Observance of the Epiphany of our Lord
Worship Service
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Sunday, January 9, 2022
Grace Lutheran Church
Lakeland, Florida
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Festival of Lights Worship Service
The Service of Light.
We begin in darkness.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The Lord is the strength of my life.
The Lord is the strength of my life.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world:
a light no darkness can quench.
Candles are lit and the following hymn is sung:
HYMN Arise, Your Light Has Come!
ELW 314
Arise, your light has come!
The Spirit's call obey;
show forth the glory of your God
which shines on you today.
Arise, your light has come!
Fling wide the prison door;
proclaim the captive's liberty,
good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light has come!
All you in sorrow born,
bind up the brokenhearted ones
and comfort those who mourn.
Arise, your light has come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing,
God's pow'r will make us strong.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
He is worthy of all thanksgiving and praise.
The Epiphany of Christ
Three wonders mark this holy day.
This day a star leads the wise men to the manger.
Alleluia!
This day water is made wine at the wedding feast.
Alleluia!
This day Jesus is revealed as the Christ in the waters of baptism.
Alleluia! Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
HYMN Brightest and Best of the Stars
ELW 303 (vs. 1, 4, 5)
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid.
Star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant redeemer is laid.
Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
vainly with gifts would his favor secure;
richer by far is the heart's adoration,
dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid.
Star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant redeemer is laid.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Everlasting God, the radiance of all faithful people, you brought the nations to the brightness of your rising. Fill the world with your glory, and show yourself to all the world through him who is the true light and the bright morning star, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
The King of All the World is Revealed to the Magi
This day a star leads the wise men to the manger.
Arise, shine: for your light has come
And the Glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Nations shall come to your light
And Kings to the brightness of your rising.
They shall bring gold, frankincense and myrrh
And proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Your gates will lie open continually
Shut neither by day nor by night.
No more will the sun give you daylight
Nor moonlight shine upon you.
But the Lord will be your everlasting light
Your God will be your splendor.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe; your word has gone forth to the ends of the world. May the whole creation be filled with your glory, and all nations do your service.
Blessed be God for ever.
HYMN As with Gladness Men of Old
ELW 302 (vs. 1, 2, 3)
As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold;
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright;
so, most gracious Lord, may we
evermore be led by thee.
As with joyful steps they sped,
Savior, to thy lowly bed,
there to bend the knee before
thee, whom heav'n and earth adore;
so may we with willing feet
ever seek thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
at thy cradle, rude and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin's alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to thee, our heav'nly king.
A Reading from the Gospel according to St. Matthew
MATTHEW 2:1-12
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Let us pray.
Eternal God, Who by the shining of a star led the wise men to the worship of your Son; guide by his light the nations of the earth, that the whole world may behold your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Christ is Revealed in the Waters of Baptism
This day Jesus is revealed as the Christ in the waters of baptism.
I will take you from the nations:
and gather you from all countries.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you;
and purify you from all defilement.
A new heart I will give you:
and put a new spirit within you.
You shall be my people:
and I shall be your God.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe: You bring waters out of the stony rock. For with you is the well of life, and in your light shall we see light.
Blessed be God forever.
HYMN Christ, When For Us You Were Baptized
ELW 304 (vs. 1, 2, 4)
Christ, when for us you were baptized,
God's Spirit on you came,
as peaceful as a dove, and yet
as urgent as a flame,
as urgent as a flame.
God called you, "My beloved Son";
you are God's servant true,
sent to proclaim the reign of heav'n,
God's holy will to do,
God's holy will to do.
Baptize us with your Spirit, Lord;
your cross on us be signed,
that likewise in God's service we
may perfect freedom find,
may perfect freedom find.
A reading from the Gospel according to St. Mark
MARK 1:1-11
1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,'"
4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, who anointed Jesus at his Baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son: give to us who are born of water and the Spirit, the will to surrender ourselves to your service, that we may rejoice to be called your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The springs of water were made holy when Christ appeared on earth. Draw water from the wells of salvation; for, by his baptism, Christ our God has made the whole creation one.
The New Creation is Revealed in the Water Made Wine
This day water is made wine at the wedding feast.
I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God
Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice from the Throne, saying:
Behold, the dwelling of God is with his people.
He will dwell with them and they shall be his own:
And God himself shall be with them.
