Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Epiphany +1
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17
Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 29)
One: This is our time to sing of God’s glory and strength.
Many: We’re eager to worship the Lord whose voice is full of majesty.
One: The Lord’s voice flashes, like summer lightning,
Many: and resounds like vigorous wind.
One: May our Lord give strength to all God’s people, and as we worship God
Many: may the Lord bless all with peace!
Opening Prayer
Holy God, we’ve come to be renewed and re-energized
as we sing of your glory and hear of your strength.
We give you thanks for your presence among us,
and celebrate how you teach us your ways of peace.
Help us let your light shine through our thoughts, our words, and our actions,
even as we worship you in spirit and in truth today.
AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
This season of Epiphany often helps us remember how the first disciples began to preach and teach for people far beyond the original band of Jews who had heard Jesus themselves.
Today, we remember and give thanks for siblings in Christian communities and congregations all around the world who gather to worship the same God we worship right here. From Alabama to Alaska, from Zanzibar to Zimbabwe, people of faith bring their offerings and present their gifts.
So let us join with Christians around the world who seek to follow the Christ as we present our gifts, our tithes, and our offerings. May each of us participate in this time of responding to God’s abundant gifts in our own lives.
Prayers of Thanksgiving (Source: Gifts of Many Cultures, Tirabassi and Eddy, United Church Press, 1995, p. 53.)
From Japan, we pray:
“We bring these our gifts for Thy service, dear Savior;
Receive them and bless them, for Thy kingdom’s sake.
AMEN”
From Hawaii, we respond:
“For fish and poi, for bread and meat,
for all Thou givest us to eat;
For hands that help and hearts that share,
Lord, offer we our grateful prayer.”
From Latin America, we offer:
“O God, to those who have hunger give bread,
and to us who have bread give the hunger for justice.
AMEN”
Invitation to Communion
(If you have access to cloth or flags from other lands, this time of celebrating the way the Gospel continues to grow in many countries could be marked by varied colors and markers.)
We celebrate today that people around the world gather to remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This Good News of God’s love made visible does not belong to one group, one nation or one tribe. The Good News is for ALL people.
Today we gather in this place, yet we remember and give thanks for others gathering in cathedrals, tents, homes and even on battlefields, as they offer prayers and receive the gifts of bread and cup in remembrance of Jesus.
No national boundaries can contain this feast.
No political authorities can prevent faith-filled Christians from our remembrance meal.
All are welcome, all are invited.
There is a place for you at this table.