The Service in PDF format is at: January 26, 2024 Service
Video of service is at: YouTube
Peace Lutheran Church
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health safety. If you have any questions, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. If you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger. The room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. If you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to partake. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
Offering. Peace Lutheran Church understands and teaches that Offerings are voluntary and to be from the heart. Whether we give or do not give does not determine our salvation. Whether we give much or little does not determine our standing before God. Sharing an Offering is an opportunity to quietly practice generosity with our neighbors.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
Supt. Of Sunday School Anne Schroeder & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Callie Santora, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Debbi Weiler, Dan Dusek
Praise Team Rick Durling, Patrick Kamins, Ginny Tonelli, Karyn Stanley, Nora Stanley, Diane Crocker, Kaia Lucke, Anne Schroeder, John Mergl
Today, January 26, 2025
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Debbi Weiler
Flowers Donna Whitaker
AS WE GATHER: The most direct section of instruction regarding speech in the Bible appears in James 3:1-18. James 3:5 famously says, “The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.” Our speech, however, can be a rich blessing to others. Renewed by God’s presence, love and forgiveness in today’s service, we consider ways that we can use our speech to build others up and point them to Jesus.
RINGING OF THE BELL
After the ringing of the bell, we prepare our hearts and minds in silence for today’s worship.
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Here I Am, Lord”
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?
.
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne My people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them.
Whom shall I send?
.
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame,
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
.
Finest break I will provide
Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them.
Whom shall I send?
.
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
Here I am.
P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
CONFESSION/FORGIVENESS
P: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
C: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
P: The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
C: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
P: the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
C: the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
P: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight,
C: O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
P: O Lord, hear us as we silently come before You.
In silent prayer, God’s children bring their sins to Jesus.
P: Father, thank You for hearing us as we pray:
C: Too often we have neglected Your Word and ignored Your work in our lives. This is true in the speech that we use. Instead of speaking truth, we have spoken that which isn’t true. Instead of using words that display humility, we have used words that boast. Instead of using words that bless, we have gone silent when we should have shared a blessing.
P: Jesus used His words to bless and forgive. Jesus speaks words today that are true and filled with grace. He says today, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” These words are true to you today as your sins are forgiven. In His name you are forgiven, cleansed, redeemed and given new life.
C: Amen.
Your only Son no sin to hide,
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God.
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God,
I love the holy Lamb of God.
O wash me in His precious blood,
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
.
Your gift of love they crucified,
They laughed and scorned Him as He died,
The humble King they named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God.
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God,
I love the holy Lamb of God.
O wash me in His precious blood,
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
P: Let us pray. Merciful Father, to the end that our tongues speak truth and grace, give us the wisdom that comes from heaven that is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Taming the tongue.
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
What defiles a person.
17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Reader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN “Be Thou My Vision”
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art—
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
.
Be Thou my Wisdom, be Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, be first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
.
High King of heaven, when vict’ry is won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
SERMON
“Taming the Tongue”
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And born of the virgin Mary.
He 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,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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.
We give our offerings as a sign of our lives given to the Lord in humble service.
P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
For the work of our triune God among our church—Peace Lutheran Church–and among all people in the Holy Christian Church, that Jesus would be the One upon whom all eyes are fixed and in whom we see all the Scriptures find their fulfillment, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord Jesus, open our hearts to receive You.
P: For the deepening of relationship with our ministry partners—especially Philomath Community Services, that the needs of people would be met and that Jesus would be glorified in all that is accomplished, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord Jesus, open our hearts to receive You.
P: For the world in which we live and for all who work to care for the land and the people who dwell in it, that our gracious God would stand with those who serve in our government, military, and in all positions of public service, that they work wholeheartedly as for the Lord and not for men, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord Jesus, open our hearts to receive You.
P: For those who are shut-in and homebound, hospitalized and undergoing treatment, awaiting surgery and recovering from procedures, [including . . .], that our merciful Lord would fill them with the healing and peace that comes from His mighty presence in their lives, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord Jesus, open our hearts to receive You.
