Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit 3461 Cedar Crest Blvd. EMAIL Info@holyspirit-emmaus.org Emmaus, PA 18049-1599 www.lchsemmaus.org PHONE 610.967.2220 www.facebook.com/lchsemmaus FAX 610.966.3021 Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Sunday, February 24, 2019 10:45 am The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Ministry in Daily Life Gathered by God s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we invite and welcome all people to join us on our journey to become more faithful ministers of Jesus Christ in our homes, our communities, and the world.
Gathering Music Kyrie Eleison 2
ELW refers to the Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the red worship book. Page numbers are in the front of the book with hymn numbers following in the middle & end. During worship, please silence all communication devices. *As you are able, please stand. Gathering Gathering Music Kyrie Eleison On previous page Welcome and Theme of the Day Mercy. Mercy. Mercy. Joseph lives it in Egypt. Jesus preaches it in the gospel. The Spirit guides us into merciful lives with the power of forgiveness to reconcile what is fractured and divided. Such merciful living is the baptismal blessing of having put on Christ. It is the gift of the life-giving Spirit. It is a reflection of the glory of God revealed in the Christ. *Confession and Forgiveness + All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism. 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. Amen. Gathered in God s presence, let us confess our sin. Silence for reflection 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. Amen. 3
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. Amen. *Gathering Song Now Thank We All Our God ELW Hymn 840 *Greeting 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. *Hymn of Praise Glory to God WOV, setting 5 4
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*Prayer of the Day Let us pray together. God of abundant mercy, you alone can turn evil into good, sorrow into rejoicing, and death into everlasting life. Teach us your way of grace to meet hatred with kindness, to answer curses with blessing, to love without holding back, to give without thought of return; all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Word First Reading A Reading from Genesis 45:3-11, 15. NRSV, page 37 Many years after being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph reveals himself to them. Now the second-in-command in Egypt, Joseph reassures his brothers that God has used their evil intentions for good, to preserve life during a devastating famine, and Joseph forgives them. After the reading, Word of God, Word of Light. Thanks be to God! 6
Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 The assembly reads responsively. Do not be provoked by evildoers; do not be jealous of those who do wrong. For they shall soon wither like the grass, and like the green grass fade away. Put your trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and find safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, who shall give you your heart s desire. Commit your way to the LORD; put your trust in the LORD, and see what God will do. The LORD will make your vindication as clear as the light and the justice of your case like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently. Do not be provoked by the one who prospers, the one who succeeds in evil schemes. Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not be provoked; it leads only to evil. For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD shall possess the land. In a little while the wicked shall be no more; even if you search out their place, they will not be there. But he lowly shall possess the land; they will delight in abundance of peace. But the deliverance of the righteous comes from you, O LORD; you are their stronghold in time of trouble. You, O LORD, will help them and rescue them; you will rescue them from the wicked and deliver them, because in you they seek refuge. Second Reading A Reading from 1 Corinthians 15: 35-38, 42-50. NRSV, page 936 In the Apostles Creed, we speak of the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Using the metaphor of a planted seed and the story of Adam, Paul preaches passionately about the mystery of following Christ s perfect life into eternity. After the reading, Word of God, Word of Light. Thanks be to God! Word for God s Children Children age 3 7 are invited to the All Saints Room. They will return after the Sermon. We encourage at least one parent to be present. 7
*Gospel Acclamation Alleluia WOV, setting 5 *Gospel The Holy Gospel according to Luke 6:27-38. NRSV, page 838 Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus continues to address a crowd of his disciples. He invites his followers to shower radical love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity, and trust even to enemies and outsiders. Living in harmony with God s intent brings the reward of overflowing blessing. After the reading of the gospel, The Gospel of Our Lord! Praise to You, O Christ. Sermon Vicar Tami Reichley *Hymn of the Day Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love ELW Hymn 708 8
