To God who welcomes all in love,
let us pray for the good of the church
and the concerns of those in need.

O God, you called ordinary people to be disciples
And revealed to them extraordinary things.
We ask that by hearing your word today
That we may see you more clearly
And follow you more passionately.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

   You hear us calling,
   You hear us calling,
   Abba Father

Gracious God, we remember today the life and legacy
Of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Who you ordained to be a witness today your Word,
And to proclaim justice and righteousness for all.
May his voice give us courage in every generation,
That righteousness and justice may continually roll as a mighty stream.

O God, we pray for those whose lives were affected
By the mudslides in California;
For the eighteen men, women, and, children
Whose lives were lost.
As rivers of mud swept them away,
We ask for rivers of peace to come following.
We pray for the church - that they would become the hands and feet of Christ,
Help them to be a light in dark places.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

   You hear us calling,
   You hear us calling,
   Abba Father.

O God, in this season of Epiphany
We continue to look for you “out there”
In the leading of a star,
In the new waters of baptism,
And in the transformative power of celebration.
Help us not only to seek you, but to find you
Even in the places we least expect.

God of every land and nation,
you have created all people
and you dwell among us in Jesus Christ.
Listen to the cries of all those who pray to you,
and we ask that as we proclaim the greatness of your name,
all people will know the power of love at work in the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord have mercy,
   Christ have mercy.
   Lord have mercy,
   Christ have mercy.