Confession & Absolution based on the readings for Epiphany 5A: Psalm 112:1-9; Isaiah 58:3-9a; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20

P      Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, we call on God to forgive our sin.

C      Lord, You have chosen this fast: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke, to share our bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into our house, to clothe the naked when we see him, and not to ignore our own flesh and blood, yet we so often have been tasteless salt. Therefore, because Jesus broke the chains of wickedness and set us free on the cross, forgive us and set us free.

P      When you call, the LORD will answer; when you cry out, He will say, “Here I am.” What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived — God has prepared these things for those who love him. Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God that you know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I forgive you all your sin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The righteous one will be remembered forever.

C      Amen. Hallelujah! His righteousness endures forever!

P At the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth —
C and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
P By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone from my mouth, a word that will not be revoked:
C Every knee will bow to Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.
P All the nations will come and worship before You
C because Your righteous acts have been revealed.
P Lord, who will not fear and glorify Your name?
C For You alone are holy.
P All the nations You have made will come and bow down before You, Lord,
C and will honor Your name.
P If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
C and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Drawn from: 1 John 1:7; Revelation 15:4; Psalm 86:9; Philippians 2:10; Isaiah 45:23

Here’s a collection of scroll images I created for my Epiphany sermon based on Matthew 2:1-12

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For a sermon series I did for Advent 2011. It’s designed to use the first and last verses and choosing one of the middle topic verses, not to be sung straight through. Individual verses could also be used, such as a Magnificat substitute.

Celebration Hymn

Tune: In Thee Is Gladness

1

Come celebration, Glad exultation

Join the song of Zion here

Sing, choirs terrestrial, with saints celestial

Word in flesh with us appear

Incarnate lowly, yet ever holy

Lifted up gory, then raised in glory

To reign forever, Alleluia!

Offered for sinners to make us winners

Though we denied Him and crucified Him

He’ll leave us never, Alleluia!

 

2 (Baby Shower: Mary & Elizabeth)

My soul rejoices; my spirit voices

In the Lord, Who saves my soul

He has concern for all those who yearn for

Israel to be made whole

‘Til time’s arrested, I’ll be called blessed

God blessed the lowly. His name is holy.

Mercy paternal, Alleluia!

He shows His power, Arrogants cower.

He lifts the humble while mighty tumble

Promise eternal, Alleluia!

 

 

3 (Dinner Party: Last Supper)

Meal of redemption, Israel’s exemption

Lamb’s blood saved His people then

Promise renewed as traitors like Judas

Plot the Lamb to slay again

Body unleavened of King of heaven

Covenant blood, Thine, in and with the wine

For His remembrance, Alleluia!

Sinners forgiven, new life we’re given

Into His Presence come kings and peasants

For our deliverance, Alleluia!

 

4 (Wedding: Cana)

Couple united, Jesus invited

Celebrate the wedding feast

Wine jars all finished, contents diminished

Celebration almost ceased

Mary comes pleading for Jesus leading

Water in jars poured trusting the Lord’s Word

Wine transmutation, Alleluia!

Though in form humble for all who stumble

God come in person to take our curse on

Reaffirmation, Alleluia!

 

5 (Surprise Party: Epiphany) Wise men’s arrival seeking the child

Traveling from lands afar

Stargazing sages seek King of ages

Following the Eastern star

Offer sincere their gifts to revere Him

Worship the One Who’s God’s only Son, too

Lord of all nations, Alleluia!

Though only crawling, to all men calling

Infant has come to die for the ones who

Face accusations, Alleluia!

 

6 (Birthday Party: Shepherds @ Jesus’ Birth)

Angel appearing while shepherds fearing

Glory shines with holy light

“Fear not! I’ve good news for all from God, Whose

Words will give you joy this night

In David’s city,God has shown pity

Sent you a Savior, given His favor

Laid in a manger, Alleluia!”

Angels come praising, their voices raising

Shepherds arrive, view all as described too   

Tell of this Stranger, Alleluia!

 

7

So lift your voices as earth rejoices

To the Lamb Who once was slain

For He has risen, opened death’s prison

With us endless will remain

Give invitation to every nation

That all may follow and His name hallow

In each endeavor, Alleluia!

Let celebration bring transformation

Sharing His favor with every neighbor

To live forever, Alleluia!

 

Celebration Hymn by Strength and Song Publishing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

LSBX file for Lutheran Service Builder