The Third 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
The definition of a sage is a “profoundly wise” person, “one distinguished for wisdom.” A sage is a certain kind of teacher, one who upsets convention by offering a different way of understanding and living, a way that embodies wisdom. Sages teach justice, with compassion. Sages set people free.
Jesus was that sort of teacher. He taught radical interpretations of the Hebrew scriptures and Jewish practice that inspired people to actually leave their homes and follow him. He invited them into a way of life based on a vision of a wildly gifting God, who created everything, who turns authority upside down, who shatters the pretenses of power, who proclaims a kingdom of the heart, and who brings the poor, the outcast, the forgotten, and the mourning to a table set with an endless feast. And he taught this by holding forth the rule of love, extending the purview of divine commands, and speaking in proverbs, poetry, paradox, and parables to confound the learned and compel the curious.
— Diana Butler Bass,
Freeing Jesus
You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am.
— Jesus, from John 13:13
COLLECT
God of freedom, you break the seals and let the Spirit flow: make us impatient to greet the time fulfilled, the poor lifted up, the oppressed set free and your love made manifest in Jesus Christ, the Anointed Servant. Amen.
PRELUDE
GREETING
Rev. Jay Wilson (he/him), Worship Leader
Leader: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
God will not grow tired or weary; God’s understanding no one can fathom.
God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young people stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
Everlasting God
Brenton Brown, Ken Riley, 2005
You Are With Me
Sandra McCracken, Leslie Jordan, 2020
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
Proverbs 3:5-6, NRSV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways. Through Christ, our Lord we pray. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
SONG OF RENEWAL
Come Now, O Wisdom
Jann Aldredge-Clanton · Irish Folk Tune
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
from Titus 3:4-5
When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, God saved us: not because of righteous things we had done, but because of God’s mercy. This is the good news.
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
Peace of Christ
att. St Patrick (372 - 466) · traditional Irish
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
Doxology
Thomas Ken, 1674 / anonymous 7th c. hymn
Karl Digerness, Brian T. Murphy, 2013
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
SCRIPTURE
Kim Watson, Reader
Luke 4:14-30, NRSV
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON SERIES: Experiencing Jesus…
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
Experiencing Jesus… As Teacher
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
Eternal Source of Love, accept, the offerings we seek to make of ourselves and our money; and help us to continually work and pray to build a world of peace, joy and freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Come, Said Jesus’ Sacred Voice
Words: Anna Letitia Barbauld (1792) Music: Kevin Twit, 2007
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
Rev. Melisa Blankenship (she/her)
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
Gracious Lord, in this holy sacrament you give substance to our hope. May this meal be to us a comfort in affliction, and a pledge of our inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, sorrow, or tears, but the fullness of joy with all your saints; through Jesus Christ our Savior. 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
Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Dorothy Ann Thrupp, 1863 · Brian Ortize, Katelyn Clampett, 2011
BENEDICTION
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son 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
Jason Muscat, bass
Adam Shulman, piano
Minna Choi, vocals
Karl Digerness, guitar/vocal