Third Sunday after Epiphany
Prelude
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
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 #290 (green hymnal)
“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” vv. 1-3
1 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in his justice
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heav’n.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgment giv’n.
2 There is welcome for the sinner,
and a promised grace made good;
there is mercy with the Savior;
there is healing in his blood.
There is grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this;
there is room for fresh creations
in that upper home of bliss.
3 For the love of God is broader
than the measures of our mind;
and the heart of the eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the head.
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.
Almighty God, by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call, 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 Linda 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: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2 “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody: Special Music
Psalm 62
Aaron Keyes, Stuart Townend
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
29 Brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
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 1:14-20
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 1st chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
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
“Will You Come and Follow Me”
1 “Will you come and follow me
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know
and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown
in you and you in me?
2 “Will you leave yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare,
should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer pray’r
in you and you in me?
3 “Will you let the blinded see
if I but call your name?
Will you set the pris’ners free
and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean,
and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean
in you and you in me?
4 “Will you love the you you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me?”
5 Lord, your summons echoes true
when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go
where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow
in you and you in me.
Please stand as you are able.
The Apostles’ Creed
A: Let us confess our common faith with all Christians throughout time and place, using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. 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: As Paul urged us in First Corinthians 7:30-31, “be as though you had no possessions.” Let us give our offering to God’s glory, for the present form of this world is passing away.
Offertory
“In the Bleak Midwinter”
1 In the bleak midwinter,
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow,
snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter,
long ago.
2 Heaven cannot hold him,
nor earth sustain;
heav’n and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign;
in the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
the Lord God almighty,
Jesus Christ.
3 What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man
I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him—
give my heart.
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 #494 (green hymnal)
“Jesus Calls Us; O’er the Tumult”
1 Jesus calls us; o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild, restless sea,
day by day his clear voice sounding,
saying, “Christian, follow me.”
2 As of old St. Andrew heard it
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred,
leaving all for his dear sake.
3 Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, “Christian, love me more.”
4 In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love me more than these.”
5 Jesus calls us! In your mercy,
Savior, make us hear your call,
give our hearts to your obedience,
serve and love you best of all.
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 #503 (green hymnal)
“O Jesus, I Have Promised” vv. 1-2, 4
1 O Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
remain forever near me,
my master and my friend.
I shall not fear the battle
if you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if you will be my guide.
2 Oh, let me feel you near me;
the world is ever near.
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but, Jesus, then draw nearer
to shield my soul from sin.
4 O Jesus, you have promised
to all who follow you
that where you are in glory
your servant shall be too.
And Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
oh, give me grace to follow,
my master and my friend.
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
“Go, Make Disciples”
Handt Hanson
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Carroll Mayhugh, Assisting Minister
Linda Miller, Reader
Upcoming Events
Sunday, January 21: Third Sunday after Epiphany
9 am Sunday School / Adult Bible Study
10:30 am Worship Service
After worship: New Members’ Class
Monday, January 22
**Epistle items due**
Wednesday, January 24
2:30 pm Bible study
Thursday, January 25
2:30 pm Stewardship Committee
6 pm Confirmation Class
Sunday, January 28: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
9 am Sunday School / Adult Bible Study
10:30 am Worship Service
After worship: Annual Congregational Meeting
Wednesday, January 31
2:30 pm Bible study
Copyright Notices
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: Text and music by Kathleen Thomerson © 1970, 1975 Celebration
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy: Arr. © 1969 Concordia Publishing House.
Psalm 62: Text and music by Aaron Keyes and Stuart Townend © 2007 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Will You Come and Follow Me: Text by John L. Bell © 1987 Iona Community, admin. GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.1358.
Jesus Calls Us; O’er the Tumult: Arr. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Go, Make Disciples: Text and music by Handt Hanson © 1991 Prince of Peace Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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.