THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Let your heart wait silently before God; our hope of salvation is
in the ETERNAL.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of all times and places, God in Israel and Nazareth, God in
our time and place, the meaning of time frequently escapes us.
Grief and depression seem like forever. Joy and genuine
communion seem so fleeting. Unpleasant duties are postponed;
fancied pleasantries are prolonged. Dying takes others away, but
we have difficulty facing our own mortality, and evaluating the
significance of our own existence. Forgive our disregard for
what you intend for us to do and be, for the sake of your
temporal and eternal child, Jesus Christ. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! The time has come; the kingdom of God is
upon you; repent and believe the Gospel. Friends, believe the
Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
Hear the call of Jesus and in following him become a person, who
in living with and for others, is fulfilled in time and eternity.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Master of all occupations, call us from pointless work to
purposeful service in your community that we may be fully engaged
with the Spirit in spreading God's Good News, by words and deeds.
Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Just God, Loving Lord, Powerful Spirit, we rejoice with all who
believe and obey your word on first hearing. We recover our
gladness with all who having heard the word a second time, turn
back to do what they were reluctant to do at first hearing. As
faithless and frivolous as we may be, you show great patience
with us, calling us to discipleship through your Son and our Lord
Jesus Christ. How pointed you are about what is not good for us
all! How loving is your teaching, living Word! How
persuasive is your Spirit's dealing with us! We respect your
justice. We respond to your love. We are moved by your Spirit.
We praise you, O God. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Timeless God, since the time we live in will not last long, we
would invest both our time and our wealth in the work of your
church which will not pass away. Increase our effectiveness in
this company that our cooperative efforts may multiply our
individual endeavors, to the glory of your name. Amen.
* PSALM 62:5-12
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all according to their work.
Let your heart wait silently before God; our hope of salvation is
in the ETERNAL.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of all times and places, God in Israel and Nazareth, God in
our time and place, the meaning of time frequently escapes us.
Grief and depression seem like forever. Joy and genuine
communion seem so fleeting. Unpleasant duties are postponed;
fancied pleasantries are prolonged. Dying takes others away, but
we have difficulty facing our own mortality, and evaluating the
significance of our own existence. Forgive our disregard for
what you intend for us to do and be, for the sake of your
temporal and eternal child, Jesus Christ. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! The time has come; the kingdom of God is
upon you; repent and believe the Gospel. Friends, believe the
Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
Hear the call of Jesus and in following him become a person, who
in living with and for others, is fulfilled in time and eternity.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Master of all occupations, call us from pointless work to
purposeful service in your community that we may be fully engaged
with the Spirit in spreading God's Good News, by words and deeds.
Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Just God, Loving Lord, Powerful Spirit, we rejoice with all who
believe and obey your word on first hearing. We recover our
gladness with all who having heard the word a second time, turn
back to do what they were reluctant to do at first hearing. As
faithless and frivolous as we may be, you show great patience
with us, calling us to discipleship through your Son and our Lord
Jesus Christ. How pointed you are about what is not good for us
all! How loving is your teaching, living Word! How
persuasive is your Spirit's dealing with us! We respect your
justice. We respond to your love. We are moved by your Spirit.
We praise you, O God. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Timeless God, since the time we live in will not last long, we
would invest both our time and our wealth in the work of your
church which will not pass away. Increase our effectiveness in
this company that our cooperative efforts may multiply our
individual endeavors, to the glory of your name. Amen.
* PSALM 62:5-12
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all according to their work.
