Lutheran Church of Our Savior

Sunday Update for 2 Epiphany

January 17, 2021

Good Morning, Church!

          Today’s the Second Sunday after the Epiphany of Our Lord.  It comes on a three-day weekend for many Americans as tomorrow we observe the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many have cemented MLK, Jr. Day as a day of community service. This is good.  We need community involvement for the betterment of everyone’s life.  This year, however, after months of racial unrest and violence, it seems good to me that we should faithfully mark the day as a mileage marker on the road of nonviolence and civil rights.  We haven’t yet arrived at the destination of equality and full inclusion.  As Christians, we believe the beauty of the human family God created and redeemed in Jesus is diverse.   In Christ, all are equal.  You wouldn’t want to be excluded, would you?  Society’s realization of human dignity and worth depends upon the Christian testimony of a God-fashioned one human family.  It’s God’s plan and God’s will. White supremacy is an idol, a false god.

          Today’s Gospel text from Saint John invites all of us to “come and see” what God’s up to in His beloved Son, the Lamb of God Who takes away the Sin of the world.

A Pastoral Message of Hope from Bishop Egensteiner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHh7_2E5ozo&feature=youtu.be

Video Homily:  “Come and see Jesus.”

https://vimeo.com/501232699 

Pastoral Prayer

Almighty God, Giver of every good and perfect gift, we gladly thank You for all Your goodness showered upon us all the days of our lives.  You created us in love and Your mercy sustains us day after day through all the ups and downs of life. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, and Your invitation to come and see in Him the fullness of Your holiness and grace. Help us, by Your Spirit, to be ever mindful of all Jesus has done for us, and enable us to demonstrate our gratitude by living wholly to Your glory and in Your service.

Preserve our nation in justice and honor, that we may lead peaceable lives of integrity. We pray for President Trump, Vice President Pence, President-elect Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris in these days of peaceful transition. Help everyone elected to serve the public good Your countenance and will.  Bless all Congressional members that they may serve the greater good of all citizens.

As we join hands and hearts in celebrating the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we pray You will remove all hatred and prejudice.  Let Your spirit of love cast aside hate and bigotry.  Take away human stubbornness.

Sanctify our homes, workplaces, and playgrounds with Your presence.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves, all on the prayer list, and all we name in our hearts , trusting in Your great goodness and grace. 

Weekend Update for 2 Epiphany

January 17, 2021

Transition of Power

          Sounds contemporary, doesn’t it?  Ever since Election Day there’s daily chatter about a peaceful transition of power. 

          Tomorrow’s First Lesson is a biblical “transition of power.”  The Lord transfers the power to lead ancient Israel from Eli and his immoral sons, Hophni and Phineas, to young Samuel, first of Israel’s prophets.  Samuel, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, was well regarded by the Israelites.

           In tomorrow’s gospel selection from St. John (1:43-51), Philip says to  Nathanael, “We have found Him about Whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth?”  Nathanael asks innocently since Nazareth was never known to have anything to do with the promised Messiah, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?  Then Philip invites, “Come and see.”  No arm twisting. No arguing from scripture.  Just an invite to meet Jesus.   “Come and see” is the Church’s invitation to worship.  Worship isn’t about us.  Worship is giving God the glory and thanks God merits and worship is God meeting us, coming us, in God’s Word and, tomorrow, in the Meal. He is the gift we need the most. So, “Come and see!”

Please register for in-person worship, if you plan to come and see.

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/lutheran-church-or-our-savior-30573212816 

          Tomorrow’s service includes Holy Communion.  Janice Crawford serves as both Assisting Minister and Lector.  Judy Doyle is the Cantor.  In observance of both the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Wednesday’s Inauguration, Judy will sing 2 patriotic hymns, “My County, ‘Tis of Thee” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” along with “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright!” and “This Little Light of Mine.”  Of course, we pray for these United States of America.

          Soli Deo Gloria!