The Word, the Light, the Glory of God
Service Prayers for the Second Sunday of Christmas
January 3, 2016

Call to Worship  ( John 1 )
In the beginning, 
there was the Word; 
the Word was in God’s presence, 
and the Word was God. 
The Word was present to God from the beginning. 
Through the Word all things came into being… . 
In the Word was life, and that life was humanity’s light- -
And the Word became flesh 
and stayed for a little while among us; 
we saw the Word’s glory—
the favor and position a parent  gives an only child—
filled with grace, filled with truth. 
Let us rejoice in the Word!

Invocation  	
	O Word made Flesh,
	You have come into our midst as light and wisdom,
	desiring to be known to us in our lives 
and to be found in the world around us. 
	Open our eyes and our ears and our hearts to recognize you
where you dwell—in our midst—
Challenging, heartening, lighting the way 
to truth, peace, justice. 

Prayer of Confession   

When we close our eyes to the Light of the World
	Struggling to shine light on the lives of all who are poor and oppressed:
	Lord, have mercy.

When we close our ears to the Wisdom of God,
	Struggling to be heard above hate-filled words and fear-filled rhetoric:
	Christ, have mercy.

When we close our hearts to the Glory of God,
	Which is known fully only in a world of peace where all creation thrives,
	Lord, have mercy.

Assurance of Pardon

In Christ, the Light, the Word, the Glory of God’s love 
shines in our hearts, 
and we are forgiven and given strength to go forward into a new future.  
Let us give thanks that in Jesus, Emmanuel, 
God is truly with us.

Let us celebrate this great grace by offering to one another a sign of Christ’s peace.

Passing the Peace

Call to Offering

	The Love of God is born new in the world 
as often as we embody that love 
in the works of compassion, peace and justice.
	Let us offer our gifts in a spirit of generosity and hope.

Prayer of Dedication

	With these gifts, dear God, 
	accept the praise and thanksgiving of our hearts, 
	which rejoice in your goodness and love. 
	Let our gifts point to your presence in the world,
	and further your dream for the world
	through Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us.                             Amen.
	
Benediction
In the beginning, the Word; 
the Word was in God’s presence, 
and the Word was God. 
The Word was present to God from the beginning. 
Through the Word all things came into being…. 
In the Word was life, and that life was humanity’s light- 
a Light that shines in the night, 
a Light that the night has never overtaken.
Go forth to witness to the Light, to the Word, to the Glory of God dwelling in us;
Go forth to live in grace and truth.

		

The Light, the Word, the Glory of God, service prayers for the Second Sunday after Christmas, was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, Minister for Faith Formation; Curator for Worship and Liturgical Arts, Local Church Ministries.  Translation of John 1 is adapted from The Inclusive Bible © 2007, Priests for Equality.

Copyright 2016 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.