The Third Sunday after
Epiphany
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Prelude, Welcome, and Information Hymn
#511 Thy Strong
Word |
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The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you
all. And also with
you. Psalm: Psalm 19 The heavens
are telling the glory of God; and the
firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares
knowledge. There is no
speech, nor are there words; their voice
is not heard; yet their voice goes out through
all the earth, and their words to the end of
the world. In the
heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes
out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its
course with joy. Its rising is from the end of
the heavens, and its circuit to the end of
them; and nothing is hid from its
heat. The law of
the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees
of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of
the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of
the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of
the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the
ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than
gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by
them is your servant warned; in keeping
them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back
your servant also from the insolent; do not let
them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great
transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. |
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The Lord be with you. And
also with you. Let us pray. Blessed Lord God, you have caused
the holy scriptures to be written for the nourishment of your people. Grant
that we may hear them, read, mark, and inwardly digest them, that, comforted
by your promises, we may embrace and forever hold fast to the hope of eternal
life, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. |
Reading:
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
A reading from the book of Nehemiah
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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation.
They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
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. 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.”
The Word of the Lord
Reading:
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
A reading from the first letter to the Corinthians
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of
the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one
Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we
were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of
one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I
do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the
body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong
to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the
whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were
hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the
members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single
member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one
body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again
the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the
members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those
members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor,
and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas
our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the
body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be
no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one
another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member
is honored, all rejoice together with it.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And
God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third
teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance,
forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all
prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of
healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the
greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel
Verse:
Alleluia. The Spirit of the
Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, and to proclaim release to
the captives. Alleluia! (Luke 4:18)
Gospel Reading: Luke 4:14-21
A reading from the Gospel of Luke
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and
a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to
teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 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, and the scroll of the prophet
Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it
was written: “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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 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. Then he began to say to them, “Today this
scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise
to you, O Christ.
Sermon
(added at the end of the document)
Hymn
#886 Oh, for a
Thousand Tongues to Sing
Thanks and Offertory
Prayers of the Church:
Trusting in our Lord’s continual care and love, we
offer our prayers for the world, the church, and for all people according to
their needs.
[Short pause]
Faithful
God, help us to remember your promises and see your word fulfilled. Lord, in
your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Faithful
God, protect our families, loved ones and friends in this time of sickness
and confusion. Remind us of your presence through all our distractions. Lord,
in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Faithful
God, continue to be merciful to all who suffer around us, whether from physical,
mental, or spiritual problems. Strengthen all who care for those in. Lord, in
your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Faithful
God, in this week of prayer for Christian unity, renew your call to all
Christians to follow your Son more closely and to once again tend to our
oneness in Christ. Lord, in your mercy, Hear
our prayer.
Faithful
God, watch over students, teachers, assistants, and all involved in education in
these days of uncertainty. Lord, in your mercy, Hear
our prayer.
Faithful
God, grant safe travels to all who must be away from home. Bless all who
work for their safety and health. Lord, in your mercy, Hear
our prayer.
Faithful
God, look with favor on all who minister in the name of your Son. Bless Bishop
Michael Pryse and the Eastern Synod Office & Support staff. Lord, in your
mercy, Hear our prayer.
Faithful
God, we trust in your help. Hear the prayers we keep in our hearts… * … Lord,
in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Into your gracious
hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your promise of mercy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
{*Erma Reska, Rose Gotzmeister, Gail Mauer, Bill
Ungar}
Hymn#843 Praise
the One Who Breaks the Darkness
The
Lord’s Prayer
Finally let
us pray for all things as our Lord would have us ask:
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.
Closing prayer & Benediction
God of grace and mercy,
of healing and wisdom,
from the shattered pieces of our
changed lives
you have brought us together as
community,
called and
gathered in heart and in the Spirit, wherever we may be.
As you guide us through times of
uncertainty, continue to cloak your people with joy and awe.
Send us out to bring light for the
world, food for the hungry, comfort to the sick.
And may your holy presence,
Father +, Son, and the Holy Spirit
keep us,
guide us, and bless us as we continue our journey with each other and with you.
Amen.
Hymn #668 O Zion, Haste
Sending
God is our
refuge and strength. Amen.
Christ is
light for our lives. Amen.
The Spirit of
Love is leading us. Amen.
Go in peace.
Walk humbly with God. Thanks be to
God.
·
February 9 (at the Sax) & 20 (at the
church)
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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
·
In the Gospel
reading today, Jesus proclaims his mission and declares his mission to be
fulfilled. We might wonder how this could be possible. To many, it sounds like
words rather than deeds.
·
However, when
God speaks, things happen. Genesis tells us: Then God said, “Let there be light”; and
there was light. (Gen. 1:3) If Jesus says Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,
then it is somehow fulfilled. The way he speaks about fulfillment is said in a
way that describes accomplishment with lasting effects. So it is not just for
that time but for all time.
·
The Spirit of
God is at work through these words and Jesus Christ is the manifestation of
God’s favour to all of creation. That is one way of expressing the lasting
effects of Jesus’ proclamation of fulfillment.
·
Step by step,
Jesus uses the words of the prophet Isaiah to tell all who will listen about
his mission. He is anointed, chosen specially to bring good news to the poor. He outlines some who might
be considered among the poor of the land – the captives, the blind, the
oppressed, basically anyone who is not perfect. That would be good news to the
poor and suffering ones of Jesus’ time. It also remains “good news” to our time
and to all of us.
·
Captivity is
something only a few of us know personally. Still, don’t we say in our
confession that “we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves”? Being
captive could apply to any situation where we are unable to break out by
ourselves. There are many situations that fit there – addictions, chronic
illnesses, issues of mental or spiritual health, any of which could be a sort
of captivity and imprisonment.
·
Oppression
goes along a similar path and the freedom from oppression is still longed for.
Many people are oppressed politically and still more are oppressed socially –
for many reasons such as their gender, their nationality, their race, even
personal and physical issues - in that they are denied full participation in
our world.
·
Blindness in
Jesus’ time would exclude a person from society and might even be seen as a
result of personal sin. Almost any sickness or chronic illness might be seen
that way. We don’t hold to that in this time, even though we know the effect of
such an issue in inclusion of a person in all that our society is and does. Jesus
proclaims recovery to those suffering.
·
The words of
Jesus apply to us right now as well. Although miraculous healing of illness
might not be something we’d expect, the freedom, release, and recovery are ours
by Jesus’ own words.
·
We may worry
about following Jesus and how to conquer sin in our own lives. No worry is
needed since Jesus has conquered sin in all of our lives. The free gift of
God’s grace and favour makes the difference. In the cross and Resurrection,
what is needed has been done.
·
That is easy
to forget. Even Luther said that he preached grace in every sermon because his
congregation forgot about it all the time! Grace will not leave us and will
always overcome sin.
·
In a
nutshell, this is what Jesus proclaims in the synagogue that day. What has been
promised has been fulfilled. Salvation has been promised and delivered. That is
something to depend on and to take joy in.
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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
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