St. John Lutheran Church ELCA, 605 Main St. Mineola, Iowa … · Web view2021. 1. 10. · 1In the...

St. John Lutheran Church (ELCA)Mineola, IA

Pastor Luke Kuenzli

Order of Service and Worship TextsFor Virtual Worship

Adapted from Evangelical Lutheran WorshipHoly Communion Setting 2

January 2021 during COVID-19 pandemic

THIS SUNDAY: January 10, 2021 – Baptism of Our Lord10:30 – Virtual-only Worship and Communion with YouTube Live stream

TUES – Quilting. All are welcome!M/W/F – Preschool 9:00-11:30

Preschool is collecting mittens and hats for Mills County Public Health’s NEST Program. Look for the tree outside of the sanctuary. Thank you!

NEXT SUNDAY: January 17, 2021 10:30 – Worship with YouTube Live stream

(check church website, facebook page, prayer chain, and word-of-mouth network for information on whether we will be in-person or virtual-only, after Tuesday’s Council Meeting)

11:30 – Annual Meeting if worship is in-person.

ACCOMPANIST: Barb Mass

Upcoming: January 12th – 6:30pm Council Meeting, including decision on in-person/virtual worship.January 17th – Annual Congregational Meeting after Sunday Worship. If we are worshipping in-person with livestream, we will meet in the same way, both in-person and online with the following link: meet.google.com/pwo-bcny-rip If we are online-only for worship, we will postpone the meeting until we can meet in-person with a virtual option..

Virtual Communion:During Sunday worship when we worship virtually-only (through January 10th or longer)OR by other arrangement with Pastor Luke.

Pick up a prepackaged communion cup/wafer at church at any of the following times (or use your own bread and wine/grape juice from home):

Communion Pick-Up Times: Monday/Wednesday/Thursday – 9:30am-Noon, or 1:30pm-5:00pm, or evening as arranged. Tuesday – 2:00-5:00pm, or evening as arranged. Friday/Saturday – by arrangement only.

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St. John Lutheran ChurchMineola, Iowa Phone (712) 526-2268Website: stjohnluthchurchmineola.orgPastor Luke Kuenzli

January 10, 2021 10:30amBaptism of Our Lord

We are called to glorify God, grow in faith,

and build community.Mission Statement

SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION – COVID-19 Virtual-ONLY

Covid-19 Precautions for in-person worship We will require masks be worn while you are in the building (Ages 2 and

up). Refusal to wear a mask will result in your being asked to leave. We will be practicing social distancing of 6 feet. Closed pews are cordoned

off and labelled. Please don’t gather in the hallway or enter any closed spaces. Restrooms will

be limited to single-person/family use at any given time. Those who do not comply with social distancing policies will be asked to leave.

There will not be singing, prolonged unison speaking, communion, or fellowship time. Virtual communion begins December 6.

We continue to advise (not require) that persons in the vulnerable population groups of 65+ years of age and anyone with underlying medical conditions remain home.

We ask that anyone with any respiratory symptoms (cough, sniffles, sneezing, sore throat) or fever please remain home. You will be asked to leave if you are displaying such symptoms.

We ask that if you are traveling to areas of high virus activity, you remain home for the Sunday following your travels.

Hand sanitizers are located throughout the open areas. Feel free to use them!

Food DriveThe Women of St. John are having a food drive and collecting

for Mills County Store House all through the month of January.

Kid-friendly cereals, canned tuna, chicken, pears, peaches and mixed fruits, dry pastas, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products ALWAYS welcome and needed.

Items will be collected in the shopping cart. Only food items

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Evangelical Lutheran Worship (Setting 2) (*Stand)

Prelude Welcome/Announcements

GATHERING

*Confession and Forgiveness (from sundaysandseasons.com)Blessed 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.

Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God. Silence is kept for reflection.

Holy God, you search us and know us.You are acquainted with all our ways.We confess that our hearts are burdened by sin—our own sins and the broken systems that bind us.We turn inward, failing to follow your outward way of love.We distrust those who are not like us.We exploit the earth and its resources and fail to consider generations to come.Forgive us, gracious God, for all we have done and left undone.Even before the words are on our tongues, you know them;receive them in your divine mercy. Amen.

How vast is God’s grace!Through the power and promise of ☩ Christ Jesus, our sins are washed awayand we are claimed as God’s own beloved. Indeed, we are forgiven.

In the wake of God’s forgiveness, we are called to be the beloved communityliving out Christ’s justice and the Spirit’s reconciling peace. Amen.

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Gathering Hymn “Baptized in Water” #456

Text © 1982 by Jubilate Hymns (admin. Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188). All rights reserved. Used by permission. Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress.

