Postcommunion Prayer

     

Lord our God, 

you feed us in this life with bread from heaven,
the pledge and foreshadowing of future glory.
Grant that the working of this sacrament within us
may bear fruit in our daily lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

--Katharine Tynan (1861-1931) Irish playwright, author, and poet

Holy One, Our Only Home (alternative Lord's Prayer)

   

Holy One, our only Home,

hallowed by your name.
May your day dawn,
your will be done,
here, as in heaven.
Feed us today, and forgive us
as we forgive each other.
Do not forsake us at the test,
but deliver us from evil.
For the glory, the power,
and the mercy are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

-- Mother Thunder Mission

Call to Worship for Transfiguration

(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9,
Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:16-18)

Beyond our busyness,
Above the cold winter floor
there is a glory rising born of heaven
and reaching out to each one of us

a light that shines through the clouds
an invitation seeking all of who we are
that transfigures the world

that transforms darkness into hope
that brings life from a cross
where old life ends and new life is born

In glory Jesus meets us here
raising us from depths of valley to the height of the mountain
carrying the weight of our humanity
to the heights of heavens glory.

Let us worship from the mountain and hear again
“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”


~ written by Rev. Rob Smith, found at re:worship

Rend Your Heart

     

To receive this blessing,

all you have to do
is let your heart break.
Let it crack open.
Let it fall apart
so that you can see
its secret chambers,
the hidden spaces
where you have hesitated
to go.

Your entire life
is here, inscribed whole
upon your heart’s walls:
every path taken
or left behind,
every face you turned toward
or turned away,
every word spoken in love
or in rage,
every line of your life
you would prefer to leave
in shadow,
every story that shimmers
with treasures known
and those you have yet
to find.

It could take you days
to wander these rooms.
Forty, at least.

And so let this be
a season for wandering
for trusting the breaking
for tracing the tear
that will return you

to the One who waits
who watches
who works within
the rending
to make your heart
whole.

- Jan Richardson, Methodist writer, author, artist, and poet

Gathering Prayer for 2nd Sunday after Epiphany Year C

We come in these endless days, Precious God,
people in need of the constancy of your love:
may we drink deeply from your fountain of life;
may we continue to be guided by your Light.
We gather in these weary days, Water-changing God,
people looking for signs of hope and wonder:
may we drink deeply from your fountain of grace;
may our weariness be wrapped in your Hope.
We worship in these overwhelming days, Gifting God,
people who try to point others to Jesus:
may we drink deeply from your fountain of joy;
may our life be strengthened by your Life.

-- Thom Shuman, from his blog Lectionary Liturgies, January 12, 2025

Scripture reference: John 2:1-11

Epiphany House Blessing (from the Book of Occasional Services)

 

This service can be used to chalk the doors of your house at home and welcome in the ligbt of Christ for the still-new year. If the Celebrant is not a priest, the Blessing of the Chalk section can be omitted and you can move straight to the actual chalking of the door. At the final blessing, substitute “us” for “you,” and make the sign of cross over yourselves rather than outwardly.

Celebrant   Peace be to this house, and to all who dwell in it.

Antiphon
The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.

Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
     for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
     the Almighty has done great things for me,
     and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
     in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
     he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
     and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
     and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
     for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
     to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
     as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. 

Antiphon
The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.

Celebrant     The Lord be with you.
People          And also with you.
Celebrant     Let us pray.

Collect
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Blessing of the Chalk
V: Our help is in the name of the Lord
R: The maker of heaven and earth.
V: The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in:
R: From this time forth for evermore.
V. The Lord be with you.
R: And also with you.
V: Let us pray.

Celebrant
Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created,  that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name all who use it in faith to write upon the doors of their homes the names of your saints, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit their home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The lintel of the door is then chalked as follows:

20 + C + M + B + 25

Celebrant
The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God's Son who became human two thousand and eighteen years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.

The Celebrant then says this prayer
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives they touch. May they grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen them; and preserve them in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.

The Celebrant then says this blessing
May God the Father, who by Baptism adopts us as his children, grant you grace. Amen.
May God the Son, who sanctified a home at Nazareth, fill you with love. Amen.
May God the Holy Spirit, who has made the Church one family, keep you in peace. Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

The Peace may then be exchanged.

