Liturgical Color: Green

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23

Theme: The essence of Jesus' message - "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:2; 4:17, R.S.V)

Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration
One pastor began this way: He welcomed them to the season of Epiphany, with a brief explanation. He followed with this "declaration of joy" between pastor and ministers:

Pastor: Come, let's celebrate life with our whole selves.
Ministers: Praise be to God for our minds that we may know the mind of Christ, for our emotions that we may love in his name, for our wills that we may choose to serve him in the common life.
Pastor: Do you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
Ministers: We come to worship to learn what this means.
Pastor: You shall know the truth, an…