Welcome to First Lutheran! We re glad you re here. FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH LORAIN, OHIO BAPTISM OF OUR LORD January 13, 2018 9:30am A Stephen Ministry Congregation
2 A special welcome to guests and visitors! A nursery is available down the hall. Children s bulletins are available for older children. Hearing assist devices are available (ask an usher). May our time together be a blessing to you. GATHERING P RELUDE Prelude in B-flat Major (J. S. Bach) W ELCOME C ONFESSION AND F ORGIVENESS Words in italics are spoken by the leader. Words in bold are spoken by all. Hymn # s are the large numbers in the main part of the hymnal, located under your seat. 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. Gathered in God s presence, let us confess our sin. Mighty and loving God, 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. 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 your sins are forgiven and you are released. The joy of the Lord is your strength, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are yours forever. G ATHERING H YMN Crashing Waters at Creation (Hymn #455) G REETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
3 HYMN OF PRAISE Now the Feast and Celebration (Hymn #167) Refrains: All Verse: Choir PRAYER OF THE DAY The assembly is seated. WORD Near the end of Israel s exile in Babylon, God promises to bring them home. They need no longer be afraid, because the one who formed, created, and called them by name now redeems them from all their enemies. God declares them precious and honored, and God loves them. FIRST READING ISAIAH 43:1-7 (PEW BIBLE, PAGE 585) But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you I have called you by name, you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. 4Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; 6I will say to the north, Give them up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth
4 7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. PSALM 29 Peter and John are sent to support the new Christians in Samaria, a group that was recently baptized. The Psalm is sung responsively, the cantor singing the parts in italic type and the assembly singing the antiphon when indicated. Antiphon: Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Ascribe to the LORD, O you gods, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due God s name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Antiphon The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice; the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor. Antiphon The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon; The voice of the LORD bursts forth in lightning flashes. Antiphon The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe. The voice of the LORD strips the forests bare. In the temple of the LORD all are crying, Glory! Antiphon The LORD sits enthroned above the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forevermore. O LORD, give strength to your people; give them, O LORD, the blessings of peace. Antiphon SECOND READING ACTS 8:14-17 (PEW BIBLE, PAGE 892) Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two
5 went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. CHILDREN S SERMON GOSPEL ACCLAMATION The assembly stands to welcome the gospel. The reading opens with questions about the identity of the Messiah. John the Baptist insists that he is not the Messiah; instead he points ahead to one who is coming. And whether the voice of God was heard by all or only by Jesus, God settles the matter: Jesus is God s beloved Son. GOSPEL LUKE 3:15-17, 21-22 (PEW BIBLE, PAGE 834) The holy gospel according to Luke, the 3 rd chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 21Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The assembly is seated.
6 SERMON Silence for reflection follows the sermon. HYMN OF THE DAY The assembly stands to proclaim the word of God in song. When Jesus Came to Jordan (Hymn #305) NICENE CREED Inside front cover of hymnal PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace, and may say Peace be with you. or similar words. Then the assembly is seated. OFFERING MEAL OFFERING MUSIC Epiphany Carol (Bruce Neswick) Sing of God made manifest in a child robust and blest, to whose home in Bethlehem where a star had guided them, magi came and gifts unbound, signs mysterious and profound: myrrh and frankincense and gold grave and God and king foretold. Sing of God made manifest when at Jordan John confessed, I should be baptized by you, but your bidding I will do. Then from heaven a double sign dove-like Spirit, voice divine hailed the true Anointed One: This is my beloved Son.
7 Sing of God made manifest when Christ came as wedding guest and at Cana gave a sign, turning water into wine; further still was love revealed as he taught, forgave, and healed, bringing light and life to all who would listen to God s call. Sing of God made manifest on a cloud-capped mountain s crest, where the Law and Prophets waned so that Christ alone remained: glimpse of glory, pledge of grace, given as Jesus set his face towards the waiting cross and grave, sign of hope that God would save. After the offering is gathered, the assembly stands. RESPONSE Create in Me a Clean Heart (Hymn #185) OFFERING PRAYER GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOG The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. With the whole creation, we join the angels song (see Isaiah 6:3). PREFACE HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD
8 THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE LORD S PRAYER Inside front cover of hymnal The assembly is seated. COMMUNION All are invited to commune with us. Please come to the altar as directed by the ushers. Receive a piece of bread, and either dip the bread into the first chalice or drink from the second chalice. The bread is gluten-free; the wine has alcohol. If you do not take communion but would like a blessing, please cross your arms across your chest as you come forward. If you need communion brought to you, please alert an usher who will let the servers know. We echo John the Baptist s exclamation: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) COMMUNION SONG Lamb of God
9 Spirit of Gentleness (Hymn #396) After all have returned to their places, the assembly stands. POST-COMMUNION BLESSING PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION ANNOUNCEMENTS BLESSING SENDING HYMN Now, Lord (Hymn #200) DISMISSAL Thanks be to God. SENDING POSTLUDE Fugue in B-flat Major (J. S. Bach) Service music is reproduced under Augsburg Fortress license #SB148614.
Are you interested in serving during worship? Look for sign-up sheets on the bulletin board or contact the church office for training information. 10 Serving Today Assisting Minister... Mel Kapalin Communion Assistants... Sharon Kopronica, Dorothy Robbins Bill Dillon, Shari Webb Greeters... Congregation Council Musicians... First Choir Barry Jensen, bass guitar Jeff Meyers, saxophone Reader... Josilyn Simo Ushers... Dertouzos family Serving Next Week, January 20 Assisting Minister... Mel Kapalin Communion Assistants... Sharon Kopronica, Dorothy Robbins Bill Dillon, Shari Webb Greeters... Congregation Council Musicians... First Choir Barry Jensen, bass guitar Jeff Meyers, saxophone Reader... Joe Koziura Ushers... Bill Dillon, Greg & Gerri Smith Flowers this week are given to the glory of God by Betty Meyers in memory of Ken. Attendance Ministry Operations Last Sunday: 96 $6,313 Amount needed weekly to sustain the current budget 2018 Average: 113 $6,565 Amount received last Sunday towards operating budget
If you have an announcement to share with the congregation, please write it out and email it to the church office. 11 ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNUAL MEETING is scheduled for Sunday, January 20, 2019. Immediately after service we will have our meeting followed by a pancake breakfast being provided by our youth. Donations would be appreciated. THE OBERLIN COLLEGE CHOIR will give a free FIRST music concert today at 3:00pm. They are on their way to Carnegie Hall later in the week. VISITING OR FORGOT YOUR ENVELOPE? No worries! Now located in the front of each hymnal is an extra sleeve which contains a giving envelope. Prayerfully consider your gift today! IGLESIA DE DIOS VIVO congregation has a Go Fund Me page set up. You can take the address info. off the sheet on the bulletin board. If you d like to write their congregation a check, please make it out to Pastor Noemi Colon and place it in their mailbox located in the workroom. SAVE THE DATE, January 27, 2019. The youth are sponsoring square dancing! Time: 12pm-2pm. Come join us for fun and fellowship! No experience necessary. HUMAN RESOURCE COMMITTEE needs a new leader. This committee annually assists Council in evaluating staff and addressing any staff issues. If you have a servant s heart and would like to support our staff, please contact Pastor Rosy. PLEASE JOIN Treasure Seekers adult class this Sunday in the Multi Purpose room at 10:45 as we continue the DVD series and discussion entitled Israel s Mission: Becoming a Kingdom of Priests in a Prodigal World. FUNERAL COORDINATOR is needed to facilitate and organize plans for funeral receptions. We have one person willing to assist, but are in need of someone to oversee this function. If you re interested, please contact Pastor Rosy. CONGRATS to these individuals selected as our first Stephen Ministers! Sharon K., Virginia K., Carolyn A., Sally W., Faye F., Erik K., & Kris K. Please keep them and our leaders: Dan W., Joy B & Lori G. in prayer as they prepare to begin 50hrs of training. COMMUNITY IMPACT for December: Pantry and Front Door served 553 meals; 340 families shopped for food; and 76 guests received emergency assistance. Your contributions help to meet a growing need.
Sunday, January 13 9:30am Worship 10:45am Sunday School 11:45am Fine Arts Committee 12:30pm Iglesia de Dios Vivo 3:00pm FIRST music: Oberlin College Choir This Week at First Lutheran Monday, January 14 7:00pm Support Committee Worship Committee Ghana Committee Learning/FLY Committee 7:45pm Hymn Selection Tuesday, January 15 10:00am Front Door 5:00pm Stewardship Committee Wednesday, January 16 6:00pm Bible study/confirmation Thursday, January 17 6:00pm Handbell Choir 7:00pm First Choir Friday, January 18 11:45am Lunch Bunch 6:30pm Iglesia de Dios Vivo Sunday, January 20 9:30am Worship Annual Meeting following worship Pancake breakfast follows 10:45am Sunday School 12:30pm Iglesia de Dios Vivo