FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 29 JANUARY 2017

Transcription

1 FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 29 JANUARY 2017 ST. MARK S LUTHERAN CHURCH 1900 ST. PAUL STREET BALTIMORE, MD Phone: Fax: On the web at: stmarksbaltimore.org Follow us on Facebook A Reconciling in Christ Congregation Staff Clergy Pr. Thomas Davison, Fr. Henry Hammond, Pr. Lee Hudson Administrator Stephen E. Kohler Cantor James Harp Deacons Connie Lisch, Sue Romanic Sexton Jeffry Spangler MISSION STATEMENT The Mission of St. Mark s Church is to embrace diversity, practice hospitality, and make known Christ s presence in Word and Deed. All worshipers are invited and welcomed to receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord in the sacrament of All baptized worshipers are invited and welcomed to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord in the sacrament of Holy Communion. The wine may be received from the common cup (gold chalice) or by intinction from the silver chalice. PARTICIPATING IN TODAY S LITURGY: Presider Assisting Ministers Chalicist Crucifer Lector Prayer Petitioner Greeters Tellers Rev. Henry L. Hammond Deacon Connie Lisch Louis Flake Woodland Pomeroy Audrey Huka Jane Parker Caroline Bahr, Harold Sachs John Lisch, Susan Surrey Copies of our Prayer List are available in the narthex. Please take a copy home with you and remember these persons who have asked for our prayers.

2 VOLUNTARY Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 29 January 2017 from Organ Sonata Andante Edward Elgar GREETING P. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C. And also with you. ANNOUNCEMENTS CANTICLE OF PRAISE THE HYMN -The Assembly will please stand-

3 PRAYER OF THE DAY P. Let us pray: Holy God, you confound the world s wisdom in giving your kingdom to the lowly and the pure in heart. Give us such a hunger and thirst for justice, and perseverance in striving for peace, that in our words and deeds the world may see the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C. Amen. -The Assembly will please sit- FIRST READING: Micah 6:1-8 2 Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. 3 O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! 4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. 5 O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the LORD. 6 With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? With the mountains and the foundations of the earth as the jury, God brings a lawsuit against Israel. God has wearied Israel with a long history of saving acts. God does not want or expect lavish sacrifices to attempt to earn divine favor. Rather God empowers the people to do justice, to love loyalty to God, and to walk shrewdly in God s service. 1 Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Lector: Assembly: PSALM15 The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

4 1 LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? Who may abide upon your holy hill? 2 Those who lead a blameless life and do what is right, who speak the truth from their heart; 3 they do not slander with the tongue, they do no evil to their friends; they do not cast discredit up- on a neighbor. 4 In their sight the wicked are rejected, but they honor those who fear the LORD. They have sworn upon their health and do not take back their word. 5 They do not give their money in hope of gain, nor do they take bribes a- gainst the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be overthrown. SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 According to the world s standards of power and might, the message of the cross seems stupid and offensive. Yet this word reveals the paradoxical way God has chosen to work power and salvation through weakness, rejection, and suffering. Hence the message of the cross becomes true wisdom and power for believers. 18 The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart. 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For God s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God s weakness is stronger than human strength. 26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. Lector: Assembly: The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION -The Assembly will please stand- Alleluia. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. Alleluia. (Matt. 5:12) GOSPEL: Matthew 5:1-12 A. The holy gospel according to Matthew. C. Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount by naming those who are blessed in the reign of God. 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for

5 theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. A. The gospel of the Lord. C. Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON THE HYMN -The Assembly will please sit- -The Assembly will please stand- Please refer to the following page.

6 CREED PEACE We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. OFFERING SENTENCE ANTHEM THE HYMN -The Assembly will please sit- The Beatitudes Please refer to The Gospel for this text. -The Assembly will please stand- Arvo Pärt PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Petition response: Hear our prayer.

7 OFFERING PRAYER A. Let us pray: C. God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. DIALOGUE -The Assembly may kneel or continue to stand- THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE PREFACE MYSTERY OF FAITH HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

8 CONCLUSION OF THE THANKSGIVING LAMB OF GOD LORD S PRAYER P. Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: 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. INVITATION TO COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION COMMUNION MOTET Ave Verum Edward Elgar Hail, true body born of the Virgin Mary, Who truly suffered, sacrificed on the Cross for humankind, Whose pierced side overflowed with water and blood, be for us a foretaste In the test of death. O clement and sweet Jesus, son of Mary. P. When we eat this bread we share the Body of Christ; When we drink this cup we share the Blood of Christ. C. Reveal Yourself to us, O Lord, in the breaking of the bread, as once You revealed Yourself to Your disciples. NUNC DIMITTIS -The Assembly will please stand- -The Assembly will please sit-

9 PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION A. Let us pray: Gracious God, in this meal you have drawn us to your heart, and nourished us at your table with food and drink, the body and blood of Christ. Now send us forth to be your people in the world, and to proclaim your truth this day and evermore, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C. Amen. BLESSING P. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son

10 Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you, and remain with you always. C. Amen. DISMISSAL A. Go in peace. Share the good news. C. Thanks be to God. THE HYMN VOLUNTARY from Organ Sonata - Finale Edward Elgar Copyright 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS 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. Flowers are given to the glory of God and in memory of Gilbert Jenkins by Charles Smith.

11 THIS WEEK AT ST. MARK S: Today 29 January Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal 10:00 AM Adult Class 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist 12:15 PM Fellowship Hour: Charles Smith 12:30 PM MSP Session Wednesday 1 February 10:30 AM Clergy Study Group Thursday 2 February 6:30 PM Holy Eucharist Chapel 7:15 PM Dinner Sunday 5 February Presentation of Our Lord (celebrated) 9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal 10:00 AM Adult Class 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist 12:15 PM Fellowship Hour: Lou Wolf 12:30 PM Committee Chairpersons Meeting 1:30 PM Baltimore Jung Group from Sunday, 22 January Attendance: 51 Offering: $2339 ANNOUNCEMENTS: We extend a hearty welcome to our visitors we are very happy to have you worship with us. Please be sure to sign our Guest Book (in the narthex) and join us for Fellowship Hour! Visitors who would like more information about St. Mark s Parish are urged to speak with Pastor or you may check our website at stmarksbaltimore.org. MSP Committee Listening Session Today. The MSP Committee will be holding a listening session after coffee hour today. This session is meant for those persons who have not completed the questionnaire and would prefer to give their responses verbally. No actions or decisions will be made at today's event. Flowers we have an entire month (of February) in which to place flowers at the altar on Sundays prior to the five flowerless weeks of Lent. Please take a look at the Flower Calendar posted in the main hall and see if you might sponsor a date soon. Of course you may sign up for any date(s) throughout the year as well! Thank you! Committee Chairpersons are reminded of our joint meeting, next Sunday, 5 February, at 12:30 PM. See Teri Bennett for details and information! Offering Envelopes a number of persons have yet to pick up their 2017 offering envelopes which may be found in your mail slot in the main hallway. Remember, too, that pledge cards are contained in each box of envelopes. We eagerly await YOUR pledge! Luther s Small Catechism in keeping with the desire of the ELCA to lift up Luther s Small Catechism in this 500 th anniversary year, our interim clergy have gifted us with individual copies of the catechism. If you ve yet to receive your copy, you may pick one up from the basket in the narthex. And, thank you to Father Hammond, Pastor Davison, and Pastor Hudson for this wonderful gift!