-- from the Book of Occasional Services, 2003, pp. 47-50, with additional material from https://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/3163149

The O Antiphons and Prayers to accompany them

These “O” antiphons express the theology of Advent and are the season’s brightest jewels. The incarnation of the Son, salvation, the pursuit of our redemption until the end of time — these are the constant themes of Advent theology. From them we can see that the celebration of Advent, like that of Christmas, has its true center in the paschal mystery, wherein the death and resurrection of Christ accomplishes our salvation.

December 17 - 1st Antiphon: O WISDOM

O WISDOM, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with Your strong yet tender care. Come and show Your people the way to salvation.

Prayer: Christ, the Word of the Father, through all the ages You have cared for Your people as a shepherd his flock, as a mother her child, as a potter his clay. Be present to us who cry out for Your compassionate, helping hand. Help us to be faithful to those values which You taught us by Your life and Your love. May we find Your presence in the needs of the poor and abandoned around us. Amen.

Closing Prayer: We come here to call on our God to come to us, to be with us. The title Emmanuel, God-with-us, was given to Christ many centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah. Emmanuel symbolizes God’s great love for us -- so great that God put aside His Divinity and took on our humanity. We pray for our God to draw closer to us as individuals and as members of a community. We assemble before God as representatives of the people of the earth, eager to see peace and justice reign on the face of our troubled world. We pray to the Father, for the coming of the Son, through the working of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 18 - 2nd Antiphon: O ADONAI

O LORD OF ISRAEL, who showed Yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: Come, stretch out Your mighty hand, to set us free.

Prayer: Lord, our God, reveal Yourself to us in the persons, circumstances, and events of each day, especially in those who need our time and talents. Open our eyes to recognize Your workings in all that happens to us; keep us open to Your coming to us in the unusual events and surprises of each day. May the place of our work become “holy ground” for we believe that You are present everywhere. Amen.

Closing Prayer: We come here to call on our God to come to us, to be with us. The title Emmanuel, God-with-us, was given to Christ many centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah. Emmanuel symbolizes God’s great love for us -- so great that God put aside His Divinity and took on our humanity. We pray for our God to draw closer to us as individuals and as members of a community. We assemble before God as representatives of the people of the earth, eager to see peace and justice reign on the face of our troubled world. We pray to the Father, for the coming of the Son, through the working of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 19 - 3rd Antiphon: O FLOWER OF JESSE

O FLOWER OF JESSE, You have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in Your presence; the nations bow down in worship before You. Come, let nothing keep You from coming to our aid.

Prayer: O Christ, living sign of the Father’s love, we adore You as the Center of our lives. You are our model for grace, truth, and living in the light of the Father. Be our strength in times of sorrow and trouble; be our joy in times of sadness; be our light in the darkness of sin and our troubled world. We are in awe of Your holy Presence. May we rejoice and share the signs of Your coming with one another. Amen.

Closing Prayer:  We come here to call on our God to come to us, to be with us. The title Emmanuel, God-with-us, was given to Christ many centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah. Emmanuel symbolizes God’s great love for us -- so great that God put aside His Divinity and took on our humanity. We pray for our God to draw closer to us as individuals and as members of a community. We assemble before God as representatives of the people of the earth, eager to see peace and justice reign on the face of our troubled world. We pray to the Father, for the coming of the Son, through the working of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 20 - 4th Antiphon: O KEY OF DAVID

O KEY OF DAVID, O royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death & lead Your captive people into freedom.

Prayer: Christ Jesus, You are the key to the happiness of our hearts. The darkness of sin and the awareness of our weaknesses drag us down, but You have come to lift us up & redeem us. We place all our hope in You who have freed us from sin. Teach us to open the doors of our hearts to You and to one another through awareness of the mystery of Your Presence in others. Lead us into the light of Your love & grace. Amen.

Closing Prayer: We come here to call on our God to come to us, to be with us. The title Emmanuel, God-with-us, was given to Christ many centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah. Emmanuel symbolizes God’s great love for us -- so great that God put aside His Divinity and took on our humanity. We pray for our God to draw closer to us as individuals and as members of a community. We assemble before God as representatives of the people of the earth, eager to see peace and justice reign on the face of our troubled world. We pray to the Father, for the coming of the Son, through the working of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 21 - 5th Antiphon: O DAYSPRING

O RISING DAWN, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Prayer: Radiance of the Father, light for our eyes, and guide for our souls, brighten our days by showing us the way to the Father, for You said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Your life showed us the way to live; Your words spoke of the truth of the Father; Your sufferings and death brought us to new life. May we be radiant with Your joy, as we begin to recognize Your coming to us in one another. We thank You for the gift of Your Body and Blood in the Eucharist which nourishes us and gives us renewed life. Amen.

Closing Prayer: We come here to call on our God to come to us, to be with us. The title Emmanuel, God-with-us, was given to Christ many centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah. Emmanuel symbolizes God’s great love for us -- so great that God put aside His Divinity and took on our humanity. We pray for our God to draw closer to us as individuals and as members of a community. We assemble before God as representatives of the people of the earth, eager to see peace and justice reign on the face of our troubled world. We pray to the Father, for the coming of the Son, through the working of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 22 - 6th Antiphon: O KING OF ALL NATIONS

O KING OF ALL NATIONS, the only joy of every human heart: O Keystone of the mighty arch of man. Come and save the creatures you fashioned from the dust.

Prayer: Lord, every nation on earth adores You, for by Your passion, death, and resurrection, You have saved all humanity. Your constant love and friendship reach from the heavens to the ends of the earth. You alone have bridged the deep chasm created by sin; You have protected us from the grasp of the evil one. You are the source of all life; help us to be as one family in You, our God and Savior. Amen.

Closing Prayer: We come here to call on our God to come to us, to be with us. The title Emmanuel, God-with-us, was given to Christ many centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah. Emmanuel symbolizes God’s great love for us -- so great that God put aside His Divinity and took on our humanity. We pray for our God to draw closer to us as individuals and as members of a community. We assemble before God as representatives of the people of the earth, eager to see peace and justice reign on the face of our troubled world. We pray to the Father, for the coming of the Son, through the working of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 23 - 7th Antiphon: O EMMANUEL, GOD-WITH-US

O GOD-WITH-US, Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, Come and set us free, Lord our God.

Prayer: Jesus, God-with-us, all compassionate and loving God whom we honor and adore, You have unlocked the gates of heaven and cleared the pathway for all humanity to come to You in the glory of the Father. Save us from the chains of sin and darkness. We thank you for the gift of redemption and look forward to the day of Your coming in glory. Amen.

Closing Prayer: We come here to call on our God to come to us, to be with us. The title Emmanuel, God-with-us, was given to Christ many centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah. Emmanuel symbolizes God’s great love for us -- so great that God put aside His Divinity and took on our humanity. We pray for our God to draw closer to us as individuals and as members of a community. We assemble before God as representatives of the people of the earth, eager to see peace and justice reign on the face of our troubled world. We pray to the Father, for the coming of the Son, through the working of the Holy Spirit. Amen.




-- found at Cathedral of St. John, Cleveland, https://saintjohncathedral.com/o-antiphons

Benediction based on Psalm 148

God of all the earth bless you.

God of sea creatures and ocean depths,
lightning and hail,
snow and mist,
and storm winds bless you.

God of mountains and hills,
fruit trees and cedars,
wild animals and cattle,
small animals
and flying birds bless you.

God whose majesty
transcends heaven and earth,
bless you … +

--by Andrew at South Sydney Uniting Church, for the Season of Creation, Year C

Prayers of Commendation from the Church of England

O God, who brought us to birth,
and in whose arms we die,
in our grief and shock contain and comfort us;
embrace us with your love,
give us hope in our confusion
and grace to let go into new life;
through Jesus Christ.
All Amen.

These or other prayers may follow

Lord, we come into your presence to remember N
and to seek your comfort,
for we know that nothing can separate us from your love
and that you support us in our sorrow.
We are sure that the souls of the righteous are with you
and that nothing can harm them.
Although they have died they are in peace.
Give us your strength to rejoice
that you have taken N to be with yourself
where he/she shall no more be in need.
May we find life and peace and perfect joy with him/her in your presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.

God of all consolation,
in your unending love and mercy
you turn the darkness of death
into the dawn of new life.
Your Son, by dying for us, conquered death
and, by rising again, restored to us eternal life.
May we then go forward eagerly to meet our redeemer
and, after our life on earth,
be reunited with all our brothers and sisters
in that place where every tear is wiped away
and all things are made new;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All Amen.

