2^nd Sunday after Epiphany, Proper 1, Cycle B (January 17, 2021)

1 Samuel 3:1-20 (the call of Samuel to be a prophet)

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

you knew me in the womb)

 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (the body made for the Lord; you are a temple

for the Holy Spirit)

John 1:43-51 (Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel)

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

With gratitude for the gift of Christ, let us draw near to our heavenly Father in prayer, asking his mercy for the Church, the world, and all who need his loving-kindness.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, thank you for being so patient with us! Thank you for calling us to be your disciples and prophets, teachers and pastors, servants and saints and even fools for Christ. Thank you for using simple words to reveal profound truth. Help us to do the same as we share your Word with those who don’t know you well.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You called Samuel to be your prophet; and your Son called Philip and Nathaniel to be his disciples. Fill the Church with your Holy Spirit, so that hears and heeds Jesus’ call to follow him. Give it preachers, professors, and people who are faithful to your Word.  Through their words and deeds, draw many to trust in Him who is the salvation of the whole world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Purify and perfect all who suffer on account of Christ. Lead them in your everlasting way. By their faithful witness, turn the hearts of their tormentor to repentant faith in you.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless this congregation as we seek to do your will. Keep us steadfast in faith.  Conform us to Christ our Lord. Use us to bring the Gospel to those who need to hear it most.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We remember with gratitude the life, words, and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thank you for raising him up as your servant. Help us to honor him, and to glorify you, by finding good and gracious ways to extend the blessings of liberty, justice, and equality to all people.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You know the inmost thoughts of all; none can flee your presence. Shine the light of your wisdom into the hearts of earthly leaders. Teach them your ways; take all wickedness from them; and use them to establish your will among all people. Help us to live in peace with our neighbors, striving always to outdo one another in showing honor, kindness, justice, and mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We pray for medical researchers, and for all who are stretched thin caring for the sick, administering vaccines, and helping to keep businesses, churches, schools, and communities open and safe. Strengthen, guide, and bless them. Give us prudence and patience, forbearance and kindness, in these trying times and always.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Send the power of your Holy Spirit into the hearts of all who suffer, especially {List}. Fill them with health and hope; bless all who minister to them; and let the radiance of your Son’s love gladden their hearts.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Most merciful Father, we thank you for the lives of your servants who followed you in this life and now abide in your presence. Grant that we, too, heed your gracious invitation, given through your dear Son. Make us into living temples of your Spirit. Lead us into your presence with Samuel and all the faithful people of Israel; with Nathaniel and Philip and all the apostles, martyrs, and saints of your Church. Grant that, with them, we rejoice forever in the salvation you have accomplished for us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers and petitions, dear Father, as may be best for us and to your greater glory, thorough your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Baptism of Our Lord, Cycle B (January 10, 2021)

Genesis 1:1-5 (God creates light)

Psalm 29 (the voice of the Lord upon the waters)

Acts 19:1-7 (baptism in name of Jesus);

Mark 1:4-11 (the Baptism of Jesus)

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

With gratitude for the gift of Christ, let us draw near to our heavenly Father in prayer, asking his mercy for the Church, the world, and all who need his loving-kindness.

A brief silence

Most holy God, give us ears to hear your voice thundering amid the floodwaters of this world. Give us lips to cry “Glory!” Give us hearts to love you above all things. Give us faith to trust you in all things.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Fill the Church with your glory. Make it faithful in proclaiming your promise of salvation to those who do not know you. Let it rejoice when many repent, believe, and are joined to the Body of Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Guide, guard and bless your persecuted servants throughout the world. Let your Word be found upon their lips and in their hearts. By their faithful witness, lead even their enemies to the light of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let your Word thunder in this congregation. Unlock our lips to cry “Glory” and proclaim your holy Name in word and deed. Conform our lives to the image of Christ. Let the light of his holy and forgiving love shine brightly in all we say and do.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Pour your Spirit upon those who waver between doubt and faith, despair and hope, rebellion and repentance. Nudge them to take the next small step of faith, even if it feels like a giant leap. Help us to walk with them along that path.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let your Word shape the minds, hearts and wills of our elected and appointed leaders. Fill all of us with your Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of you, and joy in your presence. Banish those things which lead to hatred and suffering. Speak your Word of peace to us all.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Be the shield, light and safety of all who risk their lives for the sake of others. Give them such integrity and strength of character that the innocent and defenseless may always look to them for help. When their work is done, bring them home in safety to their loved ones.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let your living Word bring health, wholeness and hope to all who suffer, especially: {LIST}. Bless all who minister to them; and let the radiance of your Son’s love gladden their hearts.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We thank you, heavenly Father, for your powerful voice that splits open the tombs of your servants, and calls them out of death into eternal life. Give comfort and strength to all who grieve. Protect and guide for each of us, until we join those who continually cry “Glory” in your blessed presence, and dwell with you in the splendor of eternal light and life that you share with your Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers and petitions, dear Father, as may be best for us and to your greater glory, thorough your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him” (Ephesians 1:3-4).

