Order of Worship
January 26, 2025
(The Third Sunday after Epiphany, Year C)
10:00 AM
*Those who are able, please stand. Those who may not be able to stand, please remain seated.”
Prelude: “We All Are one in Mission” Mark Sedio “Soul Adorn thyself with Gladness” Anton Wilhelm Leupold
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: “As the Deer” Martin Nystrom
*Call to Worship (Responsive)
Leader: No matter how far we wander from you, O God, your steadfast love finds us.
People: No matter how unjust the world seems to us, O God, your steadfast righteousness sustains us.
Leader: No matter how vulnerable our lives seem to us, O God, your steadfast presence gives us hope.
People: No matter how unloved and uncared for we feel, O God, you hear our cries and answer our prayers.
All: Thanks be to God!
*GATHERING HYMN: “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” #5
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: God of Wisdom, we have come to learn to what Jesus teaches us. May we find hope in the good news he brings: Relief to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. Reveal the mystery of your teachings so that we might hear the music of the heavens, the whispers of the earth and roar of the seas. Speak to us through the fullness of creation, we pray. Amen.
Let us pray as Christ taught us to pray. Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
STATEMENT OF FAITH: (Unison) 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: “Lead On, O King Eternal” # 632
WORD OF GOD: Luke 4:14-21
14 Then Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding region. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Sermon: “Inaugurations: New Beginnings” 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.)
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
CALL TO GIVING: Loving Creator, we are grateful for your love and mercy. May the gifts we bring before you this day reflect the many ways you bless this church. May our offerings reflect our commitment to lead lives of love, as we continue Jesus’ mission to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Offertory Music: “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” 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: May we continue to be God’s hands and feet in our Millbury community and beyond. We are called to soothe suffering. We are called to live with compassion, to build up God’s loving peace. May our humble offerings continue to show the fulfillment of Christ’s promise that through giving, we remain stewards in Christ.
*HYMN OF DEPARTURE: “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun” #95
Benediction: Holy Spirit, make us one. In one faith, we have been nurtured through the teachings of your Beloved Child, Jesus Christ.
Christ, make us one. Through one great love, we have found salvation. God, make us one. Go with the blessing of God, that all might be one.
Postlude: “Vivace” Ferdinando Carulli