Sunday, February 7, 2021
Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany
PRELUDE
“Healer of Our Every Ill
[Marty Haugen arr. Mark Hayes]
Rebecca Nelson, Piano
GREETING FROM THE PULPIT
Jan Everhart Hartliff, Pastor
CALL TO WORSHIP
Alan England, Liturgist
Leader: Holy One, with our ancestors and all the people of God, we gather to praise you.
People: You are the one who has created the cosmos and the ants.
Leader: You give food to whales and sparrows, name the stars, and count the hairs on our heads.
People: Compassionate One, we offer you our thanksgiving for our many blessings.
Leader: Powerful One, inspire us this day: to turn our praise into action,
People: To share your good news with those who long to hear a word of hope,
To seek peace and justice through the world. AMEN.
HYMN
“I Sing the Almighty Power of God” ~ UMH #152
[Isaac Watts; arr. Ralph Vaughn Williams]
I sing the almighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
if I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.
CHILDREN’S TIME
Alan Cook
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE…PASTORAL PRAYER…UNISON PRAYER
Our Creator, may your beloved community flourish on the earth. Give all creatures food to eat and shelter and work to sustain life. Open our hearts to forgive even as we forgive those who have harmed us. Give us courage to speak the truth in love. Help us resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. May your healing presence surround us so that we can work together to heal our broken world. In difficult times bring us hope; in all circumstances, fill us with the joy of life well lived. We pray in the name of Jesus, who lives and reigns in our midst. Amen.
PRAYER RESPONSE
“Heal Me, Hands of Jesus” Verse 1 ~ UMH #262
[Michael Perry; Norman L. Warren]
Heal me, hands of Jesus, and search out all my pain;
restore my hope, remove my fear, and bring me peace again.
HEAR THESE WORDS FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES
Psalm 147:1-11
Alan England
Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God;
For God is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
The LORD builds up Jerusalem and gathers the outcasts of Israel.
God heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.
God determines the number of the stars and gives to all of them their names.
Great is our LORD, and abundant in power;
God’s understanding is beyond measure.
The LORD lifts up the downtrodden, and casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to God on the lyre.
God covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth,
And makes grass to grow on the hills.
God gives to the animals their food,
and to the young ravens when they cry.
God’s delight is not in the strength of the horse,
Nor pleasure in the speed of a runner;
But the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
In those who hope in God’s steadfast love.
HEAR THESE WORDS FROM THE GOSPEL
Mark 1:29-39
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. Jesus came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to minister to them.
That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And Jesus 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.
In the morning while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” Jesus 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.” And Jesus went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
SERMON
“Keeping the Focus”
Jan Everhart Hartliff, Pastor
RESPONSE
“I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me” ~ The Faith We Sing #2151
[African American Spiritual]
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
singing glory, hallelujah, Jesus lifted me.
When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
singing glory, hallelujah, Jesus lifted me.
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
“Make Me A Channel of Your Peace”
[Arr. Mark Hayes]
Ric Campero, Tenor
Rebecca Nelson, Piano
PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND SERVICE OF THE TABLE
Please use whatever elements you have on hand at home for today’s communion (crackers, juice, bread, wine – everyday substances that become the life and love of Jesus for us).
BLESSING OF THE BREAD AND CUP
Jan Everhart Hartliff, Pastor
SHARING OUR COMMUNION
Although we are gathered from the safety of our homes, we share this common meal seeking strength for our ministry in the world and comfort in knowing that we are not alone.
COMMUNION HYMN
“One Bread, One Body” ~ UMH #620
[John B. Foley; harmony Gary Alan Smith]
Refrain
One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we though many, throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
Gentile or Jew, servant or free, woman or man, no more.
Refrain
Many the gifts, many the works, one in the Lord of all.
Refrain
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
Leader: You have given yourself to us, Lord.
People: Now we give ourselves for others.
Leader: Your love has made us a new people.
People: As a people of love we will serve you with joy!
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
“The Lord Bless You and Keep You”
[By John Rutter]
Rebecca Nelson, Piano
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you,
and give you peace. Amen
[Numbers 6:24-26]