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Epiphany of the Lord
Isaiah 60:1–6 | Ephesians 3:1–12 |
Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14 | Matthew 2:1–12 |
CALL TO WORSHIP / OPENING WORDS
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Isa. 60:1
The brightness of God’s light
shines upon all the nations.
All are welcomed to the brightness of God’s dawn.
Isa. 60:3
God gathers us from far away and carries us.
With radiant eyes, with rejoicing hearts,
we receive the abundance God gives.
Isa. 60:4–5
We respond in praise.
With our gifts, with our very selves,
we worship God.
Isa. 60:6b
CALL TO CONFESSION
The Gospel of John tells us the basis for our judgment is this:
“The light came into the world,
and people loved darkness more than the light,
for their actions are evil.”*
We confess our sins to God,
to whom we have access
through faith in Christ.
We come in boldness and confidence,
not according to our merit,
but according to God’s grace.
Eph. 3:12
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of justice, we confess that our actions are evil
Ps. 72:1–7, 10–14
whenever we remain passive while others are oppressed;
whenever we guard our own prosperity
at the expense of those who are poor;
or when we ignore the cries of those in need of help.
Forgive us, we pray, for hiding in the darkness of this world
more than loving the light of your righteousness
made known to us in Jesus Christ.
Judge us with mercy, we pray,
and extend your grace to us.
Strengthen our faithfulness
to you and to all who are precious
in your sight.
We pray in the name of Christ, our Light. Amen.
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Friends, God is for us and not against us.
For that very reason God sent the Son into the world—
not to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:17
We declare the good news of the Gospel:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven
and set free to live a new life in him.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O Lord our God,
your glory shines
Isa. 60:1–2
as far as the east is from the west,
from the north to the south,
so that all people
may see and be radiant,
so that every heart might thrill and rejoice.
Isa. 60:5
Guide us on our baptismal journey in Christ.
Overwhelm us with the joy
Matt. 2:10
of your presence.
May we enter your house
and pay homage to him
Matt. 2:11
whose infant arms
were already reaching out
to the ends of the earth
that all might be gathered in.
Isa. 60:4; Matt. 2:1
In your triune name, we pray. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O God of wonder,
as that ancient star rose and guided the magi,
Matt. 2:2
illuminating the place where Jesus was,
Matt. 2:9
so now may the light of your Holy Spirit
shine in our hearts and minds
as the Word is read and proclaimed.
Guide us again to Christ,
and direct us in new paths of faithfulness.
In Christ we pray. Amen.
[or]
O God,
we would be servants of your gospel.
Eph. 3:7
By your grace,
through the power of your Holy Spirit,
reveal to us your wisdom in its rich variety.
Eph. 3:10
Speak to us in your Word read and proclaimed,
that hearing
we may in turn share with others
the boundless riches of Christ,
Eph. 3:8
that everyone might come to see
your plan for all creation.
Eph. 3:9
In Christ Jesus our Lord we pray. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Let us pray for the needs of the world, saying,
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious and Holy God,
your eternal purposes, revealed to us in Christ Jesus,
Eph. 3:12
show that your love extends to the ends of the earth,
and stretches far beyond our own imaginings.
We thank you for such expansive love
and for the rich variety of ways
Eph. 3:10
you make yourself known among us.
We pray for the church,
too often afraid of the rich diversity you have designed,
too often timid in its proclamation of the gospel
befor...
