The Service in PDF format is at: January 31, 2021 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook Video
PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
January 30, 2021 (recorded online service)
THEME: In today’s Gospel from Mark 1, we are reminded of Jesus’ divine authority in His teaching to the people and also in His power over evil spirits. This power and authority was foretold by prophets such as Moses, pointing to the One who would fulfill all things as the long-awaited perfect prophet and Savior. In that power and authority, Christ has won our victory through His death and rising, and we are blessed with freedom in that faith to be used to His glory in service to others.
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CONFESSION/FORGIVENESS
Leader: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Leader: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness.
Time of Silence
Leader: Most merciful God,
People: we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Leader: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen. Thanks be to God!
OPENING SONG: “Wonderful, Merciful, Savior”
Dawn Rodgers & Eric Wyse © 1989 Curb Dayspring Music (Admin. by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.) Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.)
Wonderful merciful Savior Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb Could rescue the souls of men
Oh You rescue the souls of men
Counselor Comforter Keeper Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts Have hopelessly lost the way
Oh we hopelessly lost the way
You are the One that we praise You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace Our hearts always hunger for
Oh our hearts always hunger for
Almighty infinite Father Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us Falling before Your throne
Oh we’re falling before Your throne
You are the One that we praise You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace Our hearts always hunger for
Oh our hearts always hunger for
You are the One that we praise You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace Our hearts always hunger for
Oh our hearts always hunger for
Leader: Let us pray. Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Jesus teaches with authority and shows His power over unclean spirits.
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
And immediately heleft the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
ALL: 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 into hell.
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 Christian Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
Leader: Let us pray for the Church of God and for all people according to their needs.
Leader: Gracious Lord, we give You thanks for the gift of the Holy Scriptures, both Law and Gospel, in which we see our sin and see Your love in our Savior. As Christ is true Prophet and Savior of this world, gives us faith to continue to hear His voice and find comfort in His work and salvation. Bless the sharing of the Word, and raise faithful servants who will share Your commands and the forgiveness that comes through Christ. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Ever-giving Lord, grant continued faith by Your Holy Spirit through the hearing of Your Word that we be fed and nourished. Produce in us good fruit for the sake of selves and others, that we not cause others to stumble but to walk firmly in Your ways. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: All-powerful Lord, at whose Word and authority even unclean and evil spirits submit and obey, hinder the work of Satan in our lives that Your kingdom and victory be known to all. Give Your peace and presence to those who suffer any affliction, (including…). Enable us to be a blessing to those in their time of need. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: These and any other things You would have us ask of You, heavenly Father, grant to us for the sake of Your Son, Jesus, our Lord.
People: Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY OF LOU RANK
Leader: Gracious Lord, we give You thanks for the days of earthly life You granted to Lou, for the grace bestowed in Christ Jesus, for her adoption and rebirth in Holy Baptism, and for all the good she was permitted to give and to receive. We entrust her to Your mercy and pray for the sustaining comfort of Your Holy Spirit. Give comfort to her family as they mourn her death and wait for a time to gather for a Memorial Service. We pray this in Jesus’ name.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” LBW 352 (v. 1,2,7,8)
- I Know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my everliving head!
- He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives exalted, Throned above;
He lives to rule his Church in love.
7. He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
8. He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same;
What joy this blest assurance gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
DISMISSAL
Leader: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!