The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany - Online Worship - January 31, 2021

refrain:
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
Blow through the wilderness,
Calling and free;
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
Stir me from placidness,
Wind, wind on the sea.

vs. 1
You moved on the waters,
You called to the deep,
Then you coaxed up the mountains,
From the valleys of sleep;
And over the eons,
You called to each thing:
“Awake from your slumbers
And rise on your wings.”

(refrain)

vs. 3
You sang in a stable,
You cried from a hill,
Then you whispered in silence,
When the whole world was still;
And down in the city,
You called once again,
When you blew through your people,
On the rush of the wind.

(refrain)

Friends, trust and live anew! Today, the Spirit of gentleness blows through the wilderness, calming and free, in new ways, with all The Bright New Light blesses us with, and teaches us, in God’s grace; so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen. 

People of God: The Lord is full of honor and majesty; his righteousness endures forever. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to trust the Lord and to make God and our neighbors first.

(silence for reflection)

Dear friends: God’s grace is fulfilled in The Bright New Light of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. We are on our way, renewed with a bright new teaching in God’s grace. We live anew, in a new Kingdom, in the One who is our everything, in the One we adore who reveals the epiphany of God’s glory and light and grace!

Almighty and loving God, make known again the light of your glory and grace. Give us a new epiphany today, and increase in us your Holy Spirit, to see the bright new teaching before us, to believe all you reveal, to see all you fulfill, to call on your wisdom and authority, to go into the world, trusting in your Light and the very Kingdom of God. In The Bright New Light of Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then 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 with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching – with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

(New Revised Standard Version)

DEUTERONOMY 18:15-20; 1 CORINTHIANS 8:1-13; MARK 1:21-28

All kinds of things around us can break us down, tear us down, and wear us down.  From the day to day, to the life changing; circumstances and situations can beat us down.  How do we get back up?  How do you keep going?  What raises your spirit, your hope, your energy, your purpose?  God raises up Jesus Christ in our midst to raise us up.  Even God's people cannot do enough on their own, that is why we needed Christmas, Emmanuel, God with us.  God raises us up in Jesus to find heart and spirit, when we thought none was possible.  Jesus is God's Bright New Light, our Bright New Teacher, a new authority giving renewed power and hope and grace, to raise us up, to go raise up others, and to raise up the name of Jesus.  The best teachers open their students to new epiphanies.  The Bright New Teacher is forever opening our heart and soul to the best epiphanies of all, raising us up, to raise up others, to make God first!

1. The bright New Light comes to us, to be our Bright New Teacher, to raise up for us a new teaching, a new authority, to give us power, hope and grace, even when we get tired, feel broken, feel lost, to raise us up.

A. What are the demons, spirits, obstacles, circumstances in your life that tire you, tear you down and distance you from God?

B. Where does The Bright New Teacher open you to a new epiphany, giving you hope, strength, courage, staying power?  Where have you discovered this new teaching, new authority, new outlook?  Are you able to trust God is raising you up?  Deuteronomy 8:15,18; 1 Corinthians 8:1; Mark 1:22,27

2. God raises up The Bright New Light, our Bright New Teacher, to raise us up through a new teaching, a new authority, new way of doing things, a new revelation, a new truth, a new power, a new hope, God’s grace!  

A. Jesus raises us up, to be who God wants us to be. Jesus gives us heart and spirit when we are not sure where to get it. Mark 1:21-22

B. Jesus raises us up to raise up others - to do what God wants us to do.
Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; 1 Corinthians 8:1, 9-13

i. The new prophet, our new teacher and authority, was raised up to raise us up to prophesy, too.

ii. The new servant, our new teacher and authority, was raised up to raise us up to serve others, too.

C. Jesus raises us up to raise up Christ -  to teach and live what we know and believe.  Deuteronomy 18:19; 1 Corinthians 8:3-6

i. It can be easy to question authority, to be drawn to other authorities, idols.  Daily we make choices that pull us closer to or distant us from The Bright New Teacher, the wisdom we know, what we believe.

ii. The Bright New Light blesses us to faithfully and confidently announce, lean on, trust, teach, serve and raise up the new authority and new wisdom of Christ.

iii. We are to proclaim and raise up and honor God first.

3. God gives us The Bright New Light in our Bright New Teacher, The Bright New Authority, a new prophet, a new promise that raises us up in grace!  Even the evil spirits knew God was doing something new in Jesus Christ.  If the evil spirits and demons knew who Jesus was, what his power could offer, let us much more trust and share the hope and power and grace of The Bright New Light!  Mark 1:27-28

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

Worthy is the
Lamb who was slain.
Holy, holy is He.
Sing a new song
To Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat.

(repeat)

refrain:
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is,
And is to come.
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of kings.
You are my everything,
And I will adore You.

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder,
At the mention
Of Your name.
Jesus, Your name is power,
Breath and living water,
Such a marv’lous mystery.

(refrain)

... as we pray to you, Jesus,

Give us a new epiphany, in your bright new light and grace.

All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Holy Communion will take place after the closing Benediction. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

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.

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, for you are blessed with The Bright New Light of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ! In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Let us go in the peace of Christ, celebrating the love of God, trusting anew every epiphany in The Bright New Light, and serving The Lord of life.

Thanks be to God!

vs. 1
Come set Your rule and reign
In our hearts again.
Increase in us, we pray.
Unveil why we’re made.
Come set our hearts ablaze with hope,
Like wildfire in our very souls;
Holy Spirit, come, invade us now.
We are Your church;
We need Your pow’r
In us.

vs. 2
We seek Your kingdom first.
We hunger and we thirst;
Refuse to waste our lives,
For You’re our joy and prize.
To see the captives’ hearts released;
The hurt, the sick, the poor, at peace.
We lay down our lives for heaven’s cause.
We are Your church;
We pray, revive
This earth.

refrain:
Build Your kingdom here;
Let the darkness fear.
Show Your mighty hand;
Heal our streets and land.
Set Your church on fire;
Win this nation back.
Change the atmosphere;
Build Your kingdom here,
We pray!

vs. 3
Unleash Your kingdom’s pow’r,
Reaching the near and far.
No force of hell can stop
Your beauty, changing hearts.
You made us for much more than this;
Awake the kingdom seed in us.
Fill us with the strength
And love of Christ.
We are Your church;
We are the hope
On earth.

(refrain)

At this time we will transition to offering Holy Communion. As a reminder, to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

Upon leaving your seats and receiving Communion, we ask that you please leave the building and return to your vehicles.

For your safety and the safety of our community, we ask that once you leave your seated area and return to your vehicles that you avoid congregating near your vehicles.

We will continue to sing songs during Communion, and you are welcome to leave at any time. Drive Through Communion will begin at 10:15 and run until 10:30.

refrain:
Shine, Jesus, shine,
Fill this land with
The Father’s glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze,
Set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
Flood the nations
With love and mercy;
Send forth your Word, Lord,
And let there be light!

vs. 1
Lord, the light of your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me,
Shine on me:

(refrain)

vs. 2
As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
So our faces display your likeness,
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here, may our lives tell your story.
Shine on me,
Shine on me:

(refrain)

In Christ alone
My hope is found,
He is my light, My strength, my song;
This cornerstone,
This solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest
Drought and storm.
What heights of love,
What depths of peace,
When fears are stilled,
When strivings cease.
My Comforter,
My all in all,
Here in the love of Christ
I stand.

In Christ alone,
Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God
In helpless Babe!
This gift of love
And righteousness,
Scorned by the ones
He came to save.
‘Til on the cross,
As Jesus died,
The wrath of God
Was satisfied.
For ev’ry sin,
On Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ
I live.

No guilt in life,
No fear in death,
This is the pow’r
Of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry
To final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell,
No scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me
From His hand.
‘Til He returns
Or calls me home,
Here in the pow’r of Christ
I’ll stand!

Here in the pow’r of Christ
I’ll stand!

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Join us next Sunday, February 7, 9:30 a.m., as we share and celebrate The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany, “The Bright New Finding!” Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts!

As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you following the closing song as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary.

For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.

In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany Trusting a New Epiphany In Grace & The Bright New Light, written based on Psalm 27. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “What Star Is This?” Words Public Domain, Music © 2009 Hope Publishing, CCLI #5632468 “You Are Holy (Du Ar Helig) © 1990 Augsburg Fortress, OL #00877 “Lead Me, Lord” © 1994 New Spring, CCLI #1609045, “The King of All of Me” © 2003 Universal Music, CCLI #4646747. “Lead Me, Guide Me” © 1953 Doris M. Akers, Chappell & Co., OL #92251 “Jesus Loves Me” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “The Summons” © 1987 WGRG, CCLI #1040329 “Everywhere I Go” © All Essential Music, CCLI #7050066 “I Will Follow” © 2010 SHOUT! Music Publishing, CCLI #5806878 “Blessed Be Your Name” © 2002 Thankyou Music, CCLI #3798438 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.