January 31, 2021 Worship

 Morning Worship Text: January 31, 2021  

Before we begin, gather a candle or small light, your Bible, a cross,  a piece of bread and a cup of juice or water. Place them at the center of a calm area in your home and gather comfortable seating for all who will join you. Place your phone, tablet  or computer where you can see and hear it. You may want to connect a charger, rather than rely on battery.


Welcome

   
Musical Mediation:   Janie Taulbee, pianist......“Spirit Song”, John Wimber, 1979

Focus: "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? What changes are you making in us and among us? How are you recruiting us for the task of overcoming evil, ending oppression, bringing justice to an unjust world? We are yours; we commit ourselves to you again, right here, right now."

Lighting the Christ Candles  We light our candles or lights.


Voice One: In the beginning, God said,


Voice Two: Let there be light, and there was light!


Voice One: We light these candles today,


Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!




 

Call to Worship                                                                            
L: Come to worship this day. Bring with you all your joys and sorrows.
P: Jesus will offer hope.
L: Come to worship this day believing in the power of God through Jesus Christ.
P: Jesus will bring us healing.
L: Come to worship this day feeling the presence of God.
P: Jesus will teach us new ways to live. AMEN.

~\Nancy C. Townley, https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/2279/classic-worship-connection-january-28-2018


Invocation

Un-stop our ears, O God,
that we may hear your Word proclaimed this day.
Open our minds and hearts to be changed.
Free us from the unclean spirits of worry, fear, destruction, and pride.
Teach us, Lord, that we may follow you more faithfully.

written by Amy Loving, and posted on The Worship Closet: The Place for Creative Worship Ideas. http://worshipcloset.com/baptism-of-the-lord-sunday year-b-words-for-worship/ Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2015/01/prayer-of-illumination-mark-1-21-28.html

Scripture: 

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

¹⁵The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. ¹⁶This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” ¹⁷Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. ¹⁸I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. ¹⁹Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. ²⁰But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.”

Mark 1:21-28

²¹They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. ²²They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. ²³Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, ²⁴and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” ²⁵But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” ²⁶And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. ²⁷They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” ²⁸At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Special Music: Allison Harrison, soloist

“Healer of My  Heart” – by the Martins, Spring Hill Group, 2005

 

Meditation

Invitation to the Table 

The bread and cup and placed on the table for the Lord’s Supper.




Prayer of Communion Elders this month are 

 

Words of Institution                                                                                                                       We

We break the bread and lift the cup as the words are spoken.

The Lord Supper We share in the bread and cup as we hear the music.
 

Communion Mediation:     Tommy Cook, guitarist

“What a Wondrous Love Is This”, Appalachian Folk Music, Chalice Hymnal                                                                                                       

Prayer of Thanksgiving & The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy
will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.
 

Prayers of the People:

“O God We Long for Your Presence”

One: Though often misunderstood, often held captive by our fabricated realities, our souls long for peace.                                                        Many: O God, we long for your presence; we long for peace.                                                                                                                        One: We run without a destination, surrounded by highways of turbulent noise. We are tired, worn and battered, and our souls long for joy.    Many: O God, we long for your presence; we long for joy.                                                                                                                            One: Through it all; in it all; and around all of it – choose to love the astounding teachings of the Messiah. Look to experience peace and joy – even in the midst of disappointment, war, injustice, or poverty. Allow your soul to become acquainted with the One who changes hard challenges into opportunities for transformation and growth.                                                                                                                                        Many: Peace and Joy are possible in the presence of the Savior.                                                                                                                All: In spite of the world’s challenges, we choose peace; we choose joy; we choose to follow YOU, Lord!

(Carolyn W. Dandridge, The Africana Worship Book for Year B, Discipleship Resources, 2007, p. 61.)ple 

Challenge for Discipleship 

In today's gospel story, Jesus caste out an evil spirit.  Jesus did so with authority, and people were amazed.  How much authority do you let Jesus have in your life?

Blessing     We speak in unison.
The Light that was in one place and at one time, is now in all places and all times, for God has placed the light in us.   We abide in peace!  And we go forth into the world as children of God!

Postlude

Rev. Dean Phelps, guitarist

“They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”, Peter Scholtes ( FEL

Publications, the Lorenz Group)

January 24, 2021

Morning Worship Text: January 24, 2021 


Before we begin, gather a candle or small light, your Bible, a cross,  a piece of bread and a cup of juice or water. Place them at the center of a calm area in your home and gather comfortable seating for all who will join you. Place your phone, tablet  or computer where you can see and hear it. You may want to connect a charger, rather than rely on battery.