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.

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Kyrie p. 120

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*This is the Feast p.122

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Salutation The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Prayer of the DayHoly God, creator of light and giver of goodness, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, and transform us by your Spirit, that we may follow after your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORDFirst Reading: A reading from Genesis 1:1-5.

1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

...Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

Psalm 29 Two lectors read responsively by whole verse.1Ascribe to the LORD, you gods, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.2Ascribe to the LORD the glory due God’s name;

worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders;

the LORD is upon the mighty waters.4The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice;

the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor. 5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees;

the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon;6the LORD makes Lebanon skip like a calf,

and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.7The voice of the LORD bursts forth in lightning flashes.8The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;

the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.9The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare.

And in the temple of the LORD all are crying, “Glory!”10The LORD sits enthroned above the flood;

the LORD sits enthroned as king forevermore.11O LORD, give strength to your people;

give them, O LORD, the blessings of peace.

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Second Reading: A reading from Acts 19:1-71While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and

came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” 4Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied—7altogether there were about twelve of them. …Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

*Gospel Acclamation

A voice from heavensaid, “This is my Son, the Be-loved, | with whom I am well pleased.

*Announcement of the Gospel The holy gospel according to Mark 1:4-11. Glory to you, O Lord.

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*The Gospel is proclaimed 4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of

repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

…the gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ!

Sermon Pastor Luke Kuenzli

Repentance. Forgiveness. These are words – concepts – lifestyles – which all

Christians are called to consider with frequency and familiarity. If we do not

intimately understand the nature of repentance, then we do not yet understand what

it means to follow Jesus to the foot of the cross and to look upon his sacrifice for

our sake. If we do not thoroughly comprehend what it means to be forgiven, then

we do not yet comprehend what it means to live as the bearers of Christ’s Light,

Christ’s body, Christ’s Word in the world.

Repentance. Forgiveness. These are the words – concepts – lifestyles – that

describe the Christian journey of baptismal vocation. So, what do these words

mean? Repentance and Forgiveness? Both words need, first and foremost, to be

defined in terms of yet another word: Sin.

“Sin” is the state of being in broken relationship with God, Self, Others, and

World, and is opposed to “righteousness” or being in “right relationship” with the

same. The broken state of being, Sin, leads humans to commit acts and to think

thoughts that, whether by intention or by neglect or by accident, cause damage to

the bodies, emotions, spirits, and minds of others, self, or created world.

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“In the beginning,” Genesis tells us, the world was without sin – it was

without form, it was void. There was only the endless sea of possibility. But God

spoke into that void, and the darkness of infinite potential was illuminated by the

words “Let there be light.” And there was light, and God separated the light from

the darkness.

God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening

and there was morning, the first day.

If we follow the course of the Genesis stories of Creation, (whether that be

the Genesis 1 story of 6 days of work and a 7 th day of rest, or the Genesis 2-3 story

of God’s creation of the first human made “from the ground,” the animals, and

finally a perfect companion made “bone of bone and flesh of flesh”)… If we read

these stories, then we are told that in the beginning, the world was without sin. It

was good. It was perfect. It was right. Creatures dwelled with human and with one

another in peace, and the green plants bearing fruits were eaten as food. There was

no death, no predator and prey, no pain… only joy in the Creator’s presence and in

the presence of the Creation.

That reality, that righteous and perfect world, is no longer ours to live in.

Without getting into the story, which many know well, Sin entered the world

through a single possibility, a single potential, a single choice. Obey or defy. Trust

or disbelieve. Humankind chose defiance of God’s will, and in a singular act of

disobedience, they sought to become like God, failing to see that they were already

perfectly made in the image of God.

Sin is the clearly visible reality in which all creation now exists. It is the un-

righteous way in which we think and feel and are, a wrongness illuminated by our

words and our actions. We do not – perhaps we cannot – perfectly express God’s

love for others, for ourselves, for the world, for Godself because “all have sinned

and fallen short of the glory of God;” all are broken.

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Now that we have an understanding of Sin, we can move on to those words –

concepts – lifestyles with which we ought to be intimately familiar: repentance and

forgiveness. I’ll start by saying that these two words are connected not only by

their relationship to sin, but by their result when practiced. Both are life-changing.

We often take forgiveness to mean “putting something behind you” by

which we mean relegating it to the past, letting bygones be bygones, forgetting

about the pain caused, and moving forward in the same direction. I think that

instead, forgiveness is “putting something behind you” by which I mean turning

your back on the pain that it has caused so that you can move forward in a new

direction, one that will not continue to cause the same hurt again and again and

again.