There are some things you should not try to figure out.  You have been chosen by God.  He who knew you before the foundation of the world determined that you would be conformed to the image of Christ.  Do not spend your time pondering why, but spend your time and energy being conformed according to the purpose of the Father.  He Who knows all things, has already put before you all that is needed for your faith to flourish.

Lord, help me focus upon those things which are of benefit in my faith.  Guide me to spend my time and energy where You would have me spend them.  Guide me in all things so that I would not try so much to understand all things as to understand that You who are the Maker of all things.  Lead me along the right paths for Your sake and keep me close to You on the narrow path of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You have come and accomplished all that needs to be done in order that we who have faith might flourish in the truth You have revealed.  Lead me this day Lord so that I may focus upon those tasks You have given me to do and walk according to Your never-changing word.  Help me see through the confusion of this age and learn how to be obedient in and through all things.  Amen.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:1-2).

To all who are faithful, he says: only the Lord knows who the faithful are.  If you understand that, then treat those you believe to be faithful in this manner: be gracious to all others as the Lord has been gracious to you.  Live in the grace you have been given and, as far as you are concerned, live in peace with others.  We each have been called by the Lord and we have been given tasks by the Holy Spirit so that we may live this life of faith in fellowship.

Lord, these are simple words and I have heard them many times.  I often think of them as just a greeting.  Help me to learn to receive them as a blessing and take them into my heart.  Teach me how to be blessed and to bless others.  Guide me to a fuller understanding of living this life of faith which You have given me.  Teach me how to live all my days faithfully, in peace, and loving my neighbor.

Lord Jesus, You who were always faithful, through whom we have received grace and mercy, and by whom are all things held together, guide me in the way of faith this day so that I may be blessed and be a blessing to others.  Help me rest in Your peace, share Your peace, and be at peace with those around me.  By Your grace, help me today to be Your witness and share the truth of faith in my life with others.  Amen.

“From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen” (Galatians 6:17-18).

Will you believe the faithful report you have received from the saints?  Will you believe in the faith you have been given?  Let no one mess with the truth which has been delivered once and for all.  They will try; but see it for what it is.  Holy Scriptures are not cleverly devised fables that we have been given, but the truth of God.  Rest in the peace He gives and know that in and through the One who created all life comes the blessing of salvation.

Lord, You have revealed all that is needed.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life so that I would hold fast to the truth You have revealed once for all.  Lead me to know and trust Your faithful saints who are trustworthy, and to reject the lies of the devil however and through whomever they may come.  Teach me to rest in the peace of salvation given and to live each day following You in all of Your ways.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Lead me today, Lord, so that I would look to You for all things.  Guide me by the Word You have already given and grant me strength to reject all of the lies that surround me.  With Your guidance, I can do all things, for You have given me the words of eternal life and the will to follow You.  Lead me into Your peace always.  Amen.

“For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.  And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:15-16).

The new creature is the one who walks with the Lord.  The new creation is what replaces the old Adam, who insists on laws and regulations instead of walking humbly with God.  Come then and do not walk in the way of the world; but walk in the way of the Lord who created all worlds.  Yes, there is order, but its purpose belongs to the One who calls you to follow Him always.

Lord, always be the One leading me in this new life You have given me by grace and through faith.  Help me to avoid the traps that are set up in this age of wickedness which would ensnare me in the law’s unyielding demands.  Guide me in the way of life You have established so that I would learn how to live as one freed from sin, always seeking to do what is pleasing to the Father.  Guide me, O Lord, for I know well the way of the old Adam, but I do not yet fully know the way You have established.

Lord Jesus, You gave us a new commandment which sums up all of the old commands and re-establishes what You initially created as the order of things.  Guide me, Lord and  Savior, in the way of everlasting life that lives by humbly abiding in You.  Teach me how to think, act, and have my being so that I may abide in the way of life everlasting.  Lord, help me overcome the ways of this world with Your grace and live always abiding in You and in the way You lead me.  Amen.

“For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.  But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:13-14).

Some things have never changed.  There are those who set rules up as the thing itself; whether or not they actually follow them is another matter.  The Lord God, who loves us, created us, and has given us the opportunity for salvation.  This is what our faith is all about.  Yes, our behavior matters, but that is what we do, not who we are.  Who we are in the Lord, is what all of this is all about.

Lord, sift my heart so that I would not mix these things up and chase after those who insist upon right practice.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life so that in relationship with You I would abide by what is right and fitting for the sake of the relationship You have established with me.  Do not let me think that my behavior, or being pleasing in Your sight, is the condition by which we have a relationship.  You have given me Your word first.

Jesus, You died for the forgiveness of our sins, taking our place on the cross, so that we would be freed from sin’s power.  Sin brings death, but You give life.  You have not freed me to do as I please, but You have freed me to do what is pleasing to the Father.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life which You have established so that I would not fall into the age-old trap of trying to live the law as the thing itself.  Guide me in learning how to love You and my neighbor as You would have me love.  Amen.