January 25, 2025
Third Sunday after Epiphany Year A
Isaiah 9:1-4 | "Make Glorious the Way"

Call to Worship
Leader:
Come, people of God—the dawn is breaking!
A new day rises where sorrow had settled in.
People:
The dawn is breaking—
and we rise with it.
Leader:
Where burdens have bent us low,
the Holy One draws near, steadying our steps.
People:
The Holy One draws near—
and we gather our courage.
Leader:
Where yokes have weighed on shoulders and spirits,
God is loosening what has held us down.
People:
What held us down is lifting—
and we move toward freedom.
Leader:
Come, all who yearn for justice;
all who hope for healing;
all who hunger for joy.
People:
We come to the dawning way,
we come to the hopeful way,
we come to the way God makes glorious.

Invocation
Holy One,
Your light dawns where our shadows are deepest.
Your are never far, your presence remains with us.
Awaken us to the glimmers of your glory
breaking into our world’s weariness.

Shine upon the paths we walk—
paths obstructed by fear,
uncertainty,
and the heavy burdens our communities carry.

Yet, your compassion rises like morning light!
Reveal in us the places where liberation
is already taking root.

As you drew near to Galilee’s borderlands,
Draw near to us today.
Let us behold your radiance
in overlooked places
and in one another.

Make us ready,
alert,
and courageous—
a people who move with your Spirit,
who join your work of release,
and who make glorious the way
where your justice and joy can flourish.

Descend upon us, Spirit of the Living God.
Remain with us.
Awaken us.
And guide our worship
into the brightness of your new day.
Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Holy Companion of our difficult days,
you call us toward what is new
even when we feel worn or uncertain.

We confess the weight we carry—
worries we rehearse,
the fears we nurture,
the habits that hold us tight,
patterns we cling to,
the moments we turn from compassion,
the truths we avoid.

Unbind what tightens around our hearts.
Lift what has grown too heavy.
Make room in us for generosity,
justice,
and the courage to begin again.

Shape us for your healing work
as this new day unfolds.
Amen.

Words of Grace
Hear the good news of the Gospel:
People who have walked under heavy burdens
have been met by the One who lifts them.

People who have carried what felt unshakeable
have felt the yoke break from their shoulders.

Into every place of strain or sorrow,
God’s mercy draws near.
God’s compassion reaches out.
God’s grace opens a way forward.

In this promise, receive your freedom.
In this grace, begin again.
Amen.

Invitation to Generosity
Faithful Friends,
when burdens are lifted
and the way before us opens,
gratitude rises in us like a new day.

The God who breaks the yoke of despair
also invites us to join the work
of healing, justice, and joyful community.

In thanksgiving for the mercy we have received,
and in hope for the world God is shaping,
let us offer our gifts—
our resources, our commitments, our lives—
so that the way of compassion
may grow wide enough for all.

Let us give with courage and with joy.
Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
O Way-Making God,
You are the source of every mercy and every new beginning,
we give thanks for the gifts gathered here
and for the hope you are stirring among us.

As you lift burdens from weary shoulders
and open paths we could not see before,
shape these offerings into acts of healing,
deeds of justice,
and lives of shared joy.

Bless the giving and the givers,
that generosity may widen your way
and strengthen the communities we touch.

With gratitude for all you are doing in us and through us,
we dedicate these gifts
to the work of compassion you entrust to our care.
Amen.

Benediction
Go now in the presence of the One
who lifts what is heavy,
breaks what binds,
and opens the way before you.

As a new day unfolds,
may courage rise in you,
may compassion guide you,
and joy find room to grow.

The Spirit who descends and remains
goes with you,
goes before you,
and goes within you—
making glorious the way you walk.

Go in peace,
to begin again.
Amen.

Make Glorious the Way: Service Prayers for the Third Sunday after Epiphany was written by Rev. Michael Anthony Howard, who serves as the Minister of Faith in Action for the Living Water Association, Ohio NorthEast, of the Heartland Conference, United Church of Christ. Michael’s work supports congregations as they weave theology, justice, and place-based ministry into faithful action that bears prophetic witness to God’s dwelling among us.