Grace Lutheran Church Grace Lutheran Church
Grace Lutheran Church is live
Sunday Morning Worship 01 15 2023
Pam Smith
Pam Smith
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Notes
Playlist

ORDER OF WORSHIP
Second Sunday of Epiphany
January 15, 2023

  + GATHERING +

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

     All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the Holy Trinity,  one God, who makes all things new,
whose mercy endures forever. 
Amen.

Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin.

     Silence is kept for reflection.

Holy One, source of our renewal,
we confess that we are wrapped up in sin,
and cannot free ourselves.
We have not practiced your righteousness.
Our hearts have turned away from you.
For the sake of the world you so love, forgive us,
that we may be reconciled to one another
for the glory of your holy name.  Amen.

Thus says our God: “The former things have come to pass and new things I now declare.” God’s mercy makes us new. We are forgiven in the name of   Christ our Savior.
Amen.

GATHERING HYMN        

Rise, Shine, You People!
ELW 665

Rise, shine, you people! Christ the Lord has entered
our human story; God in him is centered.
He comes to us, by death and sin surrounded,
with grace unbounded.

See how he sends the pow'rs of evil reeling;
he brings us freedom, light and life and healing.
All men and women, who by guilt are driven,
now are forgiven.

Come, celebrate; your banners high unfurling,
your songs and prayers against the darkness hurling.
To all the world go out and tell the story
of Jesus' glory.

Tell how the Father sent the Son to save us.
Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.
Tell how the Spirit calls from ev'ry nation
God's new creation.

GREETING 

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

HYMN OF PRAISE

Glory be to God in heaven, peace, goodwill to all the earth.
Mighty God of all creation, Father of surpassing worth:
we exalt you, we adore you, we lift high our thanks and praise.
Saints and angels bow before you; here on earth our songs we raise.

Glory be to Christ forever, Lamb of God and Lord of love,
Son of God and gracious Savior, you have come from heav'n above;
on the cross you died to save us now you reign at God's right hand.
Hear our perayer; restore, forgive us; in your promise firm we stand.

Holy One we now acclaim you Lord alone, to you we call;
Holy One in faith we name you, God most high, yet near to all:
Jesus Christ, with God the Spirit, in the Father's splendor bright.
For the peace that we inherit, glory be to God on high!

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
Holy God, our strength and our redeemer, by your Spirit hold us forever, that through your grace we may worship you and faithfully serve you, follow you and joyfully find you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

 + WORD +  

FIRST READING:       Isaiah 49:1-7
Here the servant, identified as Israel, speaks for herself and describes her honored mission. Called before her birth like Jeremiah and John the Baptist, the servant is not only to restore Israel. The servant’s ultimate assignment is to bring news of God’s victory to the ends of the earth. God in faithfulness has chosen Israel for this task.

1Listen to me, O coastlands,
 pay attention, you peoples from far away!
 The LORD called me before I was born,
 while I was in my mother's womb he named me.
 2He made my mouth like a sharp sword,
 in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
 he made me a polished arrow,
 in his quiver he hid me away.
 3And he said to me, "You are my servant,
 Israel, in whom I will be glorified."
 4But I said, "I have labored in vain,
 I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
 yet surely my cause is with the LORD,
 and my reward with my God."
 5And now the LORD says,
 who formed me in the womb to be his servant,
 to bring Jacob back to him,
 and that Israel might be gathered to him,
 for I am honored in the sight of the LORD,
 and my God has become my strength —
 6he says,
 "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
 to raise up the tribes of Jacob
 and to restore the survivors of Israel;
 I will give you as a light to the nations,
 that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
 7Thus says the LORD,
 the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,
 to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations,
 the slave of rulers,
 "Kings shall see and stand up,
 princes, and they shall prostrate themselves,
 because of the LORD, who is faithful,
 the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 40:1-11     (read responsively by whole verse)

