Third Sunday after Epiphany January 27, 2013 Holy Communion 8:15 & 11:00 A.M.

Transcription

1 Third Sunday after Epiphany January 27, 2013 Holy Communion 8:15 & 11:00 A.M. ST. JOHN S LUTHERAN CHURCH 3911 Sweet Air Road Phoenix, MD

2 OUR MISSION: WELCOME ALL TELL THE STORY GROW AS DISCIPLES OUR VISION As Christ accepts and loves all kinds of people, We seek to accept and reach out to others with hospitality, flexibility and love. so that all will experience Jesus and His triumphant, unconditional love in their real lives. As His followers, we move between nurturing ourselves in relationship with God, and going out to love and serve others in the world. GOD CALLS US TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS. WE GO FORWARD WITH A PASSION FOR A VARIETY OF MINISTRY AND WORSHIP EXPERIENCES, AND DISCIPLESHIP GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES. LAY MINISTRY IS PRIMARY. OUR GOAL IS THAT EACH ONE WILL HAVE A TRANSFORMING AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF JESUS. GOD WILL PROVIDE ALL THAT WE NEED! GOD'S AGENDA Today we see Jesus in public. The passage that he reads from Isaiah gives us an idea of what God has in mind for us and our mission in the world: preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, set the oppressed free, give the blind their sight. It's interesting to compare our agenda and that of our churches to this mission, spearheaded by Jesus. Notice that he doesn't say, "I came to show you how to model your church on modern business practices so that you can build up your endowment." Jesus doesn't say, "I came to give you this cool prayer if you pray it three times a day, you'll get rich." He does not say, "I came so that you might know you should meet in a building once a week." And he doesn't even say, "I came to revamp your worship service." Jesus has a very different agenda than the ones contemporary people might want him to have. He had a very different agenda than the ones his loved ones might have wanted him to have. Jesus stays focused on his plan God's plan instead of humanity's. As we will see in the coming weeks, Jesus focuses on community, not just "once a week meet for an hour" community but people so deeply committed to one another he calls them a family. He works with the people he meets regular people, who are far from perfect. He transforms this band of imperfect people into a group who will transform the world. This group will fulfill the prophet's words, following in the footsteps of Jesus himself. And just as Jesus worked wherever he was needed even in a distant outpost instead of the center of a powerful empire so they will work in their communities to meet the needs they find there. And so, too, can we. It's what we are called to do. Theme of the Day The glory of the Lord is revealed in the reading of scripture. People stand at attention. People weep. People prostrate themselves in prayer. The unity of the church is another reflection of the glory of God. Most gloriously, the promises of God are fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Gather round. Listen up. Glimpse the glory of God. 2 15

3 PLEASE PRAY FOR Those with illness: Susan Arsenault Linda Chambers Ava Daniels Randy Georgieff Paul Guntzel Mark Habicht Chuck Heusler Thelma Maynard Valerie Montone Colin Daniel O Hara Bärbel Otto Bill Prime Owen Stroh Mary Delpino-Wilson Those with destructive addictions The Bereaved: The Heath family on the loss of Janet Erken Special needs: Those unemployed Peace in the Middle East Unbinding the Soul launch Search for Assistant Office Manager Search for a new Financial Secretary Deployed soldiers & families: Andy Beetz Matt Greenbeck Alex Knipe Eric McAllister Rob Roberts Partners in Care Congregations for the MD National Guard Current ministries: Empowerment of the Holy Spirit in: Cemetery Committee Change for Change Ministry Chapel Committee Our mission partners: Amazing Grace Lutheran Church Pr. Gary Dittman (Baltimore) Prs. Mercedes & Isaias Nelson (Dom. Rep.) Pr. Tyrone Smith (New Orleans) Nicole Chandler, missionary in SE Asia Prayers of thanksgiving: Dick & Linda Roth Brian & Susan Rowe Hank & Elaine Runge Patrick Wentzel, returned home safely from deployment Names that have been on the Prayer List for 4 weeks have been removed from the current list. If you would like a name placed on the list, please fill out a Prayer Request Card and place it in the offering plate or call the church office. Please be sure to get prior permission from the person whose name you submit. Prelude Welcome *Confession and Forgiveness WELCOME ALL! (* Please Stand; P- Presiding Minister; A- Assisting Minister; C- Congregation) P. Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who creates us and forms us, who redeems us and calls us, who unites us and sends us. C. Amen. P. Gathered in God s presence, let us confess our sin. (Silence for reflection and self-examination. Please kneel or sit.) P. Mighty and loving God, C. we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We seek our own way. We divide the body of Christ. In your mercy, cleanse us and heal us. Let the words of our mouths, the thoughts of our hearts, and everything that we do be filled with faith, hope, and love. Amen. P. Hear the voice of Jesus: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to proclaim release to the captives. In the name of Jesus Christ, I proclaim to you that our sins are forgiven and we are released. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are ours forever. C. Amen. *Gathering Hymn Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness Red Hymnal # 843 *Greeting A. The boundless grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God, and the light of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C. And also with you. 14 3