Forgiveness is something that, as the word itself indicates, can only be

given. You can forgive someone, or they can forgive you… but I’m not so sure we

are actually able to forgive ourselves, despite the regular admonitions in our

culture to do just that. I don’t think that we have the power or authority or

capability of making ourselves right again; that’s like using the same old broken

bricks to repair the broken wall they fell out of. It’ll only hold up for so long before

it falls apart again.

When it comes to addressing our own sins, that’s where repentance comes

into play. Repentance means, very literally in the Greek the “changing of [one’s]

mind,” but in practice, means more than just thinking differently – it means acting

and living differently, too. Repentance is “turning your back” on our own sinful

ways of which we have become aware because of the hurt and pain we see in

ourselves, in others, and in creation.

Both forgiveness and repentance constitute a changing of ways, of life, of

heart and mind and soul – but they differ in how and to whom they can be directed.

We can forgive others for their sins against us. We can repent of our own sins

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against others, the world, and God. The Baptism that John proclaimed in the

wilderness and on the banks of the Jordan was a “baptism of repentance for the

forgiveness of sins.”

I think that it is vital for us, for Christians, to understand that these two

words – concepts – lifestyles – are intricately connected to one another.

Repentance, by itself, is nothing more than trying a new thing, changing course.

Unless we are forgiven by those we have hurt, we remain in a broken relationship,

not in right relationship. In a similar vein, forgiveness of someone who is

unrepentant and unwilling to try changing their ways maintains the relationship in

its brokenness. It is an empty gesture at best, and enabling behavior at worst. For

sin to be truly addressed, both repentance and forgiveness are essential. Both (or

all) parties have to be willing to turn their backs on the pain of sins past and walk

together in a new direction, a new way, with new and right hearts and minds and

spirits.

Now, you might wonder – if we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory

of God, then how can our repenting of our sins and our forgiving of others’ sins

repair what is wrong in our world? Isn’t that still using broken bricks to repair the

broken wall – just shifting the bricks around a bit? If you are wondering this, you

are right to do so.

The truth of the matter is that human repentance and human forgiveness are

imperfect. No matter how frequently we repent, we will find new ways to hurt

others. Now matter how often we forgive, those around us will still cause us pain.

This is especially true when forgiveness and repentance are intended to “turn back”

the clock, to go back to where we were before the pain, the hurt, the sin – in

essence, to forget what happened and try again. That’s the wrong kind of turning

back, I’m convinced. Going back to what was in the before time isn’t possible. We

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are made for the future, not the past. Revelation tells us that God is preparing a

new heaven and a new earth, that the old heaven and earth will pass away.

No, our repentance, our forgiveness… these words – concepts – lifestyles

cannot fix our broken world, our broken hearts, our broken spirits. The baptism of

repentance, John’s baptism, was not enough, according to Paul. What our world

needs is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the baptism we receive through Jesus

Christ’s own baptism into suffering and death for our sake and the sake of the

world - a baptism in which the heavens are torn open for the sake of love!

It is God’s Spirit dwelling in us that makes it possible for us to truly repent,

to turn back from our sin and turn back to God. It is God’s Spirit within us that

allows us to turn our backs on the pain others have caused us, to forgive them and

to seek a new way forward. It is God’s Spirit which is the new and right spirit that

transforms our hearts, minds, and lives, re-arranging and re-aligning and re-

deeming these broken bricks to create something new – not a wall to divide, but a

path on which to walk, together, toward God’s will for us and for this world.

A path on which we journey as Christians called by God’s love in Jesus. A

path on which we find our ways turned around and changed and made right. A path

on which we find ourselves called Beloved by the voice of God speaking over the

sea of endless possibility that is our life together.

In the wake of this week’s chaos in Washington, D.C., we need to wrestle

with meaning of repentance, with the possibility of forgiveness, with the reality of

sin. And we need to hear the proclamation of love that calls us to be made new.

This is an unprecedented time, and it calls for God’s unprecedented grace, shown

to us in Jesus.

As we prayed earlier, we pray now: Holy God, creator of light and giver of

goodness, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, and

transform us by your Spirit, that we may follow after your Son, Jesus Christ, our

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Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now

and forever. Amen.

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Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,true God from true God, begotten, not made,of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Maryand became truly human.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;he suffered death and was buried.On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures;he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,who proceeds from the Father and the Son,*who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,who has spoken through the prophets.We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the

church, the world, and all people in need. A brief silence.

For the church throughout the world and its leaders, that guided by the Holy Spirit they proclaim the forgiveness of sins, let us pray. For Elfsborg and St. John Lutheran Churches in Pomeroy and for St. Paul Lutheran in Palmer, and Pastor Tom Palmquist; for churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques in Washington, D.C. and across this nation their leaders seek to provide spiritual care in the aftermath of this week’s chaos; for all people of faith to come together in unity to stand against hatred and division. Have mercy, O God.

