re:Worship: Epiphany 2 A

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Epiphany Prayer: Christ of the West

Here’s a prayer for the second Sunday after Epiphany Sunday from the Christian Aid website. It was adapted from “Invocation to the Christ of the Four Directions” (South, West, North, East), written by Suzanne Fageol.

Epiphany Prayer:

Christ of the West

We call upon the Christ of the West:

You, who saw the harvest bounty of your mission,
You, who reaped the wisdom of the Spirit,
You, who sat in thanksgiving with your friends,
You, who were betrayed at the price of your body and your blood,
You, who prayed alone in the garden

contemplating that which could not be altered,
You, who understood that transfiguration comes

through the gateway of death,
You, who bore your death for us all.

As sunset and twilight come upon us,
O Christ of the West:

Comfort us with your knowledge of the darkness.
Lead us, in silence and solitude, to see that which we must allow to die in us.
Teach us to pray, 'Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.'

Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

and give us the pure water of righteousness

to quench our everlasting thirst.

O Christ of the West, protector of our souls,
we call upon you. Amen.

~ adapted from “Invocation to the Christ of the Four Directions” written by Suzanne Fageol. Posted on the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/churches/weekly-worship

Prayer of Commitment: Epiphany

Here’s a beautiful prayer of commitment from the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website, especially suitable for the Epiphany season.

Prayer

God of revelation and epiphany—

Through the words of the prophets
You have shown us the world
of your dreaming and longing:
A world built on justice,
overflowing with plenty,
and crowned with joy.

And through the coming of Emmanuel -
his living and loving,
his words and actions—
you have shown us
how such a world might be fashioned.

Help us to take, hold and grow into these understandings;
and, like Jesus,
may we always be ready
to live generously,
love expansively,
speak boldly
and act courageously,

that the Kingdom of your dreaming,
with its justice, abundance and joy,
may become the present reality
of all the peoples of this world.

~ originally posted on the Monthly Prayers (now Weekly Worship) page of the Christian Aid website. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/churches/weekly-worship?Page=1

Call to Worship: Looking for God

Here’s a responsive call to worship for the second Sunday after Pentecost, Year B. It was written by Nancy C. Townley and posted on the Ministry Matters website.

Call to Worship

In the times of trouble,

when all seemed hopeless, I cried out to God.
And the Lord heard my pleas and answered me.
When I felt lost and alone, I looked for God.
And God found me and brought me home.
When my life was filled with joy and blessing,

I danced and praised God.
And God danced and rejoiced with me.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

~ written by Nancy C. Townley, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, and posted on the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/2845/worship-connection-june-7-2015

Prayer: Open Our Eyes, Lord Jesus

Here’s a prayer inspired by Jesus invitation to “Come and see,” in John 1:38. It was posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer

(inspired by John 1:38)

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus,
to the world around us.
Show us what we should see
but from which we hide our eyes.
Show us how people live in this world
and the reality of their days.
Give us courage to do what you ask and to
'Come and see'.

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus,
to the shape of your Kingdom.
Show us what life could be like
if only we could see in wisdom.
Show us what we could do
to change things forever with you.
Give us courage to have a vision and to
'Come and see'.

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus,
to the people all around us.
Show us what we should see,
but what we fail to notice.
Show us what people are saying to us
and what they long for.
Give us courage to be where you are and to
'Come and see'.
Amen.

~ written by Susan Durber, and posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Prayer of Confession: Epiphany 2A

Here is a congregational act of confession for the second Sunday after Epiphany. It was written by Stephen Fearing, and posted on Wild and Precious Life.

Prayer of Confession

With our feet still wet from the waters of our baptism,

we have sinned yet again.

Ever dependent on the grace of God,

let us affirm our brokenness and trust God’s goodness

to carry us through to a new day,

with a new name, and a new song.

God of our baptismal waters,
You sent the Baptist to point to your Son.
But too often, we abandon his message and point only to ourselves.
We point to our worship preferences rather than the God we worship.
We point to our status rather than the grace that makes us all equal.
We point to our values rather than the One who has always valued everyone.
We point to our traditions rather than to the One who calls us to let go.
We point to our past rather than to the One who calls us into the future.
Forgive us, Lord, for pointing in all the wrong directions.

(A sung Kyrie or a time for silent confession can be made)

God of our baptismal hope,
Forgive us when we do not wait patiently for your direction.
Forgive us when we are too patient with our misdirection.
Hold our gaze on your baptismal promise
sealed in the life, death, and resurrection of your Son.
Through the power of your Spirit,
give us the courage to speak what we have seen
and point to the One who takes away the sins of the world.
In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we pray.

~ written by Stephen Fearing, and posted on Wild and Precious Life. http://www.stephenmfearing.com/

Prayer Reflection: Psalm 40: 1-3

Here is a poetic prayer reflection inspired by Psalm 40:1-3. It was written by Thom Schuman, and posted on Prayers4Life.

