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 church would betray its own love for God and its fidelity to the gospel if it stopped being . . . a defender of the rights of the poor . . . a humanizer of every legitimate struggle to achieve a more just society . . . that prepares the way for the true reign of God in history.

— Oscar Romero, in Romero’s Wisdom: Prayers

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When his first followers asked Jesus how to pray, he directed them to pray not for a heavenly kingdom, but for an earthly one where all would be fed, there would be no more debt, and peace would reign. Here and now, not there and then. How had I never noticed this before? Jesus was Lord, a kind of alternative Caesar, not one who gave in to Satan’s taunting offer of power, but the One who embodied divine authority and had arrived on earth to take back the planet for the Father.

— Diana Butler Bass, Freeing Jesus

What is the kingdom of God like?  It’s like seed being sown. It’s like crops as they grow. It’s like bread rising. It’s like finding a lost coin. It’s like finding a hidden treasure. It’s like a long walk home. It’s like a feast where everyone is welcome. It’s like the surprise of water turned to wine.  Once we learn to embody that kind of ethos we no longer have to grasp for Caesar’s scepter. It’s enough for us to take the hand of our neighbor. For among Jesus’ most radical ideas is this one: To love your neighbor as yourself is a viable political policy. 

— Brian Zahnd

COLLECT
Lord of the deep waters, you call us from the safety of the shore to an adventure of the spirit: open wide our arms to embrace the world you dare to serve; through Jesus Christ, who gives life in abundance. Amen.

PRELUDE

GREETING
Rev. Stephen Gundlach (he/him), Worship Leader

Leader: The Lord be with you.    

ALL: And also with you.

PREPARATION

CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 95:1-7

Come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation!

Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving; 
let us make a joyful noise to God with songs of praise! 

For you, O Lord, are a great God, and a great sovereign above all gods. In your hands are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are yours also. 

The sea is the yours, for you made it, 
and the dry land, which your hands have formed. 

Come, let us worship and bow down, 
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.

For you are our God, 
and we are the people of your pasture, and the sheep of your hand.
Oh, that today we would listen to your voice!

PRAYER OF ADORATION

PRAISE

SONGS

Crown Him With Many Crowns
Matthew Bridges, 1851 · George Elvey, 1868

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Joachim Neander, 1680 · Stralsund Gesangbuch, 1665 · Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770

RENEWAL

CALL TO CONFESSION
Isaiah 57:15-19, NRSV

For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
 I dwell in the high and holy place,
 and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, 
to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. I know your ways–and I will heal you, and bring peace to those far and near.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Loving Lord Jesus Christ, who came to seek and to save the lost, who invites the weary and the overburdened to rest, and who heals the hurting: we confess that we have lost our way. Forgive our wayward and willful disobedience. Lead us back to you. Forgive us for every thought, word, or deed that has brought hurt to others, harmed ourselves, or dishonored your name. Heal the pain we have caused. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and lead us once again in the way that leads to life. Amen.

SILENT CONFESSION

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Our hope is in the Lord our God, who keeps faith with us forever. God’s mercy is everlasting! 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

Matthew 18:20 (Peace Be With You)
For the City Church CGs March 18th, 2020 · Minna Choi

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

Lead On O King Eternal
Ernest W. Shurtleff, Stepfan Van Voorst, 2017

COMMITMENT

WORDS OF WELCOME

Up Coming Events Here >

SCRIPTURE

John 18: 1-11; 28-38, NRSV

After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

SERMON SERIES: Experiencing Jesus…
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)

Experiencing Jesus… As Lord

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.

GIVE HERE

OFFERING PRAYER

Eternal Source of Love, you have given generously to us, that we might give generously to others. Use these offerings to bring renewal and hope to our city and our world. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

MUSICAL OFFERING

Father in Heaven
by Keith Watts

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

Loving God, in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when all will gather together in peace, when justice will embrace all the earth. Send us forth to make known your inclusive love and to proclaim the greatness of your mercy; through 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

Your Peace Will Make Us One
Audrey Assad, 2019, Julia Ward Howe, 1861 · early American folk tune

BENEDICTION

May the love of the cross, the power of the resurrection, and the presence of the living Lord be with you always. In the name of the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

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
Keith Watts, guitar/vocal
Minna Choi, piano/vocals