With a 20-minute sermon and distribution of communion to an average-sized church, this liturgy is about 1 hour and 15 minutes in length. If the Holy Spirit moves in an unexpected way (e.g., there is an extended time of testimonies), parts of the service such as the song after the Sanctus and the Prayer After Communion may be omitted at the discretion of the Minister. It is recommended that announcements be saved until the end of the service, after the Doxology or after the Benediction and Sending.
For prelude music, the Epiphany Playlist may be used. For a processional hymn, All Creatures of Our God and King may be used.
THE ACCLAMATION
Blessed be God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Good morning, brothers and sisters, and happy Lord’s Day! It’s so good to be here together with you. But above all else, it’s good to be here together with Jesus. Jesus promised that when the church gathered, he would be in our midst. And not only is he here, but he’s going to be speaking to us throughout this morning’s service. When we hear the Scriptures, that is Jesus speaking. It’s why we say after every reading, “This is the Word of the Lord” or “This is the Gospel of the Lord.” When we hear the sermon—insofar as it accurately conveys the truth of Scripture—that is Jesus speaking too. It is Jesus sharing his word and making his appeal through his church. And after we’ve been with Jesus and heard Jesus speak, we come to our most intimate encounter with Christ, the Lord’s Supper, of which Jesus said, “This is my body.” The Lord’s Supper is real communion, real fellowship—Christ sacramentally present with us. And it is the closest that we will ever come on this side of heaven to actually touching our Lord.
Brothers and sisters, if we could actually see Jesus sitting here this morning or standing behind the pulpit or lectern, I believe that it would instantly revolutionize our worship. We wouldn’t just go through the motions. We wouldn’t allow our minds to wander. We wouldn’t sing like we are half asleep. We would listen with close attention. We would read the responses with a loud voice. We would raise our hands or say “Amen” or at least nod our heads. We would say the Creed with vigor. We would confess sin with a humble and contrite heart. We would approach the Table with godly seriousness and joy. We would put ourselves into the service and give it our all, because we would want Jesus to be pleased with every moment of our worship, from beginning to end. To worship in this way, we need faith that Jesus is truly and actually with us, and that we aren’t here just to talk about him; we’re here to meet with him.
“The truth is this: Christ is fully present in worship whether we are aware of his presence or not. … When we gather to worship, we must not come first and foremost seeking an experience; we come seeking Christ. … [And] the more we pay attention to the real presence of Christ through spoken words, prayers, sermon, responses, and so forth, the more we will experience the reality of his presence among us” (Constance Cherry).
Let us pray.
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.
THE KYRIE, TRISAGION, AND GLORIA PATRI
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Holy God, holy and mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
PRAYER BEFORE THE LESSONS
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Let’s listen attentively to the Word of the Lord.
THE FIRST LESSON
A reading from the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 9, at the first verse:
9 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM
Psalm 27 may be read without the response below (“Show me your beauty…”) or sung in metrical form.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
Show me your beauty, O Lord.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Show me your beauty, O Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
Show me your beauty, O Lord.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
THE SECOND LESSON
A reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 1, at the 10th verse:
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMNS
Hymn numbers from “Our Great Redeemer’s Praise.”
Alternatively, “Take My Life” May be sung after the sermon.
THE GOSPEL READING
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew, Chapter 4, at the 12th verse:
12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE SERMON
The Minister expounds and exhorts from one or more of the Scripture lessons. Recommended sermon length: 20 minutes.
THE CREED
Let us confess our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed:
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Prayer is offered for the local and universal Church, the nations of the world, their rulers, Christian ministers, the spread of the gospel, the work of the great commission, and all who are in trouble, sorrow, need, or sickness. For sample prayer liturgies, see “The Prayers of the People (Congregational Prayer).”
THE INVITATION
Brothers and sisters, Jesus is calling us this morning to be his disciples and to consecrate our lives completely to him. If you truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from this point forward in his holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God.
THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; we acknowledge and lament our many sins, which we have, from time to time, most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed, against your divine majesty. We earnestly repent, and are sincerely sorry for our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous to us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. For the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in your great mercy you have promised forgiveness to all who turn to you with sincere repentance and true faith. Have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE COMFORTING WORDS AND THE PEACE
Our Savior speaks comforting words to all who truly turn to him: Come unto me, all you that are burdened and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
THE OFFERTORY
Before or during the offertory, a song may be played or sung, and a time may be observed for the People to greet one another in the name of the Lord, extending peace and reconciliation (Matthew 5:23–24).
THE SURSUM CORDA AND THE SANCTUS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our God.
It is fitting and right to do so.
O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, it is very fitting, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you through Jesus Christ our Lord, who took on our mortal flesh to reveal his glory; that he might bring us out of darkness and into his glorious light. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you, and saying,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Amen.
SONG OF PRAISE AFTER THE SANCTUS
THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Almighty God, our heavenly Father; of your tender mercy, you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. By once offering himself there, he made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, offering, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.
So now, most merciful Father, we humbly ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine; and grant that we may receive them according to the holy institution of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, in remembrance of his death and passion, and be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.
In the same night that he was betrayed, he took* bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake* it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this* is my Body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise after Supper he took* the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink you all of this; for this* is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins: Do this as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE MINISTRATION
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
Have mercy on us, and grant us your peace.
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
The Ministers receive the Bread and Cup, and then deliver it to the people, saying,
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, [which was given for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.]
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, [which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.]
Or, the Minister may say,
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.
If the consecrated bread or wine is consumed before all have communed, the Minister consecrates more, repeating the Prayer of Consecration. When all have communed, the Minister covers what remains of the consecrated elements with a fair linen cloth.
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
THE DOXOLOGY
The Doxology may be sung without introduction.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
THE BLESSING AND SENDING
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Amen.
Let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.