Feasting on the Word Worship Companion

Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1

Kimberly Bracken Long

• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9780664238032
• eBook ISBN: 9781611643206
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Rituals & Practice

Based on the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1 is an invaluable aid that provides liturgical pieces needed in preparing for worship each week. Written and compiled by a team of eleven ecumenical and seasoned liturgy writers under the creative leadership of Kimberly Bracken Long, this resource offers a multitude of poetic prayers and responsive readings for all parts of worship and is meant to complement existing denominational resources. In addition, the weekly entries include questions for reflection and household prayers for morning and evening that are drawn from the lectionary, allowing churches to include them in their bulletin for parishioners to use throughout the week.

During times of the year when two different tracks of Old Testament texts are offered by the RCL, this resource offers an entire set of materials for each track. Also, a CD-ROM is included with each volume that enables planners to easily cut and paste relevant readings, prayers, and questions into worship bulletins.

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...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• Advent
• Christmas
• Epiphany
• Lent
• Holy Week
• Additional resources
• Scripture Index