21st Century Worship Resources for the Second Sunday After the Epiphany, Year C

Suggested Music

Cry Out O Zion
(Stephen Hurd and Corporate Worship Volume 1)

Invocation
(Based on John 2:1-11)

God, our God,
As you were with the wedding party in Cana of Galilee, be with us here today. The wine of our lives and souls has run out. Fill this place with the presence of Your Holy Spirit. Fill the water pots of our souls this day with new and fresh wine from your wine cellar. The wine of yesterday is gone; it is stale; it is old. Today, God, send your anointing power in this place and in the lives of your people that we may find strength to hold on and hold out. Help us to know that the best wine is yet to come, and we can taste and see your goodness. Show yourself to be powerful, empowering, and awesome this day and for all times to come. In the name of Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.

Call to Worship: The Steadfast Love of the Lord Endures Forever
(Based on Psalm 36:5-10)

One: Your steadfast love, Lord, never comes to an end. As high as the heavens are, your love for humanity is that high. In our unfaithfulness, God, you are ever faithful to us.

Many: The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever.

One: You, O God, are a right-now God. Your righteousness is like the Atlas Mountains of Africa; your judgments are deep as the Nile River. Regardless of our infirmities and frailties, you save all of your creation; none of us is overlooked.

Many: God's sure and ready love never comes to an end.

One: Through the storms of life, the tragedies of family, the injustices of life, your love remains steadfast as you provide shelter in our storm-tossed lives.

Many: The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever.

One: No matter what, God, you are our source of abundance: our water when we get thirsty; our food when we are hungry. The rivers of life flow from you. You are our light in the darkness of our every day. You know all of creation by name; you know the desires of our hearts.

ALL: Continue to love us, God, through the love of Jesus Christ. For your steadfast love endures forever, a sure and ready love that never, ever ends.

Confessional Prayer
(Based on 1 Corinthians 12:1-11)

God, we have not known how to use the gifts you have given us. At times, we have misused and abused your gifts, not knowing how to use them in a world where homelessness, pain, disease, injustices, and death affect young and old. We have not encouraged the downtrodden or the outcast of our societies. We continue to build bigger homes, drive fancier cars, and wear fine clothes at the expense of those who live below the poverty line. Forgive us for our lack of caring and sharing. God, we don't want to be uninformed; so help us use the gifts you have given us in the Spirit in which they were given, to build your Kingdom and your people. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Hear the good news. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Praise God!

The Rev. Bryan K. Fleet is the pastor of Mt. Zion-Warren and St. Mark's United Methodist Churches in Maryland and a clergy member of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference.