22 Jan BULLETIN – SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday January 22, 2023
Third Sunday After Epiphany
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
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. 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.
ENTRANCE HYMN I Love to Tell the Story #390
KYRIE and HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 57-60
PRAYER of the DAY
Lord God, your lovingkindness always goes before us and follows after us. Summon us into your light, and direct our steps in the ways of goodness that come through the cross of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING ISAIAH 9:1-4
There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time [the Lord] brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
PSALM 27:1, 4-9
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing I ask of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek God in the temple.
For in the day of trouble God will give me shelter, hide me in the hidden places of the sanctuary, and raise me high upon a rock.
Even now my head is lifted up above my enemies who surround me. Therefore I will offer sacrifice in the sanctuary, sacrifices of rejoicing; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Hear my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.
My heart speaks your message—“Seek my face.” Your face, O Lord, I will seek.
Hide not your face from me, turn not away from your servant in anger.
Cast me not away—you have been my helper; forsake me not, O God of my salvation.
SECOND READING 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-18
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For 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.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 63
GOSPEL MATTHEW 4:12-23
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he with-drew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaim-ing the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY Shine, Jesus, Shine WOV #651
PROFESSION of FAITH/APOSTLE’S CREED Page 65
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
Called together to follow Jesus, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence.
Make your church one in purpose, proclaiming the message of the cross. Help us to work together across differences. Energize ecumenical partnerships, including the World Council of Churches, YM and YWCA’s, Lutheran World Federation, Christian Churches United, social service agencies and our local ministerium. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
We rejoice at the bounty of your creation. Fill the land and sea with your abundance. Bless harvests in the southern hemisphere and fallow fields in the northern hemisphere. Equip farmers to till and keep the earth sustainably. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
In Christ your reign comes near and calls all to repentance. Break the rod of the oppressor in every nation. Dispel the shadow of death in places of poverty, addiction, homelessness, war and persecution. Send leaders who will focus on lifting yokes burdening those with unmet needs. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Be a stronghold for those in trouble and a rock for all who are afraid. Rouse churches, communities, businesses and those with private wealth to care for neighbors in need. In addition to those on our prayer list, deliver medicine and healthcare, food, shelter, transportation, childcare and comfort where needed. Comfort those facing maltreatment, isolation or loneliness. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Sustain ministries of this congregation and all churches in this community. Nurture each congregation’s unique witness to your presence; foster mutual respect; inspire our cooperation. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
We praise you for the faithful who have gone ahead of us, both famous and unknown. Help us know how and when to follow you, and bring us with the faithful to the fullness of your promise of eternal life. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
We bring to you our needs and hopes, O God, trusting your wisdom and power revealed in Christ crucified, who lived and died so all could experience the kingdom of heaven on earth. Amen.
OFFERTORY
THE LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION Page 74
CLOSING HYMN Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing #559
BLESSING
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission. Prayers adapted from Sundays and Seasons, copyright © 2019, Augsburg Fortress. Used with permission. Psalm readings from Lutheran Book of Worship, copyright © 1978. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual Subscription #SB160715 Other quotations from Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, National Council of Churches in Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Altar flowers at St Peter have been presented by Bruce and Diane Keister in memory of George and Estelle Geise.
Altar flowers at Messiah have been presented by Roy and Joyce Wright To the Glory of God!