God, by a word you created all things. May your word, living and active, create us anew this day, making us again in your image. Amen.
submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
illumination
invocation: root us
Gracious God, we gather to worship You and to consider the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. He existed before all things, and all things are held together in Him. Root us in faith. Keep us secure in the Good News. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Martha Spong
illumination: reveal
Reveal your presence to us this day,
O God of light, love, and glory.
As you did to your servants at the foot of the mountain,
send your Spirit to show us your story.
May the brilliance of your face
illuminate this place
as we dare to proclaim your Word
and may we, your people, be never unable
to tell all of that we have heard.
Submitted by Stephen Fearing.
illumination: you knew us
Holy God,
you knew us before we knew ourselves.
You consecrate us even now to be your servants.
Create in us hearts worthy to be your prophets
that we might go where you send us,
and speak the Word that you give us.
Through the power of your Holy Spirit,
place your words upon our lips
and your grace upon our hearts
so that we might pluck up and pull down,
destroy and overthrow,
build and plant,
as you, alone, have commanded. Amen.
inspired by Jeremiah 1:4-10, the Old Testament lectionary passage for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany (year C)
submitted by Stephen Fearing, student at Columbia Theological Seminary
illumination: moving
Loving God, we will hear how long ago the people told Ezra to read the Scriptures to them. As we listen to your Word today, may we find it as moving as they did, as we are filled with the light of your love and opened to your call which sends us to live your message. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Daniel Hayward, Trinity Ingleside and Newington United Churches (The United Church of Canada), South Stormont ON.
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