4 *Hymn of Praise MNISTRY ASSISTANTS 8:15 AM 11:00 AM Ushers: Cindy Rayme* Michael Hoppes* Bob Rayme Bill Markley Linda Peper Don Gutermuth Carolyn Bonsignore Carolyn Gutermuth Greeters: Linda Peper Bill Markley Carolyn Bonsignore Marge Markley Reader: Louisa Rettew Louisa Rettew Preaching Minister: Pastor John Seltzer Pastor John Seltzer Presiding Minister: Pastor Brandon Cian Pastor Brandon Cian Assisting Minister: Ileen Greene Ileen Greene Communion Assts: Gary Smith Millie Auer Nursery Caregiver: Karen Diehl Samantha Southern Altar: Gail Cairns Gail Cairns Carolyn Smith Carolyn Smith Sound: Rick Ludwig Rick Jones Laptop: Tim Rader Gino Liberati Organist: Michael Chambers Michael Chambers 4 13

5 *Sending Hymn O Zion, Haste Red Hymnal # 668 *Dismissal A. Go in peace. Remember the poor. C. Thanks be to God! *Postlude Worship has ended; let the service begin! *Prayer of the Day A. Let us pray. C. Blessed Lord God, you have caused the holy scriptures to be written for the nourishment of your people. Grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, comforted by your promises, we may embrace and forever hold fast to the hope of eternal life, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. TELL THE STORY! From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License # New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise. Text: Christopher Wordsworth, , alt. Public Domain. 12 FIRST READING: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had given to Israel. 2 Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. 3 He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed thelord, the great God, and all the people answered, Amen, Amen, lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 8 So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. 9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 5

6 Anthem 11:00 As with Gladness Men of Old arr. Kevin McChesney Handbell Choir PSALM: Psalm 19 (8:15 only) 1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; 4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of thelord are sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of thelord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves or free and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot 6 Distribution Hymns Here is Bread Red Hymnal # 483 One Bread, One Body Red Hymnal # 496 *Blessing P. May the body and blood... C. Amen. SENDING FOR SERVICE! *Prayer after Communion A. Let us pray C. We thank you, O God, that you have fed us at your banqueting table with bread and wine beyond compare, the very life of Christ for us. Send your Spirit with us now, that we may set the captive free, use your gifts to build one another up, and in everything reflect your glory revealed in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. *Benediction P. God Almighty send you light and truth to keep you all the days of your life. The hand of God protect you; the holy angels accompany you; and the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever. C. Amen. 11

7 *Eucharistic Prayer ~ The Words of Jesus P. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. *Lord s Prayer C. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Please receive communion by intinction ~ dip the bread into the wine. Juice is available in the communion trays on the side tables for those who prefer juice instead of wine. Please alert an usher if you would like communion but are unable to come forward. Agnus Dei say to the hand, I have no need of you, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. *Gospel Acclamation P. The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 4th chapter. C. Glory to you, O Lord. GOSPEL: Luke 4: Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor. 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, 10 7

8 and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. P. The Gospel of the Lord. C. Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon "The Way the Word Works" Pastor John Seltzer Silence for Reflection *Hymn of the Day Let Streams of Living Justice Red Hymnal # 710 *Apostles Creed C. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *Offertory Songs of Thankfulness and Praise Red Hymnal # 310 (verse 1) Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise; manifested by the star to the sages from afar, branch of royal David's stem in thy birth at Bethlehem: anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest. *Offertory Prayer A. Merciful God, C. 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 forever. Amen. *The Great Thanksgiving Prayers of the People (Please kneel or be seated.) A. Lord, in your mercy, C. hear our prayer. *Sharing the Peace of Christ P. The peace of the Lord be with you always. C. And also with you. Tithes and Offerings MEAL FOR DISCIPLES It is indeed right. join their unending hymn. Offertory Music 8:15 As with Gladness Men of Old arr. Kevin McChesney Handbell Choir Offertory Anthem 11:00 Come Lift Up Your Voice Stan Pethel Jubilee Singers 8 9