Order of Worship
February 2nd , 2025
(The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany with Communion)
10:00 AM
Prelude: “Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise” J. Bet Carlson, ‘He Comes to us as One Unknown” Robert Powell
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION STATEMENT: (Let us say our Mission Statement together)
“To welcome and inspire All through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christ’s example.”
Introit: “No, Not One!” Johnson Oatman, Jr/George Hugg
*Call to Worship (Responsive)
Leader: God has called us to share the good news of God’s love.
People: But who am I, that God should call me?
Leader: You are a beloved child of God.
People: But I am weak I’m not a great speaker or preacher.
Leader: God is with you; don’t be afraid.
People: Loving Creator of All, help us to trust in your presence with us. Help me to serve you in whatever way we can. AMEN
*GATHERING HYMN: “Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service” # 461
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Gracious God, we come to you this day, seeking your guidance, strength and wisdom. You have called us to ministries for which we feel inadequate. Help us to understand that it is your love that will support and sustain our efforts. Give us the courage to place our trust in your abiding presence. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Let us pray as Christ taught us to pray. 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
STATEMENT OF FAITH: We believe in God known to us in three persons: Creator of all, resurrected Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God’s love in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
We believe that we are called to welcome each person who is on a
spiritual journey, no matter who they are or where they are on that
journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic
relationship with God, one that engenders love, strengthens faith,
dissolves guilt, and gives life purpose and direction.
We believe we are a people of possibility.
We believe we have the breathing room to explore and to hear our call. We believe that God is still speaking…
*SERMON HYMN: “Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended” #210
WORD OF GOD: Jeremiah 1: 4-10 and Luke 4: 21-30
Jeremiah 1: 4-10
4 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” 9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Luke 4: 21-30
21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” 23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’ ” 24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months and there was a severe famine over all the land, 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many with a skin disease in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Sermon Title: “Called or Not” Rev. Norman Michaud
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE: (Please share by phone, text, or email at [email protected] or 603-812-1161 before the service if you like.)
CALL TO PRAYER:
Pastor: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer:
Choral Response: “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord” Psalm 143:1
COMMUNION HYMN: “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly” #419 (verse 3)
SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
One: Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. You who come to me shall not hunger; you who believe in me shall never thirst.”
All: In company with all who hunger for spiritual food, we come to this table to know the risen Christ in the sharing of this life-giving bread.
One: You need not be a member of this church or any church to partake of this spiritual food. All you need be is hungry.
Communion Prayer:
All: Eternal God, who created the heavens and the earth, giving breath to every living thing, we thank you for the gifts of creation, and for the gift of life itself. We thank You for making us in your own image, for forgiving us when we act as though you have no claim on us, and for keeping us in your steadfast care. Praise you for Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection, and for calling forth of your church for its mission in the world.
One: We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion, Jesus took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, saying “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, Jesus took the cup after supper, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
All: Bless this bread and this cup. Bless all of us in our eating and drinking at this table, that our eyes may be opened and we may recognize the risen Christ in our midst, in each other, and in all for whom Christ lived and died. Amen.
One: Through the broken bread we remember the body of Christ.”
Through the cup of blessing, we remember in the new life Christ gives.
The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready.
Sharing of the Elements: (One) Eat and drink in remembrance of Christ.
Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)
Holy one, you gave us this day our daily bread and nourished us with Christ’s presence. Through one loaf and cup, you have made us one, with you and each other. By your grace and love, feed the world with this bread. Let us remember the joy of your presence with the fruit of the vine. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
CALL TO GIVING: As a sign of our love for God, God’s church, and God’s creation, let us share our gifts and offerings.
Offertory Music for Inspiration: “Guide My Feet” African American Spiritual Arr. Lloyd Larson
Doxology: (Tune: Old Hundredth)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, Triune, whom we adore.
*Prayer of Dedication: (Unison): Bless these gifts, O God, with your love, your strength, and your presence. May the ministries this offering supports be a sign of your love, strength, and presence in the world. Amen.
*HYMN OF DEPARTURE: “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ” #422
Benediction: God did not say that it would be easy to bring the good news to all people, but God did say that God would be with you. So go now in peace, walking humbly with God. Bring the good news of hope to all the people. AMEN.
Postlude “Praise My Soul the King of Heaven” Robert Buckley