Blog

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Prelude

Gathering

Confession and Forgiveness

Please stand as you are able. The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P:  In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

P:  Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

P:  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Please kneel or sit as you are able.

Silence is kept for reflection.

P:  Most merciful God,

C:  we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

The minister stands and addresses the congregation.

P:  In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

Please stand as you are able.

Entrance Hymn

“We Come to You for Healing, Lord” (vv. 1-2, 4-5)

1  We come to you for healing, Lord,
of body, mind, and soul,
and pray that by your Spirit’s touch
we may again be whole.

2  As once you walked through ancient streets
and reached toward those in pain,
come, risen Christ, among us still
with pow’r to heal again.

4  When nights are long with wakefulness,
through days when strength runs low,
grant us your gift of patience, Lord,
your calming peace to know.

5  We come to you, O loving Lord,
in our distress and pain,
in trust that through our nights and days
your grace will heal, sustain.

Greeting

P:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C:  And also with you.

Kyrie

♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 28)

L:  Lord, have mercy:

C:  Lord, have mercy.

L:  Christ, have mercy:

C:  Christ, have mercy.

L:  Lord, have mercy:

C:  Lord, have mercy.

Hymn of Praise

♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 29)

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth,
and peace to God’s people on earth.

Prayer of the Day

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Let us pray.
Everlasting God, you give strength to the weak and power to the faint. Make us agents of your healing and wholeness, that your good news may be made known to the ends of your creation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C:  Amen.

The Word

Blessing of the Lector

P:  Let us pray.
Gracious God, your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Send your Holy Spirit upon Kathy as she proclaims the word, so that all who receive it will no longer dwell in the shadows, but will have the light of life.

C:  Amen.

Please be seated.

First Reading: Isaiah 40:21-31

²¹ Have you not known? Have you not heard?
 Has it not been told you from the beginning?
 Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
²² It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
 and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
 and spreads them like a tent to live in;
²³ who brings princes to naught,
 and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.

²⁴ Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
 scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows upon them, and they wither,
 and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

²⁵ To whom then will you compare me,
 or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
²⁶ Lift up your eyes on high and see:
 Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
 calling them all by name;
because he is great in strength,
 mighty in power,
 not one is missing.

²⁷ Why do you say, O Jacob,
 and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
 and my right is disregarded by my God”?
²⁸ Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
 the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
 his understanding is unsearchable.
²⁹ He gives power to the faint,
 and strengthens the powerless.
³⁰ Even youths will faint and be weary,
 and the young will fall exhausted;
³¹ but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
 they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
 they shall walk and not faint.

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Psalmody: Hymn #652 (blue hymnal)

“Arise, Your Light Has Come!”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

¹⁶ If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! ¹⁷ For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.
 ¹⁹ For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. ²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. ²¹ To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. ²³ I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Please stand as you are able.

Verse

♫ WOV Setting 5
(green hymnal, p. 31)

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
Alleluia. You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

P:  The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 1st chapter.

C:  Glory to you, O Lord.

²⁹ As soon as Jesus and the disciples left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰ Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. ³¹ He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
 ³² That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. ³³ And the whole city was gathered around the door. ³⁴ And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
 ³⁵ In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. ³⁶ And Simon and his companions hunted for him. ³⁷ When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” ³⁸ He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” ³⁹ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

P:  The Gospel of the Lord.

C:  Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated.

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

Silence for reflection and meditation.

Hymn of the Day

“Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness”

Please stand as you are able.

The Nicene Creed

A:  Let us confess our common faith with all Christians throughout time and place, using the words of the Nicene Creed.

We believe in one God,
 the Father, the Almighty,
  maker of heaven and earth,
  of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
 the only Son of God,
 eternally begotten of the Father,
 God from God, Light from Light,
 true God from true God,
 begotten, not made,
 of one Being with the Father.
 Through him all things were made.
 For us and for our salvation
   he came down from heaven;
   by the power of the Holy Spirit
    he became incarnate from the virgin Mary,
    and was made man.
 For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
  he suffered death and was buried.
  On the third day he rose again
   in accordance with the Scriptures;
  he ascended into heaven
   and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
 He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
  and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
 who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
 With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
 He has spoken through the prophets.
 We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
 We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
 We look for the resurrection of the dead,
  and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

A:  Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

After each petition:

A:  Lord, in your mercy,

C:  hear our prayer.

After the last petition:

A:  Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

Peace

P:  The peace of Christ be with you always.

C:  And also with you.

The ministers and congregation may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

Invitation to Offering

A:  “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust in your own cleverness. When your eyes light upon wealth, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle towards heaven.” Instead, let us trust in God by giving our offering.

Offertory

♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 34)

Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence, Lord,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.

Offertory Prayer

A:  Let us pray.

C:  Blessed are you, O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Meal

Dialogue

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Lift up your hearts.

C:  We lift them to the Lord.

P:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:  It is right to give him thanks and praise.

P:  It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. Sharing our life, he lived among us to reveal your glory and love, that our darkness should give way to his own brilliant light. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Sanctus

♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 36)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

Thanksgiving

P:  In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

  Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

The Lord’s Prayer

P:  Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:

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

P:  At Jesus’ table, heaven and earth are joined as one. Come and see.

Please be seated.

Agnus Dei

♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 39)

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.

Communion

P:  The Body of Christ, broken for you.

  The Blood of Christ, shed for you.

Those who wish to commune at the altar rail may either bring forward their individual Communion kit, or receive the wafer and wine/grape juice by intinction (dipping) from the Communion Ministers, when they are directed forward by the usher. Those who wish to commune in their seat with their individual Communion kit may remain seated.

Communion Hymn #779 (blue hymnal)

“On Eagle’s Wings”

1  You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in this shadow for life,
say to the Lord: “My refuge,
my rock in whom I trust!”

Refrain
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of his hand.

2  Snares of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear;
under God’s wings your refuge,
with faithfulness your shield. Refrain

3  For to the angels God’s given a command
to guard you in all of your ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone. Refrain

Table Blessing

P:  The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

C:  Amen.

Post-Communion Canticle

♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 40)

Thankful hearts and voices raise; tell ev’ryone what God has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and bear Christ’s holy name.
Send us with your promises, O God, and lead us forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia.

Post-Communion Prayer

A:  Let us pray.
Almighty God, you provide the true bread from heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant that we who have received the Sacrament of his body and blood may abide in him and he in us, that we may be filled with the power of his endless life, now and forever.

C:  Amen.

Silence for reflection.

Sending

Announcements For God’s Mission in the World

Please stand as you are able.

Blessing

P:  Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.

C:  Amen.

Closing Hymn #673 (blue hymnal)

“I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me”

Dismissal

A:  Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Postlude

---

Worship Leaders

The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Kathy Crosby, Reader

Upcoming Events

Copyright Notices

We Come to You for Healing, Lord: Text by Herman G. Stuempfle Jr. © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Arise, Your Light Has Come!: Text by Ruth Duck © 1992 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness: Text by Rusty Edwards © 1987 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188.

On Eagle’s Wings: Text and music by Michael Joncas © 1979 OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me: Arr. © 1995 Augsburg Fortress.

Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.

Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2024 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.