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 —
Call to Worship
The Word of God comes as the Spirit wills.
Jesus calls us: Follow me.
The Word of God is known in love.
Jesus calls us: Follow me.
The Word of God astounds with power and grace.
Jesus calls us: Follow me.
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
Covenant-making God,
great are your works.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the nations . . .
Put down war and lust for power.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those in authority . . .
Open their ears to the cries of the needy.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for followers of Jesus . . .
Make them agents of reconciliation
and bearers of good news.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our neighbors . . .
Cast out the demons
that obscure your image in all people.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our enemies . . .
Show them the grace
that confounds and amazes us.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for ourselves . . .
Reveal to us the Holy One of God.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
Covenant-making God,
great are your works.
Align our lives with the words we pray,
through 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:
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
- Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart! (MARION) GTG 804 (O)
- I Believe in God the Father (GENEVAN 42) GTG 481 (E)
- Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (ST. DENIO) GTG 12 (E)
- Blessed Jesus, at Your Word (LIEBSTER JESU) GTG 395 (G)
WORD
- Profetiza, Pueblo mío (PROFETIZA) HP 265 (O)
- Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice (ABERYSTWYTH) GTG 163 (OG)
- Open My Eyes, That I May See (OPEN MY EYES) GTG 451 (E)
- Silence! Frenzied, Unclean Spirit (EBENEZER) GTG 181 (G)
EUCHARIST
- Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak (CANONBURY) GTG 722 (E)
- O Christ, the Healer (ERHALT UNS, HERR) GTG 793 (G)
- Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread (ST. FLAVIAN) GTG 500 (G)
SENDING
- The Mighty God with Power Speaks (KINGSFOLD) GTG 13 (OE)
- All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine (SINE NOMINE) UMH 166 (E)
- There Is Now a New Creation (STUTTGART) GTG 774 (G)
- When We Are Tested (ANGELS OF HEALING) GTG 783 (G)
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 111
Metrical
- Rejoice in God, My Heart [LEONI] PAS 111D
- A Grateful Heart [ROCKINGHAM] GTG 652
Responsorial
- Lord Come and Help Me PP 108
Organ Music
- “Speak, O Lord, My Hope is Found,” Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, arr. Jason D. Payne, LOR (MA)
- “Alleluia, Song of Gladness,” PRAISE, MY SOUL, Augsburg Organ Library: Epiphany, John Goss, arr. Robert Buckley Farlee, AF (MA)
- “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise,” ST. DENIO, With Praise and Love, vol. 1, arr. Emma Lou Diemer, SAC (M)
- “Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr,” Sämtliche Orgelwerke, Georg Böhm, IMSLP (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Show Us How to Love,” Mark Miller, CGA, SATB, pno (E)
- “All That Hath Life and Breath Praise Ye the Lord,” Rene Clausen, MF, SSAATTBB, acap (A)
- “Balm in Gilead,” arr. M. Roger Holland II, MSM, SATB, pno (E)
- “Ubi Caritas,” Ola Gjeilo, WAL, SATB, pno or acap (M/A)
- “A New Commandment,” Thomas Tallis, CPDL, SATB, acap (M)
- “Vebrum Caro Factum Est,” Hans Leo Hassler, CPDL, SATB/SATB, acap (A)
Art
- Abbie Sweetwine Treating Injured, Air Force Medical Service Art, 2016 (VDL)
- 1 Corinthians 6, Timothy Botts (EYE)
- Jesus Teaches in the Temple, carving Amiens Cathedral, France, 1508–19 (VDL)
- I Know Who You Are, Jan Richardson (JR)
