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

Gathering Meditation

What does good news look like to the poor?

The poor have needs of all kinds
And are looking for more than bread
More than cans to crush for coins.

The poor are often hidden among us
Dressed in their finest, while secretly starving
Watching church folk in the distance,
Hoping to see good news,
A reason to have faith
In a God they cannot see.

Sometimes
Poverty is more
Than a fork in search of food.

Sometimes . . .

Poverty takes the form of a soul
Searching for God.

We Are the Body of Christ
Based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

Leader: We are the body of Christ and we belong with each other.
People: Some seeing
Some hearing
Some speaking

All: Some reaching out and touching in the name of God.

Leader: We are the body of Christ and we belong with each other.
People: Some teaching
Some preaching,
Some healing

All: Some breaking new ground in new places.

Leader: We are the body of Christ
People: Many and varied
Wonderfully diverse.

All: And we come to worship together!

Unison Prayer
(Based on Luke 4:14-21)

Empowering God,
Set us aside this day for good news,
For liberating work,
For ministries that reveal your goodness to the entire world.
Anoint us and let the acceptable year of your favor be made known!
Amen.