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Worship Order for
Sunday
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Pastoral Prayer
If it seems right at the time, I may use this
Epiphany Prayer.
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Magi
Moment
“As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold,
as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming
bright;
so, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.”
In a few minutes we will hear - once again - the old, old story
of the Magi’s journey to Bethlehem. Just now, however, let’s put
our remembrance into action. Instead of sitting while the plates
are passed, you are invited to bring forward your own “gold,
frankincense or myrrh” at some point during the singing of the
next hymn. This may be your regular offering. Or it might also
be your financial pledge of what you intend to give this year
toward the ministry of this church. Perhaps you also have some
new year’s resolution you wish to bring before the Lord, written
down or just on your mind. Feel free to bring these gifts
forward and place them in the basket while we sing, just as
those wise men followed that star to Jesus long ago.
“Arise, shine; for your
light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
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Dedication
Great God, today we are reminded of the
wondrous gifts of the Magi brought for the Prince of Peace. We
have traveled to this time of worship, hoping to discover the
thrill of new birth. And, indeed, we have smiles on our faces as
we lift up our eyes, look around, and experience the presence of
Jesus. We place these gifts, our gifts, upon your altar and
rejoice in God's radiant love. Praise the Lord! Amen.
Copyright 2007-2008
David S. Bell.
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Moment for Mission
Paul Sonczewski
will briefly lift up our upcoming Inter-district Meat Canning
Project, of which he is our congregation's facilitator, as well
as our Brethren Disaster Relief Ministry - inviting folks to
come on Jan. 20 to an after-church covered dish meal and
program. At that time, he and Izzy Rosas will share of their
recent experience helping folks in Louisiana rebuild after
hurricane Katrina. Our
district's Disaster Relief Coordinator
will also be there to share.
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Invitation to the Lord’s table
All of us who are in love and fellowship in the family of
God, who do truly and earnestly repent of our sins, who humbly put
our trust in Christ, and who desire his help that we might walk in
newness of life, are invited to draw near to God and receive this
holy communion to our comfort, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
from For All Who Minister (A
Worship Manual for the Church of the Brethren),
©1993 Brethren Press, p. 233.
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Eucharist Prayer
We give you
thanks, O God, for making your love evident since the very
beginning of time when you spoke the word which replaced the
darkness of chaos with life-giving light - a light which has
nurtured generations of people, and plants and creatures, great
and small; a light which also revealed the fear and
powerlessness caused by corrupt and evil actions. And so you
spoke the Word which would once and for all dispel the darkness
of chaotic lives. Through your love for the world the Word
became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. The
angels caroled glory to you in the highest heavens and peace to
all people on earth, and we join with them and with all people
to praise your holy name.
Holy God, as the
travelers with their treasures were overwhelmed with joy on
finding Jesus, so we also are overwhelmed on finding out the
depth of his love for us. For Jesus showed just how beloved we
are to him, by loving us and giving himself for us. On that
night when he gave himself up for us, as he sat at the table and
broke bread with his friends, he said:
‘Take
and eat; this is my body which is broken for you.
Remember me each time you do this.’
After they had
eaten, he took the cup, and said:
‘Remember
me as you drink from this, for it is my life, poured out for you
- the beginning of a new relationship with God.’
Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon this time of communion,
O God, that we may experience the presence of your
Word-made-flesh - Jesus Christ. Breathe your Spirit in us that
we may be one body with him - living out his ministry in the
world today and every day. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
adapted from prayer by Moira B
Laidlaw
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Benediction
Go now, seek out the Christ wherever he may be
found,
and share the good news with all who bear him no ill will.
Bring light to those in thick darkness,
a voice to those no one speaks for,
and hope to those no one cares for.
And may God make you a sharer in the promised light.
May Christ Jesus fill you with his sense of what is right.
And may the Holy Spirit be to you like rain
that gives life to the fertile earth.
©2000 Nathan
Nettleton,
LaughingBird.net
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(para traducir a español, presione la bandera de España)
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