Lectionary Readings
Jonah 3:1–5, 10
God sends Jonah to Ninevah; the people repent and God forgives.
Psalm 62:5–12
My soul waits in silence for God; God is my rock and salvation.
1 Corinthians 7:29–31
The present world is passing away; let go of earthly attachments.
Mark 1:14–20
Jesus calls four fishermen: Simon, Andrew, James, and John.
— Gathering —
Call to Worship
The Word cries out and awaits our response.
Jesus calls us: Follow me.
Let all else fall away.
Jesus calls us: Follow me.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Jesus calls us: Follow me.
Prayer of the Day
Great God,
Jesus awakened the disciples
to a new life-changing purpose
that caused them to drop it all and follow him.
You call us here from our everyday work in this very busy world.
Have we dropped it all to follow you?
Awaken us, we pray.
Show us how to leave everything behind
and with our lives to proclaim the good news—
your kingdom is drawing near.
Make us into vessels
that carry your message of love,
that we might, with others,
turn around, see, and believe.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the faith, hope, and love you give to us
through the blessing of our baptism—
claiming us as your beloved children,
calling us to the path of discipleship,
revealing to us the light of your glory.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
help us to follow you with faith,
to trust in you with hope,
and to serve you with love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth,
whose wisdom is endless,
whose mercy is great.
Isaiah 40:27–28
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
O Holy God,
you called the disciples to drop their nets and follow you,
yet we are hesitant to drop the tools and comforts of our lives.
We distract ourselves from your call
with busyness, stress, and worry.
We tangle ourselves in webs of racism, sexism,
and hatred that disguises itself as fear.
Forgive us, O Lord, and by your forgiveness,
open our ears to hear your voice saying to us,
“Follow me.”
Lifting water from the font:
Those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will rise up to fly like eagles,
they will run and not be weary,
they will walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40:31
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Saving God, source of our calling,
your Word is full of power and glory.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
so that we may receive your grace
and live as your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Speak to us, Lord,
for your servants are listening.
1 Samuel 3:9–10
After the readings:
A new teaching, with authority!
Thanks be to God.
Mark 1:27
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
To the Lord who speaks to us,
and strengthens us,
and blesses us with peace,
be all glory and honor forever. Amen.
Psalm 29:1, 11
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Time after Epiphany
God’s sovereign love is a mystery
beyond the reach of the human mind.
Human thought ascribes to God
superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness.
But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ
by showing power in the form of a servant,
wisdom in the folly of the cross,
and goodness in receiving
sinful men and women.
The power of God’s love in Christ
to transform the world
discloses that the Redeemer
is the Lord and Creator
who made all things
to serve the purpose of God’s love.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.15
Prayers of Intercession
God, our rock and salvation,
our hope is from you.
Hear your people as we pray.
We pray for a right use of the earth . . .
Make us faithful stewards of your bounty.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for justice that leads to peace . . .
Reorder our priorities while there is still time.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for your church in every place . . .
Make all who heed his calling
faithful followers of Jesus.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for neighbors in distress . . .
Rekindle in all hearts the love that reaches out.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for prophets in our time . . .
Bring repentance that leads to life.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for ourselves . . .
Fill us with the good news of your kingdom.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
God, our rock and salvation,
our hope is from you.
Bring us ever closer to your reign;
though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
There is only one Lord and God,
from whom all things come
and for whom we live.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 8:4–6
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
We praise and thank you, Lord God,
for the majesty of your work,
the wisdom of your word,
and the generosity of your grace.
Let the gifts of our lives bear witness
to your goodness and mercy,
your faithfulness and justice,
and your steadfast love for all. Amen.
Psalm 111
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You are our rock and our strength, salvation for every generation.
You send your prophets to call us back when we stray,
and in turning to you we find refuge and steadfast love.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
He came proclaiming the good news that your reign has come near.
He calls us to repent and follow him,
that our lives may lure others to his way.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
You call us to proclaim your love in word and action,
and your Spirit sends us out to call others to you.
Give us courage, vision, and strength to be your faithful disciples.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
We give you thanks and praise, O God,
that you have fed us with your mercy
and poured out your Spirit in this place.
Continue to nourish and fill us each day,
that we may live as your beloved people;
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
Beloved children of God,
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,
the grace of Jesus Christ,
and the blessing of the Lord forever. Alleluia!
Mark 1:11, 9:7
As Jesus called the first disciples,
so he calls to us this day:
Follow me. Amen.
Mark 1:17, John 1:43
Christ Calling the Disciples
Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- For the Healing of the Nations (ST. THOMAS (Wade)) GTG 346 (O)
- God, Reveal Your Presence (ARNSBERG) GTG 412 (E)
- The Kingdom of God (LAUDATE DOMINUM) G3 736
WORD
- O God, Show Mercy to Us (THAXTED) GTG 341 (O)
- We Are Forgiven (WE ARE FORGIVEN) GTG 447 (O)
- When Peace like a River (VILLE DU HAVRE) GTG 840 (E)
- Will You Come and Follow Me (KELVINGROVE) GTG 726 (G)
EUCHARIST
- Bread of Life from Heaven (ARGENTINE SANTO | BREAK NOW THE BREAD) GTG 497 (G)
- Lord, Prepare Me (SANCTUARY) GTG 701 (E)
- God Welcomes All (THEMBA AMEN) GTG 399 (OG)
SENDING
- God of Grace and God of Glory (CWM RHONDDA) GTG 307 (OEG)
- Our God, Our Help in Ages Past (ST. ANNE) GTG 687 (E)
- Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore (PESCADOR DE HOMBRES) GTG 721 (G)
- Above the Voices of the World Around Me (ASTON ROWANT) AM 114 (G)
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 62:5–12
Metrical
- My Soul Rests in God Alone [MODE MELODY] PAS 62C
- My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone [MY SOUL FINDS REST] SSS 328
Responsorial
- My Soul Is at Rest GTG 843
- I Sing Your Praise for Steadfast Love UMH 787
Organ Music
- “From the Depths of My Heart,” from Choralvorspiele für den gottesdienstlichen Gebrauch, Band I, Aus meines Herzens Grunde, Johann Gottfried Walther, BV (MA)
- “O Jesus, I Have Promised,” ANGEL’S STORY, The Essential Collection for The Church Organist, vol. 1, arr. Kenneth Lowenberg, HOPE (ME)
- “Abide with Me,” EVENTIDE, Grace and Majesty: Nine Hymn Arrangements for Organ, William Henry Monk, arr. Marianne Kim, BP (E)
- “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,” TOPLADY, Rock of Ages: Six Hymn Settings for Organ, Thomas Hastings, arr. Benjamin Kolodziej, CON (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Jesus Calls Us,” Joy Patterson, MSM, SATB, pno, cl (E)
- “Jonah,” Rollo Dillworth, HAL, SATB, pno (E)
- “Hallelujah,” from The Cry of Jeremiah, Rosephanye Powell, GP, SATB, pno (M)
- “Be Still and Know,” Michael John Trotta, MSM, SATB, pno (M)
- “I Wanna Be Ready!” arr. Brandon Boyd, HIN, SSAATTBB, pno (A)
Art
- Prophet Jonah before the Walls of Ninevah, Rembrandt van Rijn (VDL)
- Jonah’s Blessing, Jan Richardson (JR)
- Christ Calling the Apostles Peter and Andrew, Duccio, di Buoninsegna (VDL)
- Christ Calling the Disciples, Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (VDL)
- Diminish and Ascend, David McCracken (VDL)
