Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ
Fourth sunday after Epiphany
Chicago Folk Service
Jamuary 29, 2023, 10:30 am
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136
Introduction
Who are the blessed ones of God? For Micah, they are those who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. For Paul, they are the ones who find wisdom in the weakness of the cross. For Jesus, they are the poor, mourners, the meek, those who hunger for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers. In baptism we find our blessed identity and calling in this countercultural way of living and serving.
Upside-Down Blessing
How do you know that you are blessed? Our consumer-driven culture primes us to believe blessedness is based on our bank accounts. Or perhaps we learn that we are blessed if we are in good health, or if our work is meaningful, or if our social or family lives are fulfilling. Social media hashtags depict blessing as the result of good fortune. And health, work, family, and social connection can all be good things! But the beatitudes turn our assumptions about blessedness on their head.
Jesus reminds us that instead, blessedness is our beginning. “Blessed” is our primary identity in God. We are loved and favored by God before we do anything to earn it, before the circumstances of our lives begin to define us. Our level of blessedness has nothing to do with us and everything to do with God’s abundant love and grace. This is true especially when it feels like we are anything but blessed.
We are loved, held, and brought near to God, even in our pain and sorrow and everything that makes us feel like we are less worthy, less loved, less important. In fact, it is in those places that God draws nearest to us, reminding us that we are loved and whole and worthy of blessing. Then everything we do flows from that identity of blessedness. We are freed to bless others—with our words, our actions, our whole lives. We are invited to engage the world through the upside-down lens of the kingdom of God. We are given new eyes to see God’s presence in this world—not just among the important, the powerful, the popular, and the loud, but among those the world would rather ignore, disregard, or shame.
Whenever the world pronounces condemnation, God declares, “Blessed.” Whenever the world excludes, God welcomes. Whenever the world scorns, mocks, or causes harm, God promises new life in the kingdom of heaven that is ever drawing near.
PRELUDE
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
GREETING
The Lord be with you.
And with you too.
ACT OF RECONCILIATION
Dear members of God’s family, branded in baptism and united in Christ, let us come together honestly to tell God that we have not lived as we could and ask him to forgive us:
Our Father, we have not fulfilled the hope in which you created us. We repent and ask your mercy that our sin be forgiven and our guilt removed. Help us to learn from scripture and from one another your will for our lives, so that with your help we can claim the inheritance of unlimited freedom which you have willed to us through your Son. You came to our world in Jesus. Come now to us.
God our Father does care about us. He sent his son Jesus Christ to us, and for us Jesus gave his life. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creature. Old things have passed away and all things are new. And all things are of God who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and who has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation.
Let us pray.
(A silence is kept for individual prayer.)
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
O God,
we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the
sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
ENTRANCE SONG – “Lead Me, Guide Me”
Lead me, guide me along the way;
For if You lead me, I cannot stray;
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power
To help me over my weakest hour;
Let me through the darkness Thy face to see,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Lead me, guide me along the way;
For if You lead me, I cannot stray;
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Help me tread in the paths of righteousness;
Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress.
I am putting all my trust in Thee,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Lead me, guide me along the way;
For if You lead me, I cannot stray;
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
I am lost, if you take your hand from me;
I am blind, without Thy Light to see;
Lord, just always let me Thy servant be,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Lead me, guide me along the way;
For if You lead me, I cannot stray;
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
DEACON’S PRAYER
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the peace that is from above and for our resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the people of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For this holy place and for those who in faith, devotion, and fear of God offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
Help, save, strengthen and defend us, O God, by your grace.
Amen, amen.
SONG OF PRAISE
Glory be to God on high,
praise to you most Holy!
O Lord God, Heav’nly King
God the Father Almighty!
O Lord God, Lamb of God,
Only Son of the Father:
Christ who takes away our sin,
have mercy upon us.
For you only Lord, O Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
are most high in the glory
of God the Father.
Glory be to God on high! Amen.
