Sunday, January 22, 2023

The Holy Communion on the Third Sunday after the Epiphany

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January 22, 2023

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

 






THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

 

St Matthew sees the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in every aspect of Jesus’ life. Our Lord’s residence in the ancient territory of Zebulun and Naphtali reminds the gospel-writer of Isaiah chapter 9. Jesus is the one who brings light into the darkness of the world.

 

In our Gospel reading, Jesus’ early activity is summarized by Matthew: he calls disciples, proclaims the good news of the kingdom, and cures every disease.

 

After the resurrection of Jesus, the converted Paul began to found churches in Gentile cities. The light of the world was illuminating more and more of the world. The Corinthian church either fell away from Paul’s teaching or misunderstood it from the first. In the letters to the Corinthians, Paul seeks to correct their doctrine and practice. He opens the body of the letter by seeking to purge the Corinthians of factionalism and to re-center them on the crucified Christ.

 

The proclamation of the light of the Gospel; the confession of Christ in unity with all other Christians around the world; the encounter with the crucified Christ in the Holy Communion, the call to be sent out in mission and service: all of these scriptural elements are present in our liturgy today. Thanks be to God!

 

 

 


 OPENING MUSIC              Thy Strong Word - David Cherwien; Paul Manz

I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light - Paul Biery

 

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.

 

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 X

Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

  Amen

 

 

 

THE HOLY COMMUNION

 

I will go to the altar of God;

  the God of my joy and gladness.

 

WHymn             Blue WOV 649                I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

 

APOSTOLIC GREETING

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

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

  And also with you.                                                                             2 Corinthians 13:13

 


HYMN OF PRAISE






















PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

  And also with you.

 

God of salvation,

the splendor of your glory dispels the darkness of earth,

for in Christ we behold the nearness of your kingdom.

  Now make us quick to follow where he beckons,

  eager to embrace the work of the Gospel.

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

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

one God, now and forever.

  Amen

 

CALL TO THE WORD

Jesus went through Galilee, teaching in their synagogues

 and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom.

  Let us hear the Word of the Lord.      

Matthew 4:23

Sit

FIRST READING        Isaiah 9:1-4

 

1There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time [the Lord] brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2The people who walked in darkness
  have seen a great light;
 those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
  on them light has shined.

3You have multiplied the nation,
  you have increased its joy;
 they rejoice before you
  as with joy at the harvest,
  as people exult when dividing plunder.
4For the yoke of their burden,
  and the bar across their shoulders,
  the rod of their oppressor,
  you have broken as on the day of Midian.

 

the Word of the Lord.  

  Thanks be to God.

 

PSALM 27: 1, 5-10

Antiphon

 

 

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then | shall I fear?*

                The Lord is the strength of my life;

of whom then shall I | be afraid?

5 One thing have I asked of the Lord; one | thing I seek;*

                that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days | of my life;

6 to behold the fair beauty | of the Lord*

                and to seek him | in his temple.

7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe | in his shelter;*

                he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling

and set me high up- | on a rock.

8 Even now he lifts | up my head* 

                above my enemies | round about me.

9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation

with sounds | of great gladness;*

                I will sing and make music | to the Lord.

10 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, | when I call;*

                have mercy on me and | answer me.

Antiphon

 

 

SECOND READING                     1 Corinthians 1:10-18

 

10Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

 

the Word of the Lord.                                                             Thanks be to God.

 

Stand

VERSE Matthew 4:23                                   Setting by David Schack

Alleluia. Jesus went all about Galilee, teaching, preaching, and healing every disease. Alleluia.

 

Gospel             Matthew 4:12-23

 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.          Glory to you, O Lord.

 

12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
  on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16the people who sat in darkness
  have seen a great light,
 and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
  light has dawned.”

