Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 58:1–9a (9b–12)
The fast God chooses: do justice, release captives, help the poor.
Psalm 112:1–9 (10)
Those who do God’s will and seek what is right will be happy.
1 Corinthians 2:1–12 (13–16)
Paul preaches Christ, crucified; the Spirit reveals God’s wisdom.
Matthew 5:13–20
Jesus says: You are salt and light; I have come to fulfill the law.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
We are salt for the earth.
We are a light for the world.
Just as no one hides a lamp away,
we will offer the world what only we can give.
In shining our lights, we will remember:
We are not the only ones with vital wisdom.
Grateful for mutual enlightenment,
we will not drown out another’s beam with ours.
Prayer of the Day
O God from whom all blessings flow,
help us to embrace the unique gifts
your Spirit has instilled in each of us.
Give us the wisdom to discern
where your world could use our talents most,
and grant us humility to recognize
where we rely on the strength and insight of others,
so that, in mutual giving and receiving,
all needs may be met,
according to the way of Jesus
through his life and death. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the faith, hope, and love you give to us
through the blessing of our baptism—
claiming us as your beloved children,
calling us to the path of discipleship,
revealing to us the light of your glory.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
help us to follow you with faith,
to trust in you with hope,
and to serve you with love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Into this space we bring our weights and burdens—
the things we have done or not done,
said or not said.
Trusting in God’s mercy,
let us lay down those burdens before God.
Patient God,
it is so easy for us to miss the point.
We know how to perform righteousness;
we go to church, we donate, we volunteer,
but we care more about how we are seen
than our faithfulness to you.
We show off our piousness,
instead of actually sharing our food,
our homes, our resources
with those in the most need.
Have mercy on us for the ways we serve ourselves,
and teach us your way,
the way that leads to justice and peace.
Lifting water from the font:
Beloved, hear the good news:
When we cry for help, God says, “Here I am!”
When we ask for mercy,
God grants it freely, longing for a closer walk with us.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Alleluia! Thanks be to God!
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
God of shining splendor,
your voice makes the earth tremble in wonder.
Overshadow us with your Spirit
so that we may hear your Word
and live as faithful disciples
and covenant people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Speak to us, Lord, for your servants are listening.
1 Samuel 3:9–10
After the readings:
A new teaching, with authority!
Thanks be to God.
Mark 1:27
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
To the Lord who speaks to us, strengthens us,
and blesses us with peace,
be all glory and honor forever. Amen.
Psalm 29:1, 11
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
In Jesus of Nazareth,
true humanity was realized once for all.
Jesus, a Palestinian Jew,
lived among his own people
and shared their needs, temptations,
joys, and sorrows.
He expressed the love of God
in word and deed
and became a brother
to all kinds of sinful men and women.
But his complete obedience
led him into conflict with his people.
His life and teaching judged their goodness,
religious aspirations, and national hopes.
Many rejected him and demanded his death.
In giving himself freely for them,
he took upon himself the judgment
under which everyone stands convicted.
God raised him from the dead,
vindicating him as Messiah and Lord.
The victim of sin became victor,
and won the victory
over sin and death for all.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.08
Prayers of Intercession
We approach God in prayer not as strangers,
but as beloved children, baptized in Christ Jesus.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for the church . . .
By Christ’s grace, let us be what you intended—
salt of the earth and light for the world,
a living sign of your coming realm.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for the earth . . .
Let new life spring up in parched places;
restore the forests, rebuild the cities;
renew and repair your good creation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for all nations . . .
Blow the trumpet and sound the alarm!
Loose the bonds of injustice in every place;
break the yoke, and let the oppressed go free.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for this community . . .
Help us to share our bread with the hungry,
to welcome the poor into our homes,
to clothe the naked and protect the vulnerable.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for loved ones . . .
Be near to those who cry to you for help.
Be with them in the gloom of their despair;
satisfy their needs and restore their souls.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy One, as you are well pleased with Christ,
help us to live in a way that will be pleasing to you.
As you have called us to listen to Christ,
help us to always heed his word and seek his will.
These things we pray in the name of Jesus,
your beloved Child, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Matthew 3:17, 17:5
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
There is only one Lord and God,
from whom all things come
and for whom we live.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 8:4–6
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
God of glory,
as people brought gifts to the infant Jesus,
we bring our gifts to you.
