Sunday, January 28, 2018

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

“In Deuteronomy God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses, who will speak for God; in Psalm 111 God shows the people the power of God’s works. For the church these are ways of pointing to the unique authority people sensed in Je-sus’ actions and words. We encounter that authority in God’s word, around which we gather, the word that trumps any lesser spirit that would claim power over us, freeing us to follow Jesus.”

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Peace be to you We are glad you’re with us this morning. As we gather for worship you may have some questions on your mind like “how should I be feeling?” or “where should I sit?” Have no fear because some of us have been here a long time and some are brand new. We gather this morning as we are. Maybe you had a sleepless night or a long week. No matter what please know that YOU are welcome here. You can be you but our Hope at New Hope is that you come away refreshed, uplifted and touched by God in some way. Thanks for being here.

As we gather…

We are part of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are Saint and Sinner, Christian, we are children of God, we are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, grandparents and so much more. The lens that we look through the scriptures with is called Lutheran. There’s much more to it that that but we trust, through the Holy Spirit, in the big word that starts with G, Grace! JESUS LOVES YOU!

We love to pray. In fact one of the ways we pray is through a prayer station that has

candles and a place to write your prayers if you choose. Its located on the right side wall next to the door that goes outside. Simply take a candle and light it from another candle that’s lit, if there are no candles lit there are matches available. Write down your prayer or person to pray for and that will be included during the prayers of intercession in worship.

Restrooms are located throughout the building. The first is the second door on your

right as you enter through the main doors, this is also the location of a baby chang-ing station and is unisex. The other two are located in the long hallway, just across from the main doors.

Questions about children: Children are always welcome in worship. However for

your convenience there is a cry room located in the long hallway, first door on your left. If your child needs to be taken out for a few moments please feel free, you won’t disturb worship. We simply ask you bring your child back into worship as soon as you feel is it appropriate. We want nothing more than for your child, and you, to have a positive and meaningful experience while at New Hope.

Kallistos Ware writes “It is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every ques-tion, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our

knowledge as the cause of our wonder.”

Gather-Word-Meal-Send: Join with us in the mystery…

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AS WE GATHER WELCOME

PRELUDE P. Let us prepare our hearts and minds for worship. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS (Please stand as you are able) All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

P. Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who stretches out the heavens, who sends light to the nations, who gives breath to us all.

C. Amen. P. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence for reflection and self-examination.

P. Loving God, C. we confess that we have turned from your way

to follow our own ways. Forgive us for the times we have spoken or acted too quickly; we have not spoken or acted at all; we have hurt those closest to us; we have hurt those we have yet to know; we have thought more about ourselves than others; we have thought less of ourselves than we ought. Turn us around, and give us a fresh start, so that we can live again as your children. Amen.

P. Even when we have done wrong, God makes us right. Even when we have messed up, God puts us together. God’s love never runs out. God never tires of calling us beloved children. Hear God say to you now: Your sins are forgiven,

for the sake of ☩ Jesus Christ our Savior. C. Amen.

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GATHERING HYMN

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GREETING

P. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C. And also with you.

KYRIE

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HYMN OF PRAISE

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PRAYER OF THE DAY P. The Lord be with you. C. And also with you. P. Let us pray, Compassionate God, you gather the whole universe into your radiant presence and continually reveal your Son as our Savior. Bring wholeness to all that is broken and speak truth to us in our confusion, that all creation will see and know your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C. Amen. (Please be seated)

WORD We Hear God’s Story

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 18:15–20 R. A reading from Deuteronomy, the 18th chapter. 15The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. 16This is what you requested of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: "If I hear the voice of the LORD my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die." 17Then the LORD replied to me: "They are right in what they have said. 18I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. 19Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. 20But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak — that prophet shall die." R. The word of the Lord. C. Thanks be to God.

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PSALM: Psalm 111 1Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with | my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the | congregation. 2Great are your | works, O LORD, pondered by all who de- | light in them. 3Majesty and splendor | mark your deeds, and your righteousness en- | dures forever. 4You cause your wonders to | be remembered; you are gracious and full | of compassion. 5You give food to | those who fear you, remembering forev- | er your covenant. 6You have shown your people the power | of your works in giving them the lands | of the nations. 7The works of your hands are faithful- | ness and justice; all of your pre- | cepts are sure. 8They stand fast forev- | er and ever, because they are done in | truth and equity. 9You sent redemption to your people and commanded your cove- | nant forever; holy and awesome | is your name. 10The fear of the LORD is the begin- | ning of wisdom; all who practice this have a good understanding. God's praise en- | dures forever.

