Second Sunday after Epiphany 2022

Father, we confess that we have sinned against you, yet we know that you love us still. In your steadfast love, forgive our feeble worship which we offer to you; pardon our paltry praise; extend your mercy to us in our failure to be genuine in our fellowship one with other; and absolve our tendency to neglect attending to the needs of those who are the least among us.

Reclaim us as your own for we truly repent of our sins as we resolve to follow in our Lord’s footsteps. We embrace our Father’s promise to us: a new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. AMEN

With your presence, Lord, our Head and Savior,
bless them all we humbly pray.
Our dear heavenly father’s love and favor
be their comfort every day.
May God’s spirit now in each proceeding
favor them with his most gracious leading
thus, shall they be truly blessed
both in labor and in rest.

Prayer of Invocation:  
Loving God, we should worship you with the joy of the newlywed for your love is unfailing and unfading, stronger than death, and larger than life. We are worthy to worship you only through Jesus Christ in whose church we are his bride. By your Holy Spirit may we always be your holy church to the glory of your name.  
Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving  
Loving God, you give yourself to all of us, to the young and the innocent, to the jaded and the disenchanted, to the tired and the despairing. Your love is like the love of the young bridegroom, like the love of the lonely widower finding a lonely widow, like the love of a king who marries an unlikely commoner. None can be deserving of your love, but all of us can be grateful and return your love with thankful devotion, like your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.  
 
Prayer of Intercession  
Hear, O God, our humble intercessions on behalf of all humanity in the name of Christ our Lord.Send forth your Spirit of truth upon your church throughout the world, that all who confess your name may agree in the truth of your written word and especially in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. May we live purely, honestly, and in godly love that Christ may be glorified.  
Hear us, O Lord.  
 
Accompany the messengers of the gospel to every land and uphold them that they may uplift Christ and hasten the promised time when all people shall know you, their God and savior.  
Hear us, O Lord.  
 
God of all nations, bless these United States that true religion and virtue may season our common life, that there may be peace within our borders and prosperity for all. Preserve us from corruption, the abuse of power, and unbridled greed. Bring unity to those in government so that they may lead according to your will. In plenty or in want, may we seek first your kingdom and to live right with each other.  
Hear us, O Lord.  
 
God eternal, before whom generations rise and pass away, preserve our sons and daughters. Reawaken the zeal of our young people who have dedicated themselves to you and promised to serve you all their days.  
Hear us, O Lord.  
 
Hear us, O God, for all the afflicted and especially for those we know who are sick. Sustain their spirits in faith, and hope, and in due time make them completely well.  
Hear us, O Lord.  
 
Give comfort to those overburdened with the cares of this life. By your loving and Holy Spirit, clear the minds of those who are overwhelmed by doubt or hatred. Send your people, like us, to befriend the friendless and console the bereaved. Give rest and peace to the dying.  
Hear us, O Lord.  
 
Merciful Lord, guide us safely through any crisis and danger that we may face this week. Keep us and all others under your watchful care and may we seek in all we do to glorify you, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory with you, Sovereign God, and the Holy Spirit. 
Amen.

Watchword for the Week

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the
same Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:4

Watchword for Today

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.
Psalm 105:4

Doctrinal Text

Everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks,
the door will be opened.
Luke 11:10

Prayer for Today

Lord, we find our home in you. When we lose our way in this life, all we must do is come
home and knock on the door. You are there beckoning us to stay. Help us to listen.
AMEN

Congregation Watchword for the Year

Serve God with single mind and willing heart; for the Lord searches every mind

1 Chronicles 28:9

Prayer Request

• Prayer Request