The Second Sunday After the Epiphany
EPIPHANY
The feast of Epiphany occurs on January 6th, immediately following the 12th and final day of Christmas. Epiphany (meaning "manifestation, or "appearance") marks the arrival of the Magi, and celebrates the revelation of Jesus as a Light for all the nations. In the weeks following Epiphany, the Church reflects on Jesus' baptism and his teaching and healing ministry that began with the first of his signs at the wedding feast in Cana.
REFLECTION
Friendship is contingent on love—real love: compassion, empathy, reaching out, going beyond what we imagine is possible. That is the command: love. And if we reach out in love, friendship is the result, even friendship with God. Friendship is mutual, a hand extended and another reaching back.
— Diana Butler Bass,
Freeing Jesus
The story of the New Testament is that the risk of friendship is the risk that frees us from fear and reshapes our lives—it is better to go together than to go alone. Jesus befriends us, opening our hearts to genuine love and the capacity to forgive each other, welcome all, and act justly in the world. Friendship with Jesus may begin on the playground, in the Sunday school class, while wandering in the woods, or pretty much anywhere, but it becomes an adventure, a journey, as the relationship grows and changes over a lifetime. That is what friendship is, the field where the wildflowers grow, where the unpredictable, beautiful things of being human come forth from the soil, where we flourish with others.
— Diana Butler Bass,
Freeing Jesus
COLLECT
Lord of the wedding day, passion of joining and spirit of festival: take our hearts of stone and flood them with new wine that we might savor ordinary miracles given to sense and taste, through Jesus Christ, the Winemaker. Amen.
PRELUDE
GREETING
Joshua Jalandoon (he/him), Worship Leader
Leader: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 36:5-9
Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice is deeper than the sea.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
We feast on the abundance of your house, and you give us drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
Steadfast
Sandra McCracken, Leslie Jordan, Josh Silverberg, 2016
Joy To Be
Brian Eichelberger, Zach Bolen, 2020
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community (1967)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear... We love because he first loved us.
— from 1 John 4:18-1
SILENT REFLECTION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, we confess that we have been led astray by the idols of our world. We have depended on our possessions and our privilege, and have not placed our trust in your grace. We have carelessly consumed the gifts you offer and have failed to be faithful stewards of the earth’s resources. We have sought security in the might of the sword rather than the strength of your Holy Spirit. Forgive us, we pray. Lead us in the way of Jesus, that we may serve you faithfully, and love as you love. Through Christ we pray. Amen.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
1 John 4:9, NRSV
God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In Christ, we are loved and forgiven.
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
May the Mind of Christ My Savior
Kate B. Wilkinson, A. Cyril Barham-Gould, 1925
BLESSING OUR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Leader: People of God, what is our prayer for our children and youth?
People: May the Lord be with you.
Children: And also with you.
Leader: Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” May the Lord fill you with the love of Christ, and may your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
All: Thanks be to God!
SONG OF RENEWAL
Wounded Healer
Audrey Assad, 2021
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
SCRIPTURE
John 15:9-17; 21:4-14, NRSV
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON SERIES: Experiencing Jesus…
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
Experiencing Jesus… As Friend
OFFERING OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS
The offering is a way for Christians to support the mission and ministry of the church. Christians offer a sacrificial portion of their resources–time, talents, possessions–as an act of faith and gratitude in response to God’s grace. While many at City Church make their regular contributions through online giving and automated bill pay, offerings are a part of our worship service as an opportunity for the regular, proportionate and generous giving of the resources God has given us.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of grace, we offer these gifts with grateful hearts. Bless them and our lives to your service, that they may reveal your glory, nurture faith, and manifest the common good for the flourishing of our City. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
The Kingdom is Yours
Dee Wilson, Brittney Spencer, Micah Massey, Aaron Keyes, 2017
COMMUNION
Guidelines for Reception of Communion
Communion, also called The Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committed followers of Jesus Christ to partake of this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims the gospel, who are at peace with God and with their neighbor, and who seek strength to live more faithfully for Christ. If you are not a Christian, or if you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer. We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with His people, the church.
INVITATION TO THE LORDS TABLE
CONFESSION OF FAITH: Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
SONG
Sanctus
Karl Digerness, ©2012
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD & CUP
The Gifts of God for the People of God
COMMUNION PRAYER
God of glory, you nourish us with your Word who is the bread of life: fill us with your Holy Spirit that through us the light of your glory may shine in all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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.
SONG
Justice Will Roll Down
from Amos 5:24 · Sandra McCracken, 2010
BENEDICTION
May the love of the cross, the power of the resurrection, and the presence of the living Lord be with you always. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Creator, the Christ and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
MUSICIANS
Jeff Marrs, drums
Gary Brown, bass
Adam Shulman, piano
Christi Chew, vocals
Karl Digerness, guitar/vocal