St Stephen Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Holy Communion on the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

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January 31, 2021, 10:30 am

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

The color green, used for the vestments and paraments for the Sundays after the Epiphany, represents growth and life in the Holy Spirit.

OLD TESTAMENT: In Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Moses teaches the people of Israel before they cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land. Moses promises that God will raise up a prophet like himself and put his words into the prophet’s mouth. Christians see Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. We understand Jesus to be more than simply a prophet. As Messiah, Jesus exercises the threefold ministry of prophet, priest, and king. (Muslims read this prophecy as referring to Muhammad, while Jews understand it fulfilled in the succession of prophets compared with whom Moses is in a class by himself.)[1]

NEW TESTAMENT: Paul discusses a problem unfamiliar to us today: the eating of food sacrificed to idols. Some Corinthians thought it was fine to go with non-Christians to a feast at which food sacrificed to an idol was consumed, because they knew that there really were no other gods and therefore it was not a sin to eat the food sacrificed to imaginary gods (indeed, to them it might have been a funny joke!). However, Paul warned them that it was not their consciences that were at stake, but the consciences of other believers who might have been led into the sin of idolatry. In our context, we can understand that Christians may scandalize each other. If we know that our behavior, although not sinful in itself, can lead another Christian into sin, we will have to reconsider our actions.

GOSPEL: The Greek word for ‘authority’ is exousia. The word can also be translated ‘power.’ Jesus teaches as one having exousia. He does not cite differing authorities as do the scribes, but he teaches the Word on his own authority. He confirms his teaching by the exorcism of the evil spirit. Note that our English word ‘exorcism’ comes from the Greek word exousia!

OPENING MUSIC Word of God, Come Down on Earth

I. J.S. Bach

II. J.S. Bach

III. Paul Manz

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played:

1 Word of God, come down on earth,

living rain from heav'n descending;

touch our hearts and bring to birth

faith and hope and love unending.

Word almighty, we revere you;

Word made flesh, we long to hear you.

2 Word eternal, throned on high,

Word that brought to life creation,

Word that came from heav'n to die,

crucified for our salvation,

saving Word, the world restoring,

speak to us, your love outpouring.

3 Word that speaks God's tender love,

one with God beyond all telling,

Word that sends us from above

God the Spirit, with us dwelling,

Word of truth, to all truth lead us;

Word of life, with one bread feed us.

Text: James Quinn, SJ, b. 1919

Text © James Quinn, SJ, Selah Publishing Co., Inc., North American agent. www.selahpub.com

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Stand

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

In the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(1 John 1:8-9)

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Most merciful God,

we confess that we are in bondage to sin

and cannot free ourselves.

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;

we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,

so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your holy name. Amen

Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us, and for his sake forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

APOSTOLIC GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:13

And also with you.

HYMN OF PRAISE Gloria in excelsis Deo

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Luke 2:14

Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:

We worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God:

You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

You are seated at the right hand of the Father;

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Faithful God, your Holy One, Jesus of Nazareth,

spoke the truth with authority,

and you confirmed his teaching by wondrous deeds.

Through his healing presence,

drive far from us all that is unholy,

so that by word and deed

we may proclaim him Messiah and Lord

and bear witness to your power to heal and save.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

CALL TO THE WORD

On the Sabbath day Jesus entered the synagogue,

and taught the people with authority.

Let us hear the Word of the Lord. Mark 1:21-22

Sit

First Reading Deuteronomy 18:15-20

[Moses said:] ¹⁵The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. ¹⁶This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” ¹⁷Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. ¹⁸I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. ¹⁹Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. ²⁰But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.”

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 111

The psalm is read responsively between the pastor and the people.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (vs. 10)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

¹ Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with | my whole heart,*

in the assembly of the upright, in the | congregation.

² Great are the deeds | of the Lord!*

They are studied by all who de- | light in them.

³ His work is full of majes- | ty and splendor,*

and his righteousness en- | dures forever.

⁴ He makes his marvelous works to | be remembered;*

the Lord is gracious and full | of compassion.

⁵ He gives food to | those who fear him;*

he is ever mindful | of his covenant.

⁶ He has shown his people the power | of his works*

in giving them the lands | of the nations.

⁷ The works of his hands are faithful- | ness and justice;*

all his command- | ments are sure.

⁸ They stand fast forev- | er and ever,*

because they are done in | truth and equity.

⁹ He sent redemption to his people;

he commanded his cove- | nant forever;*

holy and awesome | is his name.

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the begin- | ning of wisdom;*

those who act accordingly have a good understanding.

His praise en- | dures forever.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

¹Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ²Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; ³but anyone who loves God is known by him.
⁴Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” ⁵Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords—⁶yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
⁷It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ⁸“Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. ⁹But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

¹⁰For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? ¹¹So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. ¹²But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. ¹³Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Stand

VERSE

Alleluia. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

Alleluia.

Luke 4:18

Gospel Mark 1:21-28

The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

Glory to you, O Lord.

