Link to a video recording of the service
PLUMSTED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
January 31, 2021— 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Welcome and Announcements
Call to worship
Give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart in the company of the congregation.
The Lord is gracious and merciful, ever mindful of the covenant.
The works of God’s hands are faithful and just, established forever and ever.
Holy and awesome is God’s name.
God’s praise endures forever!
Prayer of the Day
Holy God, you confound the world’s wisdom by giving your kingdom to the lowly and pure in heart. Give us such a hunger and thirst for justice and perseverance in striving for peace, that by our words and deeds the world may see the promise of your kingdom, revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Confession and Assurance
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, whose wisdom is endless, whose mercy is great. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
You have shown us, O God, what it means to follow you. Forgive us when we fail; open our hearts and minds to your teachings. You modeled compassion in the person of Jesus Christ, but we do not extend kindness to strangers or friends. You challenge systems of injustice through the movement of your spirit, but we keep choosing comfort over justice, the status quo over the Kingdom of God. You create all things good, and your creation sings your praise, but we consider no creatures but ourselves and wound your earth by our sin.
Forgive us, O God. Pour your compassion on us this day, and by your forgiveness, show us how to share it with one another.
Those who trust in God will renew their strength. They will run and not be weary, they will walk and not grow faint. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God.
Prayer for illumination
Saving God, source of our calling, your Word is full of power and glory. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may receive your grace and live as your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lordyour 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.”Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. I 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. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But 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.”
Mark 1:21-28
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They 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.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Sermon
Affirmation of Faith
In Jesus of Nazareth, true humanity was realized once for all. Jesus, a Palestinian Jew, lived among his own people and shared their needs, temptations, joys, and sorrows. He expressed the love of God in word and deed and became a brother to all kinds of sinful men and women. But his complete obedience led him into conflict with his people. His life and teaching judged their goodness, religious aspirations, and national hopes. Many rejected him and demanded his death. In giving himself freely for them, he took upon himself the judgment under which everyone stands convicted. God raised him from the dead, vindicating him as Messiah and Lord. The victim of sin became the victor, and won the victory over sin and death for all.
Sharing of joys and concerns
Prayers of Intercession
For the church, the world, and all in need, let us pray to the Lord, saying:
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For your church in every place, that we may worship and serve you faithfully,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For leaders and people in every land, that they may know your way and do your will,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For justice throughout the world, that there may be peace and plenty for all,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For the earth you have made, that it may flourish in beauty and show your glory,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For all those who hunger and thirst, that they may be filled with good things,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For those who are ill or close to death, that they may know your loving care,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
Receive all these prayers, O God, in the tenderness of your mighty hand, and strengthen our hands to serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Offering
God is the giver and source of all that is good. We acknowledge the abundance of gifts that have been showered upon us, and now return a portion of them in the hope that they might serve Christ’s purposes in our community and in our world.
Gracious God, we offer our gifts to you that they may be sanctified and dedicated to ministries of reconciliation and justice in our church, our nation and our world. Receive these gifts as a sign of our commitment to follow Jesus as his disciples. Amen.
* Charge and Benediction
PLUMSTED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
January 31, 2021— 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Welcome and Announcements
Call to worship
Give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart in the company of the congregation.
The Lord is gracious and merciful, ever mindful of the covenant.
The works of God’s hands are faithful and just, established forever and ever.
Holy and awesome is God’s name.
God’s praise endures forever!
Prayer of the Day
Holy God, you confound the world’s wisdom by giving your kingdom to the lowly and pure in heart. Give us such a hunger and thirst for justice and perseverance in striving for peace, that by our words and deeds the world may see the promise of your kingdom, revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Confession and Assurance
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, whose wisdom is endless, whose mercy is great. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
You have shown us, O God, what it means to follow you. Forgive us when we fail; open our hearts and minds to your teachings. You modeled compassion in the person of Jesus Christ, but we do not extend kindness to strangers or friends. You challenge systems of injustice through the movement of your spirit, but we keep choosing comfort over justice, the status quo over the Kingdom of God. You create all things good, and your creation sings your praise, but we consider no creatures but ourselves and wound your earth by our sin.
Forgive us, O God. Pour your compassion on us this day, and by your forgiveness, show us how to share it with one another.
Those who trust in God will renew their strength. They will run and not be weary, they will walk and not grow faint. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God.
Prayer for illumination
Saving God, source of our calling, your Word is full of power and glory. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may receive your grace and live as your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lordyour 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.”Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. I 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. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But 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.”
Mark 1:21-28
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They 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.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Sermon
Affirmation of Faith
In Jesus of Nazareth, true humanity was realized once for all. Jesus, a Palestinian Jew, lived among his own people and shared their needs, temptations, joys, and sorrows. He expressed the love of God in word and deed and became a brother to all kinds of sinful men and women. But his complete obedience led him into conflict with his people. His life and teaching judged their goodness, religious aspirations, and national hopes. Many rejected him and demanded his death. In giving himself freely for them, he took upon himself the judgment under which everyone stands convicted. God raised him from the dead, vindicating him as Messiah and Lord. The victim of sin became the victor, and won the victory over sin and death for all.
Sharing of joys and concerns
Prayers of Intercession
For the church, the world, and all in need, let us pray to the Lord, saying:
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For your church in every place, that we may worship and serve you faithfully,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For leaders and people in every land, that they may know your way and do your will,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For justice throughout the world, that there may be peace and plenty for all,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For the earth you have made, that it may flourish in beauty and show your glory,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For all those who hunger and thirst, that they may be filled with good things,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
For those who are ill or close to death, that they may know your loving care,
God of grace, hear our prayer.
Receive all these prayers, O God, in the tenderness of your mighty hand, and strengthen our hands to serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Offering
God is the giver and source of all that is good. We acknowledge the abundance of gifts that have been showered upon us, and now return a portion of them in the hope that they might serve Christ’s purposes in our community and in our world.
Gracious God, we offer our gifts to you that they may be sanctified and dedicated to ministries of reconciliation and justice in our church, our nation and our world. Receive these gifts as a sign of our commitment to follow Jesus as his disciples. Amen.
* Charge and Benediction
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