Behold, I make all things new:
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
To the thirsty I will give water without price:
From the fountain of the water of life.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe; for the marriage of the Lamb has come. Make your Church ready, and clothe her with the righteous deeds of the saints, to join the praises of your new creation.
Blessed be God forever.A Reading from the Gospel according to John
JOHN 2:1-11
1On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. 9When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new. Transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
SERMON
HYMN Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
ELW 310
Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise;
manifested by the star
to the sages from afar,
branch of royal David's stem
in thy birth at Bethlehem:
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.
Manifest at Jordan's stream,
prophet, priest, and king supreme;
and at Cana wedding guest
in thy Godhead manifest;
manifest in pow'r divine,
changing water into wine;
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.
Manifest in making whole
weakened body, fainting soul;
manifest in valiant fight,
quelling all the devil's might;
manifest in gracious will,
ever bringing good from ill:
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.
Grant us grace to see thee, Lord,
present in thy holy word;
grace to imitate thee now
and be pure, as pure art thou;
that we might become like thee
at thy great epiphany,
and may praise thee, ever blest,
God in flesh made manifest.
Holy Communion
OFFERING
We are resuming the passing of the offering plate during the service. Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option. Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ.
By the leading of a star he was shown forth to all nations;
in the waters of the Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son;
and in the miracle of water turned to wine he revealed your glory.
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS (spoken)
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.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.
Blessed are you for your promise to your people.
Blessed are you in the prophets; hopes and dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.
Blessed are you for your Son Jesus,
the Word made flesh.
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.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
With this bread and cup we remember your Word
dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.
We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.
We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Holy God, we long for your Spirit.
Come among us. Bless this meal.
May your Word take flesh in us.
Awaken your people. Fill us with your light.
Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.
All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel,
Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
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 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.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
In Holy Communion, the baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord’s Table where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We commune at the head of the aisle receiving the host and then moving to receive wine or grape juice by individual cup. The ushers will direct you. Gluten free bread is available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. For those who do not wish to commune, they are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing from Pastor.
HYMN Come to the Table
ELW 481
Come to the table of mercy,
prepared with the wine and the bread.
All who are hungry and thirsty,
come, and your souls will be fed.
Come at the Lord's invitation;
receive from his nail-scarred hand.
Eat of the bread of salvation;
drink of the blood of the Lamb.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
BENEDICTION
HYMN O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright
ELW 308 (vs. 1, 3, 6)
O Morning Star, how fair and bright!
You shine with God's own truth and light,
aglow with grace and mercy!
Of Jacob's line, King David's son,
our Lord and Savior, you have won
our hearts to serve you only!
Lowly, holy!
Great and glorious,
all victorious,
rich in blessing!
Rule and might o'er all possessing!
Lord, when you look on us in love,
at once there falls from God above
a ray of purest pleasure.
Your word and Spirit, flesh and blood
refresh our souls with heav'nly food.
You are our dearest treasure!
Let your mercy
warm and cheer us!
Oh, draw near us!
For you teach us
God's own love through you has reached us.
What joy to know, when life is past,
the Lord we love is first and last,
the end and the beginning!
He will one day, oh, glorious grace,
transport us to that happy place
beyond all tears and sinning!
Amen! Amen!
Come, Lord Jesus!
Crown of gladness!
We are yearning
for the day of your returning.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006 and 2020 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
Arise, Your Light Has Come! Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947. Text © 1992 GIA Publications, Inc. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274. All right reserved. Music: William H. Walter, 1825-1893. Public domain.
Brightest and Best of the Stars. Text: Reginald Heber, 1783 – 1826, alt. Music: James P. Harding, 1850-1911, adapt.
Public domain.
As with Gladness Men of Old. Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898, alt. Music: Conrad Kocher, 1785-1872. Public domain.
Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized. Text: F. Bland Tucker, 1895-1984, alt. Text © 1985 The Church Pension Fund. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274. All right reserved. Music: Nikolaus Herman, 1480-1561. Public domain.
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise. Text: Christopher Wordsworth, 1807-1885, alt. Music: Jakob Hintze, 1622-1702; arr. Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750. Public domain.
Come to the Table, Text: Claire Cloninger, b. 1942. Music: Martin J. Nystrom, b. 1956. Text and Music © 1991 Integrity's Hosanna! Music | Curb Word Music, Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright. Text: Philipp Nicolai, 1556-1608; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship. Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274. All right reserved. Music: Philipp Nicolai. Public domain.
