Cycle ABC Epiphany

1/6/2014 Confession

Sunday Title:  Homage Sunday  

Sermon Title: “Gifts for a King”

Previously:

Sunday Title:  Heaven and Earth Sunday  

Sermon Title: “When Worlds Collide”

Sunday Title:  Light Sunday  

Sermon Title: “What are we going to do with all this light?”

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 60:1-6 Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you…. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.

Ephesians 3:1-12 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose

that [God] has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

Matthew 2:1-12 "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Tis’ the season of light,

let us step out of the darkness, repenting our sins. (pause)

  Turn us Lord, back to you…

C: We are your children.

  Baptized into the light of the world

    Yet we do not let our light so shine before others….

      We choose darkness over faithfulness.

We do not offer you our best: gifts fit for a king,

  but present our leftovers,

    and consider that, paying homage.

We speak of your royal rule and the kingdom of heaven

  and then do not hold our rulers to your standards,

    lest we ourselves be held to your standards.

We claim you as our king: a light for all nations.

  And then become exclusive in our claims of salvation.

    Attempting to possess truth in smaller corners,

      seeking differences instead of community.

Forgive us Lord, the sins we know in our heart.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

    (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Arise and shine for our light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon us. God carries out God’s own eternal purpose in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is through Christ’s faithfulness that we may have access to God. For Christ’s sake our sins are forgiven. Let us seek again to shine brightly to the glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!