Welcome to Zion Lutheran Church! 1732 S. Main St. Aberdeen, SD 57401 605-225-6755 Email: zion@nvc.net Website: www.zionlutheranaberdeen.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rooted in Faith * Growing in Spirit * Reaching out to Those in Need ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4 th Sunday after the Epiphany 10:45 am January 29, 2017 INTRODUCTION Who are the blessed ones of God? For Micah, they are those who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. For Paul, they are the ones who find wisdom in the weakness of the cross. For Jesus, they are the poor, mourners, the meek, those who hunger for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers. In baptism we find our blessed identity and calling in this countercultural way of living and serving. GATHERING MUSIC WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS GATHERING CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS (please stand) In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. Amen The Lord has a case against us, the Lord s own people. Let us make our confession: (pause) Lord of all righteousness, we confuse ourselves about what is valuable. We do not see the blessings you put before us. We boast in signs and wisdom, but you offer to us a humble walk. We strive for prosperity and you call us to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Save, O Lord, your people. Forgive us the sins we know and from the sins we hide. 1 Lord in your kindness, hear our confession. Amen Our God is kind, our God is merciful. God chooses what is low and despised in the world to give us what we really need. It is through the cross and through God s own son; Jesus Christ, that we receive righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. For Christ's sake, our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God! OPENING SONG Blessed Be Your Name Matt & Beth Redman Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful, Where the streams of abundance flow, Blessed be Your name when I m found in the desert place, Though I walk through the wilderness Ev ry blessing You pour out I ll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say. Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your glorious name. Blessed be Your name when the sun s shining down on me, When the world s all as it should be. Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering, Though there s pain in the offering. Ev ry blessing You pour out I ll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say. Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your glorious name. 2
You give and take away, You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be your name. You give and take away, You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name. Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your glorious name. PRAYER OF THE DAY Quintin Fischbach Let us pray. Holy God, give your kingdom to the lowly and the pure in heart. Give us a hunger and thirst for justice, and help us to constantly strive for peace, so that in our words and deeds the world may see the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen (please be seated) SPECIAL MUSIC Beautiful Savior Zion Adult Choir A TIME FOR CHILDREN WORD FIRST READING Micah 6:1 8 Pew Bible OT, p. 966 With the mountains and the foundations of the earth as the jury, God brings a lawsuit against Israel. God has "wearied" Israel by his long history of saving acts. God does not want or expect lavish sacrifices to attempt to earn divine favor. Rather God empowers his people to do justice, to love loyalty to God, and to walk shrewdly in God's service. SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 1:18 31 Pew Bible NT, p. 173 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. (please stand) 3 ALLELUIA Halle, Halle, Hallelujah Caribbean trad: arr. Mark Sedio Halle, halle, hallelujah! Halle, halle, hallelujah! Halle, halle, hallelujah! Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Halle, halle, hallelujah! Halle, halle, hallelujah! Halle, halle, hallelujah! Hallelujah, Hallelujah! GOSPEL Matthew 5:1 12 Pew Bible NT p. 4 Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount by naming those who are blessed in the reign of God. (please be seated) MESSAGE Pastor Erin SONG OF THE DAY Blest Are They David Haas Blest are they, the poor in spirit; Theirs is the kingdom of God. Blest are they full of sorrow, they shall be consoled. Blest are they, the lowly ones; They shall inherit the earth. Blest are they who hunger and thirst; They shall have their fill. Blest are they who show mercy; Mercy shall be theirs. Blest are they, the pure of heart, they shall see God. Blest are they who seek peace; they are the children of God. Blest are they who suffer in faith; the glory of God is theirs. 4
