WORSHIP Ebenezer Lutheran Church Fifth Sunday after Epiphany February 8, 2015 11:00 am Welcome to Ebenezer! We hope you find this time of worship spiritually uplifting and meaningful. We ask that members and guests complete the “Welcome” insert and place it in the offering plate as it is passed. Restrooms are located in the Education Building. Devices for the hearing impaired are located on designated pews. For assistance, please see an usher. A nursery for children three-years old and younger is available, beginning at 9:20 am, for Sunday school and worship. The nursery is located across from the library in the Education Building. Our attendants are trained and willing to help! Parents are welcome to use the nursery for part or all of the worship service. Large print worship bulletins are available from the ushers. Our mission, “Reaching out to draw others to Christ.” We place Jesus first in all that we do. We share Christ wherever we are. We welcome a diversity of believers and skeptics to experience Christ with us. We seek to deepen our faith and discipleship. We embrace the gifts of each and all. Strategic Directions We will offer worship opportunities with Biblically based, doctrinally sound preaching and inspiring music, energizing ourselves to do God’s work. We will welcome our neighbors and invite them to participate in all church programs. We will respond to the needs of all God’s people, seeking justice and peace, locally and globally. We will commit our time and resources to support God’s work through the South Carolina Synod and the ecumenical community. We will provide dynamic Christian education, immersing ourselves in God’s word. We will foster a sense of congregational community and genuine concern for the well-being of our members. Serving Today The Rev. David R. Bauser ........ Presiding The Rev. Dr. David H. Brooks ........ Preaching Marcia Lucius ........ Assisting Todd Cook ........ Lector Wendy and Todd Cook ........ Communion Assistants John Cook, Allison Lichty ........ Element Bearers Jim Johnson ........ Altar Guild Ross Cook ........ Acolyte Bennett Ballentine ........ Crucifer Ebenezer Lutheran Church 1301 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Office hours 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday-Friday Phone 803.765.9430 Internet address: www.ebenezerlutheran.org The Rev. Dr. David H. Brooks, Senior Pastor The Rev. David R. Bauser, Associate Pastor for Discipleship Ministries Thomas J. White, Cantor Diane M. Oliver, Administrative Associate Wendy Isgett, Accountant Todd Cook, Seminarian Fifth Sunday after Epiphany In Isaiah it is the one God who sits above the earth and numbers the stars—it is that God who strengthens the powerless. So in Jesus' healing work we see the hand of the creator God, lifting up the sick woman to health and service (diakonia). Like Simon's mother-inlaw, we are lifted up to health and diakonia. Following Jesus, we strengthen the powerless; like Jesus, we seek to renew our own strength in quiet times of prayer. + GATHERING + We believe no one is here today by accident. God has called us here and gathered us together. Please consider those around you who use this time as preparation for entering into worship by prayer and contemplation. Music at the Gathering Locus iste Anton Bruckner Mission Moment Confession and Forgiveness We stand as able. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us come before God, confessing our sin. We kneel as able or remain standing. Silence is kept for reflection. Holy and merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against our sisters and brothers and against you. We cherish the values of this world. We cause others to stumble. The earth is wounded by our excess. Have mercy, O God. Forgive us, renew us, and raise us up on eagles' wings, that we may do your will with courage and delight. Amen. The presiding minister announces God’s forgiveness. We respond: Amen. All stand. Gathering Hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness Hymn 733 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. Canticle of Praise Glory Be to God in Heaven Page 204 Prayer of the Day Let us pray...Amen. We sit. EPIPHANY 5, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 | 3 God speaks to us in Bible readings, preaching and songs. + WORD + Children’s Time First Reading The creator of all cares for the powerless Isaiah 40:21–31 After the readings: The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 147 Refrain sung first by leader, then repeated by all. 1 Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! How pleasant it is to honor God with praise! The LORD re- builds Jerusalem, and gathers the ex- iles of Israel. The LORD heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. The LORD counts the number of the stars and calls them all by their names. R | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 | | 5 Great is our LORD and might- y in power; there is no limit to God's wisdom. The LORD lifts up the lowly, but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music upon the harp to our God, who covers the heav- ens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth, making grass to grow up- on the mountains. R | | 6 | | 7 | | 8 | | 9 God provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they cry. God is not impressed by the might of a horse, and has no pleasure in the speed of a runner, but finds pleasure in those who fear the LORD, in those who await God's steadfast love. Hallelujah! R | | 10 | | 11 | 20c | Second Reading 4 | EPIPHANY 5, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 A servant for the sake of the gospel 1 Corinthians 9:16–23 We stand to welcome the gospel. Gospel Acclamation Gospel The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law Mark 1:29–39 The holy gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. After the reading: The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. We sit. Sermon Silence for reflection. Pastor Brooks We stand. Hymn of the DayPraise the One Who Breaks the Darkness Hymn 843 Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. EPIPHANY 5, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 | 5 Prayers of Intercession Called to know, love, and follow you, O God, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need. We remain standing or kneel for the petitions. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. The presiding minister concludes the prayers. We respond: Amen. All stand. Peace We greet each other in the name of the risen Christ. We sit. Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” + MEAL + Reception of the Offering An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. The choir makes its offering: We stand. Offertory Song Eternal Light, Shine in My Heart Eugene Englert Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Offering Prayer Let us pray… Amen. Great Thanksgiving The presiding minister greets the assembly and invites all present to give thanks. 6 | EPIPHANY 5, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 What is Holy Communion? Holy Communion is our participation in the meal that Jesus celebrated with his disciples on the Thursday night before he was crucified. We are also his disciples, and this meal is a participation in our Lord’s life: he feeds us, forgives us, and unites us. The thanksgiving continues with the preface for the day or season; we respond: How do we take Communion here at Ebenezer? Welcome to the table of the Risen Christ! All baptized worshipers are invited to partake of the Eucharist, regardless of denominational affiliation. Come down the center aisle and either kneel or stand at the rail in front of the altar. Take the bread and dip it into the cup of wine. If you require gluten-free bread or grape juice, just mention that to your servers. Return to your seat by way of the side aisles. If you or your child do not wish to receive Holy Communion, fold your arms across your chest while waiting for a blessing. Eucharistic Prayer Blessed are you, O holy God: you are the Life and Light of all... (the presider continues) Remembering, therefore, his preaching and healing, his dying and rising, and his promise to come again, we await that day when all the universe will rejoice in your holy and life-giving light. Come, Lord Jesus. By your Spirit bless us and this meal, that, refreshed with this heavenly food, we may be light for the world, revealing the brilliance of your Son. Come, Holy Spirit. EPIPHANY 5, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 | 7 Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Come to the table of mercy, where the feast of life is spread. Thanks be to God! We sit. Communion Distribution Music O Lamb of God... Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love There Is a Balm in Gilead Page 208 Hymn 708 Hymn 614 When all have returned to their places, we stand or kneel. Communion Blessing All stand. Song after Communion O Lord, Now Let Your Servant Hymn 313 (We sing stanza one only) Prayer after Communion Let us pray… Amen. We are blessed to go and serve God in our world. Blessing Song + SENDING+ O God, Our Help in Ages Past Hymn 632 We turn and face the processional cross. Dismissal Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION From SundaysandSeasons.com. © 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #24064. New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.