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WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD
TO PONDER:
Mark says that Jesus comes teaching with a new authority. Are we prepared
to live under this 'new authority'?
MUSICAL PRELUDE HYMN:
"Praise, my soul, the God of heaven" V.U. 240
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP Let us offer our worship to God with all that we have and are.
God's works are a source of wonder to all who delight in them.
God's ways are inscrutable. They cannot be fathomed.
God's praise will be heard among the people. We worship a God who is gracious and merciful.
OPENING PRAYER
O God, You are our strength for the present and our hope for the
future. But sometimes You disturb and unsettle us. You trouble the deep
waters within us and mark us out for healing. Transform us from old
ways of thinking and seeing the world. Sharpen our vision and adjust
our focus. Call us to be creatures of Your new creation. For You have
come to release us from our tired ways of living. AMEN
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
Epiphany is a light that reveals our darkness.
Our darkened world shrinks from God's light.
A PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O God, forgive us for trying to save the world by ourselves, ending up
being tired and frustrated. Busy, fatigued and impatient, we are unable
to respond when You call us to action. We allow our schedules to become
our excuses. Our pride keeps us away from the rest, refreshment and
guidance You offer. Forgive us, O God, and help us to see the good we
should do. In the name of Jesus we pray. AMEN
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The power of God's presence is never far from us. It has come close in the
person of Jesus. Receive the forgiveness of a risen Christ and be strong in
this moment of freedom.
RESPONSE: V.U. 400 Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace.
OFFERING INVITATION OFFERTORY RESPONSE:
For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for friends in a world where
many walk alone, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, we give you
thanks, O God. V.U. 552
OFFERTORY PRAYER: Faith walks hand in hand with serving, and love
expresses itself in giving. May we be faithful, O God, in our serving
and loving in our giving. For we do these things in Your name and ask
for Your blessing. AMEN