Order of Worship
January 23rd 2022 ~ 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude
Welcome, Announcements, and Peace
Call to Worship
Return to the Lord your God,
for God is gracious.
Confess to the Lord your God,
for God is merciful.
Repent to the Lord your God,
for God is slow to anger.
Praise the Lord your God,
for God abounds in steadfast love.
Worship the Lord your God.
Together, let us worship God!
Amen.
~ written by Rev. Daniel Commerford
Hymn of Praise
Verse 1
You are my strength
When I am weak
You are the treasure
That I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jew’l
Lord to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all
Chorus
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Verse 2
Taking my sin
My cross my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all
Chorus
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
CCLI Song # 825356
Dennis Jernigan
© 1991 Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc. (Admin. by PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc.)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 3154366
Opening Prayer
I have called you by name—you are mine!
When you go through deep waters and great trouble,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown!
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
Amen.
– Isaiah 43:1-3a, 5a
Special Music
The Flower That Shattered The Stone
Joe Henr & John Denver
Scripture Reading
Sherri Goodwin, Reader
Nehemiah 8:1-10
NRSV
1 all the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. 2 Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. 3 He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4 The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the purpose; 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 7 And the Levites helped the people to understand the law, while the people remained in their places. 8 So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Strength & Joy
Associate Pastor Charla Belinski
Pastoral Prayer
Prayers of the People
Sherri Goodwin, Reader
Offertory
Be Thou My Vision
Traditional
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heav’nly host
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost
Amen
CCLI Song # 6115489
Thomas Ken
Public Domain
For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 3154366
Communion
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Communion Hymn
City of God
Dan Schutte
1. Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep.
The people in darkness have seen a great light.
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.
Refrain
Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!
2. We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day.
The One who has loved us has brightened our way.
The Lord of all kindness has called us to be
a light for his people to set their hearts free.
Refrain
Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!
3. God is light; in him there is no darkness.
Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all.
O comfort my people; make gentle your words.
Proclaim to my city the day of her birth.
Refrain
Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!
4. O city of gladness, now lift up your voice!
Proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice!
Refrain
Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!
Text: Based on Isaiah 9; 40:1–9; 1 John 1. Text and music © 1981, OCP. All rights reserved.
Closing Prayer
The Lord is our light and our protector.
God gives us grace and glory.
No good thing will the Lord withhold
from those who do what is right.
Blessed are those who trust in him.
We go forth from this place knowing God is our strength and our joy. Amen.
— based on Psalm 84:11-12
Blessing
Postlude
Our love in action now begins…
Our Sunday School is next…
This Sunday’s Special Music is brought to you by
Mack Bailey & Michael Schoepe.
Thank you to all of this Sunday’s volunteers!
9am Greeters: Randy and Jeanne Woods
9am Reader: Sherri Goodwin
Altar setting: Sue de Campo
Coffee Service: Mark Breen
10:30am Reader: Kim Rogers