St. Stephen Lutheran ChurchThird Sunday after Epiphany

January 24, 2021

Service of Word and Prayer

GATHERINGThe Holy Spirit gathers us into a community of prayer.

PRELUDE

INVOCATIONBlessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose voice is upon the waters, whose mercy is poured out upon all people, whose goodness cascades over all creation. Amen.

CONGREGATIONAL WELCOMEWelcome to St. Stephen Lutheran:A Worshipping Community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, who partners with other Christians. Where the Faith is Taught, Connections are made, and people are Cared for.

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISMLet us give thanks for the gift of Holy Baptism.

Water! Water! We praise you, O God, for water—the Green Brook Watershed in which South Plainfield is located,the rain that nourishes animals and plants,the water for drinking and bathing.We praise you, O God, for water.We praise you, O God, for water.

We praise you, O God, for our water stories—a flood that cleansed the earth,the sea that drowned the enemy,a river that healed leprosy.We praise you, O God, for water.We praise you, O God, for water.

We remember the waters of Jesus—baptized in the Jordan River,calming the Sea of Galilee,drinking from Jacob’s Well,healing at the pool of Bethesda,washing the disciples’ feet.We praise you, O God, for water.We praise you, O God, for water.

We praise you, O God, for this font,for through this water

you have birthed us into the family of Christ,bathed us in forgiveness,and enlivened us in the Spirit.We praise you, O God, for water.We praise you, O God, for water.

O God, you are the Ocean, sustaining this earth.O God, you are the River, saving us from death.O God, you are the Fountain, granting us health and well-being.We praise you, O God, today, tomorrow, forever.Amen, and amen.Amen, and amen.

CONTEMPLATION OF BAPTISMThe pastor invites the people into a time of contemplation of their baptism and their baptismal vocation.This time of silence and prayer is concluded with the following rite. All may make the sign of the cross on their foreheads using water as the pastor says this line from the baptismal liturgy:

Children of God, remember that you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Amen.

BAPTISMAL HYMN “O BLESSED SPRING” RED BOOK # 447

Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in your people the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

OPENING PRAYER O God of steadfast love, you are near to those who call, to all who cry out to you for help. Hear our cries and save us, grant to us your grace and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

GATHERING SONG “We Are Marching in the Light” red book # 866

PRAYER OF THE DAYLet us pray. Almighty God, by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

WORDGod speaks to us in scripture reading, silence, reflection, and song.

FIRST LESSON: Jonah 3:1-5, 10A reading from Jonah.

1The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2“Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.  10When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 62:5-12 5For God alone I | wait in silence;  truly, my hope | is in God. 6God alone is my rock and | my salvation,  my stronghold, so that I shall nev- | er be shaken. 7In God is my deliverance | and my honor;  God is my strong rock | and my refuge. 8Put your trust in God al- | ways, O people,  pour out your hearts before the one who | is our refuge.  9Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath; those of low estate can- | not be trusted.  Placed on the scales together they weigh even less | than a breath. 10Put no trust in extortion; in robbery take no | empty pride;  though wealth increase, set not your | heart upon it. 11God has spoken once, twice | have I heard it,  that power be- | longs to God. 12Steadfast love belongs to | you, O Lord,  for you repay all according | to their deeds. 

SECOND LESSON: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31A reading from 1 Corinthians.

29Brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 30and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, 31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL: Mark 1:14-20The holy gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord.

14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”  16As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMONThe sermon is followed by a time of silence for reflection.

HYMN OF THE DAY “Blessed Assurance”  red book # 638

PRAYERThe Holy Spirit prays with and through us.

INVITATION TO PRAYER

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION…let us pray. Have mercy, O God.…with the love of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYERWe pray as Jesus taught us, using language that speaks to our hearts, which may be:

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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

MEALGod blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLESSINGGod the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you; and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace. Amen.

At this time, the livestream will end and worship will continue on Zoom. Holy Communion will be celebrated, as the Body of Christ gathered together despite our need to be distant from one another in this time of pandemic.

SENDINGGod blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

OFFERING / MEDITATION ON THE GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN US TO SHAREMerciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills were gathered together to become one bread, so let your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, for yours is the glory through Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.

PRAYER OF PREPARATIONMerciful God, we do not presume to come to your table trusting in our own righteousness, but in your abundant mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat and drink the body and blood of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, that we may live in him and he in us, now and forever. Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

It is indeed right …join their unending hymn:

In the night in which he was betrayed …Do this for the remembrance of me.

Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray.

COMMUNION

POST COMMUNION BLESSINGMay the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in eternal life.Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNIONLiving God, as the disciples ate and drank with their risen Lord, we have been nourished with the very presence of Christ. Through this meal may we be strengthened to keep your word and to proclaim the power of your love in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

SENDING SONG “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”  red book # 815

SENDINGGo in peace. Live into your baptism. Be the light of Christ.Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE