HYMN
Earthen Vessels (verse 1)
We hold a treasure
not made of gold,
in earthen vessels, wealth untold,
one treasure only:
The Lord, the Christ,
in earthen vessels.
Light has shown in our darkness:
God has shown in our heart,
with the light of the glory,
of Jesus, the Lord.
READING
Jeremiah 1:4-8
The word of Yahweh was addressed to me saying,
'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
before you came to birth I consecrated you;
I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.'
I said, 'Ah, Lord Yahweh; look, I do not know how to speak: I am a child!'
But Yahweh replied,
'Do not say, "I am a child."
Go now to those to whom I send you
and say whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to protect you—
it is Yahweh who speaks!'
HYMN
Earthen Vessels
We hold a treasure
not made of gold,
in earthen vessels, wealth untold,
one treasure only:
The Lord, the Christ,
in earthen vessels.
READING
Isaiah 42:1-6
Here is my servant whom I uphold
my chosen one in whom my soul delights.
I have endowed you with my spirit
that you may bring true justice to the nations.
I, Yahweh, have called you to serve the cause of right;
have taken you by the hand and formed you;
I have appointed you as covenant of the people
and light of the nations.
HYMN
Earthen Vessels
We hold a treasure
not made of gold,
in earthen vessels, wealth untold,
one treasure only:
The Lord, the Christ,
in earthen vessels.
READING
Matthew 25:35, 40
For I was hungry and you gave me food;
I was thirsty and you gave me drink;
I was a stranger and you made me welcome;
naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me
in prison and you came to see me.
I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this
to one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did it to me.
PRAYER
Wherever I am, wherever I go
I can sense something of the power of God.
Even amid the clutter of our cities,
built and abused by the hands of men,
there are reflections of divine splendor.
God has made a path for us to walk in.
In His will there is order and purpose.
She has given meaning to life,
goal and objective to this existence.
This is the course which I must travel.
O God,
These are the thoughts
that crowd my heart today.
Accept them and respond to them,
and enable me to realize anew
the security and serenity
of Your loving presence in my life.
—Adapted from Psalms/Now. Leslie F. Brandt.
HYMN
Earthen Vessels (verse 2)
We hold a treasure
not made of gold,
in earthen vessels, wealth untold,
one treasure only:
The Lord, the Christ,
in earthen vessels.
He has chose the lowly,
who are small in this world;
in His weakness if glory,
in Jesus, the Lord.