17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

 

The Gospel of the Lord.                                               Praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sit

Sermon

           

Stand                                                                                             

WHYMN OF THE DAY       Green LBW 233                      Thy Strong Word

 

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 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

 

God, our Father, unify your Church in the message of the cross. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Empower pastors, teachers, and evangelists to proclaim Jesus as the light of the world. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Give us opportunity, courage and grace to witness to your light at home, at work, at school, and in our communities. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Grant wisdom to those who govern our nation and the nations of the earth. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Have mercy upon all who are in need, together with these we name before you:

 

The People may intercede for others aloud or in silence.

 

Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Lead us to that day when with saints and angels we shall rejoice in light eternal. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

 

Father, receive these prayers and petitions through 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

OFFERTORY

Psalm 34:4-6                                                      Setting by Henry V. Gerike

I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. the poor cried, and the Lord hears them, and saved them out of all their troubles.

 

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

Father, look upon the face of Jesus Christ your Son,

who gave up his life to set all people free.

  From the rising of the sun to its setting,

  may your name be great among the nations,

  and in every place a pure sacrifice of praise be offered to your glory.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

  Amen


GREAT THANKSGIVING


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. Sharing our life, he lived among us to reveal your glory and love, that our darkness should give way to his own brilliant light. And so with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:


 
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

In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

 

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                                  

Matthew 6:9-15

 

We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.

   God here among us, light in the midst of us,

   bring us to light and life.

           

We adore Christ, present in bread and wine.

 


 

Sit

DISTRIBUTION

 

WDISTRIBUTION HYMN

Choir                         Jesus Calls Us

     Text/ Cecil Frances Alexander;

      Music/ New Harp of Columbus, 1867; arr. K. Lee Scott

 

Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea;

  day by day his sweet voice sounding, saying, “Christian, follow me!’

As of old the apostles heard it by the Galilean lake,

  turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus’ sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,

  from each idol that would keep us, saying, “Christian, love me more!’

In our joys and in our sorrows. days of toil and hours of ease,

  still he calls, in cares and pleasures,

  “Christian, love me more than these!”

Jesus calls us! By your mercies, Savior, may we hear your call,

  give our hearts to your obedience, serve and love you best of all!

Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea;

  day by day his sweet voice sounding, saying, “Christian, follow me!”

 

 When all have received, the People stand at the direction of the pastor.

 

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

  Amen



POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

 

Almighty God,

you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin

and a model of the godly life. 

Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving,

and to conform our lives to his;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Amen

 

Sit

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE FAITH FAMILY

 

Stand

Silence for meditation.

 

BENEDICTION

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor X and give you peace.

  Amen

 

WCLOSING HYMN       

Green LBW 434              The Son of God, Our Christ

           

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.                                                 

  Thanks be to God!

 Lutheran Book of Worship Daily Scripture Readings

 

Monday, January 23: Isaiah 48:1-11; Galatians 1:1-17; Mark 5:21-43

Tuesday, January 24: Isaiah 48:12-22; Galatians 1:18-2:10; Mark 6:1-13

Wednesday, January 25: Isaiah 49:1-12; Galatians 2:11-21; Mark 6:13-29

Thursday, January 26: Isaiah 49:13-26; Galatians 3:1-14; Mark 6:30-46

Friday, January 27: Isaiah 50:1-11; Galatians 3:15-22; Mark 6:47-56

Saturday, January 28: Isaiah 51:1-8; Galatians 3:23-29; Mark 7:1-23

Sunday, January 29: Isaiah 51:9-16; Hebrews 11:8-16; John 7:14-31

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2023 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

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

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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

service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2006.

Prayer of the Day from Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language,

copyright 1997 International Commission on English in the Liturgy. All rights reserved.

Peter Koenig, St. Peter and St. Andrew. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59035

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



 

 

St Stephen Lutheran Church

55 Forsythe Road

Pittsburgh PA 15220

(412) 279-5868

office@ststephenpittsburgh.org

www.ststephenpittsburgh.org

 

Saturday Evening Worship – 6:30 pm

Sunday Morning Worship – 10:30 am