The Seventh Sunday After Epiphany - Online Worship - February 20, 2022
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Open the eyes of my heart Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
Open the eyes of my heart Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see you
To see You high and lifted up
Shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy holy holy
(repeat)
Holy holy holy
Holy holy holy
Holy holy holy
I want to see You
(repeat ending)
Today thanks to a new epiphany in light and grace, thanks to the One who treasures us first, the eyes of our heart are opened anew, and we imagine all of God’s people as one, so we worship, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen. I will praise your name, O Lord. I have cried to you for help, and you have heard me. Lord, you alone bring me out from the depths; when your people are divided, you restore each of us, you alone make us one!
People of God: The Lord hears our every prayer, our every confession. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we fail to treat others as we long to be treated, to honor one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
(silence for reflection)
Friends of Christ: Sing praises to the Lord, give thanks to his holy name. The One who treasures us first, makes us one. Even while we were his enemies, God in grace came to us: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Imagine all the people as one, thanks to the One who opens our eyes!
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch him
And say that we love him
Open our ears Lord
And help us to listen
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus
People of Light: We have been established to be as strong as the mountains; to celebrate, honor, serve, one and all, with all the people! Trust anew, the One who treasures us first, opens our eyes, and forever makes us one people!
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch him
And say that we love him
Open our ears Lord
And help us to listen
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus
Almighty and loving God, your grace and light have opened our eyes, and our hearts, to trust anew, the One who treasures us first has saved us, one and all, and made us one people. By your Holy Spirit, give us a new epiphany, to imagine all the people, to treat others as we wish to be treated, to love one another as you have first loved us, and together to make you and our neighbors first in new ways. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son, Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there – since there are five more years of famine to come – so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’” And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Jesus said, “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you. what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
(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.
GENESIS 45:3-11, 15; LUKE 6:27-38
How do you do it? Loving your spouse and children and family bless us in many ways, and yet, can be a challenge at times. Our extended family, circle of friends, co-workers, neighbors, touch our lives in many ways, too, and yet, also are not always easy. But how do you get along with your enemies? Do you carry grudges? Even if a relationship never reconciles, even if security or comfort are never a possibility, how do you go forward? In a world that often begs us to error on the side of caution, what can we do to reach out without setting up ourselves? Jesus challenges us with a new epiphany today, to call on his light and grace to love our enemies, to do unto others, to give and to expect nothing in return. Imagine if all of God's people could set aside what makes them self-motivated, and instead, celebrate what makes us unique and different in God's own image! What could we do together? But how could we do such a thing? The One who treasures us first, accepts us while we were still sinners; died for us while we were still his enemies. Here is another epiphany to trust anew: Jesus loves us always, even when we are not loveable! The One who treasures us first, is driven to let us know: When we feel like loving ourselves is not easy, too big of a challenge, God is faithful! Here is just one thing Jesus longs for: To imagine all the people; unity; for us to be one with God and one with each other! This is God's own image, vision, purpose from the beginning; and in Jesus, God reconciles, calls, saves, treasures, graces, one and all!
1. Imagine all the people; yet there is so much that divides us in this world.
A. Unfortunately, we let a lot of things get between us, one another, and the One who treasures us first.
Luke 6:32-34, 37
Insecurity; Status; Differences; Comfort; Convenience; Commitment; more!
B. Just like us, Joseph and his brothers knew about many of these pressures and temptations. They had been jealous, egotistical, concerned only for self; and now they had the chance to put those differences aside.
Genesis 45:3-11, 15
2. The One who treasures us first, calls out to us with his grace and light to love our enemies, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
Luke 6:27, 31, 35
A. Love our enemies and do good to those who hate us, ... turn the other cheek, ... do not withhold your shirt, ... lend money.
i. We are to let our lights shine so others see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.
ii. Jesus longs for us to do for others, those who, too, belong to him; those who, too, are created in God’s own image!
B. We are to do to others and for others, thanks to Jesus who did for us, gave his all, for each of us, one and all!
Luke 6:31-37
i. The One who treasures us first, places great value on us, though we are sinners, though we do not make God and all our neighbors first!
ii. What we forget at times is that Jesus places the same value on everyone else.
a. No one is valued greater than another.
b. No one is washed more thoroughly in baptism.
c. No one was died for more, risen for more, forgiven more, saved more, loved more, than another!
C. Thanks be to God, while we were still his enemies, God sent Jesus for our sake; those created in God’s own image!
i. He was struck on the cheek, and he turned and offered the other. He gave us his all in redeeming and buying us back, he expects nothing in return, he knows how human we are. Our Father, and our Savior, offer mercy, though we cannot.
ii. The One who treasures us first, has already done unto us; let us go and do likewise. Let us go with the power of God's grace, and let us together imagine all God's people!
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.
Joyful joyful we adore thee
God of glory Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before thee
Praising thee their sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the gloom of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day
Thou art giving and forgiving
Ever blessing ever blest
Wellspring of the joy of living
Ocean-depth of happy rest
Thou our Father Christ our brother
All who live in love are thine
Teach us how to love each other
Lift us to the joy divine
...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.
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)
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!
My Jesus
My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort
My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let ev’ry breath
All that I am
Never cease to worship You
Shout to the Lord
All the earth let us sing
Power and majesty
Praise to the King
Mountains bow down
And the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy
At the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You
Forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares
To the promise I have
In You
Shout to the Lord
All the earth let us sing
Power and majesty
Praise to the King
Mountains bow down
And the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy
At the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You
Forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares
To the promise I have in
Nothing compares
To the promise I have in
Nothing compares
To the promise I have
In You
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Thank you for being with us today as we celebrate The Seventh Sunday After Epiphany! Faith Quest Sunday School does not meet today!
Join us next Sunday, February 27, as we share The Transfiguration Of Our Lord, “Treasured Transformation!” Faith Quest Sunday School meets next Sunday! Next Sunday our Annual Meeting follows worship, both in person and via Zoom!
Join us Wednesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. for Ash Wednesday! Join us either in person or on Facebook!
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 Grace & Light, written based on Psalm 30. “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” 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,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” © 1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, CCLI #2298355 “Open Our Eyes, Lord” © 1976 Maranatha! Music CCLI #1572 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Revelation Song” © 2004 Gateway Create Publishing CCLI #4447960 “Shout to the Lord” © 1993 Wondrous Worship CCLI #1406918 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.
