St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Sunday, January 24, 2021 – website

Third Sunday of Epiphany

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Hymn: “You Servants of God” LBW # 252, vs 1-4

Confession & Forgiveness

Greeting & Kyrie

Canticle of Praise: “Glory to God…”

Prayer of the Day

First Reading, Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Psalm # 62

Second Reading, 1 Corinthians 7:29-35

Holy Gospel, Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

Hymn of the Day: “O Jesus, I Have Promised” – LBW # 503, vs 1 - 4

Nicene Creed

Prayers of the Church

The Lord’s Prayer

Blessing

Dismissal

Sending Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation” - LBW # 369, vs 1 - 5

Postlude

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Service Supplement

(Congregational responses are in bold print)

The community of faith comes together in worship to praise God and be nurtured by His Word and Sacrament. As the prelude begins, prepare to worship, use opportunities during the service to practice silence, to focus upon God, and to offer prayer.

 

Prelude                                                Mark Hurley

 

Welcome and Announcements           Pastor Bill Wallace

 

Gathering Hymn  “You Servants of God”   LBW # 252, vs 1 - 4

You servants of God, your master proclaim, And publish abroad his wonderful name; The name, all-victorious, of Jesus extol; His kingdom is glorious and rules over all!

 

Our God rules on high, almighty to save; And still he is nigh, his presence we have. The great congregation his triumph shall sing, Ascribing salvation to Jesus, our king!

 

Salvation to God who sits on the throne! Let all cry aloud and honor the Son. The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim, Fall down on their faces, and worship the Lamb.

 

Then let us adore and give him his right, All glory and pow'r and wisdom and might, All honor and blessing, with angels above, And thanks never ceasing, and infinite love!

 

Confession & Forgiveness                 (Pastor)      

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, one God, who spoke light into creation, who calls us to listen and follow, who sends us to shine like stars. Amen.

 

Let us come before God, confessing our sin…

 

Holy and merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against our sisters and brothers and against you. We cherish the values of this world. We cause others to stumble. The earth is wounded by our excess. Have mercy, O God. Forgive us, renew us, and raise us up on eagle’s wings, that we may do your will with courage and delight. Amen.

 

Hear the voice from heave: “You are my own, my beloved.” God gives power to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Be cleansed, be healed, for in the name of Jesus Christ, I declare to you the forgiveness of your sins and the revealing of God’s reign. Amen.

 

Greeting                                            (Pastor)               

The grace of Jesus Christ, the mercy of the Holy One, and the Spirit of the living God be with you all. And also with you.

 

Kyrie                                                (Worship Assistant)

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.

 

Canticle of Praise  “Glory to God…” (Worship Assistant)        

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

Prayer of the Day                               (Pastor)

Let us pray…Almighty and eternal God, graciously look down on our weakness. Reach out to us with your majestic right hand and satisfy us with his glory. We ask through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Reading:   Jonah 3:1-5, 10               (Worship Assistant)        

Jonah was commanded by God for a second time to go to the city of Nineveh and call the Ninevites to repentance. His message to them was that in forty days’ time, the Lord would overthrow their city unless they turned from their evil ways. To Jonah’s surprise, the Ninevites responded by fasting and putting on sackcloth and ashes.

 

1The word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. 4Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

 

10When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm # 62 - read responsively     (Worship Assistant)

The psalmist proclaimed that the Lord God was his rock and salvation; for him alone did the psalmist’s soul wait. Even though he was being crushed by his oppressors, attacked by his enemies, he waited for the Lord to act on his behalf.

 

For God alone my soul in silence waits; from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.

How long will you assail me to crush me, all of you together, as if you were a leaning fence, a toppling wall?

They seek only to bring me down from my place of honor; lies are their chief delight.

They bless with their lips, but in their hearts they curse.

For God alone my soul in silence waits; truly, my hope is in him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.

In God is my safety and my honor; God is my strong rock and my refuge.

Put your trust in him always, O people, pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.

Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath, even those of low estate cannot be trusted.

On the scales they are lighter than a breath, all of them together.

Put no trust in extortion; in robbery take no empty pride; though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.