For wilderness and water, wind and wild beasts, and all living things on earth, that God’s goodness is revealed through creation and faithful stewards care for all God has made, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

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For the nations of the world and their leaders, for laborers busy both day and night, and for peacemakers amid strife, that God inspire all people to use their strength wisely. For President Donald Trump and President-Elect Joe Biden, Vice President Mike Pence and VP-Elect Kamala Harris, for all our Congresswomen and Congressmen, giving thanks for their safety, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For the sick and those who provide medical care, for the imprisoned and those who show them mercy, for the lonely and those who provide companionship, for all who suffer especially Mike, Tim, Linda, Val, Jillian and baby Dean Kahl, Chris Dierking, Raymond Rodgers, Harper Griffen, . that God shower compassion, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For the congregation gathered here, for students returning to school, for those seeking renewal in their daily work, that all the beloved of God experience grace and peace, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

In thanksgiving for the faithful departed who now rest from their labors, that their witness inspire us in our baptismal vocations, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Farewell and Godspeed

Farewell and Godspeed is an affirmation of the corporate nature of the baptismal faith, for use when people leave a community of faith.

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

As Debra and Mark Swirmicky leave our community of faith, and move to Minnesota later this month, we wish to bid them farewell.

One of the following or another appropriate scripture passage may be read.

A reading from John: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

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The leader or others may make brief comments about those who are leaving, recalling the important events that have been shared.

The leader continues with these words, or with similar words appropriate to the person/s and the circumstances.

In holy baptism our Lord Jesus Christ received you and made you members of his church. When you came to St. John, we rejoiced to welcome you into the mission we share as the people of God. In this community you have come to know and to share in God’s loving purpose for you and for all creation. God has blessed you in this community, and God has blessed us through you.

One of the following or another appropriate prayer is said.

Gracious God, we thank you for the work and witness of your servants Mark and Deb, who have enriched this community and shared their gifts with us. Now bless and preserve them at this time of transition. Day by day, guide them and give them what is needed, friends to cheer their way, and a clear vision of that to which you are now calling them. By your Holy Spirit be present in their pilgrimage, that they may travel with the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God bless us, and direct our days and our deeds in peace. Amen.

The greeting of peace may be shared by all.

Peace The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.Share a word or a sign of peace with those around you, or send a virtual greeting of peace to someone you’re thinking of.

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MEALGREAT THANKSGIVING

The presiding minister continues:

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Eucharistic Prayer and Words of InstitutionBlessed are you, O holy God: you are the Life and Light of all. By your powerful word you created all things. Through the prophets you called your people to be a light to the nations. Blessed are you for Jesus, your Son. He is your Light, shining in our darkness and revealing to us your mercy and might.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

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.

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.

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen

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Gathered together by the Holy Spirit, we pray as Jesus taught us: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.

Invitation to Communion: Beloved: here is bread; here is wine. Here is Jesus. Come and be fed.

At this time, peel back your pre-packaged communion cup’s top (clear) layer to remove the wafer, then the next (foil) layer to open the juice cup.

OR, prepare your bread and wine or grape juice from home for your communion.If you are by yourself, eat the wafer or bread as the Pastor speaks these words: The body of Christ, broken for you. You may reply: Amen.

And drink the wine or grape juice as the Pastor speaks these words: The blood of Christ, shed for you. You may reply: Amen.

If you are with family members or others, you may choose to serve the meal to one another using the words above.

May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen us and keep us in his grace, now and forever. Amen.

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After communion, we sing:

Prayer after CommunionChrist Jesus, at this table we have feasted on your very life and are strengthened for our journey. Send us forth from this banquet nourished in body and in spirit to proclaim your good news and serve others in your name. Amen.

SendingBLESSING

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

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Sending Song “Go, My Children, With My Blessing” #543

Text © 1983 Concordia Publishing House Outside USA.Arr. from The English Hymnal, © Oxford University Press 1906.

Dismissal Go in peace. Be the light of Christ! Thanks be to God!

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Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Service adapted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006. All rights reserved.And/or from Sundays and Seasons.com. © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #46263.

“Baptized in Water” Text © 1982 by Jubilate Hymns, admin. Hope Publishing Company.All rights reserved. Used by permission. Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress.

Permission from ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A.

“Go, My Children, With My Blessing” Text © 1983 Concordia Publishing HouseArr. from The English Hymnal, © Oxford University Press 1906.

Permission from ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A.

Permission to stream music in this service obtainedfrom ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A. All rights reserved.

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