FIRST READING FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Micah 6:1-8
With the mountains and the foundations of the earth as the jury, God brings a lawsuit against Israel. God has “wearied” Israel with a long history of saving acts. God does not want or expect lavish sacrifices to attempt to earn divine favor. Rather God empowers the people to do justice, to love loyalty to God, and to walk shrewdly in God’s service.
A reading from Micah.
Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.
“O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? An- swer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what hap- pened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the LORD.”
“With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
According to the world’s standards of power and might, the message of the cross seems stupid and offensive. Yet this word reveals the paradoxical way God has chosen to work power and salvation through weakness, rejection, and suffering. Hence the message of the cross becomes true wisdom and power for believers.
A reading from Corinthians.
The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
AL-LE-LU-LE, ALLELUIA
Sing praise to the Lord, all the earth!
Allelule, Aleluia!
Play music to praise his name!
Allelule, Alleluia!
- Our passover lamb is Christ, who banished the Angel of Death. (Congregation sing refrain.)
- Our God made the earth for good, and one day we all will rejoice. (Congregation sing refrain.)
- We sing to the glory of the Lord, who set us free from our sins. (Congregation sing refrain.)
- To Christ our heavenly king, give thanks for everything. (Congregation sing refrain.)
- He came to show us how to live in the here and now. (Congregation sing refrain.)
- He suffered and died for us, and one day he shall return. (Congregation sing refrain.)
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 5:1-12
Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount by naming those who are blessed in the reign of God.
The holy gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
YOUTH MESSAGE
SERMON
PRAYER FOR GRADUATES
CREED
We all believe in one true God,
Maker of earth and heaven,
the Father who to us in love,
hath the name of children given.
He in soul and body feeds us.
All we need his hand provides us,
through all snares and perils leads us,
sees no harm betides us.
He cares for us by day and night,
all things are governed by his might.
And we believe in Jesus Christ,
his Son our Lord and savior,
who with the Father equal might,
hath pow’r and glory forever.
Born of Mary, virgin MOther,
by the working of the Spirit,
he became our elder brother,
that heav’n we might inherit.
Was crucified by sinners all,
and raised by God to life again.
And we in the Holy Ghost believe,
who Grace and comfort giveth,
and with the Father and the Son
in eternal glory liveth.
Who all Christian people even
keeps in unity of Spirit,
Sins are truly forgiven through the
Blest Redeemer’s merit.
All flesh shall rise again and
we shall live with God eternally.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Called together to follow Jesus, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence is kept.
Each intercession concludes:
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
We bring to you our needs and hopes, O God, trusting your wisdom and power revealed in Christ crucified.
Amen.
CREATE IN ME
Creare in me a clean heart, O, God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with your spirit free.
Creare in me a clean heart, O, God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
OFFERING PRAYER
Liberating God, you break the bonds of injustice and let the oppressed go free. Receive these offerings in thanksgiving for all your works of merciful power, and shape us as people of your justice and freedom. You we magnify and adore, through Jesus our Savior.
Amen.
THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And with you too.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Give thanks to the Lord.
It is good and right to do.
It is truly right and proper at all times and places to give our thanks to you, Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Ever living God. Therefore, with angels and archangels and all the company of heav’n, we laud and magnify your glorious name evermore praising you and saying:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts.
Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Glory be to you, O Lord most high.
Blest is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
blest is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosannah in the highest!
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Father, you are holy indeed: all your actions show your mercy and love. You made us in your image and set us over your creation. Even when we had fallen under the spell of sin, you did not abandon us but offered a covenant of blessing for all people. You rescued your chosen people, Israel, as a sign of the great deliverance to come. You sent prophets to prepare the way.
And when the time had come, you sent your Son; born of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. In word and wonder he proclaimed your kingdom and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life. For us he was lifted up on the cross that we might know the power of his resurrection.
And that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him, he promised his Holy Spirit to those who believe to comfort and guide us and make us children of you, his Father.
