Third Sunday after the Epiphany
January 12, 2025
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Cor. 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21
Our gracious eternal God, the same yesterday, today and forever, we thank you that we are privileged to be alive. We so often get our religion wrong and think it expects of us sadness and loathing such as we heard about in Nehemiah’s time. Help us to correct this negativity and embrace life. Teach us better how to live one day at a time and not to wish the moments away.
May we not be so dissatisfied with any present moment that we violate life by wishing life away. May we not be imprisoned by the past, whether it be some bitterness we harbour, some failure or disappointment we experienced, some resentment which lingers, or some unkindness received. Help us to bury those negative things of the past and to be done with them and to go forward welcoming each new day and laying claim to the new life in Christ Jesus.
Bring to us a sense of inner peace which comes from your power.
Bring to us a sense of wonder and joy in the practice of our faith.
Bring to us courage for the challenges which come our way.
And bring to us a commitment to one another which is so strong that differences will not shake or fracture our sense of community.
Visit those whose lives are in jeopardy: those who are ill; those suffering the lingering pains of grief; those who must face life with deficits and limitations which diminish life’s joys and freedoms; those whose retirement finds one spouse in the role of being a caregiver. Use us in providing ministry and comfort for them.
Bless also our world, our world leaders, and all peoples of the earth so that good will, justice, and peace may be realized. Amen
January 12, 2025
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Cor. 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21
Our gracious eternal God, the same yesterday, today and forever, we thank you that we are privileged to be alive. We so often get our religion wrong and think it expects of us sadness and loathing such as we heard about in Nehemiah’s time. Help us to correct this negativity and embrace life. Teach us better how to live one day at a time and not to wish the moments away.
May we not be so dissatisfied with any present moment that we violate life by wishing life away. May we not be imprisoned by the past, whether it be some bitterness we harbour, some failure or disappointment we experienced, some resentment which lingers, or some unkindness received. Help us to bury those negative things of the past and to be done with them and to go forward welcoming each new day and laying claim to the new life in Christ Jesus.
Bring to us a sense of inner peace which comes from your power.
Bring to us a sense of wonder and joy in the practice of our faith.
Bring to us courage for the challenges which come our way.
And bring to us a commitment to one another which is so strong that differences will not shake or fracture our sense of community.
Visit those whose lives are in jeopardy: those who are ill; those suffering the lingering pains of grief; those who must face life with deficits and limitations which diminish life’s joys and freedoms; those whose retirement finds one spouse in the role of being a caregiver. Use us in providing ministry and comfort for them.
Bless also our world, our world leaders, and all peoples of the earth so that good will, justice, and peace may be realized. Amen