Blest are you who suffer hate, all because of me. Rejoice, be glad, yours is the kingdom; shine for all to see. OFFERING The children are welcome to come forward and place their offerings in the For Children Everywhere box. OFFERING SONG Everybody s Got Something To Offer Larry Olson Everybody s got something to offer; Young and old, the prince and the pauper. Everybody s got something to offer in the name of the Lord. To the lost and lowly ones the message it is clear; We have all got a gift to give, our hands, our hearts, our tears. Everybody s got something to offer; Young and old, the prince and the pauper. Everybody s got something to offer in the name of the Lord. To the believers gathered here the message it is true; We have all got a gift to give in all we say and do. Everybody s got something to offer; Young and old, the prince and the pauper. Everybody s got something to offer in the name of the Lord. OFFERING PRAYER (please stand) Gracious God, you have blessed us in so many ways. Receive our gifts and the offerings of our hearts and our hands - our words and our deeds - that your work may be done in the world, and that our joy may be made complete in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 5 WORDS OF INSTITUTION THE LORD S PRAYER MEAL 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 (please be seated) DISTRIBUTION OF THE SUPPER All are welcome at 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. DISTRIBUTION SONGS Come just as you are; come and see, come receive. Come just as you are; come receive Christ the King. Come Just As You Are Joseph Sabolick 6
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. Seek Ye First Karen Lafferty Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, alleluia. Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and you shall find; Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. Allelu, alleluia. SENDING PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (please stand) Gracious God, you have refreshed us again with heavenly food. You are our dearest treasure. Go with us now today, tomorrow, every day that we may tell the story of your never-ending love and sing your praise both now and forever. Amen. SENDING Go in peace, love and care for one another in Christ's name. May the blessings of the God who made you fill you and flow forth from you, may his power touch you and reach out from you, may his wisdom lead you and shine brightly around you, both now and for evermore. Amen SENDING SONG I Am Free Jon Egan Through You the blind will see. Through You the mute will sing. Through You the dead will rise. Through You all hearts will praise. Through You the darkness flees. Through You my heart screams, I am free! I am free! (Song Leader) I am free to run. (Cong. Echo) I am free to run. (Song Leader) I am free to dance. (Cong. Echo) I am free to dance. (Song Leader) I am free to live for You. (Cong. Echo) I am free to live for You. Through You the blind will see. Through You the mute will sing. Through You the dead will rise. Through You all hearts will praise. Through You the darkness flees. Through You my heart screams, I am free! I am free! (Song Leader) I am free to run. (Cong. Echo) I am free to run. (Song Leader) I am free to dance. (Cong. Echo) I am free to dance. (Song Leader) I am free to live for You. (Cong. Echo) I am free to live for You. 7 8
(Song Leader) I am free to run. (Cong. Echo) I am free to run. (Song Leader) I am free to dance. (Cong. Echo) I am free to dance. (Song Leader) I am free to live for You. (Cong. Echo) I am free to live for You. From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2017 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. LEADING OUR WORSHIP: Preaching: Pastor Erin Heidelberger Worship Assistant: Jeff Carlson Deacon: Chastity Masen Curt Suedmeier Acolyte: Hailey Luitjens Power Point: Morgan Berryman Altar Guild Co-Chairs: Mary Jane Kabrud Sound System: Gene Reich Van Driver: Jerold Gehring Counters: Garry\Kathy Johnson Glenn Denning - Millie Suchomel Coffee Hosts: Vi Martz\Glenn Denning Darrell\Connie Sorensen Ushers: Doug\Ronda Smith Ted, Elissa, Jack & Ernest Dickey Praise Band: Vicki Carlson, Justin Desens, Mike German, Stacy Geffre, Stephanie Hawkinson, Alan LaFave, Lexi LaFave, Lynae Poel 9
First Reading Micah 6:1 8 With the mountains and the foundations of the earth as the jury, God brings a lawsuit against Israel. God has "wearied" Israel by his long history of saving acts. God does not want or expect lavish sacrifices to attempt to earn divine favor. Rather God empowers his people to do justice, to love loyalty to God, and to walk shrewdly in God's service. Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. 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? 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 For 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." ALLELUIA Gospel Matthew 5:1 12 Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount by naming those who are blessed in the reign of God. 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 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.