Category: Worship

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

February 6, 2022

AS WE GATHER
During the season of Epiphany, which means “shine forth,” the Readings shine forth to us the real, biblical Jesus. So far this season we have seen how Jesus turned water into wine, how He taught with an authority never heard before, and how He cast out demons and healed the sick. Now this week we hear that Jesus calls disciples to be “catching people.” God calls. He calls individual people such as Isaiah and Peter, and groups of people such as the Twelve and the Church today. As God called Isaiah in a spectacular vision to speak God’s Word in a world marred by sin, so He calls us, the Church, to do the same. As Jesus called Peter to go from catching fish to “catching men,” so He calls us, the Church, to do the same. What God has done for all of creation in the death and resurrection of Jesus will not be kept silent. God calls us to speak the Gospel in a sin-marred world and to live in ways that demonstrate the power of the Gospel.

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 6:1–8
(Isaiah’s vision of the seraphim)

EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 14:12b–20
(Excel in gifts that build up the Church.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 5:1–11
(The miraculous catch of fish)

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

January 30, 2022

AS WE GATHER
All three Readings today declare the depth, breadth, and height of God’s love for the world. When God’s people were drifting away, God sent prophets, such as Jeremiah, to speak God’s Word and call the people back to faithfulness. God declares His love for Jeremiah: “I formed you in the womb . . . I consecrated you; I appointed you . . . I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:5, 8). God’s love is shown forth in Jesus in the Gospel. Jesus casts out a demon from a man, thereby restoring his life. Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, and He casts out even more demons and heals more diseases. This all points to the restoration of all creation in God’s coming kingdom. The Epistle, often read at weddings, calls us toward lives shaped by the depth, breadth, and height of God’s love for us.

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Jeremiah 1:4–10
(The Lord calms Jeremiah’s fear with a promise.)

EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 12:31b–13:13 (All about love)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 4:31-44 (Jesus casts out a demon and heals Peter’s mother-in-law.)

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

January 23, 2022

AS WE GATHER
Today we welcome to our church an honored proclaimer of the Word. Despite the rejection He often has faced over the years—even from the people who knew Him best—let us welcome Him today with open ears and open hearts. This preacher is like none other. The way He communicates the Word of God makes you feel that He knows the Bible inside and out—and that’s because He does! This proclaimer is none other than your Savior Jesus Christ. Much like He did in today’s Gospel, Jesus stands among God’s people to deliver the Good News of life and salvation. Unlike the neighbors in Nazareth, who ended up rejecting their hometown preacher, let us receive Him with glad and sincere hearts. In humble faith, we fix our eyes on Jesus and receive all He comes to give.

Bible Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5–6, 8–10
(The people gather as one to hear God’s Word.)

EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 12:12–31a (In Christ, we are one Body with many members.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 4:16–30
(Jesus reads and fulfills God’s Word in His hometown synagogue.)

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

January 16, 2022

AS WE GATHER
Right here. Right now. Jesus is present. Take a moment and let that sink in. Jesus—the very Son of God and King of the universe—is present! As He was at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, where He gave the first sign of His glory, He also is present with us today through the Word proclaimed and the “sign” received in His body and blood. The Table will be prepared. The bread and the wine will be plentiful. And you will be invited to come: “Take, eat. Take, drink.” Christ’s true presence is here for you, and you are richly blessed! Savor this hour as we gather and receive Jesus into our midst. What a holy hour this is! Right here. Right now. You are blessed by Jesus’ presence.

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 62:1–5
(God is the Bridegroom to His people.)

EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 12:1–11
(God gives the gifts of His Spirit for the common good.)

HOLY GOSPEL: John 2:1–11 (Jesus works His first sign at the Cana wedding feast.)

THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

January 9, 2022

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 43:1–7 (The Lord has called Israel by name.)

EPISTLE READING: Romans 6:1–11 (We are made to walk in newness of life in Christ.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 3:15–22 (Jesus teaches that one must be born of water and the Spirit.)

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

January 2, 2021

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: 1 Kings 3:4-15
(Solomon asks for wisdom to rule his people)

EPISTLE READING: Ephesians 1:3-14
(He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:40-52 (Jesus remains behind at the temple)

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 26, 2021

AS WE GATHER
Simeon and Anna rejoiced when Mary and Joseph brought week-old Jesus to the temple. He was physical proof that God was keeping His promises made centuries ago. Firstborn males had to be consecrated to God because He had spared them at the time of the exodus. In our Psalm today, God promises redemption for His people, and in Christ we are His chosen people, holy and dearly loved, as Paul writes in the Epistle. Today is the Sunday after Christmas, and we focus on how we exhibit love, forgiveness, and peace, thanking God for His promises kept.

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Exodus 13:1–3a, 11–15
(Every firstborn Israelite male must be redeemed, remembering the exodus.)

EPISTLE READING: Colossians 3:12–17
(“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-40
(Simeon and Anna praise God when they see the baby Jesus in the temple.)

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD—CHRISTMAS DAY

December 25, 2021

AS WE GATHER
Whether your family exchanges Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (or at all), Christians gather here to celebrate, receive, and unwrap the perfect Gift, that is, Jesus Christ Himself. The wrapping paper in our homes temporarily covers a gift and is soon thrown away, but Jesus comes to us this day by His Means of Grace to give to us infinite things we can’t find anywhere else—the love of His life, the forgiveness of sins, and the salvation of our souls. We rejoice in the gift of the Child wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in the manger, knowing the great gifts the Lord comes to bring for us and for the whole world through the Savior given and born for us.

BIBLE READINGS

Isaiah 52:7-10 (ESV)

Hebrews 1:1-6 (ESV)

John 1:1-14 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2021

AS WE GATHER
In the beginning, “when all was still”, was the Light. The Light became flesh and dwelt among us in the stillness of the night. In tonight’s Candle Light Service, we celebrate the incarnation of the Light, who shines from the beginning till eternity. As the Gospel of Light is read, let us focus on the candles that are lit, and remember that we, too, are lit by the true Light. And as we sing the Hymn of Light, let us celebrate with a quiet joy that is different from the exuberance of Easter. Let us give praise to Him who shines on us all the days of our lives.

BIBLE READINGS:

Isaiah 9:2-7 (NIV)

Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

John 1:1-14 (NIV)

BLESSING

May God, who has called you out of darkness to be servants of light, grant you the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, and the peace of the Christ Child. Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

December 19, 2021

AS WE GATHER
Christmas is coming! But the coming of the promised Messiah does not just signify a baby being born in a stable; it reveals the Son of God coming to a broken, sinful world to save each of us from our own sinful nature. He comes to rule His people with loving justice; He comes to sacrifice Himself for us; He comes to fulfill all God’s promises to us.

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Micah 5:2–5
(Little Bethlehem shall be the birthplace of the promised ruler of Israel.)

EPISTLE READING: Hebrews 10:5–10 (Jesus came to earth to do His Father’s will.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 1:39–45
(Elizabeth greets Mary and the unborn Jesus, and Mary rejoices in God, her Savior.)