The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany - Online Worship - February 12, 2023
Lord of Life LIVE - Ash Wednesday
Upcoming Events
Sunday Worship - The First Sunday in Lent
”Father, Forgive Them!”
Sunday, February 26, 2023, 9:30am
Join us in person or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE!
Faith Quest meets during worship!
Annual Meeting
Following Worship - Sunday, February 26, 2023, 10:30am
Links for Zoom meeting will be sent via email and posted on facebook
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Gathering In Light & Grace
Here I Am to Worship
Hughes
Light of the World
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes let me see
Beauty that made
This heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with you
refrain:
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say
That You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for love’s sake
Became poor
(refrain)
And I’ll never know
How much it cost
To see my sin
Up on that cross
And I’ll never know
How much it cost
To see my sin
Up on that cross
(refrain)
A New Epiphany Is Only The Beginning In God’s Grace & Light
based on Psalm 30
Friends, today, this is only the beginning; epiphanies of grace break forth, as we choose anew, the One who chooses us first, so, here we are to 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 have chosen to bring me out from the depths; you alone have restored me.
People of God: The Lord hears you – your every prayer, your every confession. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins, and those times we fail to choose; to trust the One who first chooses to give us light and grace.
(silence for reflection)
People anew in Light: Sing praises to the Lord; His anger is for a moment, while his favor is for a lifetime. God in grace chooses you: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. This is only the beginning to so much more! Choose anew to glorify the Lord, in every part of your life!
Song of Renewal
Be Glorified
Kilpatrick
vs. 2
In my life Lord
Be glorified be glorified
In my life Lord
Be glorified today
By your choosing, Lord, you have established us as strong as the mountains. Hear us when we cry to you, and be gracious to us. Lord, be our help; forever keep choosing, to send us your Light!
Friends of Jesus: The Lord turns your mourning into dancing; he invites you to see this is only the beginning; trust his word, get up, do not be silent, go, live anew; worship and glorify the Lord, with your whole heart!
Song of Renewal
Be Glorified
Kilpatrick
vs. 2
In my heart Lord
Be glorified be glorified
In my heart Lord
Be glorified today
Almighty and loving God, you chose to send your Son to be our light and salvation. We thank you for choosing us first. By your grace, bless us, to glorify you, to believe anew, today is only the beginning to so much more, as you choose to give us your countless blessings, as you choose to give us faith to choose you again and again. By your Spirit, give us a new epiphany, to follow you, to give up our ways, to make you and our neighbors first in new ways. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. And the king of Aram said, “Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel.” He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me.” But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.” But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, “I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?” He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
(New Revised Standard Version)
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
And the Apostle Paul wrote: Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song Anew in the Spirit
Listen God is Calling
Tanzanian Traditional
refrain:
Listen
Listen God is calling
Through the Word inviting
Offering forgiveness
Comfort and joy
(repeat)
vs. 1
Jesus gave his mandate
Share the good news
That he came to save us
And set us free
(refrain with repeat)
Gospel
Mark 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately, the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him, he sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
(New Revised Standard Version)
based on Hebrews 11-12:2
Long ago witnesses wrote words to proclaim Jesus as the treasured bright new light, The True Epiphany, fulfilling the coming of the promised Messiah, that his power and grace were only the beginning for the Hebrew Christians considering returning to Judaism. Let us boldly 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.
Faith Quest meets following today’s Children’s Message!
A New Choice … Is Only the Beginning
2 KINGS 5:1-14; 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27; MARK 1:40-45
We make choices each and every day. Some choices come easier than others. Some choices are so hard to make, it seems we put them off, perhaps in hope that we never have to make them. Some of those choices that we put off, eventually get made for us, and then we find ourselves frustrated, lost, or lonely. Today in our Gospel, we hear an incredible story about "choice." The leper calls out to Jesus, `I know you can heal me and cleanse me, if you choose.' Jesus responds by saying, `I do so choose.' Jesus’ choice, is only the beginning to so much more! Do you know God in Jesus has chosen you? Do you know God in Jesus chooses to give you a bright new light, leading you like the leper to know faith is no choice at all, but rather a gift? Calling out to the One who saves you, cleanses you and heals you is a blessed choice, and gift, a choice that is only the beginning. Today, surrender again, call out to the One who has every choice at his fingertips, still he comes to you, saying, `Now is the time, and I choose you!'