Lord, be with us as we open the door.
Come in with us, go out with us.
Do not sleep when we sleep,
but watch over us, protect us and keep us safe,
our only helper and maker.
All Amen.

Offering Prayer: Planting a Seed

Prayer of Dedication

(inspired by Mark 4:26-34)

May the offerings brought this day be used as seeds,
planted faithfully and nurtured lovingly
so that God’s way may be realized anew in this world.
Grant us the humility we need to plant and then tend your precious garden. Amen.


-- written by Katherine Hawker

Scripture Reference: Mark 4:26-34, Proper 6B

Gathering Prayer for Un-Ordinary Time

Presider      God of the Lark,
God of the Aspen Grove,
we join with all your creatures
in a chorus of praise and worship.

All           We are upheld by your almighty hand;
all that we have and are is yours,
and we bow in gratitude before you.

Presider      May we echo the humble thanksgiving
sung out by cicada and tree frog,
who praise You and your provision without ceasing.

All           May we find delight in the labor you set before us,
as the hummingbird does.

Presider      May we lift our arms to you in praise
like the oak as it stretches skyward.

All           May we constantly sing your praises
like the wind that weaves through pine-needle
and sets them to resonating in joy.

Presider      May we open our hearts to your guidance
for our own sake and the sake of the world,
led by wisdom of the Spirit of Truth,
enlightened by the example of the Prince of Peace,
rooted deep in the verdant garden of the God of Life.

All           Holy Trinity, One God,
envelop us in your mercy and grace this day,

                  that we may be transformed by worship and prayer

              Into bold icons of your love and faithfulness in the world.

--Leslie Barnes Scoopmire, copyright 2023

Don't Call Me a Stranger: The Cry of a Migrant

Don’t call me a stranger:
the language I speak sounds different
but the feelings it expresses are the same.

Don’t call me a stranger:
I need to communicate,
especially when language is not understood.

Don’t call me a stranger:
I need to be together,
especially when loneliness cools my heart.

Don’t call me a stranger:
I need to feel at home,
especially when mine is very far away from yours.

Don’t call me a stranger:
I need a family because mine I’ve
left to work for yours.

Don’t call me a stranger:
the soil we step on is the same
but mine is not ‘the promised land’.

Don’t call me a stranger:
the colour of my passport is different
but the colour of our blood is the same.

Don’t call me a stranger:
I toil and struggle in your land
and the sweat of our brows is the same.

Don’t call me a stranger:
borders, we created them
and the separation that results is the same.

Don’t call me a stranger:
I am just your friend
but you do not know it yet.

Don’t call me a stranger:
we cry for justice and peace in different ways
but our God is the same.

Don’t call me a stranger:
Yes! I am a migrant
but our God is the same.

--National Council of the Churches of India, found at Welcoming the Stranger: praying in solidarity with refugees from around the world, part 2: Lent and Easter, by the Jesuit Refugee Service, https://www.jrsuk.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lent-Prayers-Pack-JRS-UK-2016.pdf

Concluding Prayers for POP for 4th after Epiphany B

God of every land and nation,

you have created all people
and you dwell among us in Jesus Christ.
Listen to the cries of those who pray to you,
and grant that, as we proclaim the greatness of your name,
all people will know the power of love at work in the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

OR


Holy God, you gather the whole universe
into your radiant presence
and continually reveal your Son as our Savior.
Bring healing to all wounds,
make whole all that is broken,
speak truth to all illusion,
and shed light in every darkness,
that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. Amen.

--from Vanderbilt Divinity Library's resources for the Revised Common Lectionary.

Prayers for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany B

Perfect Light of revelation,
as you shone in the life of Jesus,
whose epiphany we celebrate,
so shine in us and through us,
that we may become beacons of truth and compassion,
enlightening all creation with deeds of justice and mercy. Amen.

OR

O God,
you spoke your word
and revealed your good news in Jesus, the Christ.
Fill all creation with that word again,
so that by proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations
and singing of your glorious hope to all peoples,
we may become one living body,
your incarnate presence on the earth. Amen.

