The Lord Gathers All His People
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle B
Call To Worship
Leader: Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
People: declare it in the coastlands far away;
Leader: he who scattered the nations will gather them,
People: and will keep them as a shepherd a flock.
All: Praise be to God. Amen.
Collect
Father God, we your children have come together to offer our praises for your constant care. We give you thanks that as a shepherd cares for his sheep you lead us to still waters and green pastures. As we sing your praises and give you thanks may your Holy Spirit move among us to strengthen our faith and lead us in paths of service. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Almighty God, you have promised to guide and protect us if we will follow your will, but we have thought it was smart to be independent. We have insisted we know what is best, and have refused the leading of your Holy Spirit. Forgive us for our selfish ways that we may enjoy the freedom you have promised to all who follow you. Amen.
Hymns
"Hope Of The World"
"Jesus Shall Reign"
Second Sunday After Christmas
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14
Theme: Spiritual Blessings In Christ
Call To Worship
Leader: Come, let us praise God for his glorious grace.
People: We praise God for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son, Jesus Christ.
Leader: Come, let us give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: We thank God that through Jesus Christ he has made us his children.
Collect
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you have blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing and chosen us to be your very own. As we come to worship you we seek a new awareness of your Holy Spirit that we may be used by you to further your plan to bring all creatures together with Christ as the head. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Compassionate Lord, we confess that we have fallen short of the expectations you have for us, and so we come humbly to claim the promise of forgiveness you have offered through your Son, Jesus Christ. How great is your grace, O God, which you gave to us in large measure. Amen.
Hymns
"Word Of God, Come Down On Earth"
"Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee"
Second Sunday After Christmas
Gospel Lesson: John 1:1-18
Theme: The Word Of Life
Call To Worship
Leader: In the Beginning was the Word
People: and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Leader: God was in the world through his Son, Jesus.
People: But his own people did not accept him.
All: The Word became flesh and lived as one of us. Praise be to God!
Collect
O God, at Christmas time we celebrate the coming into the world the true light which enlightens everyone. Through your Holy Spirit enable us to walk in that light as your children, always seeking to do your will. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, like those who walked with Jesus during his life here on earth yet did not know him as the true light of the world, we, too, have failed to recognize your presence among us. You have made yourself known to us through your Son, but we have failed to accept your will for our lives. Forgive us, we pray Father, and enable us to be bearers of your light in a dark world. Amen.
Hymns
"Wonderful Words Of Life"
"O How I Love Jesus"
Leader: Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
People: declare it in the coastlands far away;
Leader: he who scattered the nations will gather them,
People: and will keep them as a shepherd a flock.
All: Praise be to God. Amen.
Collect
Father God, we your children have come together to offer our praises for your constant care. We give you thanks that as a shepherd cares for his sheep you lead us to still waters and green pastures. As we sing your praises and give you thanks may your Holy Spirit move among us to strengthen our faith and lead us in paths of service. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Almighty God, you have promised to guide and protect us if we will follow your will, but we have thought it was smart to be independent. We have insisted we know what is best, and have refused the leading of your Holy Spirit. Forgive us for our selfish ways that we may enjoy the freedom you have promised to all who follow you. Amen.
Hymns
"Hope Of The World"
"Jesus Shall Reign"
Second Sunday After Christmas
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14
Theme: Spiritual Blessings In Christ
Call To Worship
Leader: Come, let us praise God for his glorious grace.
People: We praise God for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son, Jesus Christ.
Leader: Come, let us give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: We thank God that through Jesus Christ he has made us his children.
Collect
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you have blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing and chosen us to be your very own. As we come to worship you we seek a new awareness of your Holy Spirit that we may be used by you to further your plan to bring all creatures together with Christ as the head. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Compassionate Lord, we confess that we have fallen short of the expectations you have for us, and so we come humbly to claim the promise of forgiveness you have offered through your Son, Jesus Christ. How great is your grace, O God, which you gave to us in large measure. Amen.
Hymns
"Word Of God, Come Down On Earth"
"Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee"
Second Sunday After Christmas
Gospel Lesson: John 1:1-18
Theme: The Word Of Life
Call To Worship
Leader: In the Beginning was the Word
People: and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Leader: God was in the world through his Son, Jesus.
People: But his own people did not accept him.
All: The Word became flesh and lived as one of us. Praise be to God!
Collect
O God, at Christmas time we celebrate the coming into the world the true light which enlightens everyone. Through your Holy Spirit enable us to walk in that light as your children, always seeking to do your will. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, like those who walked with Jesus during his life here on earth yet did not know him as the true light of the world, we, too, have failed to recognize your presence among us. You have made yourself known to us through your Son, but we have failed to accept your will for our lives. Forgive us, we pray Father, and enable us to be bearers of your light in a dark world. Amen.
Hymns
"Wonderful Words Of Life"
"O How I Love Jesus"
