PRELUDE GATHERING The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS My Bible Recognition ~ Sienna Weisser GATHERING SONG Made to Worship Before the day, before the light. Before the world revolved around the sun. God on high stepped down into time And wrote the story of His love for everyone. He has filled our hearts with wonder. So that we always remember; You and I were made to worship You and I are called to love. You and I are forgiven and free. When you and I embrace surrender, When you and I choose to believe Then you and I will see, who we were meant to be. All we are, and all we have. Is all a gift from God that we receive. Brought to life we open our eyes, To see the majesty and glory of the king. He has filled our hearts with wonder. So that we always remember; You and I were made to worship You and I are called to love. You and I are forgiven and free. When you and I embrace surrender, When you and I choose to believe Then you and I will see, who we were meant to be. 1 Even the rocks cry out, Even the heavens shout, At the sound of His Holy name. So let every voice sing out Let every knee bow down He's worthy of all our praise You and I were made to worship You and I are called to love. You and I are forgiven and free. When you and I embrace surrender, When you and I choose to believe Then you and I will see, who we were meant to be. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS (please stand) Blessed be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God, who forgives all our sin and whose mercy endures forever. Amen. Gathered in God s presence, let us confess our sin. Silence is kept 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. 2
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. Thanks be to God! SONG OF PRAISE Mercy Mercy, mercy Lord, Your mercy is how we are restored. Mercy, O mercy Lord, Help us to show Your mercy Lord. You have been patient with our offenses. You have forgiven all of our sins. We were deserving only Your judgment, But Your great mercy triumphed again. Mercy, mercy Lord, Your mercy is how we are restored. Mercy, O mercy Lord, Help us to show Your mercy Lord. Lord, You have taught us, love one another. As You have loved us, so we must love. Always forbearing, always forgiving. Showing to others the mercy we ve known. Mercy, mercy Lord, Your mercy is how we are restored. Mercy, O mercy Lord, Help us to show Your mercy Lord. 3 PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. Loving heavenly Father, thank you that your Son loved us even when we were enemies, and that he prayed for those who killed him. Teach us to be merciful like you, and to do good to all people. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (please be seated) SPECIAL MUSIC Thy Word Michael W. Smith Zion Choir A TIME FOR CHILDREN WORD God speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching, and song. FIRST READING Genesis 45:3-11-15 Pew Bible OT, p.46 Word of God, Word of life. Thanks be to God. PSALM Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 (read 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. 4
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 the 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. ALLELUIA (please stand) The Lord Almighty Reigns Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah the Lord reigns. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah the Lord Almighty reigns. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah the Lord reigns. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah the Lord Almighty reigns. The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. GOSPEL Luke 6:27-38 Pew Bible NT, p. 66 The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. (please be seated) SERMON Pastor Erin SONG OF THE DAY Lord, Have Mercy Jesus I ve forgotten the words that You have spoken. Promises that burned within my heart have now grown dim. With a doubting heart I follow the paths of earthly wisdom. Forgive me for my unbelief, renew the fire again. 5 Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy on me. I have built an altar where I worship things of man. I have taken journeys that have drawn me far from you. Now I am returning to your mercies ever flowing. Pardon my transgressions, help me love You again. Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy on me. I have longed to know You and all Your tender mercies. Like a river of forgiveness, ever flowing without end. So I bow my heart before You in the goodness of Your presence. Your grace forever shining like a beacon in the night. Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy on me. APOSTLES CREED (please stand) God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; 6
he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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. PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH As people who have received new life from the Spirit, let us pray in the name of our resurrected Lord Jesus. After each petition: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Lord, teach us to give as we have received, and to forgive as we have been forgiven. Hear our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SHARING OF GOD S PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. Let us share this peace with one another. All are invited to greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace saying, God s peace be with you or similar words. If you prefer not to shake hands, any friendly word or gesture is appropriate. OFFERING (please be seated) We glorify God in our giving. Our offering is an act of worship that makes the ministries of this congregation possible. We encourage everyone to give. If you are visiting with us today, please do not feel obligated to participate in this portion of worship. If you would like to use your smart phone to give online, see the card with our QR code in the pew racks. The children are welcome to come forward and place their offerings in the For Children Everywhere box 7 OFFERING SONG Give Thanks Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because he s given Jesus Christ, his Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because he s given Jesus Christ, his Son. And now, let the weak say, I am strong, let the poor say, I am rich, Because of what the Lord has done for us. And now let the weak say, I am strong, let the poor say, I am rich, Because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks, give thanks, give thanks, give thanks! OFFERING PRAYER (please stand) Let us pray together. Thank you, merciful God, for all the good things you give us. Teach us to be loving and merciful like you, because we are your children, who have been forgiven. Help us generously to give of ourselves to others. Amen. GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. MEAL God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. WORDS OF INSTITUTION LORD'S PRAYER Let us pray in confidence in the words Jesus gave us: 8
Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is 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 (please be seated) COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION All who are baptized and trust Christ s word are welcome to the Lord s table. Please come forward as directed by the ushers. Grape juice and gluten free wafers are available; please indicate to the server by raising your hand. COMMUNION SONG Come Just as You Are Come just as you are; come and see, come receive. Come just as you are; come receive Christ the King. Life everlasting and strength for today. Taste the living water, and never thirst again. Come just as you are; come and see, come receive. Come just as you are; come receive Christ the King. 9 BLESSING & PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (please stand) The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. Almighty and merciful God, it is by your loving kindness alone that you accept us and call us to serve you. Strengthen us by this sacrament and make us worthy of our calling. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. BENEDICTION May the God of glory dwell in you richly, call you beloved, and shine brightly on your path. The blessing of Almighty God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you always. Amen! SENDING SONG Friend of God Who am I that You are mindful of me? That You hear me when I call? Is it true that You are thinking of me? How You love me, it s amazing. It s amazing. 10
Who am I that You are mindful of me? That You hear me when I call? Is it true that You are thinking of me? How You love me, it s amazing. It s amazing. Zion Lutheran Church Rooted in Faith Growing in Spirit Reaching Out to Those in Need Erin Heidelberger, Pastor 1732 S Main Street Mike Jacobson, Visitation Pastor Aberdeen, SD 57401 605-225-6755 www.zionlutheranaberdeen.org February 24, 2019 10:45 AM Seventh Sunday after Epiphany God Almighty, Lord of Glory, You have called me friend. God Almighty, Lord of Glory, You have called me friend. You call me friend. You call me friend. DISMISSAL Go in peace, as children of the Most High God. Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26593. 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. 11 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.
FIRST READING Genesis 45:11-15 Pew Bible OT, p. 46 Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph. Is my father still alive? But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, Come closer to me. And they came closer. He said, I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there since there are five more years of famine to come so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him. Word of God, Word of life. Thanks be to God. PSALM Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 (read 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 the 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. GOSPEL Luke 6:27-38 Pew Bible NT, p. 66 [Jesus said:] But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.