Call to Worship & Prayer: Epiphany

Here’s a call to worship and opening prayer suitable for use on Epiphany (January 6).  They were written by Thom Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies website.

Call to Worship

We gather wondering, 'Where will we find the Babe born in Bethlehem?'
We will find the Babe in the laughter of children,
in the wisdom of grandparents.
We gather asking, 'where will we find the Child of Christmas?'
We will find the Child where the needy are gifted with hope,
where the oppressed are set free.
We gather wanting to know, 'where will we find the Christ who has come for us?'
We will find our Hope where fear is overwhelmed by grace,
where hatred is overwhelmed by love,
where all people are overwhelmed by joy.

Prayer of the Day

We have heard
of your grace,
Shaper of stars;
from those set free
from injustice;
from our children
who whisper of your joy;
from greeters
of dawn's fresh start;
from late risers
who listen to the stories
of the needy.

We have heard
of your Light,
Bright Star of the morning:
which can illumine
the shadows of our lives;
which can show
the path to God's heart;
which can point the way
to where we become
servants of the gospel.

We have heard
of your promised peace,
Wisdom's Radiance:
that peace
which can end war,
as well as heal our hearts;
that peace
which can conquer our fears,
and flood us with faith;
that peace which can enter our lives
and overwhelm us with hope.

We have heard of you,
God in Community, Holy in One,
and will proclaim your glory to all,
even as we pray, saying,
Our Father . . .

— written by Thomas Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies website.