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January 24, 2021
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Serving Today
First Reading: Merlean Locke
Second Reading: Ron Stephens
Assisting Minister: Steve Tucker
WELCOME to our worship service! In the midst of a dark time of year, made darker by the pandemic and the political turmoil in our nation, may you be strengthened by the appearing of Christ, the light of the world.
Scripture theme: Jesus, in his baptism, joined us in baptism, and took on our nature. We, on the other hand, join Jesus by our baptism. How well do we live up to the “Jesus life”? Our Scripture readings for today stress repentance (First Reading and Gospel), awareness of limited time (Second Reading), and following Jesus (Second Reading and Gospel). The Psalm calls us to keep track of our values. The task of living as the children of God is always before us.
In the Name of Jesus
Gathering
Welcome
Confession and Forgiveness
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ✝ one God, whose voice is upon the waters, whose mercy is poured out on all people, whose goodness cascades over all creation.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Holy God,
C: you search us and know us. You are acquainted with all our ways. We confess that our hearts are burdened by sin—our own sins and the broken systems that bind us. We turn inward, failing to follow your outward way of love. We distrust those who are not like us. We exploit the earth and its resources and fail to consider generations to come. Forgive us, gracious God, for all we have done and left undone. Even before the words are on our tongues, you know them; receive them in your divine mercy. Amen.
P: How vast is God’s grace! Through the power and promise of ✝ Christ Jesus, our sins are washed away and we are claimed as God’s own beloved. Indeed, we are forgiven. In the wake of God’s forgiveness, we are called to be the beloved community living out Christ’s justice and the Spirit’s reconciling peace.
C: Amen.
Hymn: Shine, Jesus, Shine TFF 64
Words and music: Graham Kendrick
Refrain:
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy;
send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light.
Lord, the light of your love is shining,
in the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,
set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me:
Refrain
As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
so our faces display your likeness,
ever changing from glory to glory,
mirrored here, may our lives tell your story.
Shine on me, shine on me:
Refrain
Greeting
P: The true light that enlightens everyone has come into the world! God be with you.
C: And also with you.
Word
Prayer of the Day
P: Let us pray. Almighty God,
C: by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you." 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city,three days' journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.
10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
R: The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Pause to contemplate the Word.
Psalm of Response: Psalm 62:5-12
P: For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
C: for my hope is from him.
P: He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
C: I shall not be shaken.
P: On God rests my salvation and my glory;
C: my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
P: Trust in him at all times, O people;
C: pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
P: Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion;
C: in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
P: Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery;
C: if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
P: Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this:
C: that power belongs to God,
P: and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
C: For you will render to a man according to his work.
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
R: The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Pause to contemplate the Word.
Gospel: (Introduced as follows:)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 1st chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord!
Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:14-20
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." 16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
P: The Gospel of our Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Passcode: N4t=BQr4
Hymn of the Day: You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore TFF 154
Words: Cesâreo Gabarain, 1936-1991; tr. Madeleine Forell Marshall, b. 1946
Music: pescador de hombres, Cesâreo Gabarain
You— have come down to the lakeshore
seeking neither the wise nor the wealthy,
but only asking for me to follow.
Refrain:
Sweet Lord, you have looked into my eyes,
kindly smiling, you’ve called out my name.
On the sand I have abandoned my small boat;
now with you, I will seek other seas.
You— know full well what I have, Lord:
neither treasure nor weapons for conquest,
just these my fishnets and will for working.
Refrain
You— need my hands, my exhaustion,
working love for the rest of the weary−
a love that’s willing to go on loving.
Refrain
You— who have fished other waters;
you, the longing of souls that are yearning:
O loving Friend, you have come to call me.
Refrain
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the Congregation
P: In our baptism we are called by your name – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Your Son summoned us to get out of our comfort zones and live as your people.
C: Sometimes we are ready. Most of the time we are afraid. Lift our eyes to see the one who calls us.
P: We are not among the important people of the world any more than the four fishermen were. But you called. . . .
C: All who are called are not worthy of your name, yet you dignify each of us by including us in your family.
P: With the dignity that you have given us, move us to show that same value to all we meet.
C: People who live on the streets, beggars, co-workers with bad habits, annoying relatives – all are loved by you. Teach us to follow in your footsteps.
P: You call us to care for the widow, the orphan, and the stranger in our midst.
C: Continue to help us feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for the sick.
P: In your mercy do not forget those in our church family, Wanda, Bill, Joy, Alcine, Ella, Ruby, Sharee, Orelia, Jerelene, and Rosa.
C: Give them relief from their suffering, and grant them the care that can restore them to health again.
