Sunday February 2, 2025 - Bulletin
February 02, 2025
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
CHIMING THE HOUR
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER OF APPROACH
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 71)
One: In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
All: In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me.
One: Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go;
All: give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
One: Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
All: For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.
One: From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.
All: One: My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
*HYMN # 376 “ Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
CALL TO CONFESSION
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just. He will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON)
Gracious God, we have learned that even some of the great prophets gave excuses at first as to why they could not obey your will. Jeremiah protested, “I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy!” But LORD, you see through our excuses. Merciful Father, you have given us so many gifts to use for your Glory and the Mission that your Son has taught us. We believe we can tell you, “No” and still claim to be followers of your Son. Remind us that we are to model Divine Love. Teach us that Divine Love is not about feelings, it is about sacrificial action. Inspire us to walk in the way of Jesus, as guided by your Spirit. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
GLORIA PATRI # 579
PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share signs of peace with one another.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Jeremiah 1:4-10
EPISTLE LESSON 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Rev Kirsty H. Dickson-Maret
MUSICAL OFFERING
NEW TESTAMENT READING Luke 4:21-30. Rev Kirsty H. Dickson-Maret
SERMON “ Leading Jesus to a Cliff” Rev Kirsty H. Dickson-Maret
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the
communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN # 513 “Let Us Break Bread Together”
CELEBRATION OF EUCHARIST
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
This is the joyful feast of the people of God! People will come from north and south and from east and west to sit at table in the kingdom of God.
According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. This is the Lord’s Table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast that he has prepared.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
L: The Lord be with you.
A: And also with you.
L: Lift up your hearts.
A: We lift them to the Lord.
L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
A: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
L: We glorify your name and lift our voices in joyful praise.
Praise to you, O God, for all your works. You created the world and called it good
and made us in your image to live together in love. You made a covenant with us,
and even when we turned from you, you remained ever faithful. Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:
A: 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.
L: Thank you, O God, for sending us your Son. He lived among us and told your story. He healed the sick and welcomed sinners.
He shared our pain and died our death, then rose to new life that we might live, and all creation be restored.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine that they may be for us the body
and blood of Christ and that we may be his body for the world. By your Spirit unite us with Christ and one another until we feast with him
and with all your saints in your eternal realm of justice and peace. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever. Amen.
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
L: Loving God, we thank you that you have fed us in this sacrament,
A: united us with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet in your eternal realm.
L: Send us out in the power of your Spirit
A: to live and work to your praise and glory, For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (UNISON)
Loving God, today we were reminded that people can turn on a dime. People were amazed at the words of Jesus and spoke well of him. But when they disagreed with his words, they wanted to throw him over a cliff. May these offerings today not merely inspire people to admire Jesus when it is easy to do so, but even when his words are unsettling - lets us never throw out his redeeming love for the sake of our own pride. Amen.
*HYMN # 2223 “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”
CHARGE
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE