Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 21, 2018

Transcription

1 Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 21, 2018 Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church 460 West Annapolis Street - West Saint Paul, MN Church Office: (651) Fax: (651) stjlc@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Michael Albrecht malbrecht@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Richard Stadler rstadler@saintjameslutheran.com Tom Rowland Organist & Choir Director trowland5726@comcast.net Pastor Dale Critchley dcritchley@saintjameslutheran.com Terese Thune Youth Director tthune@saintjameslutheran.com Shirley Hess Parish Nurse pnstjlc@saintjameslutheran.com

2 WELCOME TO WORSHIP! Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 21, 2018 THE TITLE FOR TODAY S SERMON IS: Where is the Kingdom of God? Jesus said, The kingdom of God is at hand, at the beginning of His ministry. What does that mean? How can we find the kingdom of God today? GUESTS AND VISITORS, we are delighted that you are worshiping with us today! Please take a moment to fill out a Welcome, Guest card which is available in the pew racks and place it in the offering. For every guest who completes this form, Saint James will donate $5 to the Neighbor s Food Shelf. Also, stop by the Visitor Welcome Center as you leave and pick up a small gift. Thank you for coming, and please come back and visit again soon. You are always welcome here at Saint James. LARGE PRINT COPIES OF THE SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX. SPECIAL POCKET HEARING SYSTEMS are available from the ushers for anyone desiring an amplified broadcast of the service. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Read Psalm 62 in a print or electronic Bible. What opposition do you face? How does God s presence provide a place of refuge? Pray to be aware of His presence today and always. THE NURSERY is not staffed but is available for parents who have young children who become noisy or restless during the service. We are thankful for families who teach their children to worship by bringing them to church. When your little ones become noisy, feel free to take them to the narthex or the nursery to settle them down. The service can be seen and heard on TV in both locations. 2

3 THE ORDER OF SERVICE PRELUDE: Prière Léon Boëllmann GATHERING HYMN: Christian Worship #478 With the Lord Begin Your Task for the final stanza PASTORAL GREETING: Pastor Critchley INVOCATION PRAYER OF THE DAY SAINT JAMES CHOIR: Now the Green Blade Rises Noel Nouvelet OLD TESTAMENT READING: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: 2 "Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you." 3 Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to the LORD's command. Now Nineveh was an extremely great city, a three-day walk. 4 Jonah set out on the first day of his walk in the city and proclaimed, "In forty days Nineveh will be demolished! " 5 Then the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth -- from the greatest of them to the least God saw their actions -- that they had turned from their evil ways -- so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it. Reading Response P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God! God only plans destruction for anyone when necessary, so He sent Jonah to save Nineveh. When they repented, destruction was no longer necessary, so He relented. SAINT JAMES CHOIR: An Epiphany Carol Carl F. Shalk EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 7: This is what I mean, brothers and sisters: The time is limited, so from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they didn't own anything, 31 and those who use the world as though they did not make full use of it. For this world in its current form is passing away. Reading Response P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God! St. Paul tells us not to get too used to life as it is, because everything will change at our Lord s coming, and the new order lasts forever. 3

4 VERSE RESPONSE: Christian Worship, page 40 Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! These words are written that we may believe That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Jesus preached the Good News, that the kingdom of God has come. God is with His people. This kingdom remains today. HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 1: After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" 16 As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting a net into the sea -- for they were fishermen. 17 "Follow me," Jesus told them, "and I will make you fish for people." 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Gospel Response P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ! HYMN OF THE DAY: Christian Worship #93 Hail to the Lord s Anointed Children are invited to come forward during the final stanza Those able, please kneel SERMON: Text: Mark 1:14-20 Theme: Where is the Kingdom of God? CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION: P: Trust in God at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge. I invite you to kneel as we confess our sin to God. C: Lord, time is limited, and this world in its current form is passing away, yet in our thoughts, words, and actions, our lives often show greater dedication to this world and what it offers than to Your kingdom and what you have already given. We fish for self instead of souls and pleasure instead of people. Look not on our actions, but on the perfect obedience of Your Son in our place, and forgive us all our sin. P: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! Strength belongs to God, and faithful love belongs to the Lord, and according to His faithful love, He has sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for your sin on the cross and restore you to Him. Like with Nineveh, for the sake of Christ, God has relented from the disaster we were threatened with. Therefore, as a 4