²¹[Jesus and his disciples] went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.²²They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. ²³Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, ²⁴and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” ²⁵But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” ²⁶And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. ²⁷They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” ²⁸At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sit

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

1 Songs of thankfulness and praise,

Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise;

manifested by the star

to the sages from afar,

branch of royal David’s stem

in thy birth at Bethlehem:

anthems be to thee addressed,

God in flesh made manifest.

2 Manifest at Jordan’s stream,

Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;

and at Cana wedding guest

in thy Godhead manifest;

manifest in pow’r divine,

changing water into wine;

anthems be to thee addressed,

God in flesh 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 thee addressed,

God in flesh made manifest.

4 Grant us grace to see thee, Lord,

present in thy holy word;

grace to imitate thee now

and be pure, as pure art thou;

that we might become like thee

at thy great epiphany,

and may praise thee, ever blest,

God in flesh made manifest.

Text: Christopher Wordsworth, 1807-1885

Stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the 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 into hell.

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

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Silence is kept.

For the Church; that we may heed the words of Jesus, our Prophet, Priest, and King. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

For the ministers of the Church; that they may proclaim the forgiveness of sins by Christ’s authority. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

For this faith family; that we may build one another up in love. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

For those who hold civil authority among us: our President, Joseph; our Governor, Thomas; our legislators and magistrates; and for the members of the armed forces and all who work for peace, justice, health, and order. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

For those in thrall to evil and for those who are tormented by guilt or remorse; that you would show your power and free them from their bonds. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

For the sick in body, for those isolated in nursing facilities, hospitals, and homes; for the poor and for those with no one to care for them; for the dying and for those who mourn their dead, and for those for whom we have been called to pray:

The pastor reads the names submitted for prayer.

The people are invited to offer spoken or silent petitions.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

In thanksgiving for those who have gone before us, that like them, we may also hear your Word and receive your blessing. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Peace

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

Stand

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

Open the heavens, Lord our God,

and send your transforming Spirit

on us and on these gifts.

May we who are baptized into Christ

be ready to share his cup of suffering

and strengthened to serve him forever.

Amen

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord.

He is the prophet like Moses who spoke with authority everything that you commanded; the evil spirits submitted to his word of power,

and even today we joyfully hear his teaching of freedom and peace.

And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy LORD, God of power and might!

Heaven and earth are full of your glory;

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

Hosanna in the highest! Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God;

you are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory.

You so loved the world that you gave your only Son,

that whoever believes in him

may not perish but have eternal life.

Having come into the world, he fulfilled for us your holy will

and accomplished our salvation.

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Remembering, therefore, his salutary command,

his life-giving Passion and death,

his glorious resurrection and ascension,

and his promise to come again,

we give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,

not as we ought, but as we are able;

and we implore you mercifully

to accept our praise and thanksgiving,

and, with your Word and Holy Spirit,

to bless us, your servants,

and these your own gifts of bread and wine;

that we and all who share

in the body and blood of your Son

may be filled with heavenly peace and joy,

and, receiving the forgiveness of sin,

may be sanctified in soul and body,

and have our portion with all your saints.

All honor and glory are yours, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

in your holy Church, now and forever.

Amen

Christ is in our midst.

By the power of the Spirit,

we pray to his Father, saying:

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,

forever and ever. Amen

The Holy One of God comes to us with power and authority to save.

Thanks be to God. see Mark 1:27

We adore Christ with the words of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

Grant us peace.

John 1:29, see also Luke 17:13

Sit

DISTRIBUTION

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

Healer of Our Every Ill

Refrain

Healer of our ev'ry ill,

light of each tomorrow,

give us peace beyond our fear,

and hope beyond our sorrow.

1 You who know our fears and sadness,

grace us with your peace and gladness;

Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts. Refrain

2 In the pain and joy beholding

how your grace is still unfolding,

give us all your vision, God of love. Refrain

3 Give us strength to love each other,

ev'ry sister, ev'ry brother;

Spirit of all kindness, be our guide. Refrain

4 You who know each thought and feeling,

teach us all your way of healing;

Spirit of compassion, fill each heart. Refrain

Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950

When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

Amen

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be forever. Amen Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

Lord of all time and eternity,

you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father

in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son:

by the power of your Spirit

complete the heavenly work of our rebirth

through the waters of the new creation;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

BENEDICTION

May Almighty God set you free

from every power that would hold you in bondage,

and cause you to know his love,

that in that love you may speak and act

for the building up of others.

Amen

Almighty God, Father, X Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless you now and forever.

Amen

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

CLOSING MUSIC O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright

Please maintain social distance and remain masked while exiting the building. Please sanitize your hands before leaving the building.

OUR STEWARDSHIP of GOD’S GIFTS

Last Weekend’s Attendance: 8 + 19 = 27

Offering: 1/24/2021

Towards Budget: $ 2,530.00

Itemized Non Budget:

Food Bank: $ 25.00

Water Mission: $ 10.00

Total: $ 2,565.00

The Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God

by the Faith Family.

