Truth is not readily received in a world of greed, power, and self-seeking. We come to worship you, and we sing your praises and give thanks for your many blessings, we pray that we may be fortified in our resolve to be dependable witnesses to your gospel among all those who doubt and are disturbed by your message. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we find it difficult to proclaim your message when the crowds rise up against us. We are quick to seek our own safety when we know we should be willing to stand up for our beliefs, and so we ask your forgiveness for past failures. We pray for power and courage to sustain us in future encounters with those who are angered by your message of forgiveness and love. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Lord, sometimes words fail to convey your message of love. With these offerings and the way we live our lives, may we still find opportunities to reach people with your gospel. Amen.
Hymns
"Silence, Frenzied, Unclean Spirit"
"Lord, I Want To Be A Christian"
"O Come, And Dwell In Me"
Call To Worship
Leader: Lord, we come to you for protection; never let us be defeated.
People: Because you are righteous, help us and rescue us.
Leader: O God, rescue us from wicked people.
People: From the power of cruel and evil people.
Leader: Sovereign Lord, we put our hope in you.
People: We have relied on you all our life.
All: We will always praise you. Amen.
Collect
O God, we know that you have called us to speak for you, to act for you, and to represent you in the world; but often we have resisted that call. We have made excuses and claimed to be inadequate for the task. In this time of worship, renew our faith and trust in you that when we hear your call we may respond: "Here am I, use me," knowing that you will be with us. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, even as you used Jeremiah in his youth, we know that the voices of the young as well as the aged often bring your messages. Forgive us when we have refused to listen because of the age of the messenger. Open our ears to hear your words even when the voice comes from an unlikely messenger. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
We bring these gifts that they may be used by your church to nurture your children from the cradle to the grave in the way of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Bless the gifts and the givers, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"De Tierra Lejana Venimos" ("From A Distant Home")
"There Is A Balm In Gilead"
"Jesus Calls Us"
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Theme: Love
Call To Worship
Leader: From a world filled with hate and enmity we are called to worship a God of love.
People: We may have all the faith needed to move mountains, but if we have no love we are nothing.
Leader: We come to worship the source of all love, the fountain of life.
People: We come to drink from that fountain that we may go from this place to demonstrate God's love to all we meet.
All: Thanks be to the God of love! Amen.
Collect
Lord, we come this morning because we know how much we need faith, hope, and love. We understand that love never gives up, and faith, hope, and patience never fail when we truly love. Send your Spirit upon us as we worship that love may be rekindled in our lives, and as it burns within us it may ignite all our actions. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, when we read the Apostle Paul's description of love, we realize how often we fall short. Too often we are jealous, impatient, conceited, irritable, and ill-mannered. Forgive us, we pray, and create in us a new spirit that will demonstrate your love in all that we do. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
O God, we do not present these offerings in order to proclaim our own righteousness, but as symbols of our love for you and your Church. Bless them we pray, and may they be as loving arms reaching out to show your love for your needy children. Amen.
Hymns
"The Gift Of Love"
"Morning Glory, Starlit Sky"
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
Gospel Lesson: Luke 4:21-30
Theme: The Words Of Jesus Anger The Crowd
Call To Worship
Leader: Jesus calls us to rise up and follow him.
People: Though the path be rough and the way be fraught with danger, we will follow the Master.
Leader: Jesus says we are to speak the Truth, and the Truth will set us free.
People: Following the example of Jesus, we will not compromise the Truth to please the crowd.
All: We come to worship and sing praises to Jesus, the source of all Truth and Life. Amen.
Collect
"Holy Spirit, Truth Divine, shine upon this life of mine." O God, your message of love and Truth is not readily received in a world of greed, power, and self-seeking. We come to worship you, and we sing your praises and give thanks for your many blessings, we pray that we may be fortified in our resolve to be dependable witnesses to your gospel among all those who doubt and are disturbed by your message. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we find it difficult to proclaim your message when the crowds rise up against us. We are quick to seek our own safety when we know we should be willing to stand up for our beliefs, and so we ask your forgiveness for past failures. We pray for power and courage to sustain us in future encounters with those who are angered by your message of forgiveness and love. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Lord, sometimes words fail to convey your message of love. With these offerings and the way we live our lives, may we still find opportunities to reach people with your gospel. Amen.
Hymns
"Silence, Frenzied, Unclean Spirit"
"Lord, I Want To Be A Christian"
"O Come, And Dwell In Me"
