Order of Worship
Sunday, February 7, 2021
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Prelude Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love ELW 708
Jesu, Jesu,
fill us with your love,
show us how to serve
the neighbors we have from you.
Introduction to the day
In Isaiah the one God who sits above the earth and numbers the stars also strengthens the powerless. So in Jesus’ healing work we see the hand of the creator God, lifting up the sick woman to health and service (diakonia). Like Simon’s mother-in-law, we are lifted up and healed to serve. Following Jesus, we strengthen the powerless; like Jesus, we seek to renew our own strength in quiet times of prayer.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty ELW 858
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
Let all who hear now to his temple draw near,
joining in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things is wondrously reigning
and, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
sent by his gracious ordaining?
Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
if with his love he befriend you.
Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen sound from his people again.
Gladly forever adore him!
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
Everlasting God, you give strength to the weak and power to the faint. Make us agents of your healing and wholeness, that your good news may be made known to the ends of your creation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
First Reading Isaiah 40:21-31
The Judeans in exile have a good reason to be hopeful: the one who will bring them to freedom is the God who created the world, the God who subdues the rulers of the earth and gives strength to those who are weary.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
The Lord heals the brokenhearted. (Ps. 147:3)
1Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God!
How pleasant it is to honor God with praise!
2The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem,
and gathers the exiles of Israel.
3The Lord heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4The Lord counts the number of the stars
and calls them all by their names.
5Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
there is no limit to God’s wisdom.
6The Lord lifts up the lowly,
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music upon the harp to our God,
8who covers the heavens with clouds
and prepares rain for the earth, making grass to
grow upon the mountains.
9God provides food for the cattle
and for the young ravens when they cry.
10God is not impressed by the might of a horse,
and has no pleasure in the speed of a runner,
11but finds pleasure in those who fear the Lord,
in those who await God’s steadfast love.
20cHallelujah!
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
God entrusted Paul with the responsibility of bringing the gospel to diverse people. Hence the focus of Paul’s ministry is not his own rights or privileges as an apostle but the privilege of serving God by freely sharing the good news of Christ with others.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Mark 1:29-39
Everywhere Jesus goes, many people expect him to set them free from oppression. Everywhere he goes, he heals people and sets them free. Disease, devils, and death are running for their lives. The forces that diminish human life are rendered powerless by Jesus.
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 church: for ministries of healing and wholeness, for hospital, hospice, and military chaplains, for those serving in prison ministry, for all who proclaim freedom and release in the name of Christ, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For creation: for insects in the grass, clouds on the mountaintops, for cattle and the rainwater they drink, for the humility to take our place among all creatures of the earth, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For the nations: for all who lead in cities and towns, states and countries; for community organizers, school officials, and CEOs; for international health organizations, that in times of trial, fear, or hopelessness, they find freedom in service to those most in need, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For all wearied by life’s burdens: for those who are poor, for those lacking supportive relationships, for those crushed by debt, for those struggling with chronic pain or other sickness, particularly Alena, Jenna, Marilyn, Jerod & Julia, Nick, Julie, Jean, Marcella, Michael, Anne, JoAnn, Sandy, Beth, Johnny, Lorry & Allen, Betty, Dione, Theresa, Dottie, Tim, Henry, Mary, Ann Joyce, Greg, & Shelby, for those exhausted from overwork or stress, and for all who cry out to you, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For this congregation: for outreach and social ministries centered here; for parish nurses and visitors; for ministries of companionship and support, for the young people in this place who open us to new understandings, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
In thanksgiving for the faithful departed, who were called by name and now rest from their labors, that their lives serve as witnesses to the goodness of God, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or 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.
Closing Hymn Blest Be the Tie that Binds ELW 656
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the unity of heart and mind
is like to that above.
We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.
From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign
through all eternity.
Benediction
And may the blessing of God, who is Father, + Son and Holy Spirit be upon you beloved of the Lord, now and forever.
Amen.
Postlude Psalm of Joy (Lani Smith)
Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love Text: Tom Colvin (1925-2000), alt. Music: Ghanaian folk tune, adapt. Tom Colvin, Text and Music © 1969 Hope Publishing Company, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Text: Joachim Neander (1650-1680); tr. Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), alt. Music: Ernewerten Gesangbuch, Part II, Stralsund, (1665). Public domain.
Blest Be the Tie that Binds Text: John Fawcett, 1740-1817, alt. Music: Johann G. Nägeli (1773-1836), adapt. Public domain.
Psalm of Joy Music: Lani Smith
