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.
announcements & 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
Arise, Your Light Has Come!
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Arise, your light has come! The Spirit’s call obey; show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.
Arise, your light has come! Fling wide the prison door; proclaim the captive’s liberty, good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light has come! All you in sorrow born, bind up the brokenhearted ones and comfort those who mourn.
Arise, your light has come! The mountains burst in song! Rise up like eagles on the wing, God’s pow’r will make us strong.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. Everlasting God, you give strength to the weak and power to the faint. Make us agents of your healing and wholeness, that your good news may be made known to the ends of your creation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Reading
Isaiah 40:21-31
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21Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; 23who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.
24Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
25To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. 26Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.
27Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? 28Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. 30Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; 31but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Children’s Moment
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Gospel and Message
Mark 1:29-39
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29As soon as [Jesus and the disciples] left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Hymn of the Day
Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
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Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed. My chains are gone I’ve been set free. My God my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains unending love amazing grace.
The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. My chains are gone I’ve been set free. My God my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains unending love amazing grace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine. But God who called me here below will be forever mine. Will be forever mine. You are forever mine. My chains are gone I’ve been set free. My God my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains unending love amazing grace.
Apostles’ Creed, prayers & lord’s prayer
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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.
We pray for the church’s many ministries of healing; for hospital, hospice, and military chaplains; for those serving in prisons, camps, and institutions; and for bishops and pastors facing illness of which we are unaware. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the health of people around the world, especially for the people of Ethiopia and India; for international health organizations; for local and national medical services; and for school officials and teachers facing the pandemic. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for wholeness in our nation; for the safety of our nation’s elected leaders; for an end to domestic violence; for an end to prejudice; and for an end to civic terrorism. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for a halt to the pandemic; for all who have contracted Covid-19; for health workers; for the prompt distribution of vaccines; and for all who today will die from the virus. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who are sick and suffering; for those with chronic pain and for those experiencing despair. Lord, hear our prayer.
We praise you for the faithful departed and for their lives of service to others; and we pray that at our end we join with them to find our wholeness in you. Lord, hear our prayer.
Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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
I Will Sing, I Will Sing
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I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord. I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord. I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord. Alleluia, Glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, glory to the Lord.
We will come, we will come as one before the Lord. We will come, we will come as one before the Lord. We will come, we will come as one before the Lord. Alleluia, Glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, glory to the Lord.
If the Son, if the Son shall make you free, if the Son, if the Son shall make you free, if the Son, if the Son shall make you free, you shall befree indeed. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, glory to the Lord.
They that sow, they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. They that sow, they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. They that sow, they that sow in tears shall reap in joy Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, glory to the Lord.
Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, glory to the Lord.
In His name, in His name we have the victory. In His name, in His name we have the victory. In His name, in His name we have the victory. Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to the Lord. Alleluia, glory to the Lord.
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: Ian, Ginny, Maddy Jo, Inara, Satya
Children’s Moment: Maddy Jo
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.