P: For these petitions and all others we silently carry before the Lord in our minds and hearts, that our faithful Father would hear and answer our prayers in the name of the One who stands among us and fulfills God’s Word in our hearing, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord Jesus, open our hearts to receive You. Amen!
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
Leader: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give + you peace.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing”
Sent forth by God’s Blessing,
Our true faith confessing,
The people of God from
his dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended,
Oh, now be extended
The fruits of this service
in all who believe.
.
The seed of his teaching,
Receptive souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for
God and for all.
His grace did invite us,
His love shall unite us
To work for God’s kingdom
and answer his call.
.
With praise and thanksgiving
To God ever living,
The tasks of our ev’ry day life
we will face.
Our faith ever sharing,
In love ever caring,
Embracing his children of
each tribe and race.
.
With your feast you feed us,
With your light now lead us;
Unite us as one in this life
that we share.
Then may all the living
With praise and thanksgiving
Give honor to Christ
and his name that we bear.
SILENT PRAYER: Dear Savior, tame my tongue—my restless, careless tongue—just here, just now. Amen.
Leader: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ONLINE BIBLE STUDY…………….. Are you desiring a closer walk with Jesus in 2025? Pastor is holding online zoom sessions in the New Year to share how you can walk with Jesus in everyday life. Let him know if you’d like to be a part of the study and he will include you in his list. The six sessions will be on Wednesdays at 10 am and last 45 minutes. This week we’ll be sharing the shape of the square. We are at our best when we intentionally focus on mentoring and being mentored. Jesus brought his disciples along the way and eventually handed the kingdom work to them. He brings us along the way too so that we can be a part of what Jesus is up to. “See you” on Wednesday, January 29 at 10 am.
FELLOWSHIP…………….. We have some mice little friends this winter at Peace. Yes, I said “mice” not “nice.” The Trustees are working on a solution to take care of the mice. In the meantime, it is important that we all limit crumbs and food in the kitchen (and really anywhere else). Evidence of our friends has been discovered in the youth room, kitchen and sacristy areas. Thank you!
ANNUAL MEETING…………. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Come to Peace’s annual voter’s meeting on Sunday, February 2 during Fellowship. We have plenty to give thanks for as 2024 was an impactful year for our church family. And there is more impact to be made in 2025. We’ll hear about some of the exciting plans taking shape for 2025 as Peace celebrates 75 years of partnering with God in this special place! Consider taking the packet of annual reports in preparation for the meeting. The packets are located on the circular table in the narthex.
DEMENTIA WARRIOR LEADER………….. The Dementia Warriors are seeking someone to help lead their leadership team. Do you or do you know of someone that could facilitate a monthly leadership meeting? Do you or do you know of someone that has a compassionate heart for people dealing with dementia? The plan is that this person would develop an agenda for the Dementia Warriors monthly meetings and then facilitate the meeting. Contact Holly B. or Pastor Lucke if you are interested.
DEMENTIA WARRIOR ACTIVITY COORDINATOR……..
The Dementia Warriors are looking for an Activity Coordinator. The position would plan and lead activities for the DW’s. The activities would be for adults with Alzheimer’s, dementia or cognitive issues. The activities would also be for care partners and surviving partners. This position is paid. It requires about 8 to 12 hours a week and pays $20 an hour. If you are interested or know of someone that might be interested, call Kathy Wiley at (541) 530-8449.
MEN’S BREAKFAST……………. The men of the congregation and beyond are invited to Peace’s Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, February 1st. Arrive at 8 am for coffee and breakfast will be served shortly thereafter. We will be blessed to hear from Chris McQueen and the happenings of Corvallis for Refugees. Corvallis For Refugees is a local non-profit that seeks to welcome our new neighbors by connecting them with the tools and resources to assist them in settling into our community. Contact Oscar if you have any questions.
