CALL
TO WORSHIP
Something
drew us here this morning
Maybe
a habit, maybe some new star in the sky.
Something
keeps us looking and waiting,
Trusting
that Jesus will meet us, that God will be revealed to us.
Let
us join the Magi, and Simeon, and Anna, let us meet the child today
As
fellow seekers and wait-ers we gather for worship
OPENING
PRAYER
God
of Epiphany, God who is being revealed in our midst,
in
this time of worship open our eyes, our ears, our hearts, our souls,
open
our very beings to sense how you are with us.
Free
our tongues to sing your praise.
Spark
our generosity to share our gifts.
Feed
our bodies and spirits as we gather at your table.
And
when this time of gathering is ended
lead
us back out to share the Good News of a baby who will change the
world. Amen
PRAYER
FOR & ASSURANCE OF GRACE
Source
of Life and Love, you reveal yourself in many ways.
Sometimes as a bright shining star, sometimes as a newborn baby, sometimes in bread
and juice.
And
yet, so often we miss the signs, we don’t see or hear or feel you
right in front of us.
We
take the wrong road, or we just don’t wait long enough.
God
of Grace, in our seeking and our waiting,
guide
us like the Magi, grant us the patience of Simeon and Anna.
Help
us recognize your presence.
May
we let the encounter change us, may we sing songs of praise.
...time
of silent prayer...
God
is indeed revealed in many ways. God meets us where we are, sometimes
in grand spectacle, sometime in the everyday things of life. However
God reveals God-self it is to lead us in the path of hope and
renewal, reminding us that we are beloved.
Thanks
be to God. Amen.
OFFERING DEDICATION
God,
when they saw the newborn baby Jesus the Magi offered rich and rare
gifts, Simeon and Anna offered songs of praise.
We
offer what we have, our time and talent and treasure in response to
Jesus’ presence in our lives. May they be used to help build up the
Beloved Community, to pass on the Good News of a world being renewed.
We
offer them in love and service to Jesus, in whose name we gather, in
whose name we pray.
Amen
COMMISSIONING
We
have joined the Magi on their quest, we have met Simeon and Anna in
the temple
Like
them we have encountered the Promised Child, Jesus of Nazareth.
We
have sung and prayed and eaten together
Continuing
to build the Beloved Community
Now
we go out into the world
sharing
the hope and the promise found in a tiny child,
proclaiming
that God is actively transforming the world.
Go
now secure in the knowledge that the God we meet in Jesus is with you
every where you go.
Always
and All Ways. Alleluia!
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