Call to Worship

Children of God, who has God called you to be?
A light to all the nations!

When confusion, disunity, and misinformation threaten to undo us, who are you called to be?
A light to all the nations!

When wars and rumors of wars in our communities and around the world overwhelm us, who are you called to be?
A light to all the nations!

When the vulnerable are left without care or hope for flourishing, who are you called to be?
A light to all the nations!

Come! Let us worship God, who gives us as a light of good news to all the nations!
We come to worship God, who calls us and equips us to reflect God’s glory and abundant life into all the world. Amen.

Opening Prayer

Guide our feet, Lord. Show us the light of grace when we would judge others too harshly. Warm our hearts with the glow of your love when we would spew icy words of spite. Illumine our souls with joyful delight when sadness tries to take over the day. Shine brightly on us today, Lord, until we reflect your glory as a witness to this world. Amen.

Written by Kwasi Kena, The Africana Worship Book Year A (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2006), 84.

Prayer of Confession

And so we live our lives imperfectly, for we are flawed. But we are also loved by the God in whose image we were created. Let us remake ourselves toward that image as we make our confession before God and each other, first in silent prayer.

Silent confession

Gracious and loving God, hear our prayer.
We know we do not always live as we ought:
We turn away from you, from our neighbor, and from our true selves.
We know we dim your light within us,
With our pride, our self-righteousness, and our need for control
We know that you love us, that you do not abandon us,
and that again and again you call us back to you,
back to love,
back to grace,
back to your light.
Forgive us, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness

Friends, hear the good news:
the mercy of God is from everlasting to everlasting.
Let us proclaim the good news:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Alleluia! Amen.

Written by Beth Merrill Neel on her blog, “Hold Fast to What Is Good.” Used with permission. Posted at https://holdfasttowhatisgood.com/liturgy/prayer-of-confession.

Benediction

As we leave this place, remember:
God, who chose you before your birth,
who calls you and knows you by name,
now sends you out into the world—
to bring light to those in darkness,
comfort to those who grieve,
hope to those who despair.

And may the blessing of God,
the love of Jesus Christ,
and the presence of the Holy Spirit
be among you and within you
as you seek to do God’s will. Amen.

Posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2014/01/benediction-isaiah-49-1-7_4.html.