The Third Sunday After Epiphany - Online Worship - January 23, 2022

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vs1
May our homes be filled with dancing
May our streets be filled with joy
May injustice bow to Jesus
As the people turn to pray

refrain:
From the mountains
To the valleys
Hear our praises
Rise to You
From the heavens
To the nations
Hear our singing
Fill the air

vs2
May Your light shine in the darkness
As we walk before the cross
May Your glory fill the whole earth
As the water o’er seas

(refrain)

Friends, we celebrate the mountains and the valleys, the heavens and the nations, hear our praises, filling the air, right here, in this place, we receive a new epiphany of grace fulfilled in our hearing, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is my light and his kingdom is my stronghold; of whom shall I be afraid?

In God's light and grace, though evil is all around us, we are blessed with God’s treasured presence. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to trust the Lord’s grace fulfilled in our midst.

(silence for reflection)

Friends, receive a new epiphany, God’s power and presence fulfill all we long for; Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Jesus is here, fulfilled in your hearing. Together, be still; live anew in the house of the Lord; truly, the presence of the Holy One is here!

Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Come bow before Him now
With reverence and fear
In Him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here

Friends in faith: The Lord gives us courage, and teaches us his ways. As the Lord fulfills his word in our hearing, receive his treasured presence, you will never be cast off, the Lord never turns from us anger; be still, the power of the Lord, is moving in this place!

vs 3
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister His grace
No work too hard for Him
In faith receive from Him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place

Almighty and loving God, you sent your Son to proclaim your Word, to reveal your kingdom, to bring light to our darkness. By your grace, give us a new epiphany each and every day, as you come to us, as your treasured presence breaks into the midst of our daily lives, as you forever fulfill your Word in our hearing, as you move about in this and every place. Fill us with your Holy Spirit to faithfully trust your Word, to make you and our neighbor first, to follow you, to believe anew in your glory and grace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable, we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind to let the oppressed go free to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

(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.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-31A; LUKE 4:14-21

These days, it seems like everyone we talk to is an expert.  Do you ever feel like what you stand for, what you know, what you believe in, is not enough?  Someone claims what you think is right, is actually wrong?  Someone says what you know, is only half the truth?  Someone says what you believe in, is highly suspect?  Do you know what you are talking about, what truly fulfills, satisfies?  Do you know where to stand firm, so fulfilled, you will not waiver?  Do you know where to turn?  Who to turn to?  When Jesus came to Nazareth, he went into the synagogue and when he was given the scroll of Isaiah, Jesus knew where to turn, where to open the scroll.  Jesus read the scroll and knew what he was fulfilling.  Long ago, Jesus opened the scroll and revealed to the people a new epiphany; all the Treasured One was fulfilling in our hearing!  When we are the least bit sure what is right and wrong, when we do not know what to believe any more, let us turn to the One who treasures us first, for a new epiphany, to trust his treasured presence will forever be fulfilled in our hearing!

1. Where do you get your information, what scrolls do you open, where do you read about the Treasured One fulfilled in your presence?

A. "The one who does not read good books has no advantage over the person who cannot read them."  Mark Twain

B. Jesus knew where to turn to.  The Treasured One was given the scroll and he knew where to turn.
Luke 4:17 

2. Do you know who to turn to?  Do you know who to listen to?  Turn to the Treasured One to fulfill the presence of God’s grace in your hearing!

A. Do you know the body of Christ is fulfilled?
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

i. Do you know you are a member of it?  Do you know so is the person next to you?
1 Corinthians 12:14, 27

ii. Do you know you are needed to fulfill still more of all the Treasured One promised would be fulfilled in our hearing?
1 Corinthians 12:15-22

B. Do you know all the Treasured One reveals to you and fulfills for you every day in your hearing?
Luke 4:21

i. Do you know the Treasured One who The Spirit rests on?  Who brings good news to the poor?  Who proclaims release to the captives?  Who gives sight to those who are blind, blind to The Spirit?  Who lets the oppressed go free?  Who proclaims the year of the Lord's favor?

ii. Do you know the Treasured One is with you, revealing his grace and light to you, fulfilling it in your hearing, today, every day?'
Luke 4:21

a. "Today" is in Luke 12 times - Just 9 times in Matthew, Mark and John combined. 

b. Today is a day to get started.

c. At the end of today, we know we are not done.  Today is not perfect; today's work is life long.

d. Knowing what you are talking about, trusting and making known the epiphany of Christ in our midst; this is where we can turn, this is who gives us strength for every today, this is who reveals the presence of the Treasured One is fulfilled in our hearing!

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.

vs 1
What star is this with beams so bright
More lovely than the noonday light
‘Tis sent to announce a newborn king
Glad tidings of our God to bring

vs 2
‘Tis now fulfilled what God decreed
“From Jacob shall a star proceed”
And lo The eastern sages stand
To read in heav’n the Lord’s command

vs 4
O while the star of heavenly grace
Invites us Lord to seek your face
May we no more that grace repel
Or quench that light that shines so well

vs 5
To God Creator heav’nly light
To Christ revealed in earthly night
To God the Spirit blest we raise
An endless song of thankful praise

...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.

There’s nothing worth more
That will ever come close
No thing can compare
You’re our living hope
Your Presence Lord

I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
In Your Presence Lord

Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place
And fill the atmosphere
Your glory God
Is what our hearts long for
To be overcome
By Your presence Lord
Your presence Lord

bridge:
Let us become
More aware
Of Your Presence
Let us experience
The glory of
Your goodness

(repeat bridge 3x)

Holy Spirit
You are welcome here
Come flood this place
And fill the atmosphere
Your glory God
Is what our hearts long for
To be overcome
By Your presence Lord

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!

vs 1
How lovely is
Your dwelling place
O Lord almighty
My soul doth long
And even faints for You
For here my heart
Is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath
The shadow of Your wings

refrain:
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

bridge:
My heart and flesh cry out
To You the living God
Your Spirit’s water to my soul
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You

(refrain 2x)

Than thousands elsewhere

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

Join us next Sunday, January 30, as we share The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany, “Treasured Identity! Treasured Calling!” 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 Treasured Light & Grace, written based on Psalm 27. “What Star Is This,” CCLI #1708094  © 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. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Hear Our Praises” © 1998 Hillsong Music, CCLI #2543402 “Be Still” © 1986 Thankyou Music, CCLI #120824 “Jesus Loves Me” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #4771887  “Holy Spirit” © 2011 Jesus Culture, CCLI #6087919 “Better Is One Day” © 1995 Thankyou Music CCLI #1097451 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016