Welcome

  
Musical Mediation

 “My Life Is in You”             Mary Bondurant, pianist
  - by Joseph Garlibgton, “My Life Is in You”, 1988


Focus: Threshold Moments


Lighting the Christ Candles  We light our candles or lights.


Voice One: In the beginning, God said,


Voice Two: Let there be light, and there was light!


Voice One: We light these candles today,


Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!




 

Call to Worship                                                                           
Voice One: Praise the Lord!
Voice Two: Praise, O servants of the Lord;
Voice One: Praise the name of the Lord!
Voice Two: From the rising of the sun to its setting,
Voice One: The name of the Lord is to be praised.
Voice Two: The Lord is high above all nations,
Voice One: and his glory above the heavens.
Voice Two: Let us worship God together.

~ posted on the Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/worship/


Invocation
God of all life, beyond our imagining, and yet coming so close; you refuse to let those in need fall through the cracks. You give the poor a place of dignity among the powerful. You make a home for the homeless,  and bring joy abounding to families and communities.

As we gather to celebrate and give you praise, may we live within your reality, share your vision, and do your will,  that the whole earth may echo your glory. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

~ adapted from a prayer from Ideas for Harvest: Worship and Prayer, posted on the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/Images/Harvest-2013-prayers_tcm15-69840.pdf



Scripture: John 2:1-12 & Psalm 113

John 2:1-12
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 

When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 

When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 

Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days.

 

Psalm 113
Praise the Lord!


Praise, O servants of the Lord;
  praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord
    

from this time on and forevermore.


From the rising of the sun to its setting
    

the name of the Lord is to be praised.


The Lord is high above all nations,
    

and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God,
    

who is seated on high,

Who looks far down
    

on the heavens and the earth?


He raises the poor from the dust,
    

and lifts the needy from the ash heap,


To make them sit with princes,
    

with the princes of his people.


He gives the barren woman a home,
    

making her the joyous mother of children.


Praise the Lord!

-New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 


Special Music: “Jesus, Savior, Blessed Friend”             
Cindy Franks, soloist  & Mary Bondurant, piano accompaniment
-by Deborah Governor, Beckenhurst Press, 1988

 

Meditation


Invitation to the Table The bread and cup and placed on the table for the Lord’s Supper.


Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Ele Workman and Mark Workman.

 


Words of Institution  We break the bread and lift the cup as the words are spoken.


The Lord Supper We share in the bread and cup as we hear the music.
 

Communion Mediation:                          Tommy Cook, guitarist
- original arrangement by Tommy Cook




Prayer of Thanksgiving & The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy
will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.


 

Prayers of the People 

Lord, we need a miracle today.
Like Jesus changing water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana,
We need a miracle today.

We are tired, Lord, of the hurts of this world.
We are discouraged in the face of COVID, of cancer, of injury and of fatigue.

(Pause to remember all who are sick and suffering.)

Like Jesus healing the lepers,
We need a miracle today, Lord.

Our stamina and courage are stretched thin by the events of the world around us. We are overwhelmed by loss, by fear and by change.

(Pause to remember all who are facing disruption and loss in daily life.)

Like Jesus calming the storm,
We need a miracle today, Lord.

The very times of our life - our schedules, our waiting, our eating and sleeping - have been disrupted. We know we need to do something, but we so not know when or how to act. We need to hear Your voice.

(Pause to listen.)

Like Jesus calling the disciples,
We need a miracle today, Lord.

Your steadfast love, like a mighty mountain, will not be moved. Your gifts, as many as the mighty winds, cannot be counted. Your glory, like a mighty torch, will not be put out. Lord, crown us with your love. Show us your glory,  that in you we may be movedto acts of kindness, love, justice, and mercy.
Lord, You are our miracle today. Amen.

~ adapte from a prayer written by Erik Alsgaard, and posted on the Worship Elements page of the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Challenge for Discipleship


Blessing     We speak in unison.

The Light that was in one place and at one time, is now in all places and all times, for God has placed the light in us.   We abide in peace!  And we go forth into the world as children of God!

Postlude
“Shine Jesus Shine”
-Comp by Kendrick and used under CLI 7102401

January 17, 2021 Worship Text

  Morning Worship Text: January 17, 2021  

Preparation

Before we begin, gather a candle or small light, your Bible, a cross,  a piece of bread and a cup of juice or water. Place them at the center of a calm area in your home and gather comfortable seating for all who will join you. Place your phone, tablet  or computer where you can see and hear it. You may want to connect a charger, rather than rely on battery.




