Category: Worship Services

Luke 6:27-38 | In any given week, we make numerous transactions. We complete transactions when we purchase an item, and even an interchange between two (or more) people is a “transaction.” Transactions are a part of life. And yet, if we only see our lives as a series of transactions, we restrict ourselves from engaging in true love. This weekend, as we continue to hear Jesus teach during his Sermon on the Plain, we hear Jesus encourage his followers to turn from a transactional way of life to a grace-filled way of living. As we hear these teachings, they may seem challenging. And yet, as we heed these words, and abide in them, not only will we live as recipients of God’s abundant grace, but we will find ourselves living in God’s Kingdom, and living out God’s grace.  

Sunday, February 23, 2025, Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive. Text: Rosamond E. Herklots, 1905-1987, alt. Music: The Sacred Harp, Philadelphia, 1844. Text: © Oxford University Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace. Text Olive Wise Spannaus, b. 1916, alt:. Music: Šamotulský Kancionál, 1561. Text and Music: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Goodness Is Stronger than Evil. Text and Music: John Bell. Music: © 1996 Iona Community / WGRG (North America). Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me. Text and Music: African-American Spiritual. Text and Music: © 1995 Stephen Lee. Covered under One License subscription.

Luke 6:17-26; Jeremiah 17:5-10 | “Hey there!” has become a common greeting. But “hey!” can also carry a deeper sense of urgency, or, even warning. This weekend, as Jesus continues teaching and healing, we find that he also offers several “hey!’s” to those listening as a warning. These “hey!’s” aren’t given as a judgment, but as an invitation for the people to reassess their lives in light of God’s unfolding Kingdom. So, as we look to Christ for healing and renewal, and as we uplift the world to God in prayer, join us for worship as we take seriously both God’s message of comfort given to us and God’s invitation to live in solidarity with Christ, and with one another.

Sunday, February 16, 2025, Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: God Is Here. Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000. Music: Curo; V. Taylor, 1907-1991. Text: © 1979 Hope Publishing Company. Music: © 1942, ren. 1970 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Blest Are They. Text: David Haas, b.1957. Music: David Haas; arr. David Haas and Michael Joncas, b. 1957. Text and Music: © 1985 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Wade in the Water. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 1993 Alfred Sacred. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: The Blessing. Text and Music: Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, Steven Furtick. Text and Music: © 2020 Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: My Life Is In You. Text and Music:Daniel Gardner. Text and Music: © 1986 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription.

:

Luke 5:1-11 | “Join the party!” someone might say, inviting us to take part in a celebration. Often, that party is already planned, or already even started, if someone is inviting you to “join ” in the same way, as Jesus called Simon in the fishing boat, calling him to “catching people” Jesus was inviting Simon – and us – to join in the work, the mission, and the ministry that he’s already started….and already planned. So, as we consider what it means for us to follow Jesus as disciples today, join us for worship as we pay attention to what is around us, and as we join in the symphony that Jesus has already begun, bringing Good News to all people for the sake of God’s mission.

Sunday, February 9, 2025, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult. Text: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1823-1895. Music: William H. Jude, 1851-1822. Text and Music: Public Domain Hymn of the Day: You Have Come to the Lakeshore. Text: Cesáreo Gabaráin, 1936-1991; tr. Madeleine Forell Marshall, b. 1946. Music: Cesáreo Gabaráin. Text and Music: © 1979 Cesáreo Gabaárin, OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription.
Offering: Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am. Text and Music: John L. Bell, b. 1949. Text and Music: © 1995 Iona Community, admin, GIA Publications Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Fishers of Men. Performed by Rhonda Vincent © 2025 ML Genius Holdings, LLC. Permission granted by Rhonda Vincent Sending Song: We Are Called. Text and Music: David Haas, b. 1957. Text and Music © 1988 GIA PUblications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

:

Luke 4:21-30; Jeremiah 1:4-10 | We all know the risks of selective hearing. Only listening to what we want to hear distorts what is true. Which, as we meet Jesus in our Gospel this weekend, it seems as though the crowd gathered around him was suffering from this very thing: they didn’t want to heed what Jesus was telling them. Hearing this story, it might be easy to chastise the crowd. But how often do we, too, simply hear what we want to hear so that we can remain comfortable? God’s Word is a word of comfort and life for us. But God’s Word is also a word of comfort and life for all people. So, even as we find ourselves surrounded by so many words and so many promises, we invite you to come and join us for worship as we listen for God’s Word to us today, and as we are sent as prophets to proclaim, enact, and live the good news of God’s Word for all people.

Sunday, February 2, 2025, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: Dearest Jesus, at Your Word. Text: Tobias Clausnitzer, 1619-1684, sts. 1-3; Gesangbuch, Berlin, 1707, st. 4; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878, adapted. Music: Johann R. Ahle, 1625-1673. Text and Music: Public Domain Hymn of the Day: There’s A Wideness In God’s Mercy. Text: Frederick W. Faber, 1814-1863, alt. Music: Calvin Hampton, 1938-1984. Text: Public Domain. Music: © 1977 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Gentle Mary Laid Her Child. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Lovely Needy People. Text and Music: Lenora Rand, Gary Rand. Original Recording by THE MANY. Text and Music: © 2016 Helical Music. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Go, My Children, with My Blessing. Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, b. 1919, alt. Music: Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958. Text © 1983 Concordia Publishing House Music © Oxford University Press. Covered under One License subscription.

Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Luke 4:14-21 | With the Bible being one of the highest published books in the world, it’s likely that many of us have laid hands on this book…and even read portions of it. But what do these old, old words mean for us, today? And what is their place within the life of Christian community, and in the life of the world? Mindful of the myriad of words and voices that surround us, we invite you to join us this weekend for worship as we turn ourselves to God’s Word for us, trusting that – even today – God’s promises will be fulfilled in us, and in our world.

Sunday, January 26, 2025, Third Sunday after Epiphany Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: O Word of God Incarnate. Text: William W. How, 1823-1897. Music: Neuvermehrtes Gesangbuch, Meiningen, 1693. Text and Music: Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Ancient Words. Text and Music: Lynn DeShazo. Text and Music: © 2001 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Open Your Ears, O Faithful People. Text and Music: Willard Jabusch. Text and Music: © 1966, 1982 Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Send Us Out. Text and Music: James Hersch. Text and Music © 1994 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 | Think of how many accounts, or devices, you’ve “activated.” Even before the prompt to activate the account, the account has already been created. But you don’t have access to its full potential until the final activation is complete. The same is true for us as we live into our spiritual gifts. Often, the church has used language of “spiritual gifts” to distinguish between various things we “do” as a part of the body of Christ. But at the core, spiritual gifts are less about what we do and more about who we are as we live into the Spirit, who activates these gifts within us for the sake of the common good. So as we continue into the season of Epiphany, join us for worship as we reaffirm our willingness for the Spirit to activate something within us, and as we are sent forth to live as a part of God’s mission in the world to reveal Christ’s light.

Sunday, January 19, 2025, Second Sunday after Epiphany Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: What Feast of Love. Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, b. 1939. Music: English ballad, 16th cent. Text: © 1993 Delores Dufner, admin. OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: In Christ Called to Baptize. Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947. Music: Welsh traditional; arr. John Roberts, 1807-1876, alt. Text: © 1995 Pilgrim Press. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: The Wedding. Text and Music: Michael Card. Text and Music: © 1985 Birdwing Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Mole End Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Covered under CCLI subscription. Offering: Here, at Your Table, Lord. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Go Now. Text and Music: Hans Peterson, Larry Olson. Text and Music © 2006 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription.

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 | When we think of baptismal imagery, it’s likely we think of images like a peaceful dove, or a calm and quiet water merely lapping at the shore. These images of comfort are within Scripture, and they remind us of God’s assurance of comfort and blessing. But as we meet John the Baptist on the shores of the Jordan River, we hear that the baptism which Jesus baptizes will not simply be a calm, quiet baptism with water. Instead, Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. So then, what does that mean for us, today, as we are baptized and as we live as baptized people of God? Join us for worship as we open ourselves to the work of God’s Spirit within us now, and as we are sent forth as freed people to live as the precious and valuable works of art that we are.

