Seventh Sunday After Epiphany
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series V, Cycle A
First Lesson: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Theme: Not Just On Sunday
Call To Worship
Leader: Come, let us give thanks to God, let us talk to God in prayer and listen for the word of God which transforms failure and death into hope and life. We come to worship God, recognizing that while we were created in the image of God, we are not God. God is in charge of all creation. Our lives are gifts of God.
People: In response, we seek to live with an attitude of faith.
Collect
Fortify us, God, for the days that fall between Sundays that we might practice being holy. Increase our understanding of being holy as more than engaging in a vertical relationship with you. Let us enlarge holiness to encompass the horizontal dimension of the cross, that is, how we are with each other. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Gathered here, Gracious God, we feel strong enough to continue on the path of holiness. After we return to daily living, our determination slackens. Give us courage and the strength of integrity to close the gap between living a holy life in theory and practicing it. Amen.
15A Hymns
"Holy, Holy, Holy" Tune: NICAEA
"More Love To [Thee][You], O Christ" Tune: MORE LOVE TO YOU
"Jesus Call Us" Tune: GALILEE OR "Called As Partners In Christ's Service" Tune: BEECHER
Seventh Sunday After Epiphany
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
Theme: Groundwork
Call To Worship
Leader: We are layers of foundations shaped by our deeds and our words.
People: We have come to hear God's word. Let the message of Christ's model influence our actions as we lay foundations based on Jesus Christ.
Collect
Be near, O God, as we take more than a glance at the patterns within our relationships. Help us to see clearly how our words, actions, and attitudes influence the foundations forming in our children, our students, and others who observe us unnoticed. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Merciful God, forgive our discouragement those times we become acutely aware of our imperfections. We are capable of dissecting our failings until nothing is left to honor. By your grace, help us balance our shortfalls by persistently greeting the new day of trying. Amen.
15A Hymns
"Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation" Tune: REGENT SQUARE
"Come [Down][Forth], O Love Divine" Tune: DOWN AMPNEY
"The Church's One Foundation" Tune: AURELIA
Seventh Sunday After Epiphany
Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48
Theme: Perfect
Call To Worship
Jesus' teachings challenge us to live fully within the law of Christian love. Come, let us gain strength for the journey.
Collect
We come to this place of new beginnings, O God. Here we remember our failings and know the freedom to move on. Here we find renewal of faith and hope in you, O God. Here faith in ourselves and hope for ourselves meet your grace. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Leader: Jesus said, If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.
People: But, God, if I wait around, they might kill me.
Leader: And if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give him your athletic jacket as well.
People: But, God, some people do not deserve my coat.
Leader: And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.
People: But, God, I will not be a slave.
Leader: Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
People: But, God, I'll never see it again.
Leader: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
People: Do I have to? I hate them.
Leader: Be perfect.
People: How can I possibly be perfect, O God, when I am so human?
Leader: Hush, God knows that. There is a wideness in God's mercy that you would not believe.
15A Hymns
"Teach Me, My God And King" Tune: MORNINGTON
"This Is A Day Of New Beginnings" Tune: BEGINNINGS
"There's A Wideness In God's Mercy" Tune: WELLESLEY
Theme: Not Just On Sunday
Call To Worship
Leader: Come, let us give thanks to God, let us talk to God in prayer and listen for the word of God which transforms failure and death into hope and life. We come to worship God, recognizing that while we were created in the image of God, we are not God. God is in charge of all creation. Our lives are gifts of God.
People: In response, we seek to live with an attitude of faith.
Collect
Fortify us, God, for the days that fall between Sundays that we might practice being holy. Increase our understanding of being holy as more than engaging in a vertical relationship with you. Let us enlarge holiness to encompass the horizontal dimension of the cross, that is, how we are with each other. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Gathered here, Gracious God, we feel strong enough to continue on the path of holiness. After we return to daily living, our determination slackens. Give us courage and the strength of integrity to close the gap between living a holy life in theory and practicing it. Amen.
15A Hymns
"Holy, Holy, Holy" Tune: NICAEA
"More Love To [Thee][You], O Christ" Tune: MORE LOVE TO YOU
"Jesus Call Us" Tune: GALILEE OR "Called As Partners In Christ's Service" Tune: BEECHER
Seventh Sunday After Epiphany
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
Theme: Groundwork
Call To Worship
Leader: We are layers of foundations shaped by our deeds and our words.
People: We have come to hear God's word. Let the message of Christ's model influence our actions as we lay foundations based on Jesus Christ.
Collect
Be near, O God, as we take more than a glance at the patterns within our relationships. Help us to see clearly how our words, actions, and attitudes influence the foundations forming in our children, our students, and others who observe us unnoticed. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Merciful God, forgive our discouragement those times we become acutely aware of our imperfections. We are capable of dissecting our failings until nothing is left to honor. By your grace, help us balance our shortfalls by persistently greeting the new day of trying. Amen.
15A Hymns
"Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation" Tune: REGENT SQUARE
"Come [Down][Forth], O Love Divine" Tune: DOWN AMPNEY
"The Church's One Foundation" Tune: AURELIA
Seventh Sunday After Epiphany
Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48
Theme: Perfect
Call To Worship
Jesus' teachings challenge us to live fully within the law of Christian love. Come, let us gain strength for the journey.
Collect
We come to this place of new beginnings, O God. Here we remember our failings and know the freedom to move on. Here we find renewal of faith and hope in you, O God. Here faith in ourselves and hope for ourselves meet your grace. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Leader: Jesus said, If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.
People: But, God, if I wait around, they might kill me.
Leader: And if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give him your athletic jacket as well.
People: But, God, some people do not deserve my coat.
Leader: And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.
People: But, God, I will not be a slave.
Leader: Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
People: But, God, I'll never see it again.
Leader: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
People: Do I have to? I hate them.
Leader: Be perfect.
People: How can I possibly be perfect, O God, when I am so human?
Leader: Hush, God knows that. There is a wideness in God's mercy that you would not believe.
15A Hymns
"Teach Me, My God And King" Tune: MORNINGTON
"This Is A Day Of New Beginnings" Tune: BEGINNINGS
"There's A Wideness In God's Mercy" Tune: WELLESLEY