 

Welcome


Musical Meditation     
"My Tribute"              Janie Taulbee, pianist
-by Andrae Crouch, MY TRIBUTE, 1971.




 

Focus:


Lighting the Christ Candles  We light our candles or lights.


Voice One: In the beginning, God said,


Voice Two: Let there be light, and there was light!
V

oice One: We light these candles today,


Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!




 

Call to Worship                                                                           
Voice One:    Let us worship the One who calls us.

Voice Two:    Here we are, ready or not, called by the One who lived and died and rose to live again among us.

Voice One:     Here we are, ready or not, bringing our everyday selves to praise and to pray, to know the Holy One in the midst of our lives.

Voice Two:    Let us worship the One who calls us.

— from a longer liturgy by Seekers Church, a Christian community in the tradition of the Church of the Saviour.  



Invocation
Here we gather, old and young, small and great,
In your presence, Holy God,
to dream your dreams,
receive your power,
and do your deeds.
Here we are Lord.
Shine the light of your love on us.
Kindle your Spirit within us.
Work your redeeming will in us,
that all the world may be one
through the power of your love.  Amen.

~ from a longer prayer written by David Inglis.  Posted on the Henrietta United Church of Christ website. http://www.henriettaucc.org/PastorsPage/CallsToWorship.shtml

Scripture: I Samuel 3:1-10 & Psalm 139:1-18

I Samuel 3:1-10
 

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
 

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is so high that I cannot attain it.
 

For it was you who formed my inward parts;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
    Wonderful are your works;
    that I know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
    when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
    all the days that were formed for me,
    when none of them as yet existed.
How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
I try to count them—they are more than the sand;
    I come to the end—I am still with you.
 

-New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.



Meditation




Invitation to the Table The bread and cup and placed on the table for the Lord’s Supper.




Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Ele Workman and Mark Workman.

 


Words of Institution  We break the bread and lift the cup as the words are spoken.




The Lord Supper We share in the bread and cup as we hear the music.
"One Bread, One Body"        Tommy Cook, Guitar; Jim Dersch, Cello & Daniel Hyberger, Violin
© 1978, John B. Foley SJ and OCP Publications and published in the Chalice Hymnal.


Prayer of Thanksgiving & The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy
will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.



Prayers of the People

O Lord our God, as we sit in quietness our thoughts are far from quiet.
We are wrestling with doubts and fears,
We are looking for answers,
We are hoping against hope
We are seeking strength
We are hungry,
For warm sunshine,
For healed bodies,
For rest from tears.

Your word says the hungry will be filled.
And we ask today for you to fill us.
Fill us with the breath of life,
Fill us with thankful hearts
Fill us with calmness, courage and most of all,
with the knowledge of your presence. O Lord,
Hear our prayer.

There are others we know and love who are ill
and we ask O God that you would surround them
with your strong healing presence.  O Lord,
Hear our prayer.

Grant wisdom to those who need answers to difficult questions.
Grant hope to those who despair
and friendship to those who feel lonely. O Lord,
Hear our prayer.

Most of all O Lord God, may we know your love,
your great love with you have for each one. O Lord,
Hear our prayer.

We look to you O God to be present in our communities and in our world.
Continue to show us how we
can be part of your work in the world.
Teach us how we can grow into faith,
and become more and more like Jesus. O Lord,
Hear our prayer.

We also ask O Lord that you would bless the work of our hands. 
Bless all that we offer today –
not only what we give of our money,
but the offerings of our time and our talents. O Lord,
Hear our prayer.

You know the hairs on our head, you count each beat of our heart.
You knit us together when we were being formed,
you know our getting up and our lying down.
You are familiar with all our ways.
There is no place we can hide from you.
You were there at our beginning
and you will be with us through to the end.
May we not lose sight of your constant care. O Lord,
Hear our prayer. Amen.

— excerpted from a longer prayer by Lois Siemens, and posted on the website of the Superb Mennonite Church. http://www.superbmennonite.org/


Challenge for Discipleship



Blessing     We speak in unison.

The Light that was in one place and at one time, is now in all places and all times, for God has placed the light in us.   We abide in peace!  And we go forth into the world as children of God!