1. We make choices all the time with regard to every aspect of life, from work and family and relationships to our faith journey; these choices are only the beginning to so much more!
A. What motivates the choices that you make and how you make them? Why do you choose what you choose? Why do you choose Jesus?
Mark 1:45
B. Have you ever chosen not to choose? Sometimes we choose not to choose. The leper could have chosen not to speak up. The leper chose the new beginning and so much more.
Mark 1:40
C. We may not choose to choose right away, we think the issue or decision deserves more time, a little more study, a little further research, a bit deeper investigation. Sooner or later we must choose to choose. Once we choose, to choose the love of Christ, this choice is only the beginning!
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
D. Are you able to choose to confess and to share those times you have made the wrong choices and not chosen to make God and our neighbors first? Confession is only the beginning!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
E. When we get to choose, we feel in control. How do you feel when the choice is not yours? Are you able to leave the choice up to God, to believe God’s choice to give you the gift, to open you up, is only the beginning?
2 Kings 5:1-14; Mark 1:40
2. Epiphany is the season which reminds us, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, to believe The One who says, “I do choose,” is only the beginning to so much more!
Mark 1:41
A. God chooses to choose us, and so he sent Jesus to us. Compassion, grace and power motivate God's choices and are only the beginning to God choosing you!
B. These choices God makes are only the beginning:
God chose to create
God chose to send Jesus
God chose when and where and how to reveal His Light
God chose to let you know you were His choice
God chose to save you
God chose to make known The One who had done the choosing, and that He has chosen you
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.
Song Anew in Light & Grace
We Fall Down/Holy, Holy, Holy
Tomlin
We fall down
We lay our crowns
At the feet of Jesus
The greatness of
Mercy and love
At the feet of Jesus
And we cry
Holy holy holy
And we cry
Holy holy holy
And we cry
Holy holy holy
Is the Lamb
(repeat)
vs. 1
Holy holy holy
Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning
Our song shall rise to thee
Holy holy holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity
We fall down
We lay our crowns
At the feet of Jesus
The greatness of
Mercy and love
At the feet of Jesus
And we cry
Holy holy holy
And we cry
Holy holy holy
And we cry
Holy holy holy
Is the Lamb
... as we pray to you, Jesus,
Give us a new epiphany, give us a new beginning, in your light and your 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 during our service. 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.
For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.
We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.
The Words of Institution
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.
Songs During Holy Communion
Carry The Light
Paris
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.
Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; 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, as you are blessed with only the beginning in every epiphany 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, and serving the Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!
Going Anew in Light & Grace
My Life is in You, Lord
Gardner
My life is in You Lord
My strength is in You Lord
My hope is in You Lord
In You it’s in You
My life is in You Lord
My strength is in You Lord
My hope is in You Lord
In You it’s in You
I will praise You
With all of my life
I will praise You
With all of my strength
With all of my life
With all of my strength
All of my hope is in You
My life is in You Lord
My strength is in You Lord
My hope is in You Lord
In You it’s in You
My life is in You Lord
My strength is in You Lord
My hope is in You Lord
In You it’s in You
In You
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Today we celebrate The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany “A New Choice … Is Only The Beginning!” Faith Quest, Sunday School meets next Sunday!
Next Sunday, February 19, we celebrate The Transfiguration Of Our Lord, 9:30 a.m. “A New Transformation … Is Only The Beginning!” Faith Quest, Sunday School does not meet next Sunday due to the holiday weekend!
As we continue to share the ministry God places in our care, we are seeking more volunteers! 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.
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. 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 Is Only The Beginning In God’s Grace & Light, written based on Psalm 30. “Listen, God Is Calling,” © 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,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, & Benediction based on the LBW. “Here I Am To Worship” © 2000 Thankyou Music CCLI #3266032 “In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified” © 1999 This Far by Faith; An African American Resource for Worship, Augsburg Fortress, All rights reserved. Used with permission. “Listen, God Is Calling” © 1993 Augsburg Fortress, OL #05497 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “We Fall Down” © 1998 worshiptogether.com songs CCLI #2437367 “Carry The Light” © 1989 Ariose Music CCLI #126402 “My Life Is In You, Lord” © 1986, this arrangement © 1992 by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music CCLI #17315 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.