Liturgy

With the rising of the sun,
life rises again within us, O God.

In the dawning of the morning light,
you lead us from the mists of night
into the clarity of the day.

In the new light of this day, bring us
to a clearer knowing of the mystery
that first bore us from the dark.

Bring us to a clearer knowing of the
love from which all life is born.

For the first showings of the morning light
and the emerging outline of the day,
thanks be to you, oh God.

We pray in the name of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.

(Jessica Goodman – Adapted from J. Phillip Newell)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the reading of Isaiah 42:5-9.

5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens
and stretched them out, who spread out the earth
and what comes from it, who gives breath to the
people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it:

6 I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given
you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations,

7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the
prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those
who sit in darkness. 8 I am the Lord, that is my name;
my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols.

9 See, the former things have come to pass, and new things
I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
The Good News of Christ. Praise be to you, O Christ!

The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Amen.

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 1.12.20 – Close to Epiphany

Who or what in life brings you alive?

How might loss and disappearance bring you into yourself?

Benediction

Go forth into the world in peace.

May the blessing of light be on you.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
like a great fire, so that stranger and friend
may come and warm themselves at it.

Watch for the light of God in the
eyes of every living creature.

Let life be in your words and your action.
May you comfort those who are experience troubles
or darkness of the soul and may you lighten their way.

May the peace of Christ be with you,
and the power of the Holy Spirit
strengthen you in every way.

Go forth into this week
in the name of our God,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
amen.

(Jessica Goodman- Adapted from J. Phillip Newell)

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by Andreas Ohman @ Flickr]