The Second Sunday After Epiphany - Online Worship - January 16, 2022

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vs 1
He became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become
His righteousness
He humbled Himself
And carried the cross
Love so amazing
Love so amazing

refrain:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The Rescue for sinners
The Ransom from heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

vs 2
His body the bread
His blood the wine
Broken and poured
Out all for love
The whole earth trembled
And the veil was torn
Love so amazing
Love so amazing

(refrain)

bridge:
All our hope is in You
All our hope is in You
All the glory to You God
The Light of the world

(refrain)

Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
The Lord of all
The Lord of all

Friends, today we celebrate we are changed and blessed by Jesus, Messiah, the One who treasures us first in every epiphany of light and grace, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen. O Lord, you have searched me out and you know me. When I sit down and when I rise up. You know my thoughts no matter how far I stray from you.

People of God: The Lord knows everything about us. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to trust and treasure the One who treasures us first.

(silence for reflection)

Dear friends, receive a new epiphany, God’s grace changes everything, Jesus saves, Jesus forgives you all your sins. Be renewed by the One who treasures you first! Trust anew and make known: Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place!

Surely the presence
Of the Lord is in this place
I can feel His mighty power
And His grace
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings
I see glory on each face
Surely the presence
Of the Lord is in this place

Friends: The works of the Lord are incredible, filled with goodness and light. God alone formed you, treasures you, changes you, graces you! His light forever guides you. Trust anew the One who forever lays his hands on you. Let us not be hesitant or silent. Sing anew of your salvation; surely the presence of the Lord is in this place!

Surely the presence
Of the Lord is in this place
I can feel His mighty power
And His grace
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings
I see glory on each face
Surely the presence
Of the Lord is in this place

Almighty and loving God, you made known your grace and glory by leading many to faith through the power and presence of your Son. You alone know us: our every thought, word and deed, and still you are faithful. Give us a new epiphany today; by your grace, forever treasure us, change us once again, to more clearly know your goodness and light as the Spirit calls us to believe and to follow anew. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

For Zion’s sake, I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord shall give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. 

(New Revised Standard Version)

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.  

(New Revised Standard Version)

Long ago witnesses wrote words to proclaim Jesus as the Treasured Light fulfilling the coming of the promised Messiah, that his power and grace were sufficient to the Hebrew Christians considering returning to Judaism. Let us share our faith using these same words.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. ...Without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. ...Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Amen.

ISAIAH 62:1-5; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-11; JOHN 2:1-11

Can you point to times of change in your life?  Do you remember any of the specifics?  Where you were?  Who you were with?  What change came out of it?  Was it short lived, or life changing?  Does it still impact you, your emotions, your life, your family or friends, your life style?  Can you point to times of change in your spiritual life?  In your walk of discipleship?  What happened?  Was it something you saw, experienced, felt?  How exactly has it changed your faith?  At the wedding in Cana, the hour of change has come for Jesus, for those around him, for those present who felt the Spirit, and for us and all who believe.  We are invited to receive a new epiphany today: As water is changed into wine, disciples are changed into believers!  As you share changes along life's path, as you experience hours of change in your faith, trust the One who treasures you first is in your midst.  Do not let these changes, do not let Jesus, be short lived for you.  Thanks be to God, the One who treasures you first, has come to change everything, to change one and all, for all eternity!

1. Can you point to times of change for you in your life?  What about in your spiritual life?  When and how did things, when and how did God, when and how did the One who treasures you, change you?

A. Jesus says, `his hour has not yet come.'  The final hour for Jesus did not come at the wedding in Cana; and yet, the clock started in a new way to reveal God's goodness and light.
John 2:4

B. The One who treasures you first, chooses the hour for change; The Spirit makes change happen.  Paul felt the Spirit like never before, his life changed, his life kept changing.  Look for the Spirit to move you.  Every day is a new epiphany to see and to believe our hour has come to be called by a new name.
Isaiah 62:2; 1 Corinthians 12:3

2. Once the Treasured One calls, the changes God brings, do not stop.

A. At the wedding in Cana, Mary's hour had come to change from simply mother to witness.
John 2:5

B. Mary says, "Do whatever he tells you."  The Spirit moves us to do whatever Jesus tells us, to tell others to do whatever Jesus tells them, to trust Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11, John 2:7-9

3. In the Treasured One, the hour has come to change up everything, not just a little, but a lot.

A. In Jesus, God no longer does things the way he used to.

B. It was tradition to serve the best wine first.
John 2:10 

i. God serves the Jews, the world, well through his Word; through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob; through David, Solomon; through prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and all the others.

ii. In this hour of change - in a baby in manger, at a wedding in Cana - God is revealing the Treasured One is the very finest!  We who know God in Christ, know how good God is, we know God’s grace, we know the best!

4. At Cana, the hour comes for God to make known God’s grace in the One who treasures us changes everything, for God to make known his glory, and for disciples to believe!
John 2:11

A. The hour has come for his disciples to be changed from those intrigued, from those who will study, from those who are interested, from those who will follow, to those who believe.

B. In our hours of change, from apathy to commitment, from simply following to making God and neighbor first, from searching to faith - we can trust this is when `God rejoices over us.'
Isaiah 62:5

C. The changes we share in the Treasured One are not short lived; these are changes that last forever!

D. The hour has come, the hour will come again, in every epiphany, for all eternity, for us, for one and all, to see God’s grace made known in the One who treasures us first, changes everything!

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.

Change my heart O God
Make it ever true
Change my heart O God
May I be like You

You are the Potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray

Change my heart O God
Make it ever true
Change my heart O God
May I be like You

(repeat as led)

...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
Give us a new epiphany, in your 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.

In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the 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.

vs 1
Just as I am without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee
O Lamb of God I come I come

vs 2
Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot
To thee whose blood can cleanse each spot
O Lamb of God I come I come

refrain:
I come broken to be mended
I come wounded to be healed
I come desperate to be rescued
I come empty to be filled
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ the Lamb
And I’m welcomed with open arms
Praise God just as I am

vs 3
Just as I am I would be lost
But mercy and grace my freedom bought
And now to glory in your cross
O Lamb of God I come I come

(refrain)

The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace this day, and on into life everlasting.
Amen.

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. 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, blessing you with epiphany upon epiphany, as you are filled with the light and grace of the One who treasures you first! 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, and serving the Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!

Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good
He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise sing praise

With a mighty hand
And outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life
That’s been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise
Sing praise
Sing praise
Sing praise

refrain:
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever

From the rising to
The setting sun
His love endures forever
And by the grace of God
We will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise
Sing praise
Sing praise
Sing praise

(refrain)

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Thank you for being with us today as we celebrate The Second Sunday After Epiphany! Faith Quest Sunday School meets today!

Join us next Sunday, January 23, as we share The Third Sunday After Epiphany, “Treasured Presence!” Faith Quest Sunday School meets next Sunday!

As we share worship in this 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!

All who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion is now offered once again during worship, 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 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.

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! 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 God’s Light & Grace – written based on Psalm 139. Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) © 1978  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. “Prayer of The Day,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction” based on the LBW. “Jesus Messiah” © 2011 Centricity Music Publishing CCLI #5998298 “Surely The Presence of The Lord” © 1977 Lanny Wolfe Music CCLI #7909 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Change My Heart, O God” © 1982 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing CCLI #1565  “Just As I Am” © 2009 CCTB Music CCLI #5635850 “Forever” © 2001 worshiptogether.com Songs CCLI #3148428 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.