P: In our divided nation with so much threatening violence, bless President Biden, Vice President Harris, Congress and members of city, county, and state legislatures with the wisdom to work together for all our citizens, and keep them safe from harm.
C: As our nation interacts with other nations, give to the leaders of all nations the willingness to listen to each other.
P: For what else do the people of God pray?
After the petitions:
Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: Into your hands, gracious God, we entrust all for whom we pray, knowing that you hear us for the sake of Jesus our Savior.
C: Amen.
Meal
Great Thanksgiving
P: Let us lift up our hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, for what we know of you is overwhelming, more wonderful than we can ever understand. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with the people of God of every time and place, we lift our voices and sing:
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
P: Your Word called forth the earth, sky and glittering stars, and your splendor is expressed in all creation.
C: Through your prophets, you reminded your people of all time of your deliverance from all that seeks to destroy us.
P: In your word, in the bread and wine we are about to receive you come to us with strength for our lives.
C: Come, Lord Jesus, come and fill us with your presence.
P: Our Lord came, and in the night in which he was betrayed, he 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.
We remember that he came as a sign of your grace, exposed the truth in our hearts, was opposed by many, and crucified,
C: but you raised him to life and opened the way of salvation so that we might be adopted as your children and heirs, and we rejoice and celebrate your presence with and for us.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, come, and by your presence fill us with your peace, strengthen us to walk in your way, and enable us to look forward to the heavenly feast of which this is but a foretaste.
C: Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
P: We remember that when you walked among us you taught us to practice your gracious life by praying:
C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Communion
P: Beloved: here is bread; here is wine. Here is Jesus. Come and be fed.
We share the bread and wine, the body and blood of our Lord.
After all have communed:
P: Christ, who comes to us in the bread and wine, strengthen us to live for him until he comes again.
C: Amen.
Prayer
P: Let us pray. Christ Jesus,
C: at this table we have feasted on your very life and are strengthened for our journey. Send us forth from this banquet nourished in body and in spirit to proclaim good news and serve others in your name. Amen.
Sending
Blessing
P: God the creator strengthen you;
Jesus the beloved fill you;
And the Holy Spirit the comforter ✝ keep you in peace.
C: Amen.
Sending Hymn: We Are Marching in the Light of God TFF 63
Words: South African
Music: siyahamba, South African
We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, marching, we are marching, oo
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, marching, we are marching, oo
we are marching in the light of God.
We are praying. . .
We are singing. . .
Announcements of our life together
Dismissal
P: Go in peace. Be the light of Christ.
C: Thanks be to God!
To God Alone Be Glory
Acknowledgments: The Confession and Forgiveness, and Blessing are from p. 72 of Sundays and Seasons, copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All Scripture passages are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
Announcements
To help you prepare for worship, here are next Sunday’s Readings:
Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28.
This week at Good Shepherd
Bible Study Wednesday 10:30 call in 712-770-4995
Good Shepherd Calendar
February 14th Voters’ Assembly meeting following worship service
February 17th Ash Wednesday service time to be announced.
Happy Birthday January babies! Terrence Green 2nd, Cynthia Ann Johnson 10th, Marlene Bolar, Carla Saulter and Charles Terrell 15th, Esther Mumford 21st, Quincy Saulter-Edwards 24th, and Niya Slaughter 30th. God’s abundant blessings to you all on your special day and always.
February is Black History month! We will not be gathering for quizzes and soul food dinner this year but we will continue our sharing of history during worship service. If you would like to share a Black history moment please let Anita know.
Stewardship: Attendance 29 Offering & Donations NA
The offering envelopes for 2021and 2020 statements have been mailed. Also the portals of prayer. If you have questions about the portals of prayer contact Anita.
Sick and Shut-In Members
Please remember in your prayers,
Wanda Allen 222 25th Ave., Sea 98122
Bill Johnson, 2717 Dexter Ave. N., Sea 98109
Joy Bauer, 1061 Shelton Ave. NE Renton 98056
Alcine Wyatt, 811 27th Ave., Sea 98122
Ella Smith, 4832 35th Ave. SW Sea 98126
Ruby Buxton 315 31st Ave., Sea 98122
Sharee Daniels, 6731 N 17th Street, Tacoma 98406
Orelia Jarrow 3621 33rd Ave. S. #335 Sea 98144
Jerelene Armstead 5145 S. Fountain Sea 98178
Rosa McFollie 2717 Dexter Ave. N., Sea 98109
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Our Mission Statement:
Led by the Holy Spirit, the mission of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
is to give glory to God for the building of His Kingdom, by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
worshipping the Triune God, and reaching out in love to the community.