The Second Sunday of the Epiphany Season January 17, 2021

Christ’s First Sign of His Deity:

Ordinary Water Becomes Extraordinary Wine

A number of years ago the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn had a problem: motorists weren’t coming to a complete stop at stop signs. So, the Mayor came up with a creative solution. He added various, smaller octagonal signs just below the town’s stop signs.

Here’s what some of those signs said: “STOP…..And smell the roses;” “STOP…..No really, you gotta stop;” “STOP…..Or I’m Telling Your Mom;” and “STOP…..In the name of love.”

Surprisingly, the mayor’s method worked!!! People started stopping at those stop signs. The additional, smaller signs were so imaginative and humorous people laughed and – getting the point – they obeyed the stop signs. Everybody laughed… that is, except the Illinois Department of Transportation, which determined that the signs were in violation of the Federal Uniform Traffic Control Act. This authority threatened to withhold funds from the city if the additional “mini stop” signs weren’t removed. Sadly, the Mayor had to comply.

But how creative….. The mayor was certain that if he could get the town’s motorists to pay attention, then he could get his message across. Simply put, all the messages on those signs were intended to say essentially the same thing: STOP your car! It was a vitally important message. And it worked….almost.

Signs have always been used to get messages across to people, haven’t they? Whether shaped as a square, rectangle, triangle, or octagon.… there is a message tied to each road sign. Sometimes the sign’s message is helpful. At other times it’s very important – even critical.

At the close of today’s Gospel lesson/Sermon text, we’re going to hear: “This (changing water into wine) the beginning of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” (John 2:11)

When you work through the Gospels, you’ll find in excess of 35 different miracle/signs that Jesus performed during His public ministry. In fact, John says near the end of his Gospel: “Jesus also did many other things. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the world itself would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25). In other words, Jesus almost certainly many, many more miracles during His ministry, but John recorded his miracles for us because we know Jesus performed them, in part, to teach us something vital. Previously John had written: “Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, did many other miraculous signs that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31).

In fact, that WAS the purpose of miracles. When Peter preached at Pentecost he said: ““Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a man recommended to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know.” (Acts 2:22). In other words… the miracles that Jesus did were intended to get people’s attention so that they could see and believe that He was the Son of God.

And that was the message that Jesus wanted His family, followers, and friends to see in the story behind today’s service: The story of the first miracle…..of Jesus turning ordinary water into wonderful wine during a wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee…….a scant seven miles from his home in Nazareth. Jesus was there, along with his mother and a few of his disciples, as a guest of the wedding couple. And who would’ve thought that before this special Guest left the wedding reception, He would reveal Himself through a miracle to be the eternal God and Promised Savior? But that’s precisely what happened. And it’s why we are studying this story today.

Let’s look a bit more closely at those circumstances, and this particular miracle, right now.

First a bit of background…….In those days weddings were not conducted in the same way in which we manage a wedding and reception today. Not that a wedding and reception aren’t important today, but in those times and in a small village like Cana, a wedding was a really big deal…….you might say it was one of the biggest social events of the year, especially in a small village like Cana. In part, probably, that’s because it was an occasion to celebrate with the happy couple, but also simply because it was something out of the ordinary daily routine to go to and enjoy. Weddings and their receptions, in those days, lasted a number of days; at least two – maybe as long as six or seven. And throughout this big, long social gathering…. the new bride and groom were expected to provide to their guests plenty of good food, along with good wine.

And let’s not forget ……this obviously was in the days before TV and Cable, the internet and radio, before cell phones, video games and live-streamed movies…….there weren’t any movie theaters, fast food restaurants, Razorback basketball games, or concerts to attend to occupy ones time. They didn’t even have electricity to burn light bulbs in the night. The fact is, life was pretty boring in those days. You got up early, worked hard all day long – in most cases for VERY little – ate a little bit, visited some with your neighbors and family, and went to bed when it got dark. And then you repeated the cycle the next day, and the next, and the next, and…..well, you get the idea. Life was generally VERY uneventful.

But in Cana, an event was happening. A young couple was marrying. And quite likely the whole town, along with friends from farther away, turned out to celebrate with the happy couple. The Apostle John tells us that “Jesus was also invited to this wedding.”

At first things went pretty well. Family and friends gathered for the festivities. The local rabbi performed the wedding, declaring the two principles “husband and wife.” After that, food and drink were served. There was singing, and dancing, and lots of talking and noise.

Then, at some point in the reception, the caterer for some reason unknown to us sought out Jesus’ mother, Mary, and shared some very bad news with her. The wine was going to run out immanently, even as the reception kept going and going and going. Could she do something, anything to help? The reception was on the verge of being ruined, and the newly married couple would be publically shamed. Obviously, someone hadn’t planned well enough.

Embarrassing? Oh, yes. A social faux paux? You bet! But, believe me – and it’s important that we recognize this point – …….the world was not going to come to an end, figuratively speaking, if this wedding ran out of wine and if another drop never appeared. (Sometimes preachers make far too much out of this and read way beyond the lines, turning the absence of wine into a crisis of immense, almost global significance. It was a problem; no doubt about that. But it wasn’t a disaster, let alone a crisis of Biblical proportions – like the Great Flood or the destruction of Jerusalem.) In fact, an important point to be learned from this story HAS to be: that God takes care of our little life-needs as well as the large ones…..and running out of wine at a wedding was, honestly, a problem of minor proportions then and today, comparably speaking.

You see, there are REAL crises in life (and we’ve experienced some of them, haven’t we?)….. For example, there are those matters of national and global significance: How will the incoming administration deal with the Corona virus? Will its decisions and policies improve, or damage the economy (and your investments)? What will our nation’s future relations with the Chinese be like? Will there be another 9-11 type terrorist attack in our country, or elsewhere, and if so – how will it happen and when and where? Then, there are closer-to-home life and death issues like, “Will I die from this cancer, Doctor?” or “How will I ever survive without my mate of all these years?”……. or how about these problems: not knowing where you’ll turn to get that next meal; or having the Banker or IRS at the door ready to confiscate your home and possessions? Then there’s this crisis…..Surprise! you’ve just learned that your teenager is pregnant – but not married, or maybe you’ve just found out that your son is on drugs – but not those prescribed by your family physician. Or what if your spouse were to look at you and say, “There’s somebody else, and I think we should go our separate ways”? Now, THOSE are crises!

But running out of wine? Well, by comparison, IF it’s a crisis, it’s a small one indeed, isn’t it? NEVERTHELESS…….the story of Jesus’ first recorded miracle shows us the depth our Savior’s concern and commitment in at least these two directions:

First) Our loving Lord, Who’s always with us, Who’s for us, and Who’s intimately aware of everything that takes place or is going to happen in our lives…..that Lord DOES care about all those personal, physical and spiritual needs of ours – large and little – AND He DOES satisfy our needs – on many occasions, abundantly so (we’ll see this also in today’s Psalm Reading, which recalls how God provided for the children of Israel following their exodus from slavery in Egypt);

Second) Christ is a part of, you might say He’s “a partner” in every Christian home and life, whether that of the newly-married couple; or the home where that 50^th wedding anniversary, plus, has been celebrated; or the home where a never-married, widowed, or divorced Christian lives in relative solitude; or the “home” that’s little more than a dorm room at college……..Christ is an ever-present and all-powerful Partner in all our lives, blessing us in so many ways that we can’t begin to enumerate them all. Each and every day we will want to receive and gratefully recognize Him as our respected, valued, vital Guest, Friend and LORD……much in the same way that the Cana couple did some 1990 odd years ago.
This morning we’ll also be reminded of our Lord’s provision and guidance within the framework of the Christian home and family in today’s Epistle Lesson. Like His disciples at Cana that day, we’ll also want to bear in mind that Christ’s miracles prove that He is our all-powerful, glorious God and Savior (which Jesus affirmed in today’s Gospel Lesson)……..so we can confidently put our faith in Him, for today, tomorrow, and forever (as Peter also declared in his Pentecost sermon – a portion of which we’ll hear as part of this morning’s First Lesson). Finally, in our Children’s Lesson we’ll also talk about the significance for us and our faith of the “sign of the cross” as a constant, “visible sermon” that Jesus died and rose to earn our forgiveness and give us eternal salvation.

Grace Lutheran Church of Northwest Arkansas

is affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a church body which spans the United States and Canada, and which also operates a number of foreign missions.

Our Vision: Extend God’s Kingdom through His Word,

serving each Soul.

Our Mission: Share the Gospel, Encourage Faith, and Prepare Souls

through Worship, Education and Fellowship.

The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from

Pre-service prayer Pre-worship music

Let Us Praise The Lord

The Greeting and Invitation to Worship

after which the Congregation will rise for

The Invocation

Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father

Congregation Who gave us our lives through His almighty power.

P: And of the Son

C: Who redeemed our lives with His precious blood.

P: And of the Holy Spirit

C: Who gave us eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.

P: Amen.

The Psalm for Today Psalm 105, selected verses

Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what

He has done.

