The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany - Online Worship - January 30, 2022
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Come
Now is the time to worship
Come
Now is the time to give your heart
Come
Just as you are to worship
Come
Just as you are before your God Come
One day ev’ry tongue
Will confess You are God
One day ev’ry knee will bow
Still the greatest treasure
Remains for those
Who gladly choose You now
Come
Now is the time to worship
Come
Now is the time to give your heart
Come
Just as you are to worship
Come
Just as you are before your God Come
Friends, today we come just as we are; we trust anew this epiphany, our treasured identity and calling are made known clearly in God’s grace, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the congregation. Great are his works. Let us study the authority of our Lord, and take delight in him.
People of God: The Lord is full of honor and majesty, and his righteousness endures forever. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to trust and treasure The Lord’s light and grace.
(silence for reflection)
Friends, trust Jesus treasures us in the grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Receive this new epiphany today: We are on our way! Our treasured identity and calling are in Jesus, the One who treasures us first; the One who calls us to go ye, go ye, into the world!
Go ye go ye
Into the world
And make disciples
Of all the nations
Go ye go ye
Into the world
And I will be
With you there
People of Faith: God’s Word is forever treasured, trustworthy, and true. The Lord is mighty, faithful, and just. As we trust our new and treasured identity and calling, as we make God and our neighbors first in our lives, we will clearly see again The One who is holy. We are on our way, for our wisdom is in Jesus, as we go ye, go ye, into the world!
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, make known to us again today, you alone are our treasured identity; and our treasured calling, is in your light and grace alone. Give us a new epiphany today. Increase in us your Holy Spirit; call us anew, to be on our way in faith, to believe all you reveal, to see all you fulfill in Christ alone, to call on your wisdom, to follow your light and grace, treasuring The One who treasures us first. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
Then Jesus began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph's son?” He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” And Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
(New Revised Standard Version)
God’s Son who was born in a manger, who went forward to make us all one through his death and resurrection, will come again. Trusting every gift of light and grace anew in every epiphany of Emmanuel, we boldly share our faith, for the light of the One who treasures us first, has come, and the darkness will not overcome it.
God who sits upon the throne says, “Behold, I make all things new. Write these words for they are trustworthy and true. It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain the water of life without payment. They who conquer shall have their heritage, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. Amen.
JEREMIAH 1:4-10; 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13; LUKE 4:21-30
Who are you? How have you become the person you are? How does what other people say about you influence you, what you become, and what you believe about yourself? It is human for us to believe and see within ourselves what others are saying, expecting, pressuring us to be. Jesus, himself was often criticized for who he was, where he came from, and who his family was. And yet Jesus knew he was called to be much more. Jesus invites us to trust his light and grace are shining bright in our lives - in who we are, shaping and defining our identity, and in who we are called to be. Today we are invited to draw strength and faith from Christ's presence in our lives - we do not have to be what others are expecting; his love for us will help us endure all things. The epiphany of each new day is this: Believe Jesus believes in you, and you will see more clearly your treasured identity, your treasured calling, and all Christ is helping you to become, for Jesus’ light and grace are forever brightly shining in you!
1. All too often, it is human, to limit the light, for us to believe and see we are who others think we are. We are so much more; Jesus is so much more! Our identity and calling are in Jesus’ shining light and grace!
A. Luke 4:22-24 - We constantly live in tension between:
i. Who we are and who others expect us to be; Who we are and who others think we are; Who we are and who others are; Who we are and who we want to be.
ii. Jesus was not who others expected him to be; thought he was. Jesus was not concerned with who others were. Jesus knew who he needed to be.
B. These tensions, unfortunately, are based far more on expectations than on acceptance and appreciation. Our treasured identity and treasured calling are thanks to Jesus’ light and grace shining in our midst.
1 Corinthians 13:13
i. Easy to think we know each other; easy to assume expectations; easy to experience a disappointment or a change in the system.
ii. Jesus is known by no one; he surpasses all expectations. Hold fast to this epiphany: Jesus totally changes the system, in light and grace!
C. When the expectations of others are not met, people soon experience doubt, yet light and grace break forth!
i. People doubt motives, authenticity, possibility.
ii. No one believed or saw Jesus as Savior, as Messiah, as God's Son, yet he shined, and shined brightly!
2. Be blessed by this new epiphany: In the light and grace of Jesus Christ, we believe, we see, our treasured identity and our treasured calling; we see all we are and whose we are, in what God has created, and in all God has created us to be!
A. Jerermiah1:4-10 - It is risky for us to be who God is calling us to be, when everyone is expecting us to be someone else, when we want to be someone else, yet light and grace shine!
B. Luke 4:30 - We can trust the light of Jesus will help us through all that comes our way. Jesus believes in you, and Jesus will help us see more and more, just who we are, whose we are, and what we will yet become in God’s light and grace, forever shining brightly!
C. Jesus, the One who treasures us first, came not to only be who we were looking for, not to only be who we wanted, not to only be who others thought he should be; Jesus came to bless us with this new epiphany; to be all we needed, more than we imagined, more than we would ever go looking for, more than we thought possible, to forever make known, to abundantly and eternally shower upon us God’s light and grace!
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.
I the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save
I who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them
Whom shall I send
refrain:
Here I am Lord
Is it I Lord
I have heard
You calling in the night
I will go Lord
If you lead me
I will hold
Your people in my heart
I the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide
‘Til their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send
(refrain)
...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.
In this world of darkness
We are given light
Hope for all the dying
How will they know
How will they know
That Jesus loves them
And He died to save them
Carry the Light
Carry the Light
Go and tell the children
They are precious in His sight
Carry the Light
Carry the Light
Go and preach the gospel
‘Til there is no more night
In the name of Jesus Christ
Carry the Light
Count them by the millions
Blinded slaves to sin
Inside they are dying
How will they know
How will they know
That Jesus loves them
And His heart is breaking
Carry the Light
Carry the Light
Go and tell the children
They are precious in His sight
Carry the Light
Carry the Light
Go and preach the gospel
‘Til there is no more night
In the name of Jesus Christ
Carry the Light
The Light
Carry the Light
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!
refrain:
Ev’rywhere I go
On this road high and low
Where I go I go with You
So I won’t be afraid
This is my hope come what may
Where I go I go with You
Where I go I go with You
vs 1
There’s a city
That calls me by name
There’s a city
That calls me by name
Yes as I run this race
I am cheered by the saints
There’s a city
That calls me by name
vs 2
There’s a future
That runs through my veins
There’s a future
That runs through my veins
And there’s nothing on earth
That can stand in the way
There’s a future
That runs through my veins
(refrain)
bridge:
Your breath upon these bones
Your fire in my soul
Your Kingdom is my home
And I don’t walk alone
Ev’rywhere I go
On this road high and low
Where I go I go with You
So I won’t be afraid
This is my hope
Come what may
Where I go I go with You
Ev’rywhere I go
On this road high and low
Where I go I go with You
So I won’t be afraid
This is my hope
Come what may
Where I go I go with You
Where I go I go with You
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Thank you for being with us today as we celebrate The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany! Faith Quest Sunday School meets today!
Join us next Sunday, February 6, as we share The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany, “Treasured To Go Down Deep!” 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 Grace & Light, written based on Psalm 111. “Here I Am, Lord” © 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. “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship” © 1998 Vineyard Songs CCLI #2430948 “Go Ye, Go Ye, Into the World” © 1979 Choristers Guild CCLI #195945 “Carry The Light” © 1989 Ariose Music CCLI #126402 “Everywhere I Go” © All Essential Music, CCLI #7050066 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.