Waiting, You Waited

(inspired by Psalm 40:1-3)

“He brought me up out of the pit of destruction,out of the miry clay;

and He set my feet upon a rock….” Psalm 40:2

hearing my squawk
      of surprise
               and then
   my wails of
         wretchedness,
you came
      running,
   stopping at the
      crumbling edge;

you reached down
   and clasped my trembling
            hands,
   pulling me up
      out of the
      slimy clay that
            fought
         to hold on to
               me;

you unwrapped the towel
      from around your
                  waist,
   and setting me
   on your lap,
         you proceeded
         to wipe off all
      the muddy traces
      of my mistakes,
   drying my feet off
            toe by toe,

all the while
             chuckling,
      and
         asking me,
   'why do you keep
   getting into these
                messes?'

Prayer of Confession: Seeking the Light

Here’s a prayer of confession from Rev. Mindi’s Rev-o-lution website.

Prayer of Brokenness

God of Light,

we confess that we have gone astray and have left Your light.

We follow the dim lights of the world of success and fortune.

We follow the dim lights that call us

to be more religious by following rules.

We follow the fading light of personal salvation.

Forgive us for not seeking the true Light

of Your love for all the world.

Forgive us for not following the ways of Jesus,

who commanded us to love one another.

Call us to be light-bearers of love, compassion and justice,

in which the Mystery of Your Love is revealed.

In the name of Jesus the Messiah, we pray. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on her Rev-o-lution website. http://rev-o-lution.org/

Prayer: People of the Light

Here is a thoughtful Epiphany (or Christmas) prayer from Walter Brueggemann.

Prayer

On Epiphany day,

we are still the people walking.

We are still people in the dark,

and the darkness looms large around us,

beset as we are by fear,

anxiety,

brutality,

violence,

loss —

a dozen alienations that we cannot manage.

We are — we could be — people of your light.

So we pray for the light of your glorious presence

as we wait for your appearing;

we pray for the light of your wondrous grace

as we exhaust our coping capacity;

we pray for your gift of newness that

will override our weariness;

we pray that we may see and know and hear and trust

in your good rule.

That we may have energy, courage, and freedom to enact

your rule through the demands of this day.

We submit our day to you and to your rule,

with deep joy and high hope.

~ written by Walter Brueggemann in Prayers for a Privileged People (Nashville: Abingdon, 2008), p. 163. Posted on Journey with Jesus. http://www.journeywithjesus.net/poemsandprayers/

Litany: 1 Corinthians

Here’s a two-voice litany from April Yamasaki which she wrote to introduce the overall focus and content of the first letter to the church at Corinth.

Litany

(inspired by 1 Corinthians)

For no one can lay any foundation

other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (3:11)

The foundation for blessing and grace.

The foundation for our unity.

I always thank my God for you

because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. (1:3, 4)

The source of wisdom.

The source of our ministry and teaching.

God is the source of your life in Christ Jesus,

who became for us wisdom from God,

and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. (1:30)

What is God’s wisdom for human sexuality, legal disputes,

marriage, singleness, widowhood, food sacrificed to idols?

What is God’s wisdom for testing and temptation?

Do you not know that your body

is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,

which you have from God,

and that you are not your own?

For you were bought with a price;

therefore glorify God in your body. (6:19-20)

How do we glorify God in what we wear for worship,

how we celebrate the Lord’s Supper?

How do we recognize and release the gifts of the Spirit

for the common good?

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three,

and the greatest of these is love. (13:13)

Let us receive and proclaim the good news

of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Let us give thanks for this life

and for the resurrection of the dead.

Death has been swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting? (15:54-55)

For Jesus Christ is our sure foundation.

For Jesus Christ is our sure foundation.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.” (16:23)

~ written by April Yamasaki, and posted on the website of Emmanuel Mennonite Church. http://www.emmanuelmennonite.com/2013/10/11/a-litany-of-1-corinthians/

Call to Worship: Psalm 40: 1-11

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Psalm 40:1-11. It was written by Joan Stott, and posted on The Timeless Psalms.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 40: 1-11)

O God, you called us by name to come,
and we respond with delight and gladness
In joyful obedience,
we come to worship our God.

Rising out of the depths of despair,
we gratefully gather for worship.
In joyful hope,
we come to worship our loving God.

Our God had given us a new song
of praise to sing to our Awesome God!
In joyful trust,
we come to worship our God. Amen.

~ written by Joan Stott, and posted on The Timeless Psalms. http://www.thetimelesspsalms.net/w_resources/epiphany2a_2011.htm If you use this call to worship, please provide the following acknowledgement: © 2011 Joan Stott – ‘The Timeless Psalms’ RCL Psalms Year A. Used with permission.

Call to Worship: Epiphany 2A

Here’s a responsive invitation to worship from Bruce Prewer. It is inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Epiphany 2, Year A, especially Psalm 40:1-11 and John 1:29-42.

Preparation for Worship

(inspired by Psalm 40:1-11, John 1:29-42)

What offering do we need to bring to God?

God does not look for sacrifices or offerings,

but for open ears, like channels for the truth.

Grand gestures and offerings are not required,

but a heart-felt delight in doing the will of God.

