Lectionary Readings  -  Gathering  - Word -  Eucharist  -  Sending  -  Music and Art
Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 49:1–7
The servant of the Lord is given as a light to the nations.
Psalm 40:1–11
I waited for the Lord, who saved me; now I sing God’s praise.
1 Corinthians 1:1–9
Paul writes to the church at Corinth, giving thanks for God’s grace.
John 1:29–42
John says Jesus is the Lamb of God; Jesus calls Andrew and Peter.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
To those who want to follow him,
Jesus asks, “What are you seeking?”
Teacher, we do not seek worldly power,
but a better way to live.
“What are you seeking?”
Teacher, we do not seek worldly wealth,Â
nor the prizes of paradise,
but simply to be with you.
“What are you seeking?”
Teacher, we do not seek worldly praise or fame,
only that you call us by name. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Lamb of God, you take on the sinsÂ
and suffering of the world.
Call us into partnership with you,
to love and serve your people by your side.
Call us to witness to your goodness
and to join your ongoing work of liberation.
Call to us by name,
and we will delight in your ways.Â
Call to us by name,
and we will follow you forever. 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:
Like the early disciples, we are curious about this Jesus,
this Son of God.
We may be tempted to stay away,
for we know we are not worthy of him.
But Jesus does not care about worth, wealth and power.
Jesus seeks those who would follow honestly,
willing to face their failures in order to grow closer to God.
In that spirit, let us turn to Christ.
God of the ages,
We do not always wait with patience.
We do not always sing your praises.
We do not always recognize your work in our lives.
We would rather take the credit for ourselves.
We would rather take the easy way out.
We would rather step on others
if it means more for ourselves.
Forgive us for all the ways we forget you.
Help us to delight to do your will.
Help us to trust in you
and return us to the path of righteousness.
Lifting water from the font:
The Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world.
The Lamb of God takes away the sins
of each and every one of us.
Christ has mercy on us, forgiving our sins.
Alleluia!
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Saving God, source of our calling,
your Word is full of power and glory.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
so that we may receive your grace
and live as your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Â
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.Â
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
God’s sovereign love is a mystery
beyond the reach of the human mind.
Human thought ascribes to God
superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness.
But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ
by showing power in the form of a servant,
wisdom in the folly of the cross,
and goodness in receiving
sinful men and women.
The power of God’s love in Christ
to transform the world
discloses that the Redeemer
is the Lord and Creator
who made all things
to serve the purpose of God’s love.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.15
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 . . .
Strengthen us in our testimony to Christ.
As you are ever good and always faithful,
keep us faithful in the fellowship of the Lord.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for the earth . . .
A burnt offering is not what you desire.
Keep us from consuming the earth with greed;
redeem and restore your good creation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for all nations . . .
Give dignity to those who are despised
and honor to those who are rejected.
Send your saving grace to the ends of the earth.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for this community . . .
Make us visible witnesses to Christ in this place,
inviting our neighbors to come and see
the new thing you are doing in the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for loved ones . . .
Be a rock for those who are sinking in despair.
Put a new song on their lips and in their hearts,
a song of thanksgiving and praise to you.
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:
You are the Holy One of Israel, our Sovereign, our Redeemer.
You choose us before we are born, and call us to serve you
as a light to all nations and a sign of your saving love for the world.
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:
You sent him as your holy Lamb, to take away the sin of the world.
He is the one we have waited for, our teacher and our Lord.
Like the first disciples, he calls us to come and see your saving power.
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 your Spirit, strengthen us in the fellowship of Christ’s body.
Empower us with your wisdom and enrich us by your grace,
so that we may be found to be faithful on the day of the Lord.
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
Â
Breaking the Bread
Â
Communion of the People
Â
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Â
Prayer after Communion
We give you thanks and praise, O God,
that you have fed us with your mercy
and poured out your Spirit in this place.
