Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Order of Worship

Download today's bulletin PDF for the entire order of worship and more. 

Prayers of the Church

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Open our ears, Lord, the ears of our hearts, that we may hear you speak. Give us pause each day, to stop even before we start anything else, so that we may open your Book and, hearing you speak, remember that you strengthen the weak. For we are like bugs before you, yet you are determined to be our God, to care for us, and renew our spirits. Help us to wait in hope for you so that we may one day mount up as eagles to meet you in the heavens. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Your Word promises that you gather the outcasts of Israel. We ask you now, Lord God, to gather the outcasts of St. Paul’s. Holy Spirit, move in the hearts of those who have been long absent. In the wake of Council letters going out to inactive members, urge them to return to worship and fellowship with us. And use us however you will to offer an encouraging word and prayer so that you may be praised by the whole household of your people here. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Raise up preachers among us, Father. Lay upon those who may even be present among us this morning the necessity of preaching the gospel. And use us to nurture their souls and spirits, that they may be led through worship and Sunday School and Confirmation and family into a closer walk with you. Make it clearer, year by year, who these stewards of your word are among us, so that we may encourage and support them, that they will not have run aimlessly but with discipline, for the sake of the gospel of Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

As we pray, Jesus, perhaps early in the morning as you did in Galilee, help us to listen to you far more than we talk to you. We know that our Father is eager to hear from us, but our first prayer is that we would hear from him. So, help us to pray within your Word, to pause as we read so that we may listen to you. We pray especially that those who are suffering and mourning among us may pause, listen, and hear you in the Word, so that they may hope in your steadfast love. We pray this especially for Travis, Mita, Randall, and Betty, and their families, that you uplift them through your Word and Spirit, recalling to them your precious promises for Jerry, Jeff, Carolyn, and Lynn. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy — through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen