The Sixth 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
Behind the back of your old church
There is a path that no one takes
It's covered up by wood & leaves
It's hidden by a crucifix
It leads to nothing that you want
It leads to everyone that's ever let you down
Still repeatedly each week
The congregation tries to figure it out
— Andy Hull
For Martin, nonviolence did not mean passivity or doing nothing, as so many critics have suggested. His philosophy was nonviolent direct action. And no one was more actively involved in the struggle for justice than Martin. Indeed, Malcolm and the Black Muslims were often criticized for talking loud but doing nothing. Not so with Martin. He put his body on the line and risked his life for what he believed in. Whatever critique one might make against him, he cannot be justly criticized for not acting or for not being involved.
— James Cone on Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophy of nonviolence
How do we examine ourselves in a Socratic manner? “The unexamined life is not worth living,” Plato says in line 38a of The Apology. How do you examine yourself? What happens when you interrogate yourself? What happens when you begin calling into question your tacit assumptions and unarticulated presuppositions and begin then to become a different kind of person? You know, Plato says philosophy’s a meditation on and a preparation for death. By death what he means is not an event, but a death in life because there’s no rebirth, there’s no change, there’s no transformation without death, and therefore the question becomes: How do you learn how to die?
— Cornel West
COLLECT
God of blessing and woe, disturbing the deadly order of the world: give us faith tested in poverty, hunger for what really satisfies, eyes softened by tears and hearts ready to laugh at all that is false and pompous that we might be witnesses to the dignity of life; through Jesus Christ, who turns the world upside down. 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
from Isaiah 55
God says to us, “Come, all who are thirsty, come to the waters.”
We who have no money, come, let us buy and eat!
God says to us, “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”
Why do we spend money on what is not bread, and why do we labor for what does not satisfy?
God says to us, “Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”
Let us give ear and come to the Lord. Let us hear God, that our souls may live.
God says to us, “ I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.”
Let us seek the Lord, for we will surely find; let us call on the Lord, for God is near.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
You Keep On Getting Better
Dante Bowe, Jonathan Jay, Kirby Kaple, Majesty Rose, 2019
Rising Sun
Leslie Jorden, David Leonard, Kyle Lee, Paul Mabury, 2012
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
based on Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the Eternal One, and you will surely find; call upon your Creator, for God is near. Let the corrupt abandon their ways, and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them return to God, who delights in showing mercy, let them return to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, through the ministry of Jesus you show us what it means to be truly human, but we confess that we are often influenced more by the values of Empire, than the values of Jesus. We get caught up in the empty promises of greed, power, supremacy and domination. Forgive us, and restore us. May your spirit fill us, Holy One, to follow the way of Jesus, joining in a creative and liberating movement for your peace, your shalom, your flourishing, for all. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. This is the good news.
Thanks be to God!
SONG OF ASSURANCE
Our God Alone
David Gungor, 2014
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!
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
THE ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF ELDERS AND DECONS
PRESENTATION
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.
ORDINATION
THE LAYING ON OF HANDS AND PRAYER
CONGREGATIONAL AFFIRMATION
Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, do you receive in the name of the Lord, these elders as duly elected and ordained servants of Christ?
We do.
Do you promise to respect them for the sake of this office for which they have been chosen and ordained?
We do.
Do you promise to encourage and pray for them, to labor together in obedience to the gospel for the unity, purity, and peace of the church, the welfare of the whole world, and the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ?
We do.
Beloved people of God, receive these elders as Christ’s own servants. Support them in love, that their work may bear fruit. In the name and by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, I declare that this brother and sister are duly installed elders in this church.
Thanks be to God.
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
Peace Be With You
John 14:27 · Karl Digerness
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 16:13-28, NRSV
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON SERIES: Experiencing Jesus…
Joshua Jalandoon (he/him)
Experiencing Jesus… As Way
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
Gracious God, all that we have and all that we are come from you, so we gladly give this offering, that others too may be blessed, for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Let Us Be Known By Our Love
Words and Music by Micah Massey, Ryan Flanigan,
Matt Armstrong and Nate Moore
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
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
Christ our host, we thank you for this table where all are welcomed and discover your grace: may our hearts learn to yield to your longing for us, and our lives be shaped by the sanctifying Spirit. Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER
Gracious God, may your peace shine among us and your love set us free;
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who are far from home, immigrants, exiles, victims of oppression;
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all of us gathered here, that we may remain open to the Spirit’s work among us, and attentive to those entrusted to us;
Lord, hear our prayer.
That we may be delivered from all anxiety:
Lord, hear our prayer.
That we may learn to share more fairly the resources of our planet among all;
Lord, hear our prayer.
That a sense of wonder at the beauty of creation may remain alive in us;
Lord, hear our prayer.
That we may find light and courage in the mystery of communion that is the Church;
Lord, hear our 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
Nothing to Fear
Audrey Assad, Isaac Wardell, Paul Zach, 2019
BENEDICTION
May Christ, who draws the nations to himself, teach us to love our enemies; may Christ, who enters the water of baptism, lead us to die to all but love; may Christ, who gives new wine for the world, turn our bitterness into joy; and the blessing of God Almighty, Creator, Christ, and 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, piano/vocals
Keith Watts, guitar/vocal
Maria Long, vocals