God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, that power belongs to God.

Steadfast love is yours, O Lord, for you repay everyone according to his deeds.

 

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-35       (Worship Assistant)  

St. Paul instructed the Corinthian Christians that the world as they knew it was passing away and the time of the Lord’s return was very short. In order to be free to respond to the call of Christ, if one could be free of anxieties caused by family responsibilities, it was wise not to take them on. Paul was not anti-marriage or anti-family. He was simply being realistic about the cost of discipleship.

 

29This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. 32I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. This is the Word of God, word of life, thanks be to God.

 

Holy Gospel: Mark 1:14-20               (Pastor)

The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 1st Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

 

As Jesus traveled in the region of Galilee proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand, he stopped and invited two fishermen, brothers Simon and Andrew, to come and follow him. They would no longer be fishing in the way they were used to; now they would fish for people.

 

14After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” 16Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. This is the gospel of the Lord, praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sermon                                             Pastor Bill Wallace

 

Hymn of the Day  “O Jesus, I Have Promised”   LBW # 503, vs 1 - 4

O Jesus, I have promised To serve you to the end; Remain forever near me, My master and my friend. I shall not fear the battle If you are by my side, Nor wander from the pathway If you will be my guide.

 

Oh, let me feel you near me; The world is ever near. I see the sights that dazzle, The tempting sounds I hear. My foes are ever near me, Around me and within; But, Jesus, then draw nearer To shield my soul from sin.

 

Oh, let me hear you speaking In accents clear and still Above the storms of passion, The murmurs of self-will. Now speak to reassure me, To hasten or control; Now speak and make me listen, O Guardian of my soul.

 

O Jesus, you have promised To all who follow you That where you are in glory Your servant shall be too. And Jesus, I have promised To serve you to the end; Oh, give me grace to follow, My master and my friend.

 

Nicene Creed                                     (Pastor)      

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

Prayers of the Church                        (Pastor & WA)

(P): As God’s beloved people made radiant by the light of Christ, let us pray for the church, the whole human family, and God’s good creation. A brief silence.

          (W): Heavenly Father, we pray for all those who are sick, fighting an illness, or struggling with a recent diagnosis. We pray for their comfort and your healing mercy; give them strength that they may also reach out in prayer according to their needs. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Father of Light and Mercy, we pray for your guidance, wisdom, and strength to continue to follow you even when we feel defeated or unworthy. May we be effective witnesses of your truth, so that we may be a living presence of the love of Jesus Christ in this world. Fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit that we may also be a light that leads your people to you, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Loving Father, we pray for the youth of the world. That they may come to know you and trust in your hope and love. May knowing you give them the courage to discern their journey in life and to feel your presence along side them every step of the way. We pray that you captivate their hearts, so they know their worth and that they are truly loved. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

          (W): Heavenly Father, we pray for those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. May they know and come to understand that when they hurt, you hurt with them. You are a gracious and tender God who promises us so much more than this earthly life; You promise us an eternal life with you. Let us always remember the past and embrace our future with you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

          (P): Holy God, we lift our prayers to you in hope, entrusting all for whom we pray to your great goodness and mercy, made known to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer                              (Pastor)

Let us pray the prayer our Savior taught us…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.

 

Blessing                                            (Pastor)

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.

 

Dismissal                                          (Worship Assistant)

Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.

 

Sending Hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” LBW # 369, vs 1 - 5

The Church’s one foundation Is Jesus Christ, her Lord; She is his new creation By water and the Word. From heav'n he came and sought her To be his holy bride; With his own blood he bought her, And for her life he died.

 

Elect from ev'ry nation, Yet one o’er all the earth; Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth. One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses With ev'ry grace endued.

 

Though with a scornful wonder This world sees her oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed, Yet saints their watch are keeping; Their cry goes up: “How long?” And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song.

 

Through toil and tribulation And tumult of her war, She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore; Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest, And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest.

 

Yet she on earth has union With God, the Three in One, And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won. O blessed heav'nly chorus! Lord, save us by your grace, That we, like saints before us, May see you face to face.

 

Postlude                                             Mark Hurley