5 called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. NICENE CREED: Christian Worship, page 31 OFFERING: Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your income. Proverbs 3:9 OFFERTORY: Rockingham Healey Willan HYMN OF REDEDICATION: Christian Worship #453, stanzas 1 & 5 Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spoke PRAYER FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS Give online at give.4gvn.us You can find step by step directions in the I Give Online card available in the pew racks. LORD S PRAYER FIRST BLESSING LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT: Christian Worship, pages The Sacrament of the Altar is a special blessing for God s people: our sins are forgiven, our faith is strengthened, and our resolve to live for the Lord is renewed. We believe the word of Jesus that under the bread and the wine we receive the Real Presence of our Savior, His Body and His Blood, for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. All who are baptized and confirmed and confess this understanding of the Lord s Supper are welcome to receive the sacrament with us. We enjoy fellowship in a close communion with each other as we receive the Body and Blood of our Lord together. Visitors who wish to continue to commune with us on a regular basis, or those who have questions are encouraged to speak with one of the pastors. Parents are welcome to bring their non-confirmed children with them to the altar. The pastor will pronounce a blessing on them. Parents should instruct such unconfirmed children not to stand on the cushions and to keep their hands folded, so the pastor will know who should not receive the sacrament. Non-alcoholic white wine is available in each tray for anyone who prefers it. Gluten-free wafers are also available. To indicate that you prefer gluten-free, please raise your index finger when the wafers are brought to you. 5

6 DISTRIBUTION HYMNS: Christian Worship #312 Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared I Then Shall Live None CCLI Song No William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright ManagementGloria Gaither Jean SibeliusFor use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. Christian Worship #318 Sent Forth by God s Blessing POST-COMMUNION THANKSGIVING: Christian Worship, page 24 BENEDICTION POSTLUDE: Wie Schön Leuchtet Paul Manz 6

7 SAINT JAMES FOUNDATION Remember the Foundation in your will your gift can make a difference for generations to come. Suggested Wording: In thanks to God for the gift of His Son Jesus, and for all His blessings to me in my lifetime, I gift and bequeath to Saint James Lutheran Church Foundation at 460 West Annapolis Street, West Saint Paul, MN the amount of $ or (specify the asset.). SERVING IN OUR WORSHIP TODAY Pastor Dale Critchley (preaching) Organist and Choir Director: Tom Rowland Harrison Lawrence, Organ intern Flute: Liberty Belter Saint James Choir Ushers: (8:00) Len Bohrer and Team #3 (10:30) Dave Miller and Team #4 Audio Video Team: Hannah Critchley, Sharon Ferrara, Glenn & Wendy Gatzke, Jerry Hinz, Len & Diane Munson, Jerry Peterson, Becky Martinez, Lorna Redding, and Leif Thune Screen Slide Production: Ami Heesch PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR Let us remember to pray for some of our veteran members: Irene Steenberg, Lu Trowbridge, Wilmer Unruh Stewardship Thought Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God (Contributed by a Saint James member) MISSIONS TO PRAY FOR This week please pray for Missionary Hicham Shehab and Salam Christian Fellowship, as they reach out to Middle Easterners in the greater Chicago area. FLOWERS The flowers in the chancel vases are given by the Saint James Altar Guild. Living as a Local Missionary If you would like to order FLOWERS please contact Altar Guild Flower Chairwoman Kathy Stadler at or stadlerek@comcast.net. If you visit family or friends for the weekend, find out in advance where you can attend services. If your host attends a church, go with them, or look for a congregation in the area you re visiting, and invite your hosts to go with you. 7