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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 148)

L: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
P: Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
L: Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
P: Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together!
L: Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.

Call to Worship (from Isaiah 60:1-6)

Leader: Arise, shine for your light has come!
Congregation: Who has come? Who is the light?
Leader: The light comes from the baby Jesus in a small stable.
Congregation: How do we know this is the one!
Leader: Isaiah the prophet said: Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord!

 

Invocation

The light and love of God who wonderfully made you, who graciously redeemed you, who call you each by name, be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. Lord God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen

 

Prayer of confession:

O Holy One, your gift to us is precious. All praise and honor are yours! We glorify your name. The Kings of long ago acknowledged what the prophet Isaiah fortold. They gave to Jesus fine and priceless gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They adored him and proclaimed him a King.

During this season we too adore the baby in the manger, but we often forget to proclaim him our only King. We are caught up in the excitement a holiday season. Now as the holiday recedes, we wonder anew. What can we bring Jesus to honor and exalt him? We confess our motives and our actions have not always reflected what you taught us. We confess that our hearts are burdened.

Awesome one, unburden our hearts and our souls. Caress our hearts with your grace. Jesus, we bring our most precious gift to you today. The gift of our endless love and our life. Through the power of the Holy Spirit help us to proclaim to others the birth of a new kind of King. A King of Love! In Jesus name, Amen.

Submitted by Nancy Carmichael

 

 

Prayer for Spiritual Growth

Let us remember Jesus:
Who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor and dwelt among us. Who was content to be subject to his parents, the child of a poor couple's home.

Who believed in people and never despaired of them.  Who, through all disappointment never lost heart.  Who disregarded his own comfort and convenience and thought first of others' needs.

Let us unite in prayer that Christ may come to dwell in our hearts:

O Christ, our Savior, so come to dwell in us that we may go forth with the light of your hope in our eyes, and with your faith and love in our hearts.  Make us and mold us in your own image, precious Lord and Potter of our lives.  Amen.

 

Prayer for Holiness-- by St. Ephraim the Syrian

“O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of idleness, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and vain talk. Instead, give to me, Your servant, the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love. Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother, for You are Blessed from all ages to all ages.” Amen.

 

Prayer of Intercession

Filled with joy at the birth of the one sent to save us, let us offer our prayers to God who gives us peace and hope.

We pray for your church around the world as it gathers to worship and is sent to serve, that you would clothe us with your compassion, kindness, meekness, and patience, and bind us together with your love. God of our salvation,

have mercy and hear us.

We pray for the world suffering under the darkness of sin and death, that you would guide leaders and all citizens of this earth to bring healing and redemption to the whole creation. God of our salvation,

have mercy and hear us.

We pray for all who read and study the Bible, seeking to know your will and your love. Guide their efforts and give them wise teachers and families that support their faith. God of our salvation,

have mercy and hear us.

We pray for all who are in need of comfort, peace, hope, and healing (especially). Let your word soothe body, mind, and spirit, and make us, in part, the answer to their prayer. God of our salvation,

have mercy and hear us.

We pray for the ministries of this congregation and all those who serve with glad and thankful hearts. Place your love within our hearts, that we may find delight in our Father's house and desire to serve you all our days. God of our salvation,

have mercy and hear us.

We thank you for all the saints who let the peace of Christ rule their hearts. Help us to see in them a glimpse of the faith-filled joy that frees us to sing and to serve. God of our salvation,

have mercy and hear us.

Grant us these prayers, almighty Father, in the name of your Word made flesh dwelling among us, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Prayer for an attitude of service (by Mother Teresa)

Make us worthy, Lord,
To serve others throughout the world
Who live and die
In poverty or hunger,
Give them, through our hands,
this day their daily Bread,
and by our understanding love,
give peace and joy.

 

Closing Prayer

O God, you made of one blood all nations and, by a star in the East, revealed to all peoples him whose name is Emmanuel.  Enable us who know your presence with us so to proclaim his unsearchable riches that all may come to his light and bow before the brightness of his rising, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.