Postlude
"Who You Say I Am"                    _____________________ (performer)
website we got it form and/or our license/permission info

Worship Text January 10, 2021

Morning Worship Text: January 10, 2021 
Third Sunday of Christmas

Before we begin, gather a candle or small light, your Bible, a cross,  a piece of bread and a cup of juice or water. Place them at the center of a calm area in your home and gather comfortable seating for all who will join you. Place your phone, tablet  or computer where you can see and hear it. You may want to connect a charger, rather than rely on battery.

Do you remember your first day of school? School pictures from different generations would be a great addition to today's worship center.




Welcome




Musical Meditation




 Focus: Getting Started
"Worship should be a celebration; this is the beginning of a new year. We survived 2020, and while there are still lingering effects of the pandemic and the unrest, it is time to embrace new possibility, new hope. The heavens have been torn open. But this isn’t a threat; it’s a promise of something new, something better. Let us commit ourselves to a closer walk with Christ. Let the waters of baptism renew us and cleanse us for our mission and ministry as followers of Jesus."

-written by Rev. Dr. Derek Weber, Director of Preaching Ministries in the British Methodist Church and shared on https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/follow-me/epiphany-baptism-of-the-lord-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes



Lighting the Christ Candles  We light our candles or lights.


Voice One: In the beginning, God said,


Voice Two: Let there be light, and there was light!


Voice One: We light these candles today,


Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!




 

Call to Worship  

                                                                         
Voice 1: We have wandered, lost.
Voice 2: Wandering without purpose, meaning, value, acceptance, or place.
Voice 1: But the Spirit of God descends like a dove upon us.
Voice 2: We hear the ancient words.They name and claim us as children of God.
Voice 1: God says to Jesus, God says to us, "You are my beloved!"
Voice 2: We are cleansed, refreshed, and made new in the love of those words.
-adapted from a piece by Bryan Schneider-Thomas, Ministry Matters https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/2213/worship-elements-january-7-2018


Invocation


Most wonderful God,
foolish and flawed though we are,
we too delight in your beloved Son.
As in his name we gather in many houses of joyful praise all over our community,
may the heavens be opened for us,
that we may catch a glimpse of that Light and Love
that transforms our common days
with a beauty not of our making.
Through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen!
 

adapted from a prayer Written by Bruce Prewer and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/DocA/10BAPTIS.htm. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2014/01/call-to-worship-prayer-baptism-of-jesus.html


Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5 & Mark 1:1-11


Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning when God created[a] the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God[b] swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Mark 1:1-14
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
 who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.




 

Meditation




 

Invitation to the Table 
The bread and cup and placed on the table for the Lord’s Supper.




 

Prayer of Communion 
Elders this month are Ele Workman and Mark Workman.



 

Words of Institution 
We break the bread and lift the cup as the words are spoken.

 




The Lord Supper 
We share in the bread and cup as we hear the music.




 

Prayer of Thanksgiving & The Lord’s Prayer


Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy
will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.




 

Prayers of the People


God of light and darkness,
through water and Word
you bring growth our lives. 
We give thanks for this incredible gift. 
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of love and hate,
your love comes in spite of our animosity;
you bring reconciliation where we are divided. 
Strengthen us to be peacemakers. 
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of hope and fear,
you walk with us through the challenges which surround us. 
Wash away our anxiety by your promised presence,
and set us free from despair. 
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of church and world,
in baptism you unify yourself with our world,
and bring your reign into being. 
Keep us from seeing your love as a hiding place. 
Motivate us to infuse the world with your justice. 
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of health and illness,
there is nothing that separates us from your love. 
Inspire us to bring your health to the sick,
your encouragement to the discouraged,
your promise to the dying,
especially those we name before you now.
[Long pause]
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of life and death,
all that exists is from you, and for you. 
Enable us to trust your baptismal promise,
and serve this hurting world. 
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God who shines in the darkness,
receive these prayers and the prayers of our hearts,
in the name of the one who is your light,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

-adapted from a prayer written by Rick Pryce and posted at Rick Pryce. http://rickpryce.wordpress.com/


Challenge for Discipleship
Our God of grace and glory calls us with a voice of flame to be faithful and courageous. As Jesus embraced his mission in the waters of baptism, let us find inspiration within us in the fire of the Holy Spirit to join in his transforming work.

~adapted from a prayer  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/


Blessing     We speak in unison.

The Light that was in one place and at one time, is now in all places and all times, for God has placed the light in us.   We abide in peace!  And we go forth into the world with JOY!
Make your own Epiphany Star by coloring and cutting out these stars. Glue them together for a two sided star. Punch a hole in the top to hang up.