January 4, 2026 – Second Sunday of Christmas

Prayers of Intercession

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
let us pray for the life of the world,
saying: O Christ, our light, hear our prayer.  

We pray for the church . . .
May we live this day as your beloved children,
rejoicing that we have been adopted by your grace
and given every spiritual blessing in you.
O Christ, our light, hear our prayer.    

We pray for the world . . .
Bless our sisters and brothers throughout the earth.
May we all live at peace with our neighbors,
receiving from your hand all that we need.
O Christ, our light, hear our prayer.    

We pray for this community . . .
Let your Word made flesh live among us,
full of grace.
Bring light to all who cannot raise their eyes
to the future.
Bring life to all who are weighed down and weary.
O Christ, our light, hear our prayer.    

We pray for loved ones . . .
Lead them beside quiet streams
and along smooth paths,
that their mourning may be replaced with laughter
and their tears with songs of joy.
O Christ, our light, hear our prayer.    

Lord Jesus Christ, hope of the world,
help us to bear witness to your light
so that all may believe and have life in you;
in your holy name we pray. Amen.

— Eucharist —

Invitation to Offering

At the communion table:
Rejoicing in the birth
of Christ our Savior,
we give to God
what we first received from God,
the gifts of our lives.

Prayer of Dedication

At the communion table:
God Most High, receive the gifts of our lives
as an offering of gratitude for your grace.
Overshadow us with your Holy Spirit
and let it be with us according to your word,
for nothing is impossible with you. Amen.
Luke 1:35–38; 1 Corinthians 1:4

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:
Like a shepherd, you gather us up;
you fill us with the finest wheat
and turn our sorrow into joy.

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:
Through Christ all things came into being;
he is the light that darkness cannot overcome,
your Word made flesh, full of grace and truth.

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.

As you have made known to us
the mystery of your will,
teach us to proclaim the mystery of faith,
living to praise your glory!

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

At the communion table:
We sing a new song to you, Lord.
Through this bread and wine
we receive your joy.
All of creation praises you,
joining with glad voices
to share the good news
of Christ’s saving birth.
We give thanks
for the Word you first sang,
Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

— Sending —

Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song

Blessing and Charge

At the doors of the church:
May the God of glory, 
the Word of life, 
and the Spirit of truth 
bless you all, 
now and forever. Alleluia!
John 1:14

Whatever you do, in word or deed, 
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
giving thanks to God. Amen.
Colossians 3:17