My friends, behold the Lamb of God

who takes away the sin of the world.

God has put a new song in my mouth,

placed a new melody on my tongue.

The love of Jesus, the Lamb of God, be with you always.

And also with you.

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Call to Worship Litany: Isaiah 49: 1-7

Here’s a call to worship (or a sending litany) inspired by Isaiah 49:1-7 (The Message). It comes from the Ministry Matters website.

Litany

(inspired by Isaiah 49: 1-7)

Listen up, everyone!
God has given us work to do.
God has called each of us
before we were even born.
It was God who named us.
It is God who claims us.
The light of God’s love shines in us.
Let’s shine God’s love into all the world!

~ posted on the Worship Elements page of the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/worship/article/entry/4549/worship-connection-january-12-2014

Pastoral Prayer: John 1: 29-42

Here’s a pastoral prayer inspired by John 1: 29-42. It was posted on I’m just saying.

Pastoral Prayer

(inspired by John 1:29-42)

Gracious God,

you have enriched and enlightened us by the revelation of your eternal Christ.

Comfort us in our mortality

and strengthen us to walk the path of your desire,

so that by word and deed we may manifest the gracious news

of your faithfulness and love.

Holy Father,

Father of Christ who asked the disciples,

“What are you looking for,”

and who offered the invitation to “Come and See,”

open our hearts to what you reveal and give us the courage to follow.

By Your Spirit aid us in our journey,

so that like John, our words and deeds point to the Lamb of God.

For those who are suffering, let us point to Christ through comfort.

For those who are hungry, let us point to Christ through bread.

For those in the grip of despair, let us point to Christ through hope.

Almighty God,

whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world:

Grant that your people, illumined by your Word,

may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory,

that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God now and forever,

as we continue to pray saying: Our Father, who art in heaven….

~ posted on I’m just saying. http://thepostmodernpastor.com/2011/01/16/pastoral-prayer-epiphany-2-a-sunday-january-16-2011/

Responsive Benediction: Psalm 40

We have waited patiently for God,

and he has heard our cry.

He has set our feet on solid ground,

and kept us steady as we journey together.

We are the people of God,
shaped and molded by the story of God,
freed from our sins by the work of Jesus Christ.

God calls us to be his servants,
and he will guide us and keep us
as we go into the world to serve him.

God, you have put a new song into our mouths,
a song of praise to you.
May the world know that you have sent us
by the song of your love in our lives.

~ inspired by a longer litany by Jeremy W. Yoder, posted on http://mennodiscuss.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9931

Benediction: 1 Corinthians 1: 7-9

As we leave from here, remember this:

All God’s gifts are right in front of you!

Not only that, but God himself is right alongside,

to keep you steady and on track until Jesus returns.

God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, will do this,

for he is faithful.

He will never give up on you.

Offering Prayer: Psalm 40: 1-11

Here’s an offering prayer inspired by Psalm 40: 1-11. It comes from the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.

Prayer for the Offering

(inspired by Psalm 40: 1-11)

O God,

we recognize that we have been blessed with great abundance.

In offering these gifts,

may we be strengthened to proclaim

your faithfulness and your salvation this day and always.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

~ posted on the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. http://www.umfmichigan.org/offerprayers.html

Benediction: Isaiah 49: 1-7

As we leave this place, remember:

God, who chose you before your birth,

who calls you and knows you by name,

now sends you out into the world—

to bring light to those in darkness,

comfort to those who grieve,

hope to those who despair.

And may the blessing of God,

the love of Jesus Christ,

and the presence of the Holy Spirit

be among you and within you

as you seek to do God’s will. Amen.

Responsive Call to Worship: Psalm 40

Here’s a responsive call to worship based on Psalm 40. It was written by The Rev. Marilyn K. Levine.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 40)

I waited patiently for GOD; who turned to me and heard my cry,

who lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;

and set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

We sing a new song!

Our mouths are full of the praise of God.

Blessed are we when we make the Lord our trust;

when we do not turn aside to false gods.

We sing of all your many wonders, O God,

too many to declare them all.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but our ears you have pierced and a body you have prepared for us.

We sing, "Here I am, I have come—

I desire to do your will, O my God;

your law is in my heart."

~ written by The Rev. Marilyn K. Levine, and posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Prayer for Epiphany

O God,
you spoke your word
and revealed your good news in Jesus, the Christ.
Fill all creation with that word again,
so that by proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations
and singing of your glorious hope to all peoples,
we may become one living body,
your incarnate presence on the earth. Amen.

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Posted on Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Prayers of the People: Epiphany 2A

Here’s a prayer of petition and intercession, inspired by the suggested scripture readings for the second Sunday after Epiphany (Year A). It was written by Richard Bansemer, and posted on the Lutheran Forum.

Prayers of the People: Epiphany 2A

(inspired by Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11,

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42)

You command us, Heavenly Father, through your prophet Isaiah to listen and pay attention, for we are far away from you. The sharp tongues of the prophets do not let us have a glib faith. Your Son, our Savior, has been sent as our light in a dark world.