21st Century Worship Resources for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C

Gathering Meditation
(Based on Jeremiah 1:4-10)

Before the light of dawn broke through my darkest night,
You knew me.
Before I wandered off to do my thing,
You knew me.
Before I tripped and fell from grace,
You knew me.
Before you formed me in my mother's womb,
You knew me.

Before my birth
You set me apart
And said, "Never be afraid"
"For I am with you."

Then you touched me
And put your words into my mouth
Until I thundered
To the very nations.

Before I ever realized that you were God,
You knew all about me.

Love!
1 Corinthians 13:1-13

One: Love, without it we are like clanging cymbals,
All: Love!

One: We can speak like prophets, but we still have to
All: Love!

One: We can build great buildings, but we need to
All: Love!

One: We can preach and pray, thank God every day, but we must
All: Love!
One: Be patient and kind, with no envy in mind,
All: Love!

One: Don't be rude or resentful; don't insist on your own way,
All: Love!
One: How can we live without it?
All: Love!

One: How can we sing without it?
All: Love!

One: Who can serve God without it?
All: Love!

One: We just stopped by today so that God could remind us to
All: Love!

Suggested song: "Love" by Kirk Franklin

Kwasi I. Kena, the former Director of Evangelism at Discipleship Ministries, is now an Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry at the Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Indiana.