Epiphany 2001: Called by Name

 

Seekers Church

A Christian Community

In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour

 

Epiphany 2001

 Called by Name

SILENT REFLECTION

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

 Isaiah 43:1-3

PRELUDE

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:           The heavens are proclaiming the glory of God

and the word is going out through all the earth.

 

Community:    We gather here as chosen family,

grateful to be this small part of the Body of Christ.

 

Leader:           God calls our name and invites us to follow,

guiding our journey with divine light.

 

All:                   Holy fire surrounds us,

yet God keeps us safe from its flames,

baptizing us with the Holy Spirit.

 

INVOCATION

 

HYMN

 

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

SILENCE

 

LITANY

Leader:            Your steadfast love, O Holy One, includes the sky,

your faithfulness includes the clouds.

 

Community:    Your righteousness is as high as the mountains,

your judgments as deep as the sea;

you save humans and animals alike,

with the sound of your holy, unnameable Name.

 

Leader:            How valuable is your steadfast love, O God!

All people may take refuge

in the shadow of your wings.

 

Community:    They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink

from the river of your delights.

 

Leader:            For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light.

 

All:                   Continue your steadfast love

to those who know you,

and your salvation to those who love your ways.

 

 

SILENCE

 

PRAYERS

COMMON CONFESSION

Leader:            What is this mystery called love?

 

Voice 1:           If we have the gift of language,

persuade all who listen

but do not have love,

we are only noisy gongs or clanging cymbals.

 

Voice 2:           If we are wise as prophets,

understand all mysteries

but do not have love,

we are only motley fools.

 

Voice 1:           If we have faith to move mountains,

have all the disciplines of the spirit

but do not have love,

we have nothing.

 

Voice 2:           If we give away all our possessions,

minister to the poor

but do not have love,

we gain nothing.

 

All:                   What is this mystery called love?

 

ASSURANCE

Leader:            Do not fear, for we are called by name.

In the love of Christ we are fully known.

Love bears all things, hopes all things,

believes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.

 

PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY

 

HYMN

 

THE WORD

FIRST LESSON

SILENCE

GOSPEL LESSON

SERMON

SILENT REFLECTION

 

OFFERING

 

SHARED REFLECTIONS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HYMN

 

BENEDICTION

Leader:            From the rising of the sun to its setting

let us proclaim God’s great name among the nations.

And in every place we shall offer incense

to the Holy One of Israel.  Amen.

 

 

 

WORSHIP RESOURCES

Litany: Adapted from Psalm 36:5-10

Confession and assurance: Adapted from 1 Corinthians13:1-13

Benediction: Adapted from Malachi 1:11