Third Sunday after the Epiphany
GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE
MUSIC FOR GATHERING & CENTERING
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Herr Jesu Christ, Dich zu uns Wend”
~ J.S. Bach, Johann Gottfried Walther
CHORAL INTROIT
David Herberg, Director
Chancel Choir
Joyce Rhodes, piano
“Rejoice and Sing”
PRAYER
Pastor Daniel F. Diss
*HYMN
Please use this inclusive alternative text for the first verse:
Dear God, Creator Good and Kind, forgive our foolish ways; reclothe us in our rightful mind, in purer lives thy service find, in deeper reverence, praise.
“Dear God, Creator Good and Kind” ~ UMH #358
GREETINGS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Daniel
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel at the front for a time of learning together. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to pick-up their children following the service. Please sign your children in and out. Thank you.
LISTENING FOR THE WORD OF GOD
SCRIPTURE READING
Ed Burling
Jonah 3:1-5 (CEB)
The Lord’s word came to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to Nineveh, that great city, and declare against it the proclamation that I am commanding you.” And Jonah got up and went to Nineveh, according to the Lord’s word. (Now Nineveh was indeed an enormous city, a three days’ walk across.)
Jonah started into the city, walking one day, and he cried out, “Just forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and put on mourning clothes, from the greatest of them to the least significant.
God saw what they were doing—that they had ceased their evil behavior. So God stopped planning to destroy them, and he didn’t do it.
Reader: The Word of God for you, the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
Joyce Rhodes, piano
“Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
~ arr. Ed Lojeski
SCRIPTURE READING
Ed Burling
Mark 1:14-20 (CEB)
After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”
As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him. After going a little farther, he saw James and John, Zebedee’s sons, in their boat repairing the fishing nets. At that very moment he called them. They followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers.
Reader: The Word of God for you, the people of God.
ALL: Thank be to God.
SERMON
Pastor Daniel
Answering Call
*HYMN
“Hope of the World” ~ UMH #178
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Invitation to Give
Leader: Scripture reminds us in Paul’s first letter to Timothy that “there is great gain in godliness with contentment: for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” Let us consider again how richly God has blessed us.
If you have not yet completed your “Connections” card, please do so now.
OFFERTORY MUSIC
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Lift up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
~ arr. Richard Hudson
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH #95
*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each other’s comfort levels with physical contact and closeness as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The ushers will collect the “Connections” cards and get them to the pastor. The pastor will offer the joy or concern on the cards as well as those shared with him during the past week. He will only share the name of the person(s) sharing a joy or concern when he has permission to do so. After each petition — each joy or concern, the pastor will conclude with, “Lord, in your mercy.” The congregation is invited to respond, “Hear our prayer.” The entire time will conclude with a short pastoral prayer and the Lord’s Prayer. The text of the Lord’s Prayer can be found at 895 in “The United Methodist Hymnal.”
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor: As we pray together the prayer Jesus taught us saying:
The Lord’s Prayer ~ UMH #895
*HYMN
“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” ~ UMH #557
SENDING FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
Pastor Daniel
We United Methodists are guided by three simple principles:
Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.
CHORAL BENEDICTION Chancel Choir
Joyce Rhodes, piano
“Shine, Jesus, Shine”
MUSIC TO INSPIRE THE JOURNEY
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Epilogue”
~ Steven Scott
* Please stand as you are able.