C: Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.

P: Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

C: Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.

P: Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced.

C: He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth.

P: He remembers His covenant forever, the word He commanded, for a thousand generations.

C: He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen. + They performed His miraculous signs among them, + His wonders in the land of Ham.

P: He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered.

C: Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them.

P: He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night.

C: They asked, and He brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

P: He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert.

C: For He remembered His holy promise given to His servant Abraham.

P: He brought out His people with rejoicing, His chosen ones with shouts of joy;

C: He gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for-

P: that they might keep His precepts and observe His laws.

C: Praise the LORD.

After which the Congregation will be seated for

The Opening Hymn “God Is Here Among His People”

sung to the melody of “‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” cwh 2000

God is here among His people! As we join in praise and prayer,

May we find in fuller measure, Jesus’ grace which we all share.

Here, though in the world abiding, as God’s children set apart,

We rejoice to join together, one in faith, in love, in heart.

Here the Means of Grace remind us of our life-long need for grace.

Here are altar, font, and pulpit; here Christ’s cross has central place.

Here in faithful Bible preaching, here in silence and in songs,

Here the Spirit, edifying, heart-felt joy in us prolongs.

Here our children find in Baptism entry to the Shepherd’s fold;

Here, in Sacramental Union, Christ sustains us, young and old.

Here the servants of the Servant, seek in worship to explore

What it means in daily living, to believe and to adore.

Lord of all, the Church and Kingdom, in an age of change and doubt,

Keep us faithful to all Scripture; Help us work Your purpose out.

Here, in bringing praise and off’rings, all we have to give, receive;

We who cannot live without You, We adore You! We believe!” Amen.

after which the Congregation will rise

We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God

Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.

Congregation Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; I have done what is evil in Your sight and have failed to do what is good.

For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for all my sins and trusting in the perfect life and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I plead: God have mercy on me, a sinner.

(Sung) Lord have mercy on us. Christ Have Mercy on Us

Lord have mercy on us.

Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, be strengthened

in your faith, mindful that our Lord is not willing that anyone should perish eternally, but that everyone should come to repentance, turning from their evil ways and receiving from Him everlasting life. God has commanded His ministers to declare His forgiveness of sins to all who are penitent. Therefore, addressing you as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and under His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May the peace of God rest upon all of you. Amen.

(Sung)

Glory be to God on high and on earth peace good will to me.

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You.

We glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

O Lord God heavenly King, God the Father almighty.

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ,

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

You take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us.

You take away the sin of the world. Receive our prayer.

You sit at the right hand of God the Father. Have mercy on us.

For You only are holy. You only are the Lord.

You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit.

Are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen

The Prayer for Today

O Lord God, Almighty, + from Whom we constantly receive abundant blessings + though we, as sinners, do not deserve them, + and Who mercifully guards us from all harm, danger and evil…… + we humbly ask that You would grant us + a greater measure of Your Holy Spirit + as we now prepare to meditate upon Your Word. + May He help us to be attentive and receptive, + that our knowledge of Your will for your lives + and our love for You as our Savior-God might increase, + and so that our faith in You, as the only God, might grow stronger + and always remain true to You. + This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and LORD, + Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, + One God forever and ever. + Amen.

After which the Congregation will be seated

We Hear God’s Word

The First Lesson Acts 2:22-36

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a Man recommended to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did through Him among you, as you yourselves know. 23 This Man, Who was handed over by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, you killed by having lawless men nail Him to a cross. 24 He is the One God raised up by freeing Him from the agony of death, because death was not able to hold Him in its grip.

25 “Indeed, David says concerning Him: I saw the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced.

My flesh also will rest in hope, 27 because You will not abandon My life to the grave, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life.

You will fill me with joy in Your presence.

29 “Gentlemen, brothers, I can speak confidently to you about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath that He would seat One of his descendant on his throne, 31 he saw what was coming and spoke about the resurrection of Christ, saying that He was neither abandoned to the grave nor did His flesh see decay.

32 “This Jesus is the One God has raised up. We are all witnesses of that. 33 So, after He was exalted to the right hand of God and after He received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father, He poured out what you are now seeing and hearing.

34 “For David did not ascend into heaven, and yet he says: The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, 35 until I make your enemies a footstool under Your feet.’

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, Whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

The Epistle Lesson Ephesians 5:22-30

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He Himself is the Savior. 24 Moreover, as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, in the same way as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her 26 to make her holy, by cleansing her with the washing of water in connection with the Word. 27 He did this so that He could present her to Himself as a glorious church, having no stain or wrinkle or any such thing, but so that she would be holy and blameless.

