There is only one worship option this week since Rejoice is now using five Sunday months as an opportunity to do a combined worship. We will return to our normal options next week. Sermon apart from the rest of the service is embedded at the bottom of the page.
4th Sunday after Epiphany, January 29, 2023
Welcome:
Second song: “All the People Said Amen”
You are not alone, if you are lonely
When you feel afraid, you’re not the only
We are all the same, in need of mercy
To be forgiven and be free
It’s all you got to lean on,
But thank God it’s all you need
And all the people said “Amen” – woah
And all the people said “Amen”
Give thanks to the Lord for His love never ends
And all the people said “Amen”
If you’re rich or poor, well it don’t matter
Weak or strong, you know love is what we’re after
We’re all broken, but we’re all in this together
God knows we stumble and fall
And He so loved the world
He sent His Son to save us all
And all the people said “Amen” – woah
And all the people said “Amen”
Give thanks to the Lord for His love never ends
And all the people said “Amen”
Blessed are the poor in spirit, who are torn apart
Blessed are the persecuted and the pure in heart
Blessed are the people hungry for another start
For this is the kingdom – the kingdom of God
Prayer of the Day
Holy God, you confound the world’s wisdom in giving your kingdom to the lowly and the pure in heart. Give us such a hunger and thirst for justice, and perseverance in striving for peace, that in our words and deeds the world may see the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Micah 6: 1-8
1Hear what the Lord says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
2Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for the Lord has a controversy with his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
3“O my people, what have I done to you?
In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
4For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you from the house of slavery;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
5O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,
what Balaam son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”
6“With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Psalm: Psalm 15
1O LORD, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?
2Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
and speak the truth from their heart;
3who do not slander with their tongue,
and do no evil to their friends,
nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
4in whose eyes the wicked are despised,
but who honor those who fear the LORD;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
5who do not lend money at interest,
and do not take a bribe against the innocent.
Those who do these things shall never be moved.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31
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.
19For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.26Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Gospel: Matthew 5: 1-12
1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Sermon: Pastor Neil White
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 to the dead. 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.
Assisting Minister
Let us pray:
Creating God, source of all life, we rejoice in the incredible creation that you have given us to watch over. As you continue to renew your creation day by day we ask that you grant both your people and leaders, global and local, a heart to care for the earth. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, ruler of all the earth, where nations and communities yearn for peace and justice we ask for your steadfast love and righteousness to guide those working for peace. Watch over those who dedicate their lives to the protection and service of others including: Ben, Brycen, Christian, Clayton, Daniel, Dillan, Ethan, Evan, Luke, Michael, Spencer, Sydney, Tyler B. and Tyler G. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Healing God look on your children with compassion and ease the suffering of those dealing with emotional or physical pain. Have your healing hand upon: Addison, Aubrey, Avery, Betsy, Billie, Bob, Brenda, Campbell, Carleen, Cohen, Dennis, Denver, Donna, Donny, Eliza, Gary, Jamie, Jan, Judy, Laurie, Linda, Maddie, Maureen, Melissa, Mike, Patrick, Roger, Sandy, Tom and Wayne and console the friends and family of Chris Lensvaart
Lord, we pray for the ministries of the ELCA and the Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Synod, we also lift up in prayer today: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, Umoja International Mission Lutheran Church, Fort Worth, and First Call Theological Accompaniment.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Leader: In trust and hope, we commend to you, O Lord, all for whom we pray. Amen.
Sharing of the Peace
Highlights
Offering Offering may be given in the offering plate or electronically through the Tithe.ly app. If you want to honor your electronic gift during the offering there are cards on the usher’s table for that purpose.
Words of Institution
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 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.

Post Communion Prayer
A: Let us pray.Let us pray. O God, with this meal you have united us with Christ and also with each other. Send us now in the power of your Spirit, that we may reflect your love to the world through the power of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Blessing
Closing Song: “Your Grace is Enough”
Great is Your faithfulness, O God;
You wrestle with the sinner’s heart.
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart.
So, remember Your people,
Remember Your children,
Remember Your promise, O God.
Your Grace is enough,
Your Grace is enough,
Your Grace is enough for me.
Great is Your love and justice, God
You use the weak to lead the strong.
You lead us in the song of Your salvation,
And all Your people sing along.
So, remember Your people,
Remember Your children,
Remember Your promise, O God.
Your Grace is enough,
Your Grace is enough,
Your Grace is enough for me.
Your Grace is enough,
Your Grace is enough,
Your Grace is enough for me.
So, remember Your people,
Remember Your children,
Remember Your promise, O God.
Your Grace is enough,
Your Grace is enough,
Your Grace is enough for me.
Yeah, Your grace is enough;
Heaven reaching down to us.
Your grace is enough for me.
God I see.
Your grace is enough,
I’m covered in your love.
Your grace is enough for me.
For me.
DiscipleLife
L: As God has claimed us as his own in Christ,
we seek to follow Christ with these marks of DiscipleLife:
§Praying Daily
§Worshiping Weekly
§Studying the Bible
§Serving Others
§Building Spiritual Friendships
§Giving to God and our Neighbors in Need
§Engaging God’s Mission
Dismissal: “Go in peace, serve the Lord. Thanks be to God” Alleluia