Grace Lutheran Church

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Sunday Morning Worship 01 29 2023

Pam Smith

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Notes

Playlist

ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
January 29, 2023

+ GATHERING +

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM (ELW p. 97)

We stand. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,
we are clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Water is poured into the font.

We give you thanks, O God,
for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters
and by your Word you created the world,
calling forth life in which you took delight.

Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family.
Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom.
At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.
By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons,
making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.

We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life,
and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.
Shower us with your Spirit,
and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love. Strengthen us so that we may be able to continue in our baptismal covenant to:
live among God’s faithful people,
hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
serve all people following the example of Jesus,
and strive for justice and peace in all the world.

And to you be given honor and praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.

GATHERING HYMN

God Is Here
ELW 526

God is here! As we your people
meet to offer praise and prayer,
may we find in fuller measure
what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us,
all our varied skills and arts
wait the coming of the Spirit
into open minds and hearts.

Here are symbols to remind us
of our lifelong need of grace;
here are table, font, and pulpit;
here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching,
here in silence, as in speech,
here, in newness and renewal,
God the Spirit comes to each.

Here our children find a welcome
in the Shepherd's flock and fold;
here as bread and wine are taken,
Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant
seek in worship to explore
what it means in daily living
to believe and to adore.

Lord of all, of church and kingdom,
in an age of change and doubt,
keep us faithful to the gospel;
help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day's dedication,
all we have to give, receive;
we, who cannot live without you,
we adore you! We believe!

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, you confound the world’s wisdom in giving your kingdom to the lowly and the pure in heart. Give us such a hunger and thirst for justice, and perseverance in striving for peace, that in our words and deeds the world may see the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

+ WORD +

FIRST READING: Micah 6:1-8
With the mountains and the foundations of the earth as the jury, God brings a lawsuit against Israel. God has “wearied” Israel with a long history of saving acts. God does not want or expect lavish sacrifices to attempt to earn divine favor. Rather God empowers the people to do justice, to love loyalty to God, and to walk shrewdly in God’s service.

¹Hear what the LORD says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
²Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for the LORD has a controversy with his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
³"O my people, what have I done to you?
In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
⁴For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you from the house of slavery;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
⁵O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,
what Balaam son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the saving acts of the LORD."
⁶"With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
⁷Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
⁸He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 15:1-4 (read responsively by half verse)

¹Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle?
Who may abide upon your holy hill?
²Those who lead a blameless life and do what is right,
who speak the truth from their heart;
³they do not slander with the tongue, they do no evil to their friends;
they do not cast discredit upon a neighbor.
⁴In their sight the wicked are rejected, but they honor those who fear the Lord.
They have sworn upon their health and do not take back their word.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
According to the world’s standards of power and might, the message of the cross seems stupid and offensive. Yet this word reveals the paradoxical way God has chosen to work power and salvation through weakness, rejection, and suffering. Hence the message of the cross becomes true wisdom and power for believers.

¹⁸For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written,
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
²⁰Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. ²²For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, ²³but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.
²⁶Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, ²⁹so that no one might boast in the presence of God. ³⁰He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the 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: Matthew 4:23 --5:12
Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount by naming those who are blessed in the reign of God.

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

^4:23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. ²⁴So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. ²⁵And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
^5:1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ²Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
³"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
⁵"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
⁶"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
⁷"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
⁸"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
⁹"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
¹¹"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account ¹²Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY

When the Poor Ones
ELW 725

When the poor ones, who have nothing, still are giving;
when the thirsty pass the cup, water to share;
when the wounded offer others strength and healing:

Refrain
We see God, here by our side, walking our way;
we see God, here by our side, walking our way.

When compassion gives the suff'ring consolation;
when expecting brings to birth hope that was lost;
when we choose love, not the hatred all around us: Refrain

When our spirits, like a chalice, brim with gladness;
when our voices, full and clear, sing out the truth;
when our longings, free from envy, seek the humble: Refrain

When the goodness poured from heaven fills our dwellings;
when the nations work to change war into peace;
when the stranger is accepted as our neighbor: Refrain

INSTALLATION OF CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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 THE PEOPLE

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

A brief silence.

