Worship Guide
January 26, 2025
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: “Oceans” Meagan
Centering Words:
The joy of the Lord is our strength. The Word of God is our joy.
*Call to Worship:
Leader: Day pours forth speech and night declares knowledge.
People: What voices speak without words or speech?
Leader: The heavens are telling the glory of God.
People: We listen but do not understand.
Leader: The Law of God is perfect, reviving the soul.
People: Who will teach us, that our hearts may rejoice?
Leader: Pray in the Spirit and you will perceive. Let us pray.
ALL: God of Wisdom, we have come to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn to what he would teach us. With the heavens above and the earth below, we rejoice in the good news he brings: succor to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. Reveal the mystery of your precepts, that we might hear the music of the heavens– the whisper of the land and roar of the seas, the prayer of the caterpillar and the song of the flea. Speak to us through the fullness of creation, we pray. Amen
Hymn: “This is the Day”
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord hath made, that the Lord hath made.
Let us rejoice, let us rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord hath made.
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord hath made, that the Lord hath Made.
Let us rejoice, let us rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord hath made.
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
Words of Assurance
Hear the words of Nehemiah:
“go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared,
for this day is holy to our Lord, and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
May it be well with our souls. Amen
*Old Testament Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
1 all the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. 2 Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. 3 He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
8 So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
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: “Seek and Find”
Hymn: “This is My Father’s World”
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
in the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens Ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
Sermon: “As Was His Custom” Luke 4:14-21
14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Hymn: “Wonderful Words of Life”
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
Christ the blessed one gives to all, wonderful words of life;
sinner, listen to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
all so freely given, wooing us to heaven.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life;
offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
Psalter: Psalm 19
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God's handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In them God has set a tent for the sun,
5 which come forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and runs its course with joy like a strong man.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and it circuit to the end of them; and there is nothing hid from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clear, enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can understand one's own error? Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Also keep your servant from the insolent; let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgressions.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
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: “Thy Word is a Lamp”
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way,
still you're there right beside me,
and nothing will I fear as long as you are near.
Please be near me to the end.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Now I will not forget your love for me and yet
my heart forever is wandering. Jesus, be my guide
and hold me to your side, and I will love you to the end.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Benediction
Hymn: “Until Jesus Comes”
Until Jesus comes,
Until Jesus comes,
I’ll be watching and waiting
Until Jesus comes.
Until Jesus comes,
Until Jesus comes,
I’ll be watching and waiting
Until Jesus comes.
