Thursday, February 20, 2020

Propers for the Last Sunday after Epiphany (23 February 2020)

Proper Prayers for RCL Last Sunday after Epiphany


Exodus 24.12-18; Psalm 2 or Psalm 99; 2 Peter 1.16-21; Matthew 17.1-9

                                  

Collect of the Day


Almighty God, on the holy mount you revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured:  mercifully deliver us from the darkness of this world, and change us into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, ow and for ever.  Amen.  [1]
or
O God, in the transfiguration of your Son you confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the witness of Moses and Elijah, and in the voice from the bright cloud declaring Jesus your beloved Son, you foreshadowed our adoption as your children.  Make us heirs with Christ of your glory, and bring us to enjoy its fullness, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.  [2]
or
Compassionate God, you transfigured your Son, Jesus Christ, before the eyes of your chosen witnesses and they were overcome by fear.  Transfigure us so that we may turn from fear to love and reveal your compassion for all humanity; through Jesus Christ, the beloved.  Amen.  [3]
or
Friend of Moses, strength of Elijah, you go with your people and give them your Spirit:  may the Child of your heart transfigure the moral world, so that love may know no bounds; through Jesus Christ, the beloved one.  Amen.  [3]
or
God of glory, it is good for us to be here.  Reveal your Son to us now in the message of the prophets and the witness of the apostles, that/so that we may heed his voice and receive him in faith.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen.  [4]
or
Holy God, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ, whose compassion illumines the world.  Transform us into the likeness of the love of Christ, who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity, the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  [6]
or
O God of the covenant, the cloud of your splendour and the fire of your love revealed your Son on the mountain heights.  Transform our lives in his image, write your law of love on our hearts, and make us prophets of your glory, that/so that we may lead others into your presence; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen.  [6]

Prayer over the Gifts


Holy God, receive all we offer you this day, and bring us to that radiant glory which we see in the transfigured face of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [1]
or
Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth and nourish your whole creation.  Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, so that all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever.  You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine.  Nourish us with these gifts, so that we might for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things.  Through your goodness  you have blessed us with these gifts:  our selves, our time and our possessions.  Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you,  and you open your hand in blessing.  Fill us with good things at your table, so that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
Merciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills were gathered together to become one bread, so let your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, for yours is the glory through Jesus Christ, now and for ever.  Amen.  [3]

Preface


Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth, because in the mystery of the Word made flesh you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give knowledge of salvation in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Now with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven, we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.  [1]
or
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.  And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:  [2]

Prayer after Communion


Holy God, we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ  May we who are partakers of his table reflect his life in word and deed, that/so that all the world may know his power to change and save.  We ask this in his name.  Amen.  [1]
or
We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life.  In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
O God, we give you thanks that you have set before us this feast, the body and blood of your Son.  By your Spirit strengthen us to serve all in need and to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people.  Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, so that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
Gracious God, in this meal you have drawn us to your heart, and nourished us at your table with food and drink, the body and blood of Christ.  Now send us forth to be your people in the world, and to proclaim your truth this day and evermore, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [3]
or
O God, our life, our strength, our food, we give you thanks for sustaining us with the body and blood of your Son.  By your Holy Spirit, enliven us to be his body in the world, so that more and more we will give you praise and serve your earth and its many peoples, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.  [3]

Notes


[1]        The Book of Alternative Services 1985
[2]       Evangelical Lutheran Worship 2006
[2a]     Evangelical Lutheran Worship:  Leaders Desk Edition 2006
[3]       Alternative Collects for Years A, B & C of the RCL and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion 2019
[4]        Opening Prayers:  Collects in Contemporary Language 1997
[5]        Prayers for an Inclusive Church 2009
[6]        Revised Common Lectionary Prayers 2002
[7]        Book of Occasional Services 2003

N.B.  Text in italics are possible alternatives suggested by the Ven. Richard Geoffrey Leggett, Ph.D.

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