ST. PAUL S LUTHERAN BLUE CHURCH 5900 Applebutter Hill Rd. Coopersburg, Pa 18036 610-965-9500 e-mail: bluechch@ptd.net Website: stpaulscoopersburg.com Interim Pastor: Rev. James Hammond 610-437-1960; jjtrev1@verizon.net Seventh Sunday after Epiphany February 19, 2017 Prelude Prayer Ellen Jane Lorenz C: And also with you. Hymn of Praise Announcements Confession and Forgiveness P: Blessed be the Holy Trinity, one God, who stretches out the heavens, who sends light to the nations, who gives breath to us all. C: Amen. P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence for reflection and self-examination P: Loving God, we confess that we have turned from your way to follow our own ways. Forgive us for the times we have spoken or acted too quickly; we have not spoken or acted at all; we have hurt those closest to us; we have hurt those we have yet to know; we have thought more about ourselves than others; we have thought less of ourselves than we ought. Turn us around, and give us a fresh start, so that we can live again as your children. Amen. P: Even when we have done wrong, God makes us right. Even when we have messed up, God puts us together. God s love never runs out. God never tires of calling us beloved children. Hear God say to you now: Your sins are forgiven, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. C: Amen. Hymn #707 Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us Greeting P: The boundless grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God, and the light of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Prayer of the Day P: The LORD be with you. C: And also with you.
Let us pray.holy God of compassion, you invite us into your way of forgiveness and peace. Lead us to love our enemies, and transform our words and deeds to be like his through whom we pray, Jesus Christ, our Savior and LORD. Amen. First Lesson Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 119:33-40 Sung responsively ELW tone #6 Holy Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48 P: The Gospel of the LORD. 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your teaching; I shall keep it with all my heart. 35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for that is my desire. 36 Incline my heart to your decrees and not to unjust gain. 37 Turn my eyes from be- holding falsehood; give me life in your way. 38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, which is for those who fear you. 39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, because your judg- ments are good. 40 Behold, I long for your commandments; by your righteousness en- liven me. Second Lesson 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 Sermon Hymn #716 Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace Apostles Creed 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. Verse The Prayers Response: hear our prayer Sharing of the Peace P: The peace of the LORD be with you always. C: And also with you. Offering God is Love, His Mercy Brightens John Purifoy P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 5 th Chapter. Offertory Response #884 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (1 st Verse)
Offertory Prayer A: Let us pray Merciful God, C: receive the gifts we bring, our selves, our time, and our possessions. Through this meal unite us as your body, shining with the light of your justice and mercy; for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Great Thanksgiving The pastor offers the prayer. The congregation joins in praying the LORD s Prayer. Lord s Prayer 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 Holy Communion P: We who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Come. Be filled with light and life. Lamb of God P: It is indeed right and salutary we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy COMMUNION - #708 JESU, JESU, FILL US WITH YOUR LOVE BLESSING P: The Body and Blood of our LORD Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. Eucharistic Prayer Prayer A: Let us pray O Morning Star, fair and bright, you have refreshed
us again with heavenly food. You are our dearest treasure. Go with us now today, tomorrow, every day that we tell the story of your never-ending love and sing your praise both now and forever. Amen. Benediction P: The God of glory dwell in you richly, name you beloved, and shine brightly on your path; and the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. Hymn #658 O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts Dismissal A: Go in peace. Be the light of Christ. C: Thanks be to God. Postlude Rejoice in the Lord Carl Wilhem Kern Liturgical music reprinted from Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978. Used by permission of Augsburg-Fortress, license #15175-L. All rights reserved. Psalm 119 is reprinted from Psalter for Worship Year A copyright 2008 Augsburg Fortress. Copying of any music in this bulletin prohibited without written permission. WELCOME TO ALL IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! We especially welcome those who are visiting. We invite you to sign our guest register in the narthex. Blank envelopes in the pews are for visitors. God s purpose for St. Paul s Lutheran Blue Church is to spread the Good News of Christ s love for all people in the Southern Lehigh community and beyond. Blue Church Mission Statement, adopted 2012 THE DAY IN THE CHURCH YEAR: EPIPHANY 7 In today s first reading we hear, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. Yet we know we cannot achieve perfection. Our attempts to love neighbors and even our enemies fall short of what God desires for us. Yet in Jesus we see one who loved even those who persecuted and killed him. We are made holy in baptism, and forgiven at the table of God s mercy. As a people made holy by God, we go in peace to love as we have been loved. ABOUT THE SCRIPTURE READINGS.. Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18: The Holiness Code in Leviticus urges people to be holy since God is holy. Holiness is lived out in partiality for and consideration of the poor and the weak. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23: Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church and its ministry. We are God s temple because God s Spirit dwells in us, and we belong to Christ. Hence we are called to build wisely upon this sure foundation not for our own benefit but for others to experience Christ s benefits. Matthew 5:38-48: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares an end to the law of vengeance. God s people will respond to evil with love and forgiveness. PRAYER FOR THE DAY: God my Rock, be my strength this day. (1 Corinthians 3:11) PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Heavenly Father, teach us holy wisdom; to love our enemies, to welcome strangers, to return good for evil. Amen. B LUE CHURCH PRAYS FOR..Sick/Recovering: Anthony Abate, Marie Berghold, Joyce Christman, Jim Homlish, Monica Hottenstine, Rowan Milne, Dominic Mongilvtz, Brendan Mulloy, Ann Schmoyer, Shannon Silliman, Dylan Slotter, Debra Trump, LEADING OUR WORSHIP CELEBRANT The Rev. James Hammond ORGANIST Dr. Jennifer Dodd GREETER Joyce Fulford ASSISTING MINISTER Amy Ortwein LECTOR Amy Ortwein USHERS Greg & Wendy Storat CHURCH COUNCIL REP Roger Knappenberger TODAY: WED.: SAT.: NEXT SUN.: CONGREGATIONAL BULLETIN BOARD 9 AM Choir Rehearsal. 10:30 AM Worship. 9 AM Quilting at Blue Church. 1 PM Scout Pizza Fund Raiser Pickup at Blue Church. 9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal. 10:30 AM Worship/Baptism. FASTNACHT SOCIAL IN FELLOWSHIP HALL FOLLOWING WORSHIP. C OMING EVENTS mark your calendar! March 1 7 PM Ash Wednesday Worship/Imposition of Ashes. March 5 10:30 AM Worship 1 st Sunday in Lent. March 12 1 5 PM Blue Church Student Art Show in Fellowship Hall. April 8 10 AM Easter Egg Decorating Party at Blue Church. April 16 10 AM Easter Egg Hunt THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION TODAY:
JULIA MADELYN KASHMER SCARLETT OLIVIA KASHMER COLBY LAWRENCE RONALD KNAPPENBERGER BRENNAN STEVEN REPNYEK LANDON JOHN REPNYEK BLUE CHURCH EASTER EGG HUNT will be held on Easter Sunday, April 16 th at 10 AM (Rain or Shine). An Egg Decorating Party will be held on Saturday April 1 st at 10 AM. Donations needed are: Eggs, Plastic Eggs, Dye Colors, Q-Tips, Candy, Gift Baskets or Special Gifts. Items can be dropped off in the church kitchen. Any questions, contact Roger and Gloria Knappenberger at (610) 454-8317. LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITOR TRAINING will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Hellertown on September 16 th. Details and registration information is at www.lutherancongregationalservices.org. Talk to Pastor Jim if you are interested in this training. NEEDED!!! CAN YOU HELP??? Blue Church is in need of someone to keep our Web Page updated. Please see Ron Fried or any council member if you can help. This is a vital tool to keep people informed about the life of Blue Church. THE CHARTS FOR SPONSORING ALTAR FLOWERS, BULLETINS, SANCTUARY LAMP CANDLE AND WINE & COMMUNION BREAD FOR 2017 ARE ON THE BULLETIN BOARDS IN THE NARTHEX. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SIGN THE APPROPRIATE CHART. THERE ARE A LOT OF OPEN DATES THAT ARE STILL AVAILABLE. THE BLUE CHURCH COOKBOOKS ARE ON SALE AT $10.00 A BOOK. The cookbooks are on a table in the narthex. Simply take one, sign your name and drop your money in the cookpot. There are many wonderful recipes to try and they make great gifts. THE CHART FOR LECTOR SIGN-UP FOR 2017 IS IN THE BINDER ON THE WINDOW SILL IN THE NARTHEX. Please check the chart and sign up for a Sunday that is convenient for you. New people are very welcome. ROCKS FOR SALE!! GET A PIECE OF BLUE CHURCH HISTORY FROM THE WALL SURROUNDING THE OLD CEMETERY. Pick out your favorite from the many shapes and sizes. Cost - $10.00 per rock. THE ANNUAL COAT DRIVE IS NOW UNDER WAY. Blue Church is collecting gently used coats for the winter season to help those who can use them. The collection will continue through the winter season. You can bring in coats and blankets and drop them in the bin in the narthex. They are greatly appreciated. BLUE CHURCH FINANCIAL SUMMARY JANUARY YEAR TO DATE RECEIPTS $ 8,223.25 $ 8,223.25 EXPENSES $13,601.70 $ 13,601.70 (DEFICIT) - ($ 5,378.45) ($ 5,378.45) ENDOWMENT FUND WITHDRAWN TO COVER EXPENSES $ 4,500.00 $ 4,500.00 ENDOWMENT FUND INTEREST/REFUND - $ 1,927.91 $ 1,927.91 HAPPENING THIS WEEK.. FEBRUARY 23 POLYCARP, BISHOP OF SMYRNA, MARTYR, DIED 156 Polycarp was bishop of Smyrna (in present-day western Turkey) and a link between the apostolic age and the church at the end of the second century. He is said to have been known by John, the author of Revelation. In turn he was known by Iranaeus, bishop of Lyon in France, and Ignatius of Antioch. At the age of eighty-six he was martyred for his faith. When urged to save his life and renounce his faith, Polycarp replied, Eighty-six years I have served him,
and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my king who saved me? The magistrate who made the offer was reluctant to kill a gentle old man, but he had no choice. Polycarp was burned at the stake, his death a testimony to the cost of renouncing temptation. FEBRUARY 25 ELIZABETH FEDDE, DEACONESS, DIED 1921 Fedde was born in Norway and trained as a deaconess. In 1882, at the age of thirty-two, she was asked to come to New York to minister to the poor and to Norwegian seafarers. Her influence was wide-ranging, and she established the Deaconess House in Brooklyn and the Deaconess House and Hospital of the Lutheran Free Church in Minneapolis. She returned home to Norway in 1895 and died there.