Father, through him and in his name we ask you, fill us with his Holy Spirit so that, until he comes again, we may remember him as he commanded us:
At supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took some bread in his hands, and after giving thanks to you he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat. This is my body which is given for you.”
When the meal was ended, he took a cup of wine, and after giving thanks he gave it
to them and said, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it. This is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for all people so that sins might be forgiven. Do this to remember me, for I will not drink the fruit of the vine again until the day I drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God.”
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done,
Hallowed be thy Name.
On Earth as it is in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Hallowed be thy Name.
And forgive us our trespasses,
Hallowed be thy Name.
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Lead us not into temptation,
Hallowed be thy Name.
But deliver us from evil,
Hallowed be thy Name.
For thine is the kingdom and the power,
Hallowed be thy Name.
And the glory forever and ever,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Amen, amen, it shall be so,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Amen, amen, it shall be so,
Hallowed be thy Name.
When we eat this bread we share the body of Christ. (breaking the bread)
When we drink this cup we share the blood of Christ. (lifting the cup)
SHARING THE MEAL
LAMB OF GOD
Christ, O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, give us your peace.
COMMUNION HYMN – “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant?”
Will you let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey,
we are trav’lers on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the nighttime of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping;
when you laugh I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we’ve seen this journey through.
Will you let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant, too.
COMMUNION BLESSING
The Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep us in his Grace.
Amen.
SEND US FORTH IN PEACE
Lord, we have your peace.
Lord, we have your peace.
Lord, we have your peace.
Just as you said we have heard it,
Just as you lived we have felt it.
Lord we have your peace.
Sustain us in your peace, O Lord,
as go to our se’rate worlds.
Keep this peace with us as we try
to love in our troubled worlds.
Send us forth in peace.
Send us forth in peace to be a light
to show your beauty forever.
BLESSING
The Lord be with you.
And with you too.
Bless we the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine upon you,
And be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you.
And give you peace,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
DISMISSAL SONG – “All the People Said Amen”
You are not alone if you are lonely.
When you feel afraid, you’re not the only.
We are all the same – in need of mercy,
To be forgiven and be free.
It’s all you got to lean on,
But thank God it’s all you need.
And all the people said, “amen.” Whoa!
And all the people said, “amen.”
Give thanks to the Lord, for his love never ends;
And all the people said, “amen.”
If you’re rich or poor… well it don’t matter;
Weak or strong, you know love is what we’re after.
We’re all broken, but we’re all in this together.
God knows we stumble and fall,
And he so loved the world,
He sent his Son to save us all.
And all the people said, “amen.” Whoa!
And all the people said, “amen.”
Give thanks to the Lord, for his love never ends;
And all the people said, “amen.”
Blessed are the poor in spirit who are torn apart;
Blessed are the persecuted and the pure in heart;
Blessed are the people hungry for another start,
For theirs is the kingdom, the kingdom of God.
And all the people said, “amen.” Whoa!
And all the people said, “amen.”
Give thanks to the Lord, for his love never ends;
And all the people said, “amen.”
And all the people said, “amen.” Whoa!
And all the people said, “amen.”
Give thanks to the Lord, for his love never ends;
And all the people said, “amen.”
And all the people said, “amen.”
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Follow the way of Jesus.
Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ. Alleluia! Thanks be to God.
“W + 2” = Worship Plus Two
Make a commitment to not only worship each week but also try to find a way to serve in the congregation and seek out a way to serve our community.
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD
Upcoming Commemorations
Presentation of Our Lord
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Forty days after the birth of Jesus we mark the day Mary and Joseph presented him in the temple in ac- cordance with Jewish law. There they were greeted by Simeon, an aged priest who offered the song “Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace,” as well as by the prophet Anna, who spoke of the redemption of Israel.
Ansgar, Bishop of Hamburg, missionary to Denmark and Sweden, died 865
Friday, February 3, 2023
A monk who helped bring Christianity to Scandinavia, Ansgar returned to Germany where he was named bishop of Hamburg. He is remembered for his love for poor people.
Notes:
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22920.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 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.