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

I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

— Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from a Birmingham Jail

This is the basis of the conflict Jesus envisions. He comes not to disturb a nice world but to shatter the disturbing and death-dealing systems of meaning that stifle life.

— Yale DiviTeresa Berger

If Christianity must die, may it die to the old way of dominance and control and be resurrected to the Way of Jesus, the Way of the cross.

— Rachel Held Evans, Searching for Sunday

COLLECT
God of kindness, interrupting our vicious cycles of resentment and revenge: teach us to walk the way of forgiveness beyond all accounting and to love the gift that has no measure; through Jesus Christ, who died for all. Amen.

PRELUDE

GREETING
Joshua Jalandoon (he/him), Worship Leader

Leader: The Lord be with you.    

ALL: And also with you.

PREPARATION

CALL TO WORSHIP
Isaiah 12:2-6, NRSV

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid,

for the Lord God is my strength and my might;
God has become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

And we will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on God’s name;
make known the deeds of the Lord among the nations;
proclaim that God’s name is exalted.

Sing praises to the Lord, for God has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of God,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

PRAYER OF ADORATION

PRAISE

SONGS

None But Thee
John Fellows, ca. 1770 · Eric Marshall, 2011

Nothing Can Separate Us
Christy Nockels, Matt Redman, Todd Fields, 2010

RENEWAL

CALL TO CONFESSION
from Psalm 139:7-10

O God, where could I run from your Spirit? Where could I flee from your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, you’re there; if I make my bed in the depths, you’re already there. I could fly away with wings made of dawn, or make my home on the far side of the sea, but even there your hand will guide me, your mighty hand will hold me fast.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious God, We confess that fear and shame make us doubt your presence. Forgive us for the ways we hide from you and isolate ourselves from community. Give us courage to open ourselves to your presence, so that we might know and delight in your love which has been there all along. Amen.

SILENT CONFESSION

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
based on Romans 8:39

We know that nothing is able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. 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

Matthew 18:20 (Peace Be With You)
For 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 ASSURANCE

Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone)
Joshua Sherman, Laurel Taylor, Steven Musso, The Emerging Sound, 2018

COMMITMENT

WORDS OF WELCOME

Up Coming Events Here >

SCRIPTURE
Luke 12:49-56, NRSV

Janet Harris, Reader

“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

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

Experiencing Jesus… As Disrupter

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

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 bring healing to our city. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

MUSICAL OFFERING

Small Memory
by Jon Hopkins

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
From Psalm 103

Siblings in Christ, since the Lord has fed us at this Table, 
let us praise God's holy name with heartfelt thanksgiving! 
Bless the Lord, O my soul; 

and all that is within me, bless God's holy name! 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, 

and forget not all God's benefits, 

who forgives all your iniquity, 

who heals all your diseases. 

Who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all,
and will also give us all things with him. 

Therefore shall my mouth and heart 
show forth the praise of the Lord, from this time forth forevermore. 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

You Are With Me
Sandra McCracken, Leslie Jorden, 2020

BENEDICTION
Numbers 6:24-26

May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord's face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord look kindly upon you, and give you peace. 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
Minna Choi, piano/vocals
Karl Digerness, guitar/vocals