Guide your church in the paths of humility. In gatherings of every size, teach us to boast only in the cross. Shape your church to be people of kindness, generosity, and justice. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

All that you have created bears witness to your faithfulness; the mountains and hills echo with your holiness. When we mistreat your creation, show us the error of our ways. Inspire us with reverent awe to honor all you have made. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

You make foolish the wisdom of the world. Raise up honorable leaders who seek justice, love mercy, and pursue peace. Frustrate plans that are corrupt, wicked, and self-seeking. Prosper the work of peacemakers. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

Bless all whom the world rejects. Accompany those who are regarded as foolish, weak, low, and despised; reveal your power and presence at work where it is least expected. Give your life, strength, wisdom, and healing to those suffering from illness and addiction, particularly Arlene, Tim, Mike, Anna Mae, Julie, Carole G., Carol, Anne, Lydia, Paul, John, Betty, Scott, Marian L., Ron, Flo, Doris, Dottie, Theresa, Marian P., Ian, Tim, Julie, Ruth, Ed, Henry Mary, Greg, and Max. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

As with your people Israel, draw to our remembrance of your saving acts over the years. Remind us how your faithfulness brought us through difficulties and sustained us despite our weaknesses. Establish the cross as the center of our life together. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

Other petitions may be offered.

Praise to you for your blessed saints in every time and place. Your faithfulness accompanied them in poverty, persecution, and in every trial, we trust that you abide with your people always. 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; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. 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

You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God. You are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory.

You so loved the world that you gave your only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.

We give you thanks for his coming into the world to fulfill for us your holy will and to accomplish all things for our salvation.

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.

For as often as we eat this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

Remembering, therefore, his salutary command, his life-giving passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension, and the promise of his coming again, we give thanks to you, O Lord God Almighty, not as we ought but as we are able; we ask you mercifully to accept our praise and thanksgiving and with your Word and Holy Spirit to bless us, your servants, and these your own gifts of bread and wine, so that we and all who share in the body and blood of Christ may be filled with heavenly blessing and grace, and receiving the forgiveness of sin, may be formed to live as your holy people and be given our inheritance with all your saints.

To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever.

Amen. Amen. 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

O Lamb of God, you bear the sin of the world away;
you suffered death our lives to save:
have mercy now, we pray.
O Lamb of God, you bear the sin of the world away;
you set us free from guilt and grave:
have mercy now, we pray.
O 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

As The Grains of Wheat

Refrain
As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill
were gathered into one to become our bread;
so may all your people from all the ends of earth
be gathered into one in you.

As this cup of blessing is shared within our midst,
may we share the presence of your love. Refrain

Let this be a foretaste of all that is to come
when all creation shares this feast with you. Refrain

Holy, Holy, Holy
ELW 465

Holy, holy, holy,
my heart, my heart adores you.
My heart is glad to say the words:
You are holy, God.

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

The Spirit Sends Us Forth
ELW 551

The Spirit sends us forth to serve;
we go in Jesus' name
to bring glad tidings to the poor,
God's favor to proclaim.

We go to comfort those who mourn
and set the burdened free;
where hope is dim, to share a dream
and help the blind to see.

We go to be the hands of Christ,
to scatter joy like seed
and, all our days, to cherish life,
to do the loving deed.

Then let us go to serve in peace,
the gospel to proclaim.
God's Spirit has empowered us;
we go in Jesus' name.

BENEDICTION

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

POSTLUDE

Photo taken by Pastor Pam in 2017 at the Abbey, Iona, Scotland

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.

God Is Here, Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000, Text © 1979 Hope Publishing Company Music: Cyril V. Taylor, 1907-1991. Music © 1942, ren. 1970 Hope Publishing Company. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.

When the Poor Ones, Text: José Antonio Olivar, b. 1939; tr. Martin A. Seltz, b. 1951. Music: Miguel Manzano, b. 1934. Text and music © 1971, 1998 J.A. Olivar, Miguel Manzano, and San Pablo Internacional -- SSP, admin. OCP Publications. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.

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

As the Grains of Wheat. Text: Didache, 2nd cent.; Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Music: Marty Haugen. Text and music © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Text and music: Argentine traditional. Public domain.

The Spirit Sends Us Forth , Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, b. 1939. Text © 1993 Delores Dufner, OSB. Published by OCP Publications. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: attr. Thomas Haweis, 1734-1820. Public domain.

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