V IN YOUR PRAYERS

Linda Armento, at home

Matthew Armento, at home

Mary Jo Bondi, at home

Bob, Linnese, and Nathan Dawe, at home

Ruth Duessel, at Concordia, Rebecca

The Rev. Carl Hendrickson, at home

Elsie Kemmler and Bill Roth at Concordia, South Hills

Scott Klammer, at Baldwin Health Center

David Noel, at Kane Rehab, Scott Township

Geneva Schrag, at Consulate Health Care, Canonsburg

William Wetzel at Concordia, Cabot

A VOTER’S MEETING will be held both in-person and remotely (via ZOOM) on Sunday, February 7, 2021 following the 10:30 a.m. worship service. While this will be a challenge, it is for the following reason: the NALC Convocation in August approved two constitutional amendments, and these amendments need approval by the congregations. The amendments are to reapportion lay delegates to the Convocations, and to change the frequency of Convocations from annual to biennial (once every two years). The amendments and the ZOOM link are being emailed to voting members. Please contact Pastor Frontz with any questions.

REMINDERS FOR THOSE PLANNING TO ATTEND WORSHIP SERVICES

· If you wish to attend worship, you will need to pre-register every week by either calling the office or sending an email.

· Registration ends Saturday at 12 noon.

· Masks are required to be worn while in the building.

· Upon entering and leaving the church, you must sanitize your hands or wash them with soap and water.

· You should not loiter for greeting or conversation in the narthex, but instead go directly to your place in the church. After worship, you should not loiter in the nave or the narthex, but immediately exit the building.

· Everyone must sign in when entering the church. This way we can keep track of who was in the church and when.

WORSHIP SERVICES are held every Saturday evening at 6:30 PM and Sunday morning at 10:30 AM. Pastor Frontz also livestreams Compline (Prayer at the Close of the Day) on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. and Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. These can be accessed on the church’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ststephenpittsburgh).

AN ONLINE BIBLE STUDY meets on Wednesday evening at 7:30, following the livestreamed service of Evening Prayer. The topic is Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Please contact Pastor Frontz if you would like the ZOOM link. You can also watch Facebook Live if you do not want to or cannot ZOOM.

FOOD BANK SUNDAY is next weekend. Please consider bringing any non-perishable food items to church next weekend to be donated to the food pantry of St Andrew Lutheran Church in East Carnegie. Monetary donations are also accepted. Thank you.

KINDLY REMEMBER TO PAY FOR THE FLOWERS you ordered for the weekend Altar and for the special occasions. Altar flowers are $20/vase. Checks can be made out to St. Stephen Lutheran Church with a notation “flowers” and placed in the offering plate.

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2021: Please see the sign-up sheet available in the Narthex for altar flowers. If you are unable to sign up in person, you may call or email the office to make a request for a date(s). We will assign date(s) in the order in which the requests are received. The process will repeat until the slots are filled. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. The cost per arrangement is $20.

OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2021 are now available in the Narthex.

Please consider picking up the envelopes of any family members who are unable to attend worship. As a reminder, if you cannot pick up your envelopes at the church, we ask that you simply write your envelope number on your weekly check so that it can be credited to your contribution statement. Many of you are doing it this way anyhow. We are so thankful for your faithfulness in supporting the mission of the church. Please contact Pr. Frontz or Carrie with any questions.

THE 2020 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS have been mailed to your home. If you have any questions regarding your 2020 contribution statement, please contact Marci Shekerko at 412-400-8840 or mshekerko@verizon.net. Thank you.

DAILY DEVOTIONS, including THE WORD IN SEASON, PORTALS OF PRAYER AND CHRIST IN OUR HOME (January, February, and March 2021) are available on the table in the Narthex. Take one or more to share with family and friends. If you are able, a donation would be welcomed to help defray the cost to the congregation for these resources. Thank you!

2021 ‘DAILY TEXTS’ are available in the Narthex. A donation of

$10 per book would be appreciated to help cover the cost of the books. Thank you.

ST STEPHEN COUNSELING CENTER: A site of Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute/PPI). For marriage, family, teen and individual counseling – for first appointment call PPI at 412-661-1239. St. Stephen Center is

412-279-5452. Counseling opens doors to hope. Counselor: Caroline Graham-McGuire.

Text Box: THIS WEEK FOR THE FAITH FAMILY
Sun/Jan 31 WORSHIP 10:30 AM
Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM
Wed/ Feb 3 Evening Prayer (livestream) 7:00 PM
ZOOM Bible Study 7:30 PM
Sat/Feb 6 NA Meeting 11:00 AM
SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP 6:30 PM
Food Bank
Sun/Feb 7 WORSHIP 10:30 AM
Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM
Food Bank

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included in this

Limbourg Brothers. Jesus Casts Out the Unclean Spirit, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56401 [retrieved January 26, 2021]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Folio_166r_-_The_Exorcism.jpg.

Henn, Ulrich. Healing the Sick, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54132 [retrieved January 26, 2021]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33392350@N00/2397577578/.

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org