*Epiphany Affirmation Let us affirm our faith. We believe in God, the creator and giver of life, who brought all creation to birth, who mothers us and fathers us, protecting, nurturing, and cherishing us. We believe in Jesus Christ: God born among us as a fragile baby, embodying both love and the need for love, and calling us to rest in God as trustingly as a tiny child. We believe in the Holy Spirit, breathed into us at our birth, always drawing us to be born again, encouraging, comforting, nourishing our growth and inspiring our living. We believe in the reconciliation of the world to God, through Christ. Hunted at birth and humiliated at death, Christ entered our fearful darkness so that we may enter his glorious light and share the life of his resurrection. And we believe that each new child is a glimpse of the face of God, a sign of the life to come, and a call to live in peace and celebrate living together. Glory to God in the highest, and God's peace to all people on earth. Amen. *Prayers of the People United as one body in Christ, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need. After each petition: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Receive our prayers and fill us with the radiance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *Share the Peace The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people greet one another with the peace of Christ. 9
Offering This Touch of Love Schalk Adult Choir The assembly responds to the Word of God by gathering an offering for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. The music is offered as a gift to the glory of God. You may give your offering in the offering plate, or by using a credit or debit card at the Giving Kiosk, or Give by Text (610-981-1312), or through Simply Giving, or by sending it to the church office. The table is set. *Prayer Let us pray. 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. Meal *Great Thanksgiving 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. It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. By the leading of a star Jesus was shown forth to all nations; in the waters of the Jordan you proclaimed Christ your beloved Son; and in the miracle of water turned to wine Jesus revealed your glory. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy WOV, setting 5 Words and music on next page. 10
Blessed are you, O holy God: you are the Life and Light of all. By your powerful word you created all things. Through the prophets you called your people to be a light to the nations. Blessed are you for Jesus, your Son. Christ is God s Light, shining in our darkness and revealing to us God s mercy and might. Words of Institution Remembering, therefore, Jesus preaching and healing, his dying and rising, and his promise to come again, we await that day when all the universe will rejoice in your holy and life-giving light. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. By your Spirit bless us and this meal, that, refreshed with this heavenly food, we may be light for the world, revealing the brilliance of your Son. Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen 11
*Lord s Prayer Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. *Invitation to Communion Come to the table. Feast on God s abundant life for you. Amen. Sacrament of Holy Communion All who are baptized and believe in the presence of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion are welcome to receive the Sacrament. To facilitate flow, the ushers invite the side sections, the front few rows and then the back rows. The people come forward, using the center aisle, and may kneel or stand at the altar rail. Gluten free wafers are available. Our wine is grape juice so that all may freely receive and is served by common or individual cup. Please return to your seat using the side aisles. Children may receive the sacrament if they have completed instruction with a pastor. Children who do not commune may come forward for a blessing. Communion Songs The assembly sings of the light of the world. Lamb of God WOV, setting 5 Words and music on next page. 12
I Come with Joy ELW Hymn 482 Make Me a Channel of Your Peace Words and music on next page. 13
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*Prayer Let us pray. 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. *Blessing Sending The God of glory dwell in you richly, name you beloved, and shine brightly on your path. The blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be on you and remain with you always. Amen. *Sending Song O God of Every Nation ELW Hymn 713 *Dismissal The assisting minister sends the assembly into mission. Go in peace. Christ is your light. Thanks be to God. Postlude Postlude on O God of Every Nation setting, Pelz CCLI #678084 One License A-701076 HymnPrint.net License #11804. The Toolkit all content Changing Church Forum, Inc. Reproducible for church use only. Liturgy from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20593. 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. Some liturgy reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. 2014. Used by permission. Epiphany Affirmation of Faith written by Nathan Nettleton, 1999, incorporating some lines from "Midwife of our lives" by Kathy Galloway published in Kathy Galloway (ed.) The Pattern of Our Days, Glasgow: Wild Goose Publications, 1996, p.138. from laughingbird.net/seasonalpages/christmas.html. Blessing from Sundays and Seasons. 15
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