The Service in PDF format is at: January 17, 2021 Service
Video of service is at:Facebook Video
Peace Lutheran Church
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 16, 2021
THEME: Today we consider the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. How we live and interact with others is important, for we are representing the Holy Spirit. How we act when we are alone is important, for the Spirit is always present with us, and He has no desire to take part in sin of any kind. As we reflect, we remember the glorious news that we were bought with a price—the blood of Jesus, which forgives all our sins and removes all our shame. For that we are most thankful!
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy
Spirit.
People: Amen.
Leader: O Lord, You have searched and known us.
People: You discern our thoughts from afar.
Leader: Where shall we go from Your Spirit?
People: Or where shall we flee from Your presence?
Leader: If we ascend to heaven, You are there!
People: If we make our bed in Sheol, You are there!
Leader: Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
People: We were brought with a price, the blood of Christ.
Leader: Indeed, we were bought with the precious blood of Christ,
and God calls on us to glorify God with our bodies, but we have failed to do this. We have lived as if our bodies and lives were our own, as if Your Son had not bought them with His blood. Such sins cause deep shame, yet even now, our heavenly Father invites us to come to Him and ask for forgiveness.
Silence for reflection
Leader: Heavenly Father,
People: we have sinned by the things we have done and by the
things we have left undone. Forgive us, remove the shame that clings to us, and make us new creations for the sake of Jesus. Amen.
Leader: Almighty God, in His infinite mercy and grace, sent His Son,
Jesus, to die for our sins. In His resurrection, He removes our
shame and makes us more than conquerors. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen. We are forgiven in Christ. Our shame is removed.
OPENING SONG: “I Love You, Lord”
(Recorded as congregational singing on November 26, 2017)
Words & Music by Laurie Klein ©1978 & 1980 House of Mercy Music
I love You, Lord and I lift my voice
to worship You o my soul, rejoice!
Take joy, My King, in what You hear,
may it be a sweet, sweet sound
in Your ear.
Leader: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, You paid for our lives with the price of Your blood on the cross. Strengthen us to serve You with pure hearts and minds, that we may be witnesses to the word of Your forgiveness; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
The Lord calls Samuel.
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy.
Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael.
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”
And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
SERMON “Relationship and Responsibility”
Leader: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Leader: Holy Spirit, from sin and sorrow set us free;
People: may we Your living temples be.
Leader: Spirit, inspire all people as they serve in their vocations. Grant them creativity, wisdom, discernment,
and courage to follow where You lead. From sin and sorrow set us free;
People: may we Your living temples be.
Leader: Spirit, You are the Comforter sent from heaven. Bring Your comfort to all those who are suffering in
grief, (especially…). Point them to the hope of the resurrection to eternal peace and life with Jesus. From sin and sorrow set us free:
People: may we Your living temples be.
Leader: Spirit, strengthen all those who struggle with addictions. Break their bondage, lead them to get the
help they need, and remind them that You dwell within them. From sin and sorrow set us free;
People: may we Your living temples be.
Leader: Spirit, look with favor upon all who are sick, injured, and recovering, (especially………..). Have mercy
upon them, and heal them according to Your good and gracious will. From sin and sorrow set us free;
People: may we Your living temples be.
Leader: Spirit, we commend all these things to Your infinite wisdom and guiding, for You live and reign with
the Father and the Son, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
ALL: 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.