1I waited patiently for the LORD;
 he inclined to me and heard my cry.
 2He drew me up from the desolate pit,
 out of the miry bog,
 and set my feet upon a rock,
 making my steps secure.
 3He put a new song in my mouth,
 a song of praise to our God.
 Many will see and fear,
 and put their trust in the LORD.
 4Happy are those who make
 the LORD their trust,
 who do not turn to the proud,
 to those who go astray after false gods.
 5You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
 your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
 none can compare with you.
 Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
 they would be more than can be counted.
 6Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
 but you have given me an open ear.
 Burnt offering and sin offering
 you have not required.
 7Then I said, "Here I am;
 in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
 8I delight to do your will, O my God;
 your law is within my heart."
 9I have told the glad news of deliverance
 in the great congregation;
 see, I have not restrained my lips,
 as you know, O LORD.
 10I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,
 I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
 I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
 from the great congregation.
 11Do not, O LORD, withhold
 your mercy from me;
 let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
 keep me safe forever.

SECOND READING:   1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Though God’s church in Corinth is a fractious congregation beset with many conflicts, Paul opens this letter by spotlighting the multiple ways God has enriched and sustained its life as part of the divine call into the fellowship of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind — 6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you — 7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

The Word of the Lord.  
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION         ELW 289

Alleluia!
Lord and Savior: open now your saving word.
Let it burn like fire within us;
Speak until our hearts are stirred
Alleluia!
Lord, we sing for the good news that you bring.

GOSPEL:   John 1:29-42
John the Baptist’s witness to Jesus initiates a chain of testimony as his disciples begin to share with others what they have found.

The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.

29The next day [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." 32And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."
35The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" 37The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). 42He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY    

He Comes to Us as One Unknown
ELW 737

He comes to us as one unknown,
a breath unseen, unheard;
as though within a heart of stone,
or shriveled seed in darkness sown,
a pulse of being stirred,
a pulse of being stirred.

He comes when souls in silence lie
and thoughts of day depart;
half-seen upon the inward eye,
a falling star across the sky
of night within the heart,
of night within the heart.

He comes to us in sound of seas,
the ocean's fume and foam;
yet small and still upon the breeze,
a wind that stirs the tops of trees,
a voice to call us home,
a voice to call us home.

He comes in love as once he came
by flesh and blood and birth;
to bear within our mortal frame
a life, a death, a saving name,
for ev'ry child of earth,
for ev'ry child of earth.

He comes in truth when faith is grown;
believed, obeyed, adored;
the Christ in all the scriptures shown,
as yet unseen, but not unknown,
our Savior and our Lord,
our Savior and our Lord.

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,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who 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 THE PEOPLE

Called together to follow Jesus, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

     A brief silence.

Put a new song in the mouth of your church. Inspire the baptized to tell of your faithfulness, sharing the good news of your salvation throughout the earth. Bless the witness of missionaries.  Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

The waters of baptism call us into life in the Spirit. Preserve the world’s waters: protect them from pollution, support plants and animals who depend on them, and bring rain in places of drought. Guide us in protecting local waterways and in responding to devastating floods. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

In Jesus you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Show your mercy to all nations. Direct leaders to do your will; fill governing bodies with righteousness; equip judges with discernment and compassion. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

You incline your ear to all who cry to you. Draw near to individuals and communities suffering violence, injustice, illness, addiction, or poverty. Hide them in the shadow of your hand and make us signs of your faithfulness to all in need.  We pray particularly for Arlene, Tim, Mike, Anna Mae, Julie, Carol, Anne, Lydia, Paul, John, Betty, Marian L., Ron, Flo, Doris, Dottie, Theresa, Marian P., Ian, Tim, Julie, Ruth, Ed, Henry Mary, Greg, and Max. Merciful God, 
receive our prayer.

You are glorified in the servants you have called. With Martin Luther King Jr., give us bold trust in you. Even when it feels like a sharp sword or polished arrow, give us courage to receive your call to repentance and racial justice. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

     Other petitions may be offered.

In every place and time, you have sanctified your people. We praise you for the testimony of those who have died in the faith. Strengthen us as we wait for the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

We bring to you our needs and hopes, O God, trusting your wisdom and power revealed in Christ crucified.
Amen.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

Peace of Christ be with you all.
    And also with you.

