NOTE: This page includes both the regular liturgy and “Epiphany Sunday” liturgy. Since we have no way of knowing which churches will be celebrating Epiphany, and on what Sunday, we offer this as the best solution.
Sunday January 10, 2016
Year C, First Sunday after the Epiphany
First Sunday after the Epiphany :: Green ::
Isaiah 43:1-7 :: Psalm 29 :: Acts 8:14-17 :: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Call to Worship (Responsive)
Adapted from Psalm 29
L: Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
P: Ascribe to the LORD, glory and strength.
L: Ascribe to the LORD the glory of God’s name;
P: And worship the LORD in holy splendor.
L: The LORD rules over all nature.
P: The LORD sits enthroned as eternal ruler.
L: May the LORD give strength to the people!
P: May the LORD bless the people with peace!
Invocation:
Remind us O God, who rules all nature and all time. Remind us of your sovereignty; remind us of your love. We have gathered in this place to offer our worship and our praise, help us to remember. Help us recall as from the mouth of the prophet “The one who created you, O Jacob; the one who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Make us aware of your presence, of your concern, and of your care. Hear our prayers O God, and heed our petitions, for we offer in the trust and the name of the one you sent to save us, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Stewardship Moment:
The book of Acts recounts the story of Peter and John coming to Samaria to pray for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit. If we stop reading too soon, though, we miss the story of Simon, who wanted to pay Peter and John to give him the power to convey the Holy Spirit too. The account explains clearly that you cannot obtain God’s gift with money. Why am I bringing this up at Offering Time? Because that is not what we are doing here. The gifts we bring are not in any way a “purchasing of the faith” or a “paying for what we receive here.” No, the gifts we bring are meant to be an expression of our gratitude and trust for all God has done for us, and all God is going to do.
You have received the gifts of God freely, because God loves you. Now is the time we express our love and thanksgiving to God, by bringing gifts to lay before the Master. Let us now receive those gifts.
Offertory Prayer:
Eternal God, we do indeed bring our gifts before you. Help us to recognize your hand at work in each of our lives. Help us to see the blessings of an eternal ruler, who loves us enough not only to give a Son, but also a Spirit, without charge or cost. Help these gifts express our true gratitude before you, O LORD. Amen.
Communion Meditation:
Welcome to the Baptismal Table. No, I didn’t misspeak. What I said was intentional. In baptism, like Christ, we are buried, and we are raised to live in newness of life. In baptism we are washed of our sin, and made clean before God. Each time we come to this table we renew our baptism. We remember Jesus’ promise of broken body and New Covenant. We remember our baptism. And I believe that each we take the bread and drink the cup God looks down on each of us and says “You are my beloved child, with you I am well pleased.” Come and receive God’s gifts of redemption and salvation.
January 10, 2016
Year C, Epiphany Sunday
Epiphany Sunday :: White ::
Isaiah 60:1-6 :: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 :: Ephesians 3:1-12 :: Matthew 2:1-12
Call to Worship (Responsive)
Adapted from Isaiah 60
L: Arise! Shine! For your light has come.
P: The glory of the LORD has risen upon us.
L: Nations and kings come before the Light of the World.
P: They shall bring gold and frankincense,
L: They shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
P: We see and are radiant in the light of the LORD;
L: Let your hearts thrill and rejoice.
P: PRAISE THE LORD!
Invocation:
We gather in your Sanctuary, O God who gives light to the world. We gather because your light is near us, surrounds us, compels us to come together in Christ’s name. As we celebrate this day, the discovery of the Christ by the Magi, let our own Epiphany glow in each of our hearts. Teach us anew the blessing of your Son, Jesus, the Light of the World.
Stewardship Moment:
We recall and celebrate the coming of the wise men from the East. We recognize their gifts, and celebrate them as worthy of a newborn king. Today we have the opportunity also, to lay gifts before the King of Kings. Perhaps not gold or frankincense, but gifts nevertheless. Are they worthy? Of course they are. They represent the only gift God really desires: our willingness to recognize Christ as Lord of our lives. We will now receive the gifts you have brought to lay before the King of Kings.
Offertory Prayer:
Eternal God, we do indeed bring our gifts before you as did the Magi of old. We know that the value of our physical gifts pale in comparison, but hold fast to the hope they represent. Take these gifts as symbols of our love and devotion. Use them to reach new souls and allow Christ to born again and again in the lives of those you will reach. We offer them in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
Communion Meditation:
It is interesting that the prophecy of Isaiah mentions only Gold and Frankincense. Yet we know that Matthew reports three gifts: including Myrrh. Tradition tells us that Myrrh is a gift for one who is to die, and was prophesy in itself. We also know there is plenty of other prophesy which foretold Christ’s death and resurrection. I’ll let the scholars battle that one out, but raise this question instead. Would we come to this table simply to remember Christ’s birth? Let us receive the gifts of our Lord AND Savior.
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