Third Sunday of Epiphany
January 21, 2018
American Lutheran Church
“Committed to Love and to Serve”
905 East First Street Gibson City, Illinois 60936 (217) 784-4841
Pastor Jim Davis
Parsonage: (217) 784-5444 Cell: (309) 826-4968
Krysti Brucker, Organist Gerry Gallagher, Secretary
A member of Servant’s United Parish God’s work ~ Our hands!
Community Lutheran, Cornell & St. Peter’s Lutheran, Dwight
Primarily Served by Pastors Jim Davis, Ed Hudelson and Pulpit Supply Pastors
Trinity Lutheran, Chenoa & St. John’s Lutheran, Anchor
Primarily Served by Pastor Ed Hudelson
St. John’s Lutheran, Sibley
Primarily Served by Pastor Jim Davis
“A” indicates Assisting Minister / “P” indicates Pastor / “R” indicates Reader
Bold text with a “C” indicates Congregational response
PRELUDE
WELCOME
HYMN – I Love to Tell the Story – Green 390
GREETING
P:Please stand in body or in spirit . . . The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also
with you.
A: We celebrate the birth of Jesus and his presence among us. C: Alleluia,
alleluia!
KYRIE
P:Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of peace: C: Lord, have mercy.
A:Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary: C: Christ, have mercy.
P:Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and the splendor of the Father: C: Lord,
have mercy.
SONG OF PRAISE – The congregation sings verse 1; women – verse 2;
men – verse 3; congregation – verse 4
PRAYER OF THE DAY
A:Let us pray: C: Almighty God, by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.Amen.
Please be seated and have the children come forward for their sermon.
SERMON FOR CHILDREN
FIRST READING – Jonah 3:1-5, 10
R:Our First Reading is from the Third Chapter of Jonah:
1The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2“Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
10When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
R:Word of God, word of life! C: Praise to you, O Christ!
PSALM 62:5-12
R: Let us read from Psalm 62responsively:
5For God alone I wait in silence; truly, my hope is in God.
6God alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall never be shaken.
7In God is my deliverance and my honor; God is my strong rock and my refuge.
8Put your trust in God always, O people, pour out your hearts before the one who is our refuge.
9Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath; those of low estate cannot be trusted. Placed on the scales together they weigh even less than a breath.
10Put no trust in extortion; in robbery take no empty pride; though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
11God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, that power belongs to God.
12Steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord, for you repay all according to their deeds.
SECOND READING – 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
R:Our Second Reading is from the Seventh Chapter of Paul’s First Letter to the
Corinthians:
29Brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 30and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, 31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
R: Please stand in body or in spirit for our Gospel Reading.
GOSPEL READING – Mark 1:14-20
R:Our Gospel Reading is from the First Chapter of Mark:
14Now after John (the Baptist) was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
16As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
R:This is the word of our Lord. C: Thanks be to God! R: Please be seated.
SERMON – Pastor Ruth Hansen
HYMN – O Master, Let Me Walk with You – Green 492
APOSTLES’ CREED
A:Please stand in body or in spirit . . . Let us confess our faith in the words of the
Apostles’ Creed:
C:We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to
the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he
is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to
judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the
lifeeverlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS
A:Confident that God our light and our salvation hears us when we pray, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need
A:Let us pray . . . . . Have mercy, O God.
A:Merciful God, you hear our prayers even before we speak them. Receive them for the sake of the one through whom you have revealed your goodness, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.
People in Our Prayers:
Austin Alsbrook, Dick Anstrom, Jerry Biggart, Scottie Bradbury,Carrie Breum,
Isaac Brucker, Lisa Buhs, Carly Chase, Kim Cooper, Emma Couillard,
Heather Eisenhardt, Judy Friedlein, Herb Green, Alex Happ,
Chuck & Nancy Hay, Denise Horton, Terry Hutchcraft, Dale Jones,
Ada Kennedy, Patricia Lindsey, Nancy List, Jerry Mieczkowski,
Pastor Dennis & Linda Norton, Jeff Randecker, Joann Reinhart,
Dalene Riblet-Miller, Jim Spangler, Gary Stroh, Mary Timm, Joan Tjarks,
Daelin Tolan, Ericka Wahls, and Lou Wahls.
SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE
A:May the peace of our Lord be with you. C: And also with you!
A:Let us share a sign of God’s peace with one another.
Please be seated for our offering.
Please fill out an Attendance Card and place it in the offering plate!
This will help us keep accurate records. It is also an opportunity to share notes or prayer requests with Pastor, and to update your contact information.
OFFERING – All we have is from God. We respond by sharing what God has
given us.
Please stand in body or in spirit as our offerings are brought forward.
OFFERING RESPONSE – Good Christian Friends – Green 55
1Good Christian friends, rejoice,With heart and soul and voice;
Now you hear of endless bliss:Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven's door, And we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!
2Good Christian friends, rejoice, With heart and soul and voice;
Now you need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all, To gain the everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!
Text: Medieval Latin carol; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818-1866
OFFERING PRAYER
A:Let us pray together: C: Merciful God, receive the gifts we bring, our selves, our time, and our possessions. Through this meal unite us as your body, shining with the light of your justice and mercy; for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
P: 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. 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 in remembrance of me.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
C: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.
Please be seated.
DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
COMMUNION ANTHEM – Krysti Brucker, keyboards
prayer AFTER COMMUNION
P:Let us pray together: C: O Morning Star, fair and bright, you have refreshed us again with heavenly food. You are our dearest treasure. Go with us now—today, tomorrow, every day—that we tell the story of your never-ending love and sing your praise both now and forever. Amen.
Announcements –Please use the microphone!
blessing
P: The God of glory dwell in you richly, name you beloved, and shine brightly on
your path; and the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the + Son, and the
Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. C: Amen.
HYMN – Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling – Green 381 – v. 1, 2 & 4
DISMISSAL
A:Go in peace. Be the light of Christ. C: Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
Thank you to Pastor Ruth Hansen for leading us in worship while Pastor Jim
is on vacation! Pastor Ruth is a “retired” Lutheran pastor who resides in
Flanagan, Illinois. She is a graduate of Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.
Upcoming Events for this week:
January 22 Little Achievers – Donuts with Dad – Parish Hall – 8 am and 11:45 pm
January 23 Little Achievers – Donuts with Dad – Parish Hall – 8 am and 11:45 pm
January 24 Pastor Jim is back in the office.
January 25 Prayer Team – Comfort Room – 1:00 pm
January 28 Moments of Grace – WGCY Radio – 7:30-7:45 am
Worship 10:30 am
Worship Assistants – January
Head Usher – Tom Brucker / Assistant Usher – Curt Miller
Altar Guild – Curt & Holly Miller and Family
January 21stJanuary 28th
Coffee/Refreshments –Coffee/Refreshments –
Acolytes – Lindsey and Halie HeinzAcolyte – Willy Stevenson
Greeters – Terry & Joyce Hutchcraft Greeters – Mike & Rona Eyer and
Asst. Minister –Kim Brucker Ron & Carol Bielfeldt
Reader – Margaret StockerAsst. Minister – Cynthia Davis
Comm. Assts. –Joyce Hutchcraft and Reader – Ryan Tompkins
Sharon NunamakerComm. Assts. – Ryan & Misti
Offering Counter – Willy Stevenson Tompkins
Sound Tech – Ron AndrisOffering Counter – April Nettleton Sound Tech – Ron Andris
Congratulations to Holly Tompkins who graduated from Illinois State University Summa Cum Laude on December 16, 2017. Holly’s degree is in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics.
NOTE CHANGE IN DATE --The next food pantry distribution for our congregation is on Saturday, March 24th and then April 14th. The Rotary Clubasked if we could switch dates with them. Please mark this change on your calendar. Thank you!
~ Gary Lutterbie – 217/784-5647.
We are looking for volunteers to clean our church buildingonce a week.
Please contact Darcy Thompson at (217) 781-1144.
Pastor Jim will be back in the office this Wednesday, January 24th. Until his return, please call Council President Lisa Gregerson at (217) 249-8028 in case of an emergency. Lisa has the contact information for pastors who are covering in the meantime.
Our Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 4th, immediately after our worship service. Copies of the Annual Report will be available next Sunday to give you time to look it over prior to the meeting.
Foundations of Faith (Sunday School) is meeting on the following Sundays from 9:15 – 10:15 am: February 4th & 25th; March 11th; April 8th & 22nd; and
May 6th.
We will soon be printing a new Church Directory. Please provide Gerry with any updates – street addresses, cell phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. – so we have your current contact information. Thank you!
Visitors and Members -Be sure to fill out an Attendance Card every Sunday morning and place it in the offering plate! This will help us keep accurate attendance records for synod reporting and contributions. It is also an opportunity to share notes or prayer requests with Pastor; and to update your contact information.
Church Office Hours:
Gerry – Tue, Wed & Thu – 9:00 am – noon
Pastor Jim is on vacation and will be back in the office on January 24th.
Please call Council President Lisa Gregerson (217) 249-8028 in an emergency. Lisa has the contact information for pastors who are covering
while Pastor is on vacation.
Prayers of Intercession – January 21, 2018
Confident that God our light and our salvation hears us when we pray, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need. When each petition is ended with “Let us pray,” please respond with, “Have mercy, O God.” . . .
Gracious God, we pray for the church in all its forms, for unity in Christ, and for those who proclaim the good news in word and deed, that all trust that the kingdom of God has come near, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For clean water and air, for fertile lands, so that all creatures and people have enough food, nourishing drink, and breathable air, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For public defenders and district attorneys, for the armed forces and international peace organizations, and for all public leaders, that those in authority work for the well-being of all people (especially), let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For the poor and oppressed, for the sick and bereaved, for those living with HIV and AIDS, and for all people in need, especially those on our prayer list, and the people we now name out loud or in the silence of our hearts (allow time for names to be mentioned) . . . May your power and compassion be visible to those who need care and those who provide care, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For this congregation and its ministries, for visitors in our midst, and for students returning to school, that your Holy Spirit will guide us in all our endeavors, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
In thanksgiving for those who have died, that their lives of faithful service point us to the steadfast love of Christ, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
Merciful God, you hear our prayers even before we speak them. Receive them for the sake of the one through whom you have revealed your goodness, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
For St. John’s, Sibley: Please be seated for our Offering.
For American, Gibson City:
May the peace of our Lord be with you always. And also with you!
Let us share a sign of God’s peace with each other.