January 28, 2018
Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany
Worship led by the Reverend Dr. Michael Lyle
Music by Keith and Jennifer Taylor
For Meditation and Reflection:
“It is absolutely essential for the Church and for the credibility of her message that she herself live and testify to mercy. Her language and her gestures must transmit mercy, so as to touch the hearts of all people and inspire them once more to find the road that leads to God.
. . . In order to be capable of mercy, therefore, we must first of all dispose ourselves to listen to the Word of God. This means rediscovering the value of silence in order to meditate on the Word that comes to us. In this way, it will be possible to contemplate God’s mercy and adopt it as our lifestyle.” – Pope Francis
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer/Invocation (Pastor)
Responsive Call to Worship
Pastor: The merciful love of God is our hope and our salvation.
People: God’s tender loving care sustains us.
Pastor: God’s presence in our hearts, and in our worship, awakens our souls.
People: Come Holy Spirit, come. Be our brightness and be our life!
Opening Song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace, in the light of his glory and grace.
Prayer for Illumination (Pastor)
Today’s Scripture Reading Mark 1:21-28
Sermon: By What Authority – by Rev. Dr. Michael Lyle
The Offerings and Offertory Music
A Litany of Thanksgiving
Pastor: All things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. All that we are, and all that we have, is your gift to us.
People: And so, in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer ourselves, and all that we have. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.
All: Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn God of Change and Glory #177 (black hymnal)
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the Pastor and the People
The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Closing Song Do Something (by Matthew West)
Prayer of Benediction: (Pastor)
Go forward in the comfort and strength of God’s blessing. Remember that you are loved, that God is ever near, and that divine mercy is your way in the world. Amen.
Sharing the Peace as we go……. And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall.
Rev. Lyle is happy to stay following the service to talk about questions, concerns or thoughts you may have about today’s worship.
Thoughts for the Day/Week
There is a voice within you that no one, not even you, has ever heard. Give yourself the opportunity of silence and begin to develop your listening in order to hear, deep within yourself, the music of your own spirit. – John O’Donohue, “Anam Cara”
Announcements
Childcare is now available during services at St. James. Thank you to Greta Harteis and Katie Sulek for your generous and caring work.
Sunday, February 4, and Sunday, February 25, Rev. Michael Lyle will lead services.
Sunday, February 11 and Sunday, February 18, Rev. Samantha Tuttle will lead services.
Sunday School (Adult and Children) on Febrary 18 at 10AM Every third Sunday, children meet in the Fellowship Hall with Robin Scott. Adults meet in the Sanctuary with David Weintraub. We are currently listening to and discussing a Rob Bell podcast series.
Jammin’ at James open mike is happening February 18 with Dinner at 5:30, Music 6:30 – 8:30. Max Honn and Michael O’Brian, lead a monthly jam session. All musicians and music fans are invited to come dig the great acoustics in the St. James sanctuary!
Our Statement of Faith
We gather in worship as an inclusive community, an open & affirming community of faith that transcends any distinctions based on gender, sexual orientation, nationality, race, or religion.
Our formal worship flows into a living worship of love and support for one another as we pursue ways to reflect God’s reign of mercy, justice, and peace in our community and throughout the world…
along with a continuing search for ways to celebrate the goodness of life together ……and always reaching out to draw others, with total inclusiveness, into this communal experience.