SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP
4th Sunday after Epiphany
1-31-2021
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart
in the company of the congregation.
The Lord is gracious and merciful, ever mindful of the covenant.
The works of God’s hands are faithful and just, established forever and ever.
Holy and awesome is God’s name.
God’s praise endures forever!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of compassion, you have shown us in Christ that your love is never-ending.
Enable us to love you with all our hearts and to love one another as Christ loved us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
OPENING HYMN: “Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord”
Take Thou our minds, dear Lord, we humbly pray;
Give us the mind of Christ each passing day;
Teach us to know the truth that sets us free;
Grant us in all our thoughts to honor Thee.
Take Thou our hearts, O Christ, they are Thine own;
Come Thou within our souls and claim Thy throne;
Help us to shed abroad Thy deathless love;
Use us to make the earth like heaven above.
Take Thou our wills, Most High! Hold Thou full sway;
Have in our inmost souls Thy perfect way;
Guard Thou each sacred hour from selfish ease;
Guide Thou our ordered lives as Thou dost please.
Take Thou ourselves, O Lord, heart, mind, and will;
Through our surrendered souls Thy plans fulfill.
We yield ourselves to Thee—time, talents, all;
We hear, and henceforth heed, Thy sovereign call.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, whose wisdom is endless, whose mercy is great.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
You have shown us, O God, what it means to follow you. Forgive us when we fail; open our hearts and minds to your teachings. You modeled compassion in the person of Jesus Christ, but we do not extend kindness to strangers or friends. You challenge systems of injustice through the movement of your spirit, but we keep choosing comfort over justice, the status quo over the kingdom of God. You create all things good, and your creation sings your praise, but we consider no creatures but ourselves and wound your earth by our sin. Forgive us, O God. Pour your compassion on us this day, and by your forgiveness, show us how to share it with one another. (Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Those who trust in God will renew their strength. They will run and not be weary, they will walk and not grow faint.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
GLORIA PATRI (please stand)
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 FOR 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.
Speak to us, Lord, for your servants are listening. (1 Samuel 3:9-10)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 111 (read responsively)
1 Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Show Me, Teach Me, Lead Me” by Nancy Raabe
Rev. Norlita Kaul, Judy Smith, Dick Smith
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. 16 This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” 17 Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. 19 Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. 20 But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.”
Mark 1:21-28
21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
A new teaching, with authority!
Thanks be to God. (Isaiah 40:8; Mark 13:31)
REFLECTION: “What Is This?” Rev. Norlita Kaul
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH:
God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of the human mind. Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness. But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ by showing power in the form of a servant, wisdom in the folly of the cross, and goodness in receiving sinful men and women. The power of God’s love in Christ to transform the world discloses that the Redeemer is the Lord and Creator who made all things to serve the purpose of God’s love.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.15
INVITATION 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.
We offer ourselves:
SPECIAL MUSIC: Bonnie Foster, pianist
DOXOLOGY (please stand)
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
Awesome God, you sent Jesus to teach people firsthand the power of your love, grace, and authority. Jesus washed away unclean spirits and performed countless other miracles so that even the faithless would experience your love. You call us to be mindful and vigilant of the extraordinary miracles that you continue to work in our lives today. May this offering undergird ministries that show others your miraculous love, grace, and authority. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Mark 1:21-28 David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE 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 temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN “Be Thou My Vision”
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
Great God of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee, and Thou with me, Lord;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
POSTLUDE
Thanks to everyone who helped out with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week! )
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year B Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2020 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org; from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; pg. 208-209
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES: Worship services will be online via Zoom only during the months of January and February. There will be no in-sanctuary worship during those months per Session decision on December 30th.
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL will resume when worship services begin again in the sanctuary.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will be meeting at Perkins beginning Feb. 9th at 9:30ish.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
OUR TIME TO PRAY:
-Judith (Judy & Mike’s sister-in-law) (recovery from surgery)
-Carrie VB (recovery from surgery)
Continued Health Requests:
-Gene G
-Bob & Jan J
-Sharon W
-LaVonne B
-Jan B
-Bev (Teri B’s mother)
-Harry (Bonnie S.’s father)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew)
-Jack (Lee’s father)
-Sue (Bonnie F.’s mother)
-Kara (Richard & Dolores’ daughter)
-Ann (wife of Rev. Terry D)
-Sue (friend of Ella)
-Riley (son of Rev. Norlita’s friend)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Stephen & Carrie VB, Art & Marjorie V, Dee W
Our homebound or in care members: Barb B, Delores K, Nona M, Rose P, Cliff R, Stephen & Carrie V B, Dee W. (Please reach out and call)
Those who mourn: We continue to pray for the Fishback, Kennedy N., Watson, Boy, Peterson, Larson and Robinson families
Prayers for our sister churches First Presbyterian in Madison, SD, Pastor Mark Werner and Clerk of Session Trudi Nelson; First Presbyterian in Flandreau, Pastor Ann Spitzenberger; our Presbytery of South Dakota; the PCUSA (leaders and staff); and our own Session, Deacons, members and friends, and Brookings United Church of Christ staff, church council, and members. We continue to pray for Christ’s church universal and at work here in Brookings.
Victims and families affected by the Coronavirus. God grant them all comfort and healing. Prayers for all hospital workers, especially doctors and nurses, and first responders across the world and their families.
Prayers for our nation as it moves forward during these months of transition.
. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for January-Marlys M, Lisa B, Neal F, Joel F, Daniel M, Vivian L, Katy Y, Julie S, Malia G, Brock P, Art V and the first week in February Judy S and Robin E
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY for January-Darwin & Jeanne L and February- Mike & Judy M
Lord, for these joys, we give thee thanks.