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Invitation to Worship
Come, let us sing to Adonai, let us praise the God of all Creation!
We make the Sign of the Cross over our lips as we begin.
O Holy ONE + open my lips,
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Fish and all Creatures of the sea, bless Adonai;
~ All you Birds in the heavens, exalt God for ever!
EPIPHANY/BATISM OCTAVE MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Morning Hymn .
Brightest and best of the Stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all!
Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edom and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?
Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure;
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Words: Reginald Heber, 1811; Melody: STAR IN THE EAST, Southern Harmony 1835
PSALMODY
Antiphon/Refrain
God’s Love gives strength to the little ones,
and golden wheat to share at the feast.
Psalm 147
O Praise Adonai, Jerusalem,
Zion, praise the Holy One.
God’s-Love gives strength to the little ones,
And courage to face their fears.
Peace to be their sure refuge,
Golden wheat to share at the feast.
God’s-Word cuts through the resistance
That fosters greed and conceit;
Sends snow heavy as wool
And scatters frost like ashes;
Hurls down hail like crumbs,
Freezes the waters with Winter.
God’s-Word melts them with Spring,
God’s-Breath makes the waters flow.
The Word is written on our hearts
To guide us with wisdom and justice;
That together we may share with all people
God’s ways of justice and truth.
Glory to the One and to the Word
and to the Breath of Love;
As always before
so now and evermore. Amen.
God’s Love gives strength to the little ones,
and golden wheat to share at the feast.
READING Romans 14:12-13,17-19
Each of us shall give an account of ourself to God. Then let us no longer judge one another, but rather resolve never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. For the reign of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit; whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by others. Let us then pursue what leads to peace and to building up one another.
Responsory
R. The command of Adonai is clear, *it gives light to the eyes. V. Those who love their neighbors have fulfilled the law; love is the fulfilling of the law. *it gives light to the eyes. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word, and the Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
“Rabbi, if you will you can cure me.”
Moved with compassion, Jesus said:
“I do, and now be healed.”
And at once the leper was cured, alleluia!
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free
Raising for us a sign of salvation
In the house and family of David.
God promised throughout past ages
In words of holy prophets
To save us from our enemies,
And from the control of our oppressors.
Adonai favored our ancestors
And remembered the sacred covenant.
The pledge to Abraham and Sarah
Is now renewed for us;
That freed from the grip of our foes
We might worship without fear
And be both just and holy
For the rest of our days.
And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”
Will go ahead to prepare the way,
By teaching this people of salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins.
For the loving compassion of the Holy One
As the Rising Sun will shine upon us
To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow
To guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
“Rabbi, if you will you can cure me.”
Moved with compassion, Jesus said:
“I do, and now be healed.”
And at once the leper was cured, alleluia!
Intercessory Prayer
Prayer of Jesus
Our Dear Abba …
Versicles
Create clean hearts in us, O God;
~ And fill us with your Holy Spirit.
Save all people and bless those who seek You,
~Govern and uphold them now and forever.
Day by day, let us bless your Name,
~And sing your praise forever.
Keep us this day from all sin and evil
~Show us your mercy and compassion.
In you, Adonai, is all our hope:
~Let us never be put to shame.
Closing Prayer & Blessing
We give you thanks, Holy One, for with a mother’s love you have watched over us in the night and have led us from the shadows of darkness into morning’s light. Direct all our actions this day by your inspiration so that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from you and through you be brought to completion, for you live and reign in the power of love both now and forever. Amen.
May the God of Sea and Sky who has called us to glory + bless us and all creation with freedom, flourishing and the fullness of life. ~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai.
~Thanks be to God.