ORDER OF WORSHIP
4th Sunday after Epiphany
January 29, 2023
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right
and speak the truth from their heart;
who do not slander with their tongue and do no evil to their friends,
nor heap shame upon their neighbors;
Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
Opening Hymn: #302 (Blue ) ‘I Danced in the Morning’
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had My birth.
Refrain:
"Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance," said He.
"I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the Dance," said He.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came with me and the dance went on. [Refrain]
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung Me high,
And left Me there on a cross to die. [Refrain]
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back;
They buried My body and they thought I'd gone,
But I am the dance and I still go on. [Refrain]
They cut Me down and I leap up high,
I am the life that will never, never die,
I'll live in you if you'll live in Me;
"I am the Lord of the Dance," said He. [Refrain]
CALL TO CONFESSION
God has told us what is good, what is required: Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly with God.
These commands are so simple, yet we know we have not always followed them.
With that knowledge, we confess
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
Merciful God, we fail to do what is right. Instead, we pursue evil and do not speak the truth. Even when we try our best to be faithful, still we turn away from you. Forgive us, accept us, and redeem us, that we may seek to do what you call good.
(Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom and righteousness,
sanctification and redemption, is the one who judges us.
Christ is the one who was born for us and forgives us with abundant love.
We will boast of all the good God has done for us!
Thanks be to God!
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Saving God, source of our calling, your Word is full of power and glory. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may receive your grace and live as your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Micah 6:1-8
Hear what the Lord says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
2 Hear, you mountains, the case of the Lord,
and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the Lord has a case against 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?
1 Corinthians 1: 18-31
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 scholar? 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 the proclamation, to save those who believe. 22 For Jews ask for 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 abolish things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 In contrast, God is why you are 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.”
Matthew 5:1-12
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And 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 the sake of righteousness, 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.
SERMON ‘Hours in a Day of Future Passed’ Steve Van Buren, Pulpit supply
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH-THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*SERMON HYMN ‘#391 (Blue) ‘Take My Life’
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
CALL TO OFFERING
There is only one Lord and God, from whom all things come and for whom we live. Let us offer our lives to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 8:4–6
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Blessed One, we discover such a contrast to our present culture when we read the Beatitudes. We rejoice that these generous gifts will strengthen this congregation’s ability to engage in ministries of peace, mercy, comfort, and truth. We dedicate them to you in gratitude for your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. (Matthew 5:1-12 David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
-Steve VB
-Paige F
-Nelda H (recovery in the Neighborhoods)
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O and Nancy as caregiver
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Elizabeth F, Betty G, JoAnn G
Those who mourn: We pray for Linda B at the loss of her brother, Harold. We pray for the Fee, VanderWaal, Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, and Webster families and all who have lost loved ones.
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
CLOSING HYMN #485 (Blue) ‘To God Be the Glory’
To God be the glory, great things He has done!
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done!
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son,
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held after worship on Feb. 12th for the purpose of reviewing annual reports and 2023 budget, electing an elder and deacon to fill open positions, and to elect at-large members of the Nominating Committee.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE will meet today, January 29, after worship service in the Center Meeting Room.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES & PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church.
PER CAPITA per person for 2023 is $38.00. If you have not done so, we would appreciate your donation.
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
POSTLUDE
4th Sunday after Epiphany
January 29, 2023
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right
and speak the truth from their heart;
who do not slander with their tongue and do no evil to their friends,
nor heap shame upon their neighbors;
Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
Opening Hymn: #302 (Blue ) ‘I Danced in the Morning’
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had My birth.
Refrain:
"Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance," said He.
"I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the Dance," said He.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came with me and the dance went on. [Refrain]
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung Me high,
And left Me there on a cross to die. [Refrain]
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back;
They buried My body and they thought I'd gone,
But I am the dance and I still go on. [Refrain]
They cut Me down and I leap up high,
I am the life that will never, never die,
I'll live in you if you'll live in Me;
"I am the Lord of the Dance," said He. [Refrain]
CALL TO CONFESSION
God has told us what is good, what is required: Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly with God.
These commands are so simple, yet we know we have not always followed them.
With that knowledge, we confess
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
Merciful God, we fail to do what is right. Instead, we pursue evil and do not speak the truth. Even when we try our best to be faithful, still we turn away from you. Forgive us, accept us, and redeem us, that we may seek to do what you call good.
(Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom and righteousness,
sanctification and redemption, is the one who judges us.
Christ is the one who was born for us and forgives us with abundant love.
We will boast of all the good God has done for us!
Thanks be to God!
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Saving God, source of our calling, your Word is full of power and glory. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may receive your grace and live as your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Micah 6:1-8
Hear what the Lord says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
2 Hear, you mountains, the case of the Lord,
and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the Lord has a case against 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?
1 Corinthians 1: 18-31
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 scholar? 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 the proclamation, to save those who believe. 22 For Jews ask for 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 abolish things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 In contrast, God is why you are 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.”
Matthew 5:1-12
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And 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 the sake of righteousness, 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.
SERMON ‘Hours in a Day of Future Passed’ Steve Van Buren, Pulpit supply
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH-THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*SERMON HYMN ‘#391 (Blue) ‘Take My Life’
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
CALL TO OFFERING
There is only one Lord and God, from whom all things come and for whom we live. Let us offer our lives to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 8:4–6
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Blessed One, we discover such a contrast to our present culture when we read the Beatitudes. We rejoice that these generous gifts will strengthen this congregation’s ability to engage in ministries of peace, mercy, comfort, and truth. We dedicate them to you in gratitude for your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. (Matthew 5:1-12 David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
-Steve VB
-Paige F
-Nelda H (recovery in the Neighborhoods)
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O and Nancy as caregiver
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Elizabeth F, Betty G, JoAnn G
Those who mourn: We pray for Linda B at the loss of her brother, Harold. We pray for the Fee, VanderWaal, Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, and Webster families and all who have lost loved ones.
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
CLOSING HYMN #485 (Blue) ‘To God Be the Glory’
To God be the glory, great things He has done!
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done!
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son,
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held after worship on Feb. 12th for the purpose of reviewing annual reports and 2023 budget, electing an elder and deacon to fill open positions, and to elect at-large members of the Nominating Committee.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE will meet today, January 29, after worship service in the Center Meeting Room.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES & PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church.
PER CAPITA per person for 2023 is $38.00. If you have not done so, we would appreciate your donation.
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
POSTLUDE