The Bulletin is at: 02-19-2017 BULLETIN
The Service in PDF format is at: 02-19-2017 Seventh Sunday after epiphany
or the service is as follows;
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
February 19, 2017
PRE SERVICE MUSIC
AS WE GATHER…………Faithfulness is the condition of being filled with faith. People filled with faith in God’s faithfulness can do amazing things. They can love their neighbors as themselves. They can forgive their enemies. They can find delight in following the pathway of the Lord’s Commandments. They can even discover reasons for hope and joy in adversity. The ultimate compliment Jesus mentions in the parable of the talents is when the master says to his worker, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23). It doesn’t get any better than that!
RINGING OF THE BELL………….Following the ringing of the bell, we take a few moments in silence to prepare our hearts and minds for today’s worship.
Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Let us go to God, confident that He will grant us forgiveness for Jesus’ sake.
Silence for reflection
Pastor: Heavenly Father,
People: we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have failed to live in faithfulness, the fruit of Your Holy Spirit, in our thinking, speaking and acting. Yet we would hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Our Lord Jesus revealed His person and ministry through His words and actions. In Your great mercy, forgive, renew, and lead us so that we may be revealed as His faith-filled followers to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Pastor: Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Many people who hear the word faithfulness in a church setting immediately think of the well-loved hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” The hymn was written by a Methodist minister, Thomas Chisholm, who lived from 1866 to 1960. During his long life, he penned over 1,200 hymns, many of which are still sung today. Although it is almost a century old, the text has a timelessness that is a fitting reminder of the faithfulness of God to His people.
SONG OF PRAISE “Red Book” 55 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not,
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness mercy and love.
“Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
“Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord unto me!
THEME CELEBRATION “Faithfulness”
Pastor: From the very first books of the Bible and through all of Scripture, the faithfulness of God is expressed as being central to His divine character. In his song included in Deuteronomy, Moses rejoices in this attribute of God, “The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He.” God has shown faithfulness to His people from the very beginning of His dealing with them.
People: Proverbs says, “Those who act faithfully are His delight.” The faithfulness evidenced by God’s people is a reflection of His faithfulness to all generations.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Leviticus 19: 1-2, 9-18 The Lord demands right living among His people.
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. . . .
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.
“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.
“You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning. You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.
“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
EPISTLE I Corinthians 3: 10-23 We are God’s temple, the Spirit dwelling in us.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw– each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future–all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
GOSPEL Matthew 5: 38-48 Jesus continues to teach the Law with authority.
[Jesus said:] “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
CHOIR ANTHEM We Live by Faith By Pepper Choplin
SERMON “The Fruit of Faithfulness”
SERMON HYMN “Green Book” 482 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the
prince of Glory died, my richest gain I
count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast save in the
death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that
charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and
love flow mingled down. Did e’er such love and
sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a
tribute far too small; love so amazing,
so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!
People: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
Pastor: In the name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ, who has conquered death and the grave for all the world, let us pray for the Church and for all people according to their needs.
Pastor: Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to suffer death for the sins of all people. On the third day You raised Him from the grave as the proof that You have accepted His sacrifice for our sins. For this, receive the thanks of Your people. Lord, in your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: O God, You have ordained all earthly powers and hold them in Your hand. Give us trustworthy leaders who will work for justice for all, punishing those who deserve punishment and protecting those who need protection. Give repentance and patience to all who are incarcerated as well as their families. Make all corrections officers fair and high-minded in their attitudes and actions. Protect and defend all who work for justice, including our armed forces, our federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. Help all see that heir work has been ordained by You and that they serve You through these useful callings. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: Lord Jesus, by Your resurrection from the dead, You give us hope and encouragement in the midst of physical suffering, for You have redeemed our bodies as well as our souls. Heal and strengthen those who suffer physical illnesses and conditions, especially . Give them patience and trust in Your mercy and providence. Use us to help alleviate their suffering by fulfilling our christian vocation to love and serve our neighbor. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: These things and whatever else You would have us ask, we implore You to grant us for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, who overcame death and has given us His victory.
People: Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Pastor: We declare ourselves to be Easter people.
People: We have come to share in the table that He has prepared for us.
Pastor: He took the bad news of sin and guilt and changed it to good news through His dying and rising for us.
People: We are here to celebrate that Good News and the presence of Christ with us.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
LORD’S PRAYER
DISTRIBUTION
“Red Book” 126 “Let us Break Bread Together”
Let us break bread together on our knees;
Let us break bread together on our knees;
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees;
Let us drink wine together on our knees;
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us bow ‘round the altar on our knees;
Let us bow ‘round the altar on our knees;
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees;
Let us praise God together on our knees;
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord have mercy on me.
“Green Book” 448 “Amazing Grace”
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace has bought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me;
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
“Green Book” 346 “When Peace, like a River”
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows, like sea billows roll;
What ever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, It is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed his own blood for my soul.
He lives – oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to his cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so it is well with my soul.
Pastor: The blessing of God Almighty—the Father, who gave His Son for the life of the world; the Son, who has revealed to us God’s grace, mercy and love; and the Spirit, by whose fruit we are seen to be children of God—bless you now and forever.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN “Red Book” 155 “On Eagle’s Wings”
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord, “My refuge, my Rock in whom I trust.
And He will raise you up on eagle wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear
under His wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield
And He will raise you up on eagle wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
not the arrow that flies by day,
though thousands fall about you,
near you it shall not come.
And He will raise you up on eagle wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
For to His angels He’s given a command
to guard you in all of your ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
And He will raise you up on eagle wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.