Order of Worship
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Second Sunday after Epiphany 

Prelude       Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring        (J.S. Bach)

Introduction to the day
All the baptized have a calling in God’s world. God calls not just pastors and deacons but all of us, even the youngest child, like Samuel. The story of the calling of Nathanael plays with the idea of place. Nathanael initially dismisses Jesus because he comes from Nazareth. But where we come from isn’t important; it’s where—or rather whom—we come to. Jesus refers to Jacob, who had a vision in a place he called “the house of God, and . . . the gate of heaven” (Gen. 28:17). Jesus says he himself is the place where Nathanael will meet God.

In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hymn   O Jesus, I Have Promised (vs. 1 & 4)

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.

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.

Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, whose voice is upon the waters, and whose mercy is poured out upon all people, whose goodness cascades over all creation.
Amen.

Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God.

    Silence is kept for reflection.

Holy God,
you search us and know us. You are acquainted with all our ways.
We confess that our hearts are burdened by sin –
our own sins and the broken systems that bind us.
We turn inward, failing to follow your outward way of love.
We distrust those who are not like us.
We exploit the earth and its resources
and fail to consider generations to come.
Forgive us, gracious God,
for all we have done and left undone.
Even before the words are on our tongues, you know them;
receive them in your divine mercy.
Amen.

How vast is God’s grace!
Through the power and promise of + Christ Jesus, our sins are washed away and we are claimed as God’s own beloved.
Indeed, we are forgiven.
In the wake of God’s forgiveness,
we are called to be the beloved community
living out Christ’s justice and the Spirit’s reconciling peace.
Amen. 

Prayer of the Day
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful redeemer, for the countless blessings and benefits you give. May we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day praising you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen. 

First Reading    1 Samuel 3:1-20
At a time when visions are rare and unexpected, the Lord comes to Samuel and calls him to speak the divine word. Though just a boy, Samuel responds to God obediently, as Eli the priest has taught him to respond. This marks the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic ministry.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God. 

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
You have searched me out and known me.

Second Reading     1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Paul helps the Corinthians understand that God has claimed the entirety of their lives through the death of Christ. Hence Christian relationships and conduct, including areas of human sexuality, are to reflect the reality that we belong to Christ and that the Holy Spirit lives within us.

The word of the Lord.            
Thanks be to God. 

Gospel     John 1:43-51
In John’s gospel, Jesus’ ministry begins with the call of disciples, who then bring others to Jesus. Philip’s friend Nathanael moves from skepticism to faith when he accepts the invitation to “Come and see.”

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

Sermon 

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
Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need.

A brief silence. 

For the body of Christ gathered throughout the world and for all servants of the gospel, that following Jesus, the church lives out its calling every day, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For the well-being of creation, for plants and animals, and for all that God has marvelously made, that we serve as wise stewards of Earth, our home, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For police officers and firefighters, for attorneys and paralegals, for peacekeepers and military personnel, and for the leaders of governments, that they provide protection to all people, especially the most vulnerable, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For those lacking food or shelter, for those who are sick or grieving, and for those who are imprisoned or homebound, particularly Alena, Daryl, Danny, Jenna, Marilyn, Jerod & Julia, Julie, Nick, Jean, Marcella, Dennis, Michael, JoAnn, Sandy, Beth, Johnny, Lorry & Allen, Betty, Dione, Theresa, Margaret, Tim, Henry, Mary, Ann Joyce, Greg, & Shelby, that God console all who suffer, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For our neighborhood, for visitors joining us for the first time or returning, and for those absent from our assembly, that all who seek to know God are nourished by word and sacrament, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For our nation, Eternal God. We are in the midst of turmoil, change, and conflict. Yet your love is steadfast and your strength never fails. In these days be to us a sure guardian and rock of defense. That you may guide the leaders of our nation with your wisdom, comfort those in distress, and grant us hope and courage to face the days ahead, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

In thanksgiving for the saints who have gone before us, that their lives give us a vision of the gospel in action, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken and silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Offering Prayer
Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Benediction
Go forth to the world in peace; be of good courage,        
     hold fast to that which is good.
Render to no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak,
     help the afflicted, honor everyone!
Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. 

And may the blessings of the Triune God, Father, +Son and Holy Spirit be upon you now and forever.
Amen.  

Postlude       O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright      (Philipp Nicolai)

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Cantata BWV 147 No 10, J. S. Bach (1685-1750), Public Domain

O Jesus, I Have Promised  Text:  John E. Bode, 1816-1874, alt.  Music: Neuvermehrtes Gesangbuch, Meiningen, 1693.  Public Domain

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.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.  Music: Philipp Nicolai, Public Domain