Sunday,  January 4, 2026
Second Sunday after Christmas Year A
Jeremiah 31:7-14 | "The Remnant"

Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 147)
One: Extol the Holy One! Praise the God who protects, strengthens, and redeems!
Many: God is the source of peace. God nourishes us with abundance.
One: Extol the Holy One! Praise the God who protects, strengthens, and redeems!
Many: The Holy One is the Still Speaking God, whose word reaches the hearts of the receptive.
One: Extol the Holy One! Praise the God who protects, strengthens, and redeems!
Many:  Creator makes all things new and prepares our days. Praise the Holy One!

Invocation
Wise God, renew our minds so that we may be present with you as you are among us. Renew our spirits so that we may worship you and praise your name. Renew our hearts so that we might be receptive to your wisdom, correction, and call. In you, we find compassion and hope, courage and clarity, righteousness and grace. Surround us and forge us as a community committed to bring you honor and glory. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Holy One, a new year invites us to begin again. As we reflect on the future, we ask that your grace would meet us as we strive to be the people you have called us to be. Help us to heal spiritually, emotionally, relationally, materially, physically, and financially. Strengthen us and reorient our expectations of ourselves and one another. Give us courage to be true to our faith and values. Remind us that we carry no burden that you do not share with us. Shine your radiance through us. Amen.

Words of Grace
Image bearers of the holy, the Radiant God knows your struggles, honors your commitments, and meets you in your hopes. Receive the grace of God to liberate you from the past and release you to embrace the future with anticipation that the One who began a good work in you will abide with you through the journey toward renewal and revitalization. 

Invitation to Generosity
God has initiated everything in creation and made us co-creators so that the world in which we live also bears our imprint. Let us proactively, intentionally, and generously create the world in which we want to live by being good and faithful stewards of the gifts of time, talent, and treasure entrusted to our care.

Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving
Creator, receive these offerings as we dedicate them to you and your kindom. Magnify them and continue to bless us so that we may collectively meet the needs and hopes of our community and world. Amen.

Benediction
Go from this place as the remnant who
Bring the good things of the past.
Remember the testimony of resilience in struggle and
The witness of joy despite despair, hope amidst destruction, and love beyond hate.
Go from this place as the remnant who
Embrace the possibilities of the future
Commit to demonstrating the goodness of God 
Among siblings in humanity and all creation
To the glory of God and for the love of people. 

The Remnant:  Service Prayers for the Second Sunday after Christmas Year A was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ.