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FIRST READING: At the
conclusion of the book of Deuteronomy, Moses gives his final instructions to
the people of Israel before they cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land
without him. He presents them with a choice: if they will live in the covenant
that God has made, they will prosper and be secure; if they choose not to live
in the covenant, they will perish.
PSALM: The implied singer of Psalm 119 is a young man who means to make the law
of God his spouse, as it were. The first eight-verse section begins with the
first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, ‘Aleph,’ and each subsequent section
begins with the succeeding letter, all the way to the last letter, ‘Taw.’ The
one-hundred seventy-six verses were probably not meant to be prayed all at
once. One way to pray this psalm is by praying eight verses each morning, noon,
and evening, beginning Sunday morning (either omitting 73-80 or including them
on Tuesday evening) and concluding Saturday evening.
SECOND READING: Paul continues to admonish the Corinthian church concerning
their factionalism: their identification with one or another apostle to the
exclusion of Christ and unity in him. Until they have unlearned this, they
cannot proceed to more mature faith – they are like a child who is not yet
ready to be weaned.
GOSPEL: In the section of the Sermon on the Mount that we read last week, Jesus
told the disciples that their righteousness needed to ‘exceed’ the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, who were known for their scrupulous
observance of the Law. Here we see what he means. He teaches the disciples not
simply to address the visible symptoms of sin (murder and adultery, in his examples)
but also the root causes (anger, lust). His prohibition of no-fault divorce exposes
the fact that the oppression of the helpless can occur even though one has
obeyed the letter of the law. His prohibition of swearing oaths directs the
disciples to make all their words trustworthy.
OPENING MUSIC O Christ, Our Hope – J.G. Walther (Two
Settings)
Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky – Carl Schalk
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 Green LBW 268 Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky
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
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
All-seeing
God, you alone judge rightly our inmost thoughts.
Teach us to
observe your law from the heart
even as we
keep it outwardly.
Purify
our desires, calm every anger, and reconcile us to one another.
Then our
worship at your altar will give you perfect praise.
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
God laid down his commandments that we should fully
keep them.
Let us hear the Word
of the Lord.
Psalm 119:4
FIRST
READING Deuteronomy 30:15-20
the Word
of the Lord.
Thanks
be to God.
Antiphon
1 Happy are they whose | way is blameless,*
who
walk in the law | of the Lord!
2 Happy are they who observe | his decrees*
and
seek him with | all their hearts!
3 Who never do | any wrong,*
but
always walk | in his ways.
4 You laid down | your commandments,*
that
we should | fully keep them.
5 Oh, that my ways were made | so direct*
that
I might | keep your statutes!
6 Then I should not be | put to shame,*
when
I regard all | your commandments.
7 I will thank you with an | unfeigned heart,*
when
I have learned your | righteous judgments.
8 I will | keep your statutes;*
do not utter- | ly forsake me.
Antiphon
SECOND READING 1
Corinthians 3:1-9
1Brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as
spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2I
fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even
now you are still not ready, 3for you are still of the flesh. For as
long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh,
and behaving according to human inclinations? 4For when one says, “I
belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely human?
5What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you
came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. 6I planted, Apollos
watered, but God gave the growth. 7So neither the one who plants nor
the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8The
one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will
receive wages according to the labor of each. 9For we are God’s
servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.
the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Stand
VERSE John
6:68 Setting by David Schack
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the
words of eternal life.
Alleluia.
Gospel Matthew 5:21-37
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 21“You
have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’;
and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22But I say to
you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to
judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the
council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23So
when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother
or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there before
the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come
and offer your gift. 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while
you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the
judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26Truly
I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit
adultery.’ 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman
with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If
your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better
for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into
hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and
throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your
whole body to go into hell.
31“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give
her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I say to you that anyone who
divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit
adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
33“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient
times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to
the Lord.’ 34But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by
heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is
his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36And
do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37Let
your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the
evil one.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sit
Sermon
WHYMN OF THE DAY Green LBW 300 O Christ, Our Hope
1 O
Christ, our hope, our hearts’ desire,
creation’s
mighty Lord,
redeemer
of the fallen world,
by
holy love outpoured,
by
holy love outpoured:
2 How
vast your mercy to accept
the
burden of our sin,
and
bow your head in cruel death
to
make us clean within,
to
make us clean within.
3 But
now the bonds of death are burst,
the
ransom has been paid;
you
now ascend the Father’s throne
in
robes of light arrayed,
in
robes of light arrayed.
4 Oh,
let your mighty love prevail
to
purge us of our pride,
that
we may stand before your throne
by
mercy purified,
by
mercy purified.
5 Christ
Jesus, be our present joy,
our
future great reward;
our
only glory, may it be
to
glory in the Lord,
to
glory in the Lord!
6 All
praise to you, ascended Lord;
all
glory ever be
to
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
through
all eternity,
through
all eternity!
Text: Latin hymn, c. 8th cent.; tr. John
Chandler, 1806-1876, adapt.
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
Called as disciples of Jesus to prayer and praise,
let us pray in the Spirit to the Father.
Holy Lord, turn us from every false god and every
loveless act to seek your way of life.
Silence is kept.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord,
have mercy.
Empower your Church in mission to the world. Give
pastors, teachers, and missionaries your strength, wisdom, and zeal.
Silence is kept.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord,
have mercy.
Grant
that all of your people may be energized for ministry in their workplaces,
schools, homes, congregations, and communities.
Silence is kept.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord,
have mercy.
Guide all who
are in positions of responsibility, that they may exercise their offices with
prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
Silence is kept.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord,
have mercy.
Let your Spirit of peace calm the passions and
angers of the peoples. Bring an end to wars and reconcile the races to each
other.
Silence is kept.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord,
have mercy.
We ask you, most good and gracious Father, to give
relief to all who suffer and comfort to those who mourn.
The Pastor reads the names
submitted for prayer.
The People may intercede for
others aloud or in silence.
Lord, have
mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
We remember our loved ones and the saints who have
striven to do your good and gracious will.
Silence is kept.
Lord, we give thanks.
Lord,
we give thanks.
Father, receive these prayers, petitions, and
thanksgivings 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
54:4, 6-7 Setting by Barry L. Bobb
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life. With a freewill offering I will sacrifice
to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. For you have
delivered me from every trouble.
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. Blameless before you, he taught the way of purity, and calls us to seek the better righteousness, that we might be among those who choose the life which is in him. 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.
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
God will bless you in the land
that you are entering to possess.
Thanks be to
God. Deuteronomy 30:16
We adore Christ, present in bread and wine.
WDISTRIBUTION HYMN
Choir Day by Day - Text/
Carolina Sandell Berg; tr. Robert Leaf;
Music/ Oskar Ahnfelt
Day by day, your mercies, Lord, attend me,
bringing comfort to my anxious soul.
Day by day, the blessings, Lord, you send me
draw me nearer to my heavenly goal.
Love divine, beyond all mortal measures,
brings
to naught the burdens of my quest;
Savior, lead me to the home I treasure,
where
at last I’ll find eternal rest.
Day by day, I know you will provide me
strength to serve and
wisdom to obey;
I will seek your loving will to guide me
o’er the paths I struggle day by day.
I will fear no evil of the morrow,
I will trust in your enduring grace.
Savior, help me bear life’s pain and sorrow
till
in glory I behold your face.
Oh, what joy to know that you are near me
when
my burdens grow too great to bear;
oh, what joy to know that you will hear me
when
I come, O Lord, to you in prayer.
Day by day, no matter what betide me,
you
will hold me ever in your hand.
Savior, with your presence here to guide me,
I
will reach at last the promised land.
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.
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 487
Let Us Ever Walk with
Jesus
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Lutheran Book of Worship Daily Scripture Readings
Monday, February 13: Isaiah
63:1-6; 1 Timothy 1:1-17; Mark 11:1-11
Tuesday, February 14: Isaiah
63:7-14; 1 Timothy 1:18-2:8; Mark 11:12-26
Wednesday, February 15: Isaiah
63:15-64:9; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Mark 11:27-12:12
Thursday, February 16: Isaiah
65:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Mark 12:13-27
Friday, February 17: Isaiah
65:17-25; 1 Timothy 5:17-22; Mark 12:28-34
Saturday, February 18: Isaiah 66:1-6;
1 Timothy 6:6-21; Mark 12:35-44
Sunday, February
19: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; 2 Corinthians 3:1-9; John
12:27-36a
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.
James,
Laura. Sermon on the Mount, from Art
in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt
Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57891 [retrieved
February 6, 2023]. Original source: Laura James,
https://www.laurajamesart.com/collections/religious/
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
Saturday Evening Worship – 6:30 pm
Sunday Morning Worship – 10:30 am