We prepare now to receive our offerings as we return to God a portion of what God has entrusted to us.


  + MEAL +  

OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed 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.

MUSIC DURING OFFERING

OFFERING SONG  

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
ELW 885    

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heav'nly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Liberating God, you break the bonds of injustice and let the oppressed go free. Receive these offerings in thanksgiving for all your works of merciful power, and shape us as people of your justice and freedom. You we magnify and adore, through Jesus our Savior,
Amen.

    HOLY COMMUNION

THE 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      ELW page 108 

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 
God of pow'r and might, 
Heav'n 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 
This holy meal is for all the baptized children of God.  We commune at the altar rail.  The ushers will direct you down the center aisle.  Please go to an open spot at the altar rail.  After you have received the host, the first chalice is for intinction and the second chalice is for drinking.  A third chalice of grape juice is also offered.  Please let the Pastor know if you wish to receive gluten-free wafers.  You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle. 

LAMB OF GOD      ELW page 112

Lamb of God, you bear the sin of the world away;
you suffered death our lives to save:
have mercy now, we pray.

Lamb of God, you bear the sin of the world away;
you set us free from guilt and grave:
have mercy now, we pray.

Lamb of God, you bear the sin of the world away;
eternal peace with God you made:
give us your peace, we pray.

HYMNS DURING COMMUNION

O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! 
ELW 308

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!

Come, precious diamond, light divine,
and deep within our hearts now shine;
there light a flame undying!
In your one body let us be
as living branches of a tree,
your life our lives supplying.
Now, though daily
earth's deep sadness
may perplex us
and distress us,
yet with heav'nly joy you bless us.

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.

Almighty Father, in your Son
you loved us, when not yet begun
was this old earth's foundation!
Your Son has ransomed us in love
to live in him here and above:
this is your great salvation.
Alleluia!
Christ the living,
to us giving
life forever,
keeps us yours and fails us never!

Oh, let the harps break forth in sound!
Our joy be all with music crowned,
our voices gaily blending!
For Christ goes with us all the way—
today, tomorrow, ev'ry day!
His love is never ending!
Sing out! Ring out!
Jubilation! Exultation!
Tell the story!
Praise to Christ, who reigns in glory!

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.

BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
And now may the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserve us on to life everlasting.  
Amen.

Thankful hearts and voices raise;
tell ev'ryone what God has done.
Let ev'ryone who seeks the Lord
rejoice and bear the name of Christ.
Send us with your promises
and lead your peopole forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving.  
Alleluia, alleluia. 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Holy One, we thank you for the healing that springs forth abundantly from this table. Renew our strength to do justice, love kindness, and journey humbly with you.
Amen.

+ SENDING +  

SENDING HYMN      

Here I Am, Lord 
ELW 574

"I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?"

Refrain
    Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
    I have heard you calling in the night.
    I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
    I will hold your people in my heart.

"I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people's pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?"    Refrain

"I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?"    Refrain

BENEDICTION

DISMISSAL
Go in peace.  Follow the way of Jesus.
Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE  


Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761.  All rights reserved.

Rise, Shine, You People!, Text: Ronald A. Klug, b. 1939, alt.  All rights reserved.  Music: Dale Wood, 1934-2003. Text and music © 1974 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.cific

Sermon Illustration:  Isenheim Altarpiece (The Crucifiction) by Matthias Grunwald

He Comes to Us as One Unknown, Text: Timothy Dudley-Smith, b. 1926, Text © 1984 Hope Publishing Company,  Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved. Music: C. Hubert H. Parry, 1848-1918.  Public domain.

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow. Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711, alt.. Music: Louis Bourgeois, 1510-1561, attr., Genevan Psalter, 1551. Public domain.

O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright!, Text and music: Philipp Nicolai, 1556-1608; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music: Public domain.

Here I Am, Lord, Text and music: Daniel L. Schutte, b. 1946. Text and music © 1981 OCP Publications, Inc., Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.