11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.   Titus 2:11-14

 

New Year Liturgy: “The moment (s) Grace Appears”


At the turning of the year,
we pause—not to rush ahead,
not to measure our strength,
but to notice what God has already done.

We gather because grace has appeared.
Not because we were ready.
Not because we were worthy.
Not because we have the year figured out.


Grace came looking for us.
Grace that forgives what is behind us,
grace that meets us where we stand, where we fall
grace that goes before us into days unknown.


Today, again, for the first time, we receive grace upon grace.
For the hopes we carry,
for the grief we bring,
for the prayers still unanswered,
for the joy we didn’t expect --


Let grace appear, let grace be enough.
Teach us, O God,
to live this year not from fear,
not from striving,
but from the steady ground of your grace…


Form us by your grace.
As this year opens before us,
we fix our eyes not on what we can control,
but on Jesus Christ,
in whom grace has taken on flesh and made his dwelling among us.

 

We step into this new year trusting that where grace appears, hope rises, healing begins, and fullness of life is possible. Amen.