Sunday, January 12, 2025, Baptism of Our Lord Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise. Text:Christopher Wordsworth, 1807-1885, alt. Music: Jakob Hintze, 1622-1702; arr. Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750. Text and Music: Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters. Text and Music: Lutheran Book of Worship, Ronald A. Nelson. Music: © 1978 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Refiners Fire. Text and Music: Brian Doerksen . Text and Music: © 1990 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music) Vineyard Songs Canada (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Offering: Wexford Carol. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2019 Lorenz Corporation (admin. by Music Services). Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: This Little Light of Mine. Text and Music: Horace Clarence Boyer. Text and Music © 1992 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 43:16-21 | As we journey into a new year, we also journey with the wise men who come to pay homage to Jesus, the newly born king. We might assume their path to Jesus was a straight one, but their trek was filled with royal encounters and unforeseen detours. In the same way, our lives may not be the most linear. And yet, along the way, God meets us where we are, stirring us to follow the Spirit’s path. So as you venture into 2025, join us for worship as we seek the light of Christ, and as we utilize a prayer practice – using star words – to illuminate our path before us.

Note for online listeners: to engage with the sermon, you’ll need access to the Star Words list linked below. Those attending in-person received a star word randomly. Though this cannot be duplicated online, we encourage you to choose a word as randomly as possible to allow the Spirit to lead you to what it is that you need to hear.

Sunday, January 5, 2025, Epiphany Sunday Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.Prayer by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Gathering: As With Gladness Men of Old. Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898, alt. Music: Conrad Kocher, 1786-1872. Text and Music: Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Home By Another Way. Text: Anna Strickland, A Sanctified Art 2021. Music: John Henry Hopkins (1857). Text and Music: © Anna Strickland, 2021. Commissioned by
A Sanctified Art. Public Domain. Covered under A Sanctified Art LLC. Offering: The First Noel. Text: English traditional Music: English traditional; arr. John Stainer, 1840-1901. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Sending Song: Son of God, Eternal Savior. Text: Somerset C. Lowry, 1855-1932. Music: Oude en Nieuwe Hollantse Boerenlities en Contradansen, 1710; arr. Julius Rontgen, 1855-1932. Text and Music © Public Domain.

Luke 2:1-20 | Tonight, we welcome the birth of the Christ child.  On that first Christmas night, one can only imagine the wonder and awe of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the innkeeper as they gazed upon the holiness of God right in front of them. But even now, Christ comes into our midst, appearing to us wherever we are, all because of a love that transcends understanding. So as you celebrate Christmas, join us for worship, as we are reminded of the promise of Emmanuel – God with us – and as we are given the invitation to be-hold our Lord and King…not just on this oh holy night, but throughout the year.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024, Christmas Eve Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.Prayer by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Gathering: O Little Town of Bethlehem. Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893. Music: Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Storytelling: Cloth for the Cradle. Text and Music: Iona Community. Text and Music: © 1987, 1997 Iona Community/WGRG (North America). Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Love Broke Forth. Text: Anna Strickland, A Sanctified Art 2022. Music: Henry J. Gauntlett, 1849. Text and Music: © Anna Strickland, 2021. Commissioned by A Sanctified Art. Public Domain. Covered under A Sanctified Art LLC. Offering: The Huron Carol. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2019 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Silent Night. Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885. Music: Franz Gruber, 1787-1863. Text and Music © Public Domain.

Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:46-55 | Hope. It’s a word often associated with the Advent season as we look in hope for Christ’s coming, and for a new beginning. But hope is vulnerable and can feel like a tremendous risk. Hope isn’t guaranteed, leaving room for disappointment. So, is hope worth the risk? Whether you find yourself full of hope, or struggling to hang onto hope, join us this weekend for our last Sunday in Advent as we – like Mary and Joseph – look to the track record of our God who is faithful, and as we are sent forth to live, move, and act in hope of God’s new beginning.

Sunday, December 22, 2024, Fourth Sunday in Advent Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.Prayer by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Gathering: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Text: Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Köln, 1710; tr. composite. Music: French processional, 15th cent. Text: © sts, 2, 6, 7 1987
Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: A Better Way. Text: Anna Strickland, A Sanctified Art 2022. Music: Traditional English carol (18th cent.). Text and Music: © Anna Strickland, 2021. Commissioned by A Sanctified Art. Public Domain. Covered under A Sanctified Art LLC. Offering: In the Bleak Midwinter. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © Lorenz Corporation (admin. by Music Services) All Rights Reserved. ASCAP. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Awake! Awake and Greet the New Morn. Text and Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text and Music © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.