28 In the same way, husbands have an obligation to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 To be sure, no one has ever hated his own body, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will be one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 In any case, each one of you also is to love his wife as himself, and each wife is to respect her husband.

after which the Congregation will rise, for the reading of

The Gospel Lesson John 14:1-14

“Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with Me, so that you may also be where I am. 4 You know where I am going, and you know the way.” 5 “Lord, we don’t know where You are going,” Thomas replied, “so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me. 7 If you know Me, you would also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” 8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that is enough for us.” 9 “Have I been with you so long,”

Jesus answered, “and you still do not know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I am telling you I am not speaking on My own, but the Father Who remains in Me is doing his works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me. Or else believe because of the works themselves.

12 “Amen, Amen, I tell you: The one who believes in Me will do the works that I am doing. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in My name so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me for anything in my name, I will do it.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. Begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.

after which the Congregation will be seated

The Children’s Lesson I Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

The Sign of the Cross

The Hymn of the Day Hymn 82 “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise”

1 Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to you we raise,

Manifested by the star To the Magi from afar,

Branch of royal David’s stem, In your birth at Bethlehem.

Anthems be to you addressed, God in man made manifest.

2 Manifest at Jordan’s stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme,

And at Cana, Wedding Guest, In your Godhead manifest;

Manifest in pow’r divine, Changing water into wine.

Anthems be to you addressed, God in man made manifest.

3 Manifest in making whole Palsied limbs and fainting soul;

Manifest in valiant fight, Quelling all the devil’s might;

Manifest in gracious will, Ever bringing good from ill.

Anthems be to you addressed, God in man made manifest.

4 Sun and moon shall darkened be; Stars shall fall, the heav’ns shall flee.

Christ will then like lightning shine; All will see his glorious sign.

All will then the trumpet hear; All will see the judge appear.

You by all will be confessed, God in man made manifest.

5 Grant us grace to see you, Lord, Mirrored in your holy Word.

May our lives and all we do Imitate and honor you

That we all like you may be At your great epiphany

And may praise you, ever blest, God in man made manifest.

after which the Congregation will rise for

The Greeting

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge

of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sermon Text John 2:1-11

Three days later, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. 2 Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and Me? My time has not come yet.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”

6 Six stone water jars, which the Jews used for ceremonial cleansing, were standing there, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” And they did.

9 When the master of the banquet tasted the water that had now become wine, he did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew). The master of the banquet called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have had plenty to drink, then the cheaper wine. You saved the good wine until now!”

11 This, the beginning of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

The Message from the Simple Sign of Water Turned Into Wine

following the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for the post-sermon blessing

Pastor To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority now and forever. Amen.

We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord

Our Offerings of Love to our Lord

Because we aren’t able to pass an offering plate today during this morning’s worship service, those in attendance may leave their offerings in the offering plates by the exit at the close of our service. For those watching this worship service, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:

1) You can mail a check (no cash) to the church address (415 N. 6^th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)

2) You can go to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option.

Give Online

After which the Congregation rises

(Sung)

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Your presence. And take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation.

And uphold me with Your free Spirit. Amen.

Our Prayers for Each Other

Included in our prayers this morning:

A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Continued Intercession on behalf of

Bev and Darrell Anderson as they continue to progress through their

rehabilitation treatments, following an auto accident, at the Highlands in Bella Vista

and

A Special Prayer for Kelvin Johannes as later this week he returns

to Martin Luther College in Minnesota to continue his studies for the pastoral ministry

Today’s General Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, Who art in heaven Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We Celebrate the Lord’s Supper

Pastor – The Lord be with you.

Congregation (Sung) And with You also

Pastor – Lift up your hearts.

Congregation (Sung) We lift them up to the Lord

Pastor – Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.

Congregation (Sung) It is good and right so to do.

Pastor – It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and we praise You especially for the glorious resurrection of Your Son, the true Passover Lamb, Who by His sacrifice took away the sins of the world, and by His resurrection restored eternal life to all who believe in Him. Therefore with angels and archangel, and all the company of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join their glorious song:

Congregation

(Sung)

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of heavenly hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of Your glory

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He, Blessed is He, Blessed is He

Who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.

Consecration of the Communion Elements (Pastor)

Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Congregation – (Sung) Amen.

O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; Have mercy on us.

O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; Grant us peace. Amen.

The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper (Pastor)

The First Distribution Hymn Hymn 309 “Draw Near And Take The Body of the Lord”

1 Draw near and take the body of the Lord, And drink the holy blood for you outpoured.

Offered was he for greatest and for least, Himself the victim and himself the priest.