--from Vanderbilt Divinity Library's Revised Common Lectionary resources

O Star-Flinging God: An Epiphany Prayer

O Star-flinging God,
whose light dances across eternity,
dazzle us into your presence
this new year.
Open our hearts to the mystery of your love.

Awaken us to your presence,
knit to the ordinary.
Reveal to us what is possible, but not yet present.
Heal us, that we might be healers.

Reconcile us to you and to ourselves,
that our living might be reconciling.

Stop us often, we pray
with news that is good
with hope that holds
with truth that transforms with a Word
tailored to this trail we're on.

May the word of your grace guide our steps
like the sun by day
and the north star by night,
as we travel into the gift of a new year. Amen.

— written by Glenn Mitchell, and posted on MINemergent’s Daily Communique.

Go in peace; love and care for one another in the name of Christ;
and may the Spirit of God which filled John and Jesus,
fill your hearts, souls and minds;
may the power of God which upheld them,
strengthen you for each day;
and may the love of God which directed their every action
be your guiding light and your shining star,
both now and forevermore. 

 Amen.

--the Rev. Richard J. Fairchild, found here.

Prayers of the People for Epiphany Season (Anglican Church of Canada)

God of light and life, our prayers rise before you this day in hope and faith.
    We pray for your church, for our diocese, bishops, clergy and all people... (petitions may be added)

Flame of abundant love, be our Joy in proclaiming your Good News to the world.
    We pray for all who are coming to faith, all who wonder about faith, and all who are struggling with faith... (petitions may be added)

Light of all creation, guide us to lead, teach and nurture your disciples
    We pray for those in need of food, shelter, clothing, and of God's healing touch, especially those for whom our prayers are especially desired ... (petitions may be added)

Comforter of the suffering, warm our hands to loving service.
    We pray for the world, especially where there is trouble and suffering, far away or nearby... (petitions may be added)

Ember of steadfast care, fuel our passion to challenge injustice and violence and to pursue peace and reconciliation.
    We pray for the land on which we stand, the peoples, creatures, plant life and waters around us... (petitions may be added)

Star blaze of glory, lead us to care for this fragile earth, our island home, and to heal the circle of creation.
    God of radiant light, your love illumines our hopes before we know them, And our needs before we ask. Kindle your flame within us, that in our prayers and service, we may know your transforming presence at work in the world around us. All this we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

-- from the Anglican Church of Canada, 2013

Solemn Blessings of Christmas

May the God of the angels, who heralded Christ's birth,
bring joy to your hearts this day and always.
Amen.

May the God of love, who gave his only Son to be born for you,
fill your life with love and peace.
Amen.

May Emmanuel, God with us,
be with you in all your doings and all your celebrations,
until he brings you into his eternal kingdom.
Amen.

And may almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless you now and forever.
Amen.


— Rev. Thomas Weitzel, ELCA pastor, found here.

Benediction for Christmas

The child is born! Alleluia!
Our God has come among us!
Let the whole earth rejoice!
Let us leave the manger and return to our daily routines,
knowing that we have seen the Lord,
and glorifying and praising God
for all that we have heard and seen.


Alleluia! Our God is now here!
Go forth, with full confidence and joy
that you have seen the Messiah.


Alleluia! Our God is now here!
Go forth to spread the Good News wherever you go,
sharing God’s love and promise with all whom you meet.
Go into the world to find the lost,
    heal the broken,
      feed the hungry,
        release the prisoner,
          rebuild the nations,
            bring peace among people,
              and make music in every heart.


Alleluia! Our God is now here!
In the name of our God,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit,
we cry out with the angels in the heavens
and the shepherds in the fields:
Alleluia! Our God is now here! Amen.


-- from Miracle in the Manger, posted on the Society of Saint Andrew's Advent e-Book 2013

Litany of Commitment Based on John 1

Come and see!
The light of God has come into our world
to proclaim God’s justice and love;
It has overcome the darkness and brought new life.

Come and follow!
Christ our companion has redeemed our world
He draws us into a loving family
From every tribe and family and culture.

Go and tell!
The Spirit has equipped us for service
To love our neighbours as we do ourselves
To bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth.

Come and see, come and follow, go and tell!
In God’s Love the nations of the earth will put their hope.


-- adapted from a prayer by Christine Sine