SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP
7th Sunday after Epiphany
February 20, 2022
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
In this sacred space,
trust in the Holy Spirit.
On this sabbath day,
take delight in Jesus Christ.
Among the faithful,
commit your way to the Lord.
Worship the triune God with gladness!
*HYMN #263 (Blue) ‘Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise’
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,
Then wither and perish; but naught changeth Thee.
Thou reignest in glory, Thou rulest in light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render, O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God, you have taught us that all our deeds without love are worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the very bond of peace and of all goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Jesus teaches first by example. The one who says, “Do not judge, but forgive,” asks only of us what he has already done for us. Let us practice the Teacher’s instruction in prayer.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Christ, the economy of your love is beautiful, expending goodness and extending lines of forgiveness beyond our imagining. The economy of our love is stingy and crooked. We invest love where it can be repaid. We spend mercy where it yields gain. We advance blessing we can bank on. We hold grudges with interest. We do all of this with no recognition of how deeply indebted we are to you. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, we pray with our whole hearts. (Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
How are the dead raised? Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, our weakness gives way to power, our dishonor disintegrates into glory, and we are raised with Christ.
This is gospel!
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
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 37:1-11, 39-40 (read responsively)
1 Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
2 for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
7 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land,
and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Luke 6:27-38
27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 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. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 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. 35 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. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 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.”
A new teaching, with authority! Mark 1:27
Thanks be to God.
REFLECTION: ‘Unlimited Love’ Rev. Norlita Kaul
HYMN: #304 (Blue) ‘Jesus Loves Me’
Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me, this I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, "Let them come to Me." [Refrain]
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH--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.
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. 1 Corinthians 8:4–6
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘The Gift of Love’
Rev. Kaul, soloist & MK Hugghins, organist
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
Holy One, we give because You beckon us to give. We give because You call us to be merciful. We give because you command us to love our enemies. We give because we seek be Your followers who do good and expect nothing in return. May the offering that we place upon the altar humble us so that we do not judge or condemn but offer a posture of forgiveness and love. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. Luke 6:27-38 David S. Bell
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Gayle & Paige F
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Bev (Teri B’s mother)
-Andrew L
-Ed P (Dave’s brother)
-Gene & JoAnn G
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Judith (Judy & Mike’s sister-in-law)
-Nadia (Mike & Judy’s granddaughter)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Gwen M (friend of Elizabeth)
-Heather (Ella's daughter)
-Carrie V
-Bob & Jan J
Our homebound or in care members: Gene G, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art & Marge V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Gene & JoAnn G, John & Linda & family Grace & Lottie
Those who mourn:
We pray for the Kelsey, McCann, Webster, Salonen, & Peterson families and all who have lost loved ones.
Prayers for Second Presbyterian in Flandreau and Wentworth Presbyterian in Wentworth and their pastor, Pastor Ann Spitzenberger; Robby & Donna, and Elizabeth (CREs), our Presbytery of South Dakota; churches searching in pastoral search process, First PC Rapid City, Olive PC in Platte, and Wildflower PC in Sioux Falls; Castlewood and Bemis churches; the PCUSA (leaders and staff); and our own Session, Deacons, members and friends. 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, doctors, nurses, first responders across the world (their families) and for those who have lost homes, jobs, and/or possessions due to natural disasters. For those whom this season will be one of struggle, heartache, and/or loneliness.
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 into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
*HYMN #376 (Blue) ‘Love Divine, All Loves Excelling’
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down,
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit,
Let us find the promised rest;
Take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty, to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive.
Suddenly return, and never,
Nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above;
Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Adult Sunday School meets at 9:15 AM.
Youth Sunday School meets at 11:45AM.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED Monday, Feb. 21 in observance of federal holiday.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will be meeting at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES AND PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P (692-7757).
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church. We are studying the book of Matthew.
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE will be held at the sanctuary and via Zoom on Wednesday, March 2 at 6:30 PM.
BENEDICTION:
As Jesus called the first disciples, so he calls to us this day: Follow me. Amen. Mark 1:17, John 1:43
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 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 A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993