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SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 R. A reading from 1 Corinthians the 8th chapter. Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; 3but anyone who loves God is known by him. 4Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." 5Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth — as in fact there are many gods and many lords — 6yet for us there is one God, the Fa-ther, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 7It is not everyone, how-ever, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols un-til now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8Food will not bring us close to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacri-ficed to idols? 11So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. 12But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall. R. The word of the Lord. C. Thanks be to God.

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GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Please stand, as you are able)

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE SERMON Pastor Brandon Cian

P. The Holy Gospel according to Mark, the 1st chapter. C. Glory to you, O Lord.

GOSPEL: Mark 1:21–28 21They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one hav-ing authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching — with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. P. The Gospel of our Lord. C. Praise to you, O Christ.

(Please be seated)

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HYMN OF THE DAY (Please stand as you are able)

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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, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell, On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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

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THE PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P. Confident that God our light and our salvation hears us when we pray, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need.

After each petition,

P. let us pray. C. Have mercy, O God. P. Merciful God, you hear our prayers even before we speak them. Receive

them for the sake of the one through whom you have revealed your goodness, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C. Amen. SHARING OF THE PEACE P. The peace of the Lord be with you always. C. And also with you. (Please be seated)

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OFFERING Offertory (Please stand, as you are able)

OFFERING PRAYER P. Let us pray. C. Merciful God,

receive the gifts we bring, our selves, our time, and our possessions. Through this meal unite us as your body, shining with the light of your justice and mercy; for the sake of him who gave himself for us,

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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P. It is indeed right, our duty and our joy…and join their unending hymn

MEAL God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ

The Great Thanksgiving

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER P. Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets' hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary's openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh. 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. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: C. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. P. With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming. C. Come, Lord Jesus.

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P. Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth. C. Come, Holy Spirit. P. All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever. C. Amen.

THE 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; 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.

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INVITATION TO THE TABLE P. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

(Please be seated)

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

We welcome all to God’s table. We believe the real presence of Christ is in this meal. All baptized persons are welcome to commune. All individuals are encour-aged to come forward for a blessing. If you have an allergy to wheat, we have glu-ten free bread and wine. Please simply tell the Pastor “gluten free” and he will share the appropriate elements. If you have a question about communion please share it with our pastor or a council member. Instructions: The sacrament of Holy Communion will be distributed by intinction. Upon receiving the bread, move to the chalice and dip the bread in the consecrated wine.

When giving the bread and cup, the communion ministers say The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person, may respond with hands facing up to receive, and may respond Amen.

The following hymns will be sung during communion:

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(sing verses 1-4 only)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Please stand as you are able)

P. May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. C. Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION P. Let us pray. C. O Morning Star, fair and bright, you have refreshed us again with heavenly food. You are our dearest treasure. Go with us now— today, tomorrow, every day— that we tell the story of your never-ending love and sing your praise both now and forever. Amen. (please be seated)

SEND We Are Sent to Tell God’s Story

BLESSING P. The God of glory dwell in you richly, name you beloved, and shine brightly on your path; and the blessing of almighty God,

the Father, the ☩ Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be upon you and remain with you always. C. Amen.

BLESSINGS

Those desiring an individual blessing please come forward. There need not be a special occasion for a blessing. However, those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or preparing to travel are encouraged to come forward. Those struggling with life issues, are encouraged to come forward. (After the Blessings Have Been Completed, Please Stand, as you are able)

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SENDING HYMN

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DISMISSAL P. Go in peace. Be the light of Christ. C. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE

“Worship has ended; let the service begin!”

We look forward to seeing you again.

Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:00 a.m.

Pastor Brandon Cian People of New Hope, Ministers

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Connect with us New Hope: www.newhopespringmills.org Allegheny Synod website: http://www.alleghenysynod.org/ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Americawww.elca.org Church Address: 119 Cobblestone Court P.O. Box 96 Spring Mills, PA 16875 Phone: 422-8417