Welcome
Below you will find prayers, songs, readings, and a message to help you experience worship. You can light a candle to remind yourself of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we find creative ways to worship together, even though we are not in the same building. One good thing about virtual worship is that if you really like a song, you can listen to it again! Do what you need to do to worship God wherever you are.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
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Read these words to yourself our out loud. Mark the sign of the cross on your hand or forehead or in the air space in front of you. If you are with other people, you can mark the sign of the cross for each other.
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.
Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By water and your Word you claim us as your children, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.
We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.
To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Opening Song
I Believe in Jesus
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I believe in Jesus, I believe He is the Son of God. I believe He died and rose again, I believe He paid for us all. And I believe that He’s here now, Standing in our midst. Here with the power to heal now, And the grace to forgive.
And I believe in You Lord. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died and rose again, I believe You paid for us all. And I believe that You’re here now, Standing in our midst. Here with the power to heal now, And the grace to forgive.
Prayer of the Day
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. Amen.
Reading
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
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[Moses said:] 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.”
Children’s Moment
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Gospel and Message
Mark 1:21-28
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21[Jesus and his disciples] 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 having 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.
Hymn of the Day
Grace Alone
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Every promise we can make, every prayer and step of faith, every difference we will make is only by His grace. Every mountain we will climb, every ray of hope we shine, every blessing left behind is only by His grace.
Grace alone which God supplies, strength unknown He will provide. Christ in us, our cornerstone, we will go forth in grace alone.
Every soul we long to reach, every heart we hope to teach, everywhere we share His peace is only by His grace. Every loving word we say, every tear we wipe away, every sorrow turned to praise is only by His grace.
Grace alone which God supplies, strength unknown He will provide. Christ in us, our cornerstone, we will go forth in grace alone.
Grace alone which God supplies, strength unknown He will provide. Christ in us, our cornerstone, we will go forth in grace alone. We will go forth in grace alone.
Apostles’ Creed
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With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
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 to the dead. 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.
Prayers
Held together in one body by the Spirit of Christ, let us pray for the church and the world, and all who are in need.
Faithful God, we praise you for sustaining the church during this difficult time. Lead to yourself all those who have become captive to false prophets and empty promises; free them and embrace them in your mercy. Lord, hear our prayer.
Bountiful God, we praise you for continuously creating the earth and nourishing its creatures. We pray that you restore lands and waters that have been harmed by human misuse. Raise up advocates for an ecological way of life. Lord, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, we pray that you to give wisdom to our elected and appointed officials, to political parties, and to grassroots organizers, that in all things they endeavor to serve the common good. Guide our nation out of the ways of prejudice and into equality and justice for all. Lord, hear our prayer.
Compassionate God, we praise you for each day of health and well-being, and we pray for all who are sick or suffering. Comfort those with mental illness or emotional distress, those who don’t have homes, and those who are hungry. Be with all who have contracted the coronavirus and all who are experiencing the long-term effects of COVID-19. Strengthen medical workers and home health aides. Receive our prayers for those we name before you . . . Lord, hear our prayer.
Reconciling God, we praise you for your Spirit of wisdom. We pray for all who make ethical decisions. Instruct us when to preserve the past and when to institute change, when to maintain our own preferences and when to yield to others. Lord, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, we give you praise for your continuous untold blessings, and we offer you now the petitions of our own hearts… Lord, hear our prayer.
Eternal God, we praise you for your servants whose words and actions have inspired our lives. Unite us with all the saints through our memories and at the end of time in your presence. Lord, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your loving care, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Franciscan Sending
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Read this out loud. If you are with other people, take turns reading the parts out loud.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems, and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forevermore. Amen.
Sending Song
Shout to the North
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Men of faith rise up and sing of the great and glorious King. You are strong when you feel weak, in your brokenness complete. Shout to the north and the south; sing to the east and the west Jesus is saviour to all, Lord of heaven and earth.
Rise up women of the truth, stand and sing to broken hearts who can know the healing power, in our glorious King of love. Shout to the north and the south; sing to the east and the west Jesus is saviour to all, Lord of heaven and earth.
We’ve been through fire, we’ve been through rain; we’ve been refined by the power of His name. We’ve fallen deeper in love with You. You’ve burned the truth on our lips.
Rise up church with broken wings, fill this place with songs again of our God who reigns on high. By His grace again we’ll fly. Shout to the north and the south; sing to the east and the west Jesus is saviour to all, Lord of heaven and earth. Lord of heaven and earth, Lord of heaven and earth, Lord of heaven and earth.
Blessing
God the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you; and the Holy Spirit the comforter keep you in peace. Amen.
Dismissal
Go in peace. Be the light of Christ. Thanks be to God.
Worship Assistants
Music: Lori
Message: Pastor Kristin
Readers: Dan, Leslie, Nancy
Children’s Moment: Nate
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted and streamed by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS002432. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymns reprinted and streamed with permission. CCLI#1162147.