At-Home Liturgy for Sunday Worship
Welcome! You may use this liturgy alone, with family, or with friends.
You may follow it word-for-word, or allow it to simply guide your time of prayer.
This liturgy can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
Move slowly. Pause when you need to.
You are welcome to stop and return later.
You are invited to worship at a restful and unhurried pace.
Gathering
Good morning! As we rest from the rush to make it to Sunday worship on time, we invite you to use this liturgy to connect with God and loved ones — in your home, on a walk, or wherever you find yourself today.
There is also a short podcast sermon available on our website (see link below).
Whatever is going on in your life, for today, rest well in the grace and peace of Jesus.
Know that he is present with you by his Spirit.
Find hope in his goodness.
If possible, light a candle, and let the flame remind you that the Spirit of God is present wherever you are.
Collect (Opening Prayer of Intention)
Intention:
We are in the season of Epiphany in the Church Calendar—a time of reflection on God’s glory: light, power, and beauty made known in Jesus. In this season, we seek with expectation, trusting that Christ can be seen in the world when he is sought. Today, we reflect on what the Baptism of Jesus reveals about God’s glory and about who we are.
Prayer:
O Lord, you who received the blessing of your Father at your baptism, may we live into our baptismal identity this day.
Before we have accomplished anything, before we have made something of our lives, before we have acquired a name for ourselves, remind us that we are already called your beloved.
We pray this by the Spirit who floods our hearts with the love of God.
Amen.
Confession and Assurance
Private Reflection:
Take a moment of silence.
Open your life to God.
Speak honestly about any place where you lack hope or trust, or anything you are carrying in guilt or regret.
All pray together:
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name.
Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness:
Hear the good news:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and set free.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Song of Praise
Sing or listen to a song that expresses gratitude and trust. YouTube Playlist Here
Suggested songs:
• The Love of God
• I Am Loved
• King of Kings
• Doxology
Reading and Reflection
Gospel Reading — Matthew 3:13-17
Read the passage before listening to the devotional talk below. If possible, read the Message or some other translation you like. We’ll read again in NIV on the podcast.
During reading:
Listen for a word, phrase, or image that stands out.
Listen for what God might be saying to you or to your community.
(Optional Listening: short talk on the Gospel. 14 min) — LINK HERE or Apple Podcasts Here)
Closing Prayer
Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all–right now and always. Amen.
Practice for the Week
Plant an Acorn
An “acorn” is a small, concrete act of kindness—something simple that can grow into life for
someone else.
• Pray: Ask God for the hope to see Life swallow up Death. Ask for an opportunity this week to show compassion or kindness to someone who needs it.
• Plant: Notice the need God places before you, and do something kind to help.
End of Liturgy
You are invited to rest, reflect, and carry this peace with you into your week.