Worship Guide
January 22, 2023
Third Sunday After the Epiphany
Creating Disciples of Jesus who Transform the World
ENTRANCE WITH PRAISE
Greetings:
Minister: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
People: And also with you!
Special Music: Donna
Centering Words:
Where there is darkness, there is also light. Look for the light– places of love, joy, grace, and hope.
*Call to Worship:
Leader: We come seeking God,
People: the one who guides us and protects us.
Leader: People of God, there is nothing to fear,
People: for God dwells in our hearts.
Leader: Let us shout with joy, for God is here!
People: Let us sing praises to the Holy One!
Leader: Let us pray
ALL: God of light, we come tired and weary, carrying many burdens. We come wondering if you are even here. We come seeking your face, seeking your love. In this moment, Holy One, open our hearts to the mystery of your love. Remind us that you are always with us and that you never leave us. Reassure us that you love us, even as you invite us to love one another. In this time and space, may we say “yes” to you. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Hymn: “O Church of God, United”
O Church of God, united
to serve one common Lord,
proclaim to all one message,
with hearts in glad accord.
Christ ever goes before us;
we follow day by day
with strong and eager footsteps
along the upward way.
From every land and nation
the ordered ranks appear;
to serve one valiant leader
they come from far and near.
They chant their one confession,
they praise one living Lord,
and place their sure dependence
upon his saving word.
Though creeds and tongues may differ,
they speak, O Christ, of thee;
and in thy loving spirit,
we shall one people be.
Lord, may our faithful service
and singleness of aim
proclaim to all the power
of thy redeeming name.
May thy great prayer be answered
that we may all be one,
close bound, by love united
in thee, God's blessed Son:
to bring a single witness,
to make the pathway bright,
that souls which grope in darkness
may find the one true light.
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
Words of Assurance
People of God, hear the good news of the gospel and rejoice!
You are forgiven, and God’s grace sets you free to love again.
Amen
*Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4
1 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
Leader: This is the Word of God, for the People of God
People: Thanks be to God!
WORD AND RESPONSE
Time with Young Friends: “Jesus Loves Me”
Children’s Message: “Taking Sides”
Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”
O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds they hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
thy power through-out the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze;
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
sent him to die, I scarce can take it in;
that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
he bled and died to take away my sin;
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
and there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
Sermon: “Have the Same Mind” 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Hymn: “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”
Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed, all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head with the shadow of thy wing.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in thee I find;
raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name, I am all unrighteousness;
false and full of sin I am; thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.
Psalter: The 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,
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.
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen
Prayers of the People: Joys and concerns
Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer
SENDING FORTH
Hymn: “Shine, Jesus, Shine”
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 is shining
in the midst of the darkness shining;
Jesus, Light of the Word, shine upon us,
set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me.
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, I come to your awesome presence
from the shadows into your radiance;
by the blood I may enter your brightness,
search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.
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.
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.
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.
Benediction
