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Sermon: A Light in the World–Faith Made Visible – Ephesians 5:1-20, 2:8-10

May 12, 2021

On January 21, 1525 a tall man with a big head of black hair knelt down. They called him “Strong George”. He asked his friend Conrad to baptize him, even though he had already been baptized as a baby. Conrad Grebel baptized “Strong George”. Strong George then baptized all of the others present…Conrad Felix, and all the other men and women. It was their way of being a light in the world for Jesus…they formed a church that day in 1525. They came to be known as Anabaptists…rebaptizer

Tender Call to Worship

March 2, 2020

By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ [NRSV]

Merciful God:
We come together to worship longing for tenderness
because this world can be hard.
We come longing for light
because our lives are crowded with shadows.
We come desperately needing direction.
Fill us this morning with your peace:
your spirit is our peace and our path.

Longing for Peace Call to Worship

October 27, 2018

Welcome to worship
at this turn of the season.
As the temperatures dip
we gather in the warmth
of God’s presence,
as the darkness grows
we seek Gods light,
as the earth rests from its labours
we long for God’s peace.
Come, let us worship God together!

Darkness and Light: An Epiphany Responsive Prayer

December 12, 2015

In the darkness before creation,
you made all that lives and breathes.
In the darkness of Mary’s womb,
you formed Jesus, bringer of light.
In the darkness of our world your spirit sustains us.
O God, you are with us in darkness and in light.
Under the cover of darkness,
Magi followed the star to the Christ-child.
We come from the East and we come from the West,
following you on our different roads,

Winter Solstice Prayer

December 2, 2015

God of Creation:
the winter solstice sun is low,
crouched over the southern horizon.
All day long shadows pivot and turn
pointing to a longer night, the longest night.
And so we pray,
Lord, we are longing for light!

Our community has touched
the darkness of death this week,
as we said good-bye to our dear friend ___________.
Thank you that we who dwell in darkness

Giver of Light Prayer

February 27, 2015

All praise to you, God, the giver of light!
We give thanks for the sun, whose rays give life,
and the moon that illuminates our darkest nights.
Praise for fire, the flickering flames of candles and lamps.
We give thanks for electric light
that twinkles around the world, shining into space.
Thank you for starlight that travels light years
and for lasers which circle the globe in fibre optic cables.
You give us light, which is bright and serviceable and pure.
We cannot live without light.

Shiny Call to Worship

February 20, 2015

We come seeking Jesus,
the Light of the world!
Shine in our hearts Lord Jesus!
We believe in the strength of God
to illuminate our bleakest night.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness shall not overcome it.
God, in this hour of worship,
kindle in us the light of your love.
Let your light shine through us,
and through our community, always.

This Christmas Call to Worship

December 20, 2014

We give thanks to you God,
for the body of a tiny baby,
life and breath in a tiny ribcage.
Immanuel, God with us,
a promise of salvation.
We give thanks
for loving parents,
for the light of a star,
for the radiance of angels,
for the running feet of shepherds,…

Way of Peace Call to Worship

November 28, 2014

By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79

Let us pray:
God of great gifts
we give you thanks for the gift of your son
who was in every way like us.
We who are chained to the cycle of life and death
found freedom in this child
who is our Saviour, Immanuel, God with us.
Be with us today,
as we listen, as we sing, as we pray.
Fill us with your Spirit
giving light in the bleakest of seasons,
leading us in the way of peace. Amen.

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

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Sermon: A Light in the World–Faith Made Visible – Ephesians 5:1-20, 2:8-10

Tender Call to Worship

Longing for Peace Call to Worship

Darkness and Light: An Epiphany Responsive Prayer

Winter Solstice Prayer

Giver of Light Prayer

Shiny Call to Worship

This Christmas Call to Worship

Way of Peace Call to Worship

About Carol Penner

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