May these gifts be used
to lift up those who are oppressed,
to bring deliverance to those who are in need,
to support those who are poor,
and to help those who are in trouble. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
The worship that you desire, the fast you choose, is simply this—
to stop injustice, liberate the oppressed, and share with the hungry;
to shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, and welcome the stranger.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Jesus came not to abolish your law, but to fulfill it.
He calls us to be salt of the earth and light for the world,
above all else, giving glory to you, our God.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.
By the power of your Spirit, reveal to us the mind of Christ,
so that we may understand the gifts you have bestowed upon us
and proclaim the message of the gospel to the world.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
We give you thanks, Lord Jesus Christ,
for the gifts of grace
we have received from your hand.
Now send us forth to reflect your light,
proclaiming your saving death and resurrection
until you come again in glory. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
Beloved children of God,
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,
the grace of Jesus Christ,
and the blessing of the Lord forever. Alleluia!
Mark 1:11, 9:7
As Jesus called the first disciples,
so he calls to us this day:
Follow me. Amen.
Mark 1:17, John 1:43
“Artist’s Garden at Giverny”
Claude Monet, 1900
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
-
Come, Great God of All the Ages (OE) ABBOT’S LEIGH GTG 309
-
Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness (OG) CHRIST BE OUR LIGHT GTG 314
-
Here in This Place (G) GATHER US IN GTG 401
WORD
-
Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness (E) SPIRIT GTG 291
-
Open the Eyes of My Heart (E) OPEN THE EYES GTG 452
-
When the Poor Ones (O) EL CAMINO GTG 762
-
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (OG) PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS GTG 753
-
Bring Forth the Kingdom (OG) BRING FORTH THE KINGDOM STF 2190
EUCHARIST
-
Take Us as We Are, O God (G) ENDLESS FEAST GTG 312
-
For the Troubles and the Sufferings (OG) PELAS DORES DESTE MUNDO GTG 764
-
As the Wind Song (E) WAIRUA TAPU GTG 292
-
Together We Serve (OG) SAN ANSELMO GTG 767
SENDING
-
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light (G) HOUSTON GTG 377
-
Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty (OE) LOBE DEN HERREN GTG 35
-
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (O) CWM RHONDDA GTG 65
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Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples (OG) KINGSFOLD GTG 757
-
We All Are One in Mission (G) ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN GTG 733
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 112:1–9 (10)
Metrical
- How Blest Are Those Who Fear the Lord [MELCOMBE]; PAS 112A
- When Morning Gilds the Skies [LAUDES DOMINI]; GTG 667
Responsorial
- Happy Are They; PAS 112B
- Light Rises in Darkness; UMH 833
Organ Music
-
“A Prayer for Peace,” Three Hymns of Meditation, David Maxwell, MSM (ME)
-
“All Creatures of Our God and King,” Voluntaries for Worship, Donald Busarow, MSM (M)
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“Many and Great, O God, Are Your Works,” Augsburg Organ Library: Epiphany, Emma Lou Diemer, AF (M)
-
“Songs of Thankfulness and Praise,” Three Epiphany Preludes, Set 1, Robert A. Hobby, MSM (MA)
Piano Music
-
“Song without Words in A Major, Op. 19, No. 4,” Lieder ohne Worte, Felix Mendelssohn, HEN (M)
-
“Prelude in E-flat Major,” Well-Tempered Clavier Book II, Johann Sebastian Bach, HEN (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
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“You Are the Salt and Light,” Pepper Choplin, HAL, SATB, pno, opt hb or hc (E)
-
“Arise, Shine, for Your Light Has Come,” Allen Pote, TPR, SATB, pno (ME)
-
“Light of the World,” Mark Hayes, LOR, SATB, pno (ME)
-
“Light of the World,” Karen Marrolli, MSM, SATB, pno, vln (M)
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“True Light,” Keith Hampton, Earthsongs, SATB, solo, pno (MA)
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“Beatus Vir,” Antonio Vivaldi, IMSLP.org, SATB, SSA soli, stngs, cont (A)
Art
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Has Your Salt Lost Its Flavor, Steve Prince (EYE)
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The Light Inside, James Turrell, 1999 (WA)
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Luminarias along the Path, Danae Hurst, 2007 (VDL)
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Artist’s Garden at Giverny, Claude Monet, 1900 (VDL)
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Blessing of Salt, Blessing of Light, Jan Richardson (JR)