2 He that his saints in this world rules and shields To all believers life eternal yields,

With heav’nly bread makes them that hunger whole, Gives living waters to the thirsty soul.

3 Come forward, then, with faithful hearts sincere, And take the pledges of salvation here.

Before your altar, Lord, your servants bow; In this your feast of love be with us now.

The Second Distribution Hymn Hymn 312 “Lord Jesus Christ You Have Prepared”

1 Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared This feast for our salvation;

It is your body and your blood, And at your invitation

As weary souls, with sin oppressed, We come to you for needed rest, For comfort, and for pardon.

2 Although you did to heav’n ascend, Where angel hosts are dwelling,

And in your presence they behold Your glory, all excelling,

And though your people shall not see Your glory and your majesty Till dawns the judgment morning,

3 Yet, Savior, you are not confined To any habitation,

But you are present ev’rywhere And with your congregation.

Firm as a rock this truth shall stand, Unmoved by any daring hand Or subtle craft and cunning.

4 We eat this bread and drink this cup, Your precious Word believing

That your true body and your blood Our lips are here receiving.

This Word remains forever true, And there is naught you cannot do, For you, Lord, are almighty.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + +

5 Though reason cannot understand, Yet faith this truth embraces:

Your body, Lord, is ev’rywhere At once in many places.

I leave to you how this can be; Your Word alone suffices me; I trust its truth unfailing.

6 Lord, I believe what you have said; Help me when doubts assail me.

Remember that I am but dust, And let my faith not fail me.

Your supper in this vale of tears Refreshes me and stills my fears And is my priceless treasure.

7 Grant that we worthily receive Your supper, Lord, our Savior,

And, truly grieving for our sins, May prove by our behavior

That we are thankful for your grace And day by day may run our race, In holiness increasing.

8 For your consoling supper, Lord, Be praised throughout all ages!

Preserve it, for in ev’ry place The world against it rages.

Grant that this sacrament may be A blessed comfort unto me When living and when dying.

We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing

The Closing Prayer

The Benediction

The LORD bless you and keep you.

The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

The LORD look with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.

The Closing Hymn Hymn 261 “On What Has Now Been Sown”

1 On what has now been sown Your blessing, Lord, bestow;

The pow’r is yours alone To make it sprout and grow.

O Lord, in grace the harvest raise, And yours alone shall be the praise!

2 To you our wants are known, From you are all our pow’rs;

Accept what is your own And pardon what is ours.

Our praises, Lord, and prayers receive And to your Word a blessing give.

3 Oh, grant that each of us, Now met before Thee here,

May meet together thus When you and yours appear,

And follow you to heav’n, our home. E’en so, Amen! Lord Jesus, come! Amen

silent prayer, announcements & post-service music

Announcements

This Past Week At Grace Lutheran Worship Attendance: 66 Online views: 25 Bible Class: 22 Online views : 10 Sunday School: 4 Budgetary Offerings: $3018 Online Offerings: $77.55 Tuesday Bible Class: 15 Wednesday Bible Studies: 6 men, 6 women

Birthdays This Week Jan 17 Everette Hoins; Jan 17 – Megan Arthur; Jan 17 – Mary Talbert; Jan 18 Rich Benske; Jan 20 – Andrea Taylor Jan 22 – Bill Book; Jan 22 – Zachary Hahn;

Serving Us Next Week (1-24) Ushers – Fred Cusanelli, Pat Quinlan

Altar Guild – Karen Swogger, Mary Karloski Elders – Tim Pfortmiller, Vic Walker

This Coming Week at Grace Lutheran Church

Today Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m. Bible Class/Sunday School, 11:05 a.m.

Youth Confirmation Class, noon to 1:15 p.m.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday Women’s and Men’s Bible Studies, 6 p.m.

Sunday Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m. Bible Class / Sunday School – 11:05 a.m.

Youth Confirmation Class, noon to 1:15 p.m.

Bible Classes This Week

Sunday Bible Class: Studying 1 John…..starting at 2:12 with warnings about worldliness and the danger of a variety of antichrists

Tuesday Bible Class (10:30-11:30) studying I Kings, chapters 1-2…..Solomon becomes King

Wednesday Bible Classes (6-7 p.m.) Women are studying Philippians

Men’s Class is studying Selected Psalms…..This week Psalms 1 and 46

Bible Study Live Stream

Christ’s First Sign of His Deity:

Ordinary Water Becomes Extraordinary Wine

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