Lectionary Readings
Deuteronomy 18:15–20
The Lord says: I will raise up a new prophet to speak my word.
Psalm 111
Praise the Lord; the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
1 Corinthians 8:1–13
Concerning food and idols: knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
Mark 1:21–28
Jesus casts out an unclean spirit; all are amazed at his authority.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
With our whole hearts, we give God thanks.
Great are the works of the Lord!
We ascribe honor and majesty to God.
God’s righteousness endures forever.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Let us worship God!
Prayer of the Day
Great God,
we know that you are our God
and that we are mere mortals,
but self-righteousness still consumes us,
arrogance still guides our decisions,
and we become isolated and alone.
Bring us back to rest in your sovereign love,
encourage us in relationship,
and guide us to live in the community of faith,
that we might experience your love building us up,
enabling us to do the work to which you call us.
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.
You have shown us, O God,
what it means to follow you.
Forgive us when we fail;
open our hearts and minds to your teachings.
You modeled compassion in the person of Jesus Christ,
but we do not extend kindness to strangers or friends.
You challenge systems of injustice
through the movement of your spirit,
but we keep choosing comfort over justice,
the status quo over the kingdom of God.
You create all things good,
and your creation sings your praise,
but we consider no creatures but ourselves
and wound your earth by our sin.
Forgive us, O God.
Pour your compassion on us this day,
and by your forgiveness,
show us how to share it with one another.
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:
God of shining splendor,
your voice makes the earth tremble in wonder.
Overshadow us with your Spirit
so that we may hear your Word
and live as faithful disciples
and covenant people;
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
In Jesus of Nazareth,
true humanity was realized once for all.
Jesus, a Palestinian Jew,
lived among his own people
and shared their needs, temptations,
joys, and sorrows.
He expressed the love of God
in word and deed
and became a brother
to all kinds of sinful men and women.
But his complete obedience
led him into conflict with his people.
His life and teaching judged their goodness,
religious aspirations, and national hopes.
Many rejected him and demanded his death.
In giving himself freely for them,
he took upon himself the judgment
under which everyone stands convicted.
God raised him from the dead,
vindicating him as Messiah and Lord.
The victim of sin became victor,
and won the victory
over sin and death for all.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.08
Prayers of the People
Mindful of the many needs around us,
we turn to God for help and healing, saying:
To you, O God, we cry; be gracious to us.
Ever seeking your glory, we pray for the church . . .
Build us up in faith, hope, and love,
that we may live in grace and peace
according to the word of Christ Jesus.
To you, O God, we cry; be gracious to us.
Ever seeking your glory, we pray for the world . . .
Raise up prophets in our midst
who will call us to embrace your way
of righteousness, justice, and peace.
To you, O God, we cry; be gracious to us.
Ever seeking your glory, we pray for this community . . .
Establish justice and mercy in our streets.
Give food to those who are hungry
and deliver all who are in distress.
To you, O God, we cry; be gracious to us.
Ever seeking your glory, we pray for loved ones . . .
Cast out all the demons that afflict us—
illness, addiction, prejudice, pride.
Speak to us with healing power.
To you, O God, we cry; be gracious to us.
Gracious God, turn our mourning into dancing
and change our sorrow into joy,
so that we may give you thanks and praise forever;
through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. 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:
We give you all thanks and praise, O God,
for your works are great and your righteousness endures forever.
You have given us your covenant of steadfast love; holy is your name.
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 to us teaching with authority and showing us your will for our lives.
Even unclean spirits knew his voice and listened to him.
He calls us still to share his words of love with the world.
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.
Through your Spirit we are fed with spiritual food,
a mystery we proclaim with our lives:
This bread is Christ’s body for us, and we are the body of Christ.
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, Lord Jesus Christ,
for the gifts of grace
we have received from your hand.
Now send us forth to reflect your light,
proclaiming your saving death and resurrection
until you come again in glory. 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
Angel of Platform 6
Air Force Medical Service Art, 2016
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- All Creatures of Our God and King (E) LASST UNS ERFREUEN GTG 15
- All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (G) CORONATION GTG 263
- Be Thou My Vision (E) SLANE GTG 450
- From All That Dwell Below the Skies (OG) LASST UNS ERFREUEN GTG 327
WORD
- Live in Charity (Ubi caritas) (E) UBI CARITAS (Taizé) GTG 205
- O Christ, the Healer (G) ERHALT UNS, HERR GTG 793
- Silence! Frenzied, Unclean Spirit (G) AUTHORITY GTG 180, EBENEZER GTG 181
- Where Charity and Love Prevail (E) TWENTY-FOURTH GTG 316
EUCHARIST
- Blest Be the Tie That Binds (E) DENNIS GTG 306
- Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (E) UNION SEMINARY GTG 529
- Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive (E) DETROIT GTG 444
- Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness (G) SCHMÜCKE DICH GTG 514
SENDING
- Hope of the World (G) DONNE SECOURS GTG 734
- Rise, Shine, You People (G) WOJTKIEWIECZ ELW 665
- We Are One in the Spirit (They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love) (E) THEY’LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS GTG 300
- Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons) (G) KELVINGROVE GTG 726
Psalms and Canticles
Metrical
- A Grateful Heart [ROCKINGHAM]; GTG 652
- Rejoice in God, My Heart [LEONI/YIGDAL]; PAS 111D
- Alleluia! Laud and Blessing [WEISSE FLAGGEN]; GTG 755, PAS 111B
Responsorial
- The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom; PAS 111C
- Alleluia! Alleluia!; PSA 111
Organ Music
- “Postlude on ‘Coronation,’” Jubilation, Jason D. Payne, LOR (M)
- “Fanfare Dialogue on ‘Coronation,’” Trumpet Tunes and Aria, Wayne Wold, LOR (ME)
- “From All That Dwell Below the Skies,” Five Psalm Hymn Improvisations, Michael Burkhardt, MSM (M)
- “God Has Spoken by the Prophets,” Five Hymn Preludes, Set 1, James D. Kimball, MSM (MA)
- “I Come with Joy,” The Fruit of the Spirit, Roberta Rowland-Raybold, LOR (ME)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “All You Works of the Lord,” Kenneth Jennings, AF, SATB, pno (A)
- “O Lord, How Manifold Are Your Works,” Alfred V. Fedak, MSM, SATB, kybd (A)
- “Balm in Gilead,” M. Roger Holland II, MSM, SATB, solo, pno (E)
- “Fix Me, Jesus,” Augustus O. Hill, AMP, SATB div, solo, acap (M)
- “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,” Roy Hopp, SEL, SATB, org, brass (E)
- “When in Our Music God Is Glorified,” Harriet Ziegenhals, HOPE, SATB, cong, org, brass (E)
Handbell Music
- “All Creatures of Our God and King,” Kevin McChesney, 2‑5 oct, CGA, CGB1109 or CGB1110, Level 2-
- “Ubi Caritas,” Matthew Compton, 4‑7 oct, opt hc, Evergreen Music, 102, Level 3
- “Will You Come and Follow Me,” Susan Nelson, 3‑5 oct, opt hc, opt C-inst, AGEHR, 35289, Level 3
Art
- Angel of Platform 6, Air Force Medical Service Art (VDL)
- 1 Corinthians 6, Timothy Botts (EYE)
- Jesus Teaches in the Temple, Amiens Cathedral, France (VDL)
- I Know Who You Are, Jan Richardson (JR)
