SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP
2nd Sunday After Epiphany
1-17-2021
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come and See the grace of God,
Christ our teacher and our friend.
Come and see the son of God,
Christ our healer and salvation.
God is moving in this place.
Come and see. Come and see!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Eternal God, your Son, Jesus Christ, now exalted as Lord of all, pours out his gifts on the church. Grant us that unity which your Spirit gives, keep us in the bond of peace, and bring all creation to worship before your throne; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OPENING HYMN: “Here I Am, Lord”
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in deepest sin my hand will save.
I who made the stars at night, I will make the darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne My people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them, they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts of love alone.
I will speak My word to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them, My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, whose wisdom is endless, whose mercy is great.
Trusting n God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of abundant mercy, you embodied love for us in the life of Jesus Christ. You ate with sinners and shared with outcasts. You loved with boldness and healed with grace. Forgive us, O God, when we do not trust your love: when we doubt whether we are worthy of your care. Forgive us, O God, when we try to cheapen love: when we limit it to shallow feelings instead of bold actions. Help us, O God, when we cannot feel your love, when we are isolated, afraid, and unable to see your presence. Forgive us, O God, of the ways we fall short. Free us to try again, and let your love lead the way.
(Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Those who trust in god will renew their strength. They will run and not be weary, they will walk and not grow faint.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
GLORIA PATRI (please stand)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Saving God, source of our calling, your Word is full of power and glory. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may receive your grace and live as your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Speak to us, Lord, for your servants are listening. (1 Samuel 3:9-10)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
1 Samuel 3:1-20
1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.”
15 Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” He said, “Here I am.” 17 Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.”
19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.
John 1:43-51
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
A new teaching, with authority!
Thanks be to God.
(Isaiah 40:8; Mark 13:31)
HYMN: “The Summons”
“Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown; will you let my name be known;
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?”
“Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?”
“Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you let the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?”
“Will you love the ‘you’ you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?”
Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
INSTALLATION OF SESSION AND DEACONS
There are varieties of gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives them. There are different ways of serving God, but it is the same Lord who is served. (1 Cor. 12:4-7, 27) God works through each person in a unique way, but it is God’s purpose that is accomplished. To each is given a gift of the Spirit to be used for the common good. Together we are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.
In Baptism each Christian is called to ministry in Christ’s name. God calls some persons from the midst of congregations to fulfill particular functions, so that the ministry of the whole people of God may flourish. In ordination the church sets apart with prayer and the laying on of hands those who have been called by God through the voice of the church to serve as deacons, ruling elders, and ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and are now called anew to service in that ministry.
Madam Clerk, will you call forth the names of those who are to serve in the ensuing year(s) as Elders— as Deacons
CLERK OF SESSION: Representing the one holy catholic and apostolic church, the session of First Presbyterian Church installs to active service those who have been previously ordained Ruling Elders and Deacons .
Those previously ordained will stand, if able, facing the congregation and along with the congregation, together we will affirm our faith using the Apostle’s Creed found on page 14 of our hymnal.
“I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; he third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
(W-4.0404: Constitutional Questions The moderator of the council of those to be ordained, installed or commissioned shall ask them to face the body of membership and to answer the following questions):
Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Son, and Holy Spirit?
I do.
(W-4.l04 W-w4.0404b-W-4.0-404i (5) Directory for Worship Questions)
Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s Word to you?
I do.
Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God?
I do and I will
Wil you fulfill your ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions?
I will
Will you be governed by our church’s polity, and will you abide by its discipline? Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God’s Word and Spirit?
I will
Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world?
I will with God’s help
Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church?
I do
Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?
I will
(For ruling elder) Will you be a faithful ruling elder, watching over the people, providing for their worship, nurture, and service? Will you share in government and discipline, serving in councils of the church, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?
I will with God’s help
(For deacon) Will you be a faithful deacon, teaching charity, urging concern, and directing the people’s help to the friendless and those in need, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?
I will with God’s help
Following the affirmative answers to the questions asked of the person(s) being installed, a ruling elder shall face the congregation along with the ruling elders-and/or deacons-elect and ask the congregation to answer the following questions:
Do we, the members of the church, accept (names) as ruling elders or deacons, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation o lead us in the way of Jesus Christ?
We do
Do we agree to pray for them, to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church?
We will
Let us pray:
Gracious and eternal God, with joy we give you thanks and praise. Throughout the ages and in every place, you have chosen servants from among your people to point the way to salvation by your grace. We are grateful for ancestors in the faith who followed without fear, placing their trust in you alone for judges and monarchs, who ruled in righteousness and peace; for prophets and apostles who spoke your bold words of mercy and of truth, for leaders and teachers in every age who have nurtured your people in faith and faithfulness.