Continue to nourish and fill us each day,
that we may live as your beloved people;
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Â
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
“Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew”
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1602–1604
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Womb of Life and Source of Being (O) RAQUEL GTG 3
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness (OE) FAITHFULNESS GTG 39
- O God, Who Gives Us Life (O) NOEL GTG 53
- There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit (G) SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT GTG 408
WORD
- Do Not Be Afraid (OG) ISAIAH 43 GTG 76
- Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice (G) ABERYSTWYTH GTG 163
- Down Galilee’s Slow Roadways (G) WEST MAIN GTG 164
- Just as I Am, without One Plea (EG) WOODWORTH GTG 442
- We Are Forgiven (E) WE ARE FORGIVEN GTG 447
- In My Life (O) LORD, BE GLORIFIED GTG 468
- As a Mother Loves Her Children (OG) TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA Protest of Praise, David Bjorlin, GIA, 14
EUCHARIST
- There Is a Redeemer (EG) GREEN GTG 443
- Take Us as We Are, O God (O) ENDLESS FEAST GTG 312
- Your Only Son (G) LAMB OF GOD GTG 518
- You Are My Strength When I Am Weak (G) JERNIGAN GTG 519
SENDING
- How Firm a Foundation (E) FOUNDATION GTG 463
- Will You Come and Follow Me (G) KELVINGROVE GTG 726
- Arise, Your Light Is Come! (O) FESTAL SONG GTG 744
- God Is My Strong Salvation (E) WEDLOCK GTG 841
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 40:1–11 Â
MetricalÂ
- My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less [SOLID ROCK]; GTG 353Â
- Open My Eyes, That I May See [OPEN MY EYES]; GTG 451Â
- I Waited Patiently for God [AMAZING GRACE/NEW BRITAIN]; PAS 40BÂ
- God Is My Strong Salvation [WEDLOCK]; GTG 841Â
Responsorial Â
- Here I Am, Lord; PAS 40AÂ
- Lord, You Are Great and Do Marvelous Deeds; PSA 36Â
Organ Music
- “Brightest and Best,” Carols Before, Carols After: Settings of Advent and Epiphany Carols for Organ, John M. Rasley, LOR (ME)
- “Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731,” J. S. Bach, various publishers; IMSLP.org (ME)
- “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright!” WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET, Augsburg Organ Library: Epiphany, Max Drischner, AF (M)
- “Within the Father’s House: Fanfare Prelude,” Proclaim! Preludes and Harmonizations for the Hymn of the Day: Epiphany, Vol. 1, J. William Greene, CON (M)
Piano Music
- “Psalm 40,” Psalms for Piano, Emma Lou Diemer, Lauren Keiser (M)
- “Prayer, Op. 31, No. 25,” Preludes, Op. 31, Charles-Valentin Alkan, IMSLP.org (ME)
- “Adagio Cantabile—Allegro ma non troppo from Sonata no. 24 in F-sharp Major, Op. 78,” Ludwig van Beethoven, HEN (MA)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Agnus Dei,” Jason McCoy, CGA, SATB, pno (E)
- “Just as I Am, I Come,” Victor Johnson, LOR, SATB, pno, opt cl (ME)
- “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” Eric Nelson, MSM, SATB, pno, fl, vc (ME)
- “Lamb of God,” F. Melius Christiansen, AF, SATB, acap (M)
- “Nunc Dimittis,” Rene Clausen, AF, SATB div, org (M)
- “Light Everlasting,” Olaf C. Christiansen, KJO, SATB, acap (MA)
- “And He Shall Purify,” Messiah, George Frideric Handel, NOV, SATB, orch (A)
Art
- Cathedral of the Light, Craig W. Hartman, 2009 (VDL)
- Calling of Saints Peter and Matthew, Michelangelo Caravaggio, 1602 (VDL)
- Planets in My Head (Trumpet Girl), Yinka Shonibare, 2018 (WA)
