Order of Worship
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Loving God, you have assured us that the days are surely coming
when your people will know peace, your people will know justice, your
people will know righteousness. Confident in your promises, we
proclaim with faith:
The Lord is our example of Loving Kindness. You have assured us that a leader will come to rule with wisdom. We
pray this day for those in particular need of justice, kindness, and
mercy. We pray for the trampled, the ignored, the brushed aside. We
pray for the house-less, the love-less, and the health-less. We pray
for leaders in governments, homes, communities, and schools, that
they may know the influence of wisdom rather than power; and
declare with faith:
The Lord is our example of Loving Kindness.
You have assured us of the salvation and safety of your people. We
pray this day for those who only know violence: those whose
countries have been torn apart by invasion, civil war, and private
armies, those whose communities have been forgotten by all but the
warlords and gangs, those whose homes are places of danger and
fear rather than sanctuary and love. May they declare with certitude:
The Lord is our example of Loving Kindness.
God of all creation we pray this day for the reign of Jesus the Christ.
We pray that in the midst of chaos we might hear Jesus ’word to us;
that in the midst of heartache we might know Jesus ’presence, and in
the midst of a cacophony of voices we might proclaim:
The Lord is our example of Loving Kindness. Amen.
Holy God, through the generations you have spoken to us. You have sent voices crying out in the wilderness. You have sent the words of an overjoyed new father and an expectant mother. You have sent the assurance of a condemned man on a cross. Quiet in us any voice but your own that, by the power of your Spirit, we might hear the words you speak to us today. Amen.
Jeremiah 23:1-6 1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. 5 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.” Luke 1:68-79 68 «Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Questions for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge
The prophet Jeremiah warns of shepherds who will destroy and
scatter God’s people (Jer. 23:1—2). How do we discern the difference
between shepherds who have come to scatter and shepherds who
have been raised up by God?
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING — Phyllis Spencer The blessed apostle Paul sings the praises of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the firstborn of all creation; in whom all things in heaven and on earth
were created. Let us affirm God’s sovereignty over all creation,
continuing our worship through the offering of our gifts to the Lord.
Holy God, you have looked upon your people with mercy, generosity, and love. You have granted your favor to your people, offering them redemption, salvation, and wisdom. And so we offer these gifts for your hurting and broken world. May they be multiplied to do your service. May we be strengthened to do your work. In the name of Jesus the Christ, who multiplied small gifts and fed multitudes. Amen.
Go out into the world in peace, declaring the love of God for creation. Go out into the world with courage, supporting the ways God gives light to those who sit in darkness and guides our feet in the way of peace. And now may the holy triune God, the visible and invisible, guide your feet, strengthen your hands, and fortify your heart this day and evermore. Amen. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.