We praise you for Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life to set others free. Anointed by your Holy Spirit, he proclaimed your reign on earth, revealing your saving love in all he said and did.
Now we also give thanks gracious God for your servants as they continue in the ministry to which you have called them. Help them to rely on the gifts of your Spirit and to follow Christ faithfully in this calling. Give them a spirit of truthfulness, that they may show the compassion of Christ in the actions of daily living and rightly govern your people.
Pour out your Spirit of power and truth upon the whole church, that we may be for you, a holy people, baptized to serve you in the world. Sustain your church in ministry, ground us in the gospel, secure our hope in Christ, strengthen our service to the outcast, increase our love for one another. Show us the transforming power of your grace in our life together, that we may be effective servants of the gospel, offering compelling witness in the world to the good news of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
You are Ruling Elders. You are Deacons, previously ordained and now installed to ministries of service and governance in the church of Jesus Christ and for this congregation. Be faithful and true in your ministry so that your whole life will bear witness to the crucified and risen Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO OFFERING:
All things in heaven and earth belong to God, who is coming in glory to reveal a new creation. Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
DOXOLOGY (please stand)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Merciful God, you provide us with so many opportunities to follow Jesus’ teaching and to live as modern day disciples. We sometimes respond to your call with enumerable excuses or unfounded worries. We confuse our spiritual longing with the need for possessions. Yet, these things only provide a false sense of security. As we offer these financial resources, transform us so that we are stirred to hear your call on our lives. We pray in the name of the Redeeming One, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
(John 1:43-51 David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN “Let All Things Now Living”
Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God our Creator triumphantly raise;
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
By guiding us on to the end of our days.
God’s banners are o’er us, pure light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night;
Till shadows have vanished, all fearfulness banished.
As forward we travel from light into light.
By law God enforces. The stars in their courses,
The sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The depths of the ocean proclaim God divine.
We, too, should be voicing our love and rejoicing
With glad adoration, a song let us raise;
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving,
To God in the highest, hosanna and praise.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
(Thanks to everyone who helped out with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week! )
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year B Vo.54.1 PCUSA; David S. Bell; from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; pg. 205-206
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES: Worship services will be online via Zoom only during the months of January and February. There will be no in-sanctuary worship during those months per Session decision on December 30th.
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL will resume when worship services begin again in the sanctuary.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will not be meeting in the month of January.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
OUR TIME TO PRAY:
-Rev. Norlita and her family in St. Louis, along with Dave’s brother Douglas in Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada
-Carrie VB
-David P
-Gene G
-Bob & Jan J
-Sharon W
-LaVonne B
-Jan B
-Bev (Teri B’s mother)
-Harry (Bonnie S.’s father)
-Jeanne L’s pregnant relative
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew)
-Jack (Lee’s father)
-Sue (Bonnie F.’s mother)
-Kara (Richard & Dolores’ daughter)
-Ann (wife of Rev. Terry D)
-Sue (friend of Ella)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Susan S, Terry & Ann S, Bart S
Our homebound or in care members: Barb B, Delores K, Nona M, Rose P, Cliff R, Stephen & Carrie V B, Dee W. (Please reach out and call)
Those who mourn: We pray for Rev. Norlita and family in her husband Dave’s passing on Jan. 11th
We pray for Kennedy and family in his mother Elizabeth’s passing last week in Cameroon.
We continue to pray for the Watson, Boy, Peterson, and Larson families
Prayers for our sister churches First Presbyterian in Madison, SD, Pastor Mark Werner and Clerk of Session Trudi Nelson; First Presbyterian in Flandreau, Pastor Ann Spitzenberger; our Presbytery of South Dakota; the PCUSA (leaders and staff); and our own Session, Deacons, members and friends, and Brookings United Church of Christ staff, church council, and members and all churches in Brookings.
Victims and families affected by the Coronavirus. God grant them all comfort and healing. Prayers for all hospital workers, especially doctors and nurses, and first responders across the world and their families.
Prayers for our nation as it moves forward during these months of transition.
. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for January!
Marlys M, Lisa B, Neal F, Joel F, Daniel M, Vivian L, Katy Y, Julie S, Malia G, Brock P, Art V
Lord, for these joys, we give thee thanks.
The Worship bulletin, music, and video sermon are available on our church’s website www.brookingspresbyterian.org for use at home during this time of COVID-19.
An e-mail copy of the message is available by request from the church office.