Preparation

Opening response

Favor us, Lord, and deliver us.
Lord, come quickly and help us.

Within you, God, is the spring of life.
In your light, we see light.

cf Psalm 36:9

Praise

Christ Jesus was revealed as a human
and declared righteous by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
and preached throughout the nations.
Believed in around the world,
he was taken up in glory.
The timing of this appearance is revealed by God alone,
who is the blessed and only master,
the King of kings and Lord of lords.
He alone has immortality
and lives in light that no one can come near.
Honor and eternal power belong to him. Amen.

1 Timothy 3:16; 6:15,16

The Word of God

Psalm 149

Refrain:
Sing to the Lord a new song!

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing God’s praise in the assembly of the faithful!
Let Israel celebrate its maker;
    let Zion’s children rejoice in their king!
Let them praise God’s name with dance;
    let them sing God’s praise with the drum and lyre!
Because the Lord is pleased with his people,
    God will beautify the poor with saving help.
Let the faithful celebrate with glory;
    let them shout for joy on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouths
        and a double-edged sword in their hands,
    to get revenge against the nations
        and punishment on the peoples,
    binding their rulers in chains
        and their officials in iron shackles,
    achieving the justice
    written against them.
That will be an honor for all God’s faithful people.
Praise the Lord!

Glory 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.

Refrain:
Sing to the Lord a new song!

Psalm prayer

Glorious and redeeming God,
give us hearts to praise you all our days
and wills to reject the world’s deceits,
that we may bind the evils of our age
and proclaim the good news of salvation
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Scripture reading
Revelation 1:13-16

In the middle of the lampstands I saw someone who looked like the Human One. He wore a robe that stretched down to his feet, and he had a gold sash around his chest. His head and hair were white as white wool—like snow—and his eyes were like a fiery flame. His feet were like fine brass that has been purified in a furnace, and his voice sounded like rushing water. He held seven stars in his right hand, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His appearance was like the sun shining with all its power.

Silence may be kept.

Response

Happy are people who are humble,
because they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5

Prayers

Intercession and thanksgiving

Prayers may include these concerns

The unity of the church
The peace of the world
The healing of the sick
The revelation of Christ to those from whom his glory is hidden
All who travel

Other intercessions and supplications may be offered as the Holy Spirit leads.

Prayer

O good Jesus,
Word of the Father and
brightness of his glory,
whom angels desire to behold:
teach me to do your will
that, guided by your Spirit,
I may come to that blessed city of
everlasting day,
where all are one in heart and mind,
where there is safety and eternal peace,
happiness and delight,
where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
world without end.
Amen.

after Gregory the Great (604)

The Lord’s Prayer

Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, as our Savior taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.

Conclusion

May Christ, who sends us to the nations, give us the power of his Spirit.
Amen.