The word epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “manifestation or appearance,” and in church history this word has become closely associated with the revelation of Christ in connection with the visit of the Magi. The season of Epiphany begins on January 6 and lasts until the Lenten season. The weeks of Epiphany are a time to reflect on the teaching and healing ministry of Christ.
Call to Prayer
From the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.
Prayer of Confession
God of light, we have been so blind when truth has been so clear. When we could have looked ahead, we fell behind. When we could have viewed the wider picture, we saw only a part. When we could have sensed the Spirit leading, we missed the way. Forgive our dim apprehension of love’s clear leading. Give us faith that trusts when it cannot see, through the light that lingers when all else fails, even the bright Morning Star of our faith, Jesus Christ, the Savior. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. To all who have received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Jubilate
O be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song. Be assured that the Lord, he is God; it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name. For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endures from generation to generation.
Psalm: Psalm 67
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen
Scripture Readings
Old Testament: Isaiah 49:1-7
New Testament: Acts 1:1-8
Gospel: Matthew 9:35-38
Benedictus
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies. Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet in the way of peace.
Intercession
For Our World
Where ignorance, self-love and insensitivity have fractures life in community, give your light, O God of love.
Where injustice and oppression have broken the spirit of peoples, give your light, O God who frees.
Where hunger and poverty, illness and death have made life an unbearable burden, give your light, O God of grace.
Where suspicion and hatred, conflict and war have challenged your goodness, give your light, O God of peace.
Eternal God, open the eyes of the nations and peoples so that they may walk in the light of love; remove the ignorance and stubbornness of nations and peoples so that they may drink from the fountains of your goodness. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
Collect
Almighty God, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation: Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen
Benediction
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sources
The Book of Common Prayer. (Huntington Beach, CA: Anglican Liturgy Press, 2019).
The Worship Sourcebook. (Kalamazoo, MI: Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2004).
Worship the Lord, The Liturgy of the Reformed Church in America. (Reformed Church Press, 2005).
