January 29, 2012

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

 

LAKE OCONEE LUTHERAN CHURCH

A Stephen Ministry Congregation

 

Our vision is to be

an expanding community of faith, growing in the Holy Spirit,

and practicing before the world a Christ centered life.

 

Missionaries:                                                         All the people of God

Pastor:                                                                            Ron Schornhorst

Director of Music:                                                              Brad Rudisail

Administrative Assistant:                                               Darlene Zenami

Church Office: 706-485-4600                  Pastor’s Home: 706-484-9855

1089 Lake Oconee Parkway                                   Eatonton, GA 31024

lolc@plantationcable.net                                                   www.lolc.info

 

Aids for hearing, children’s “activity bulletins,”

and large print bulletins are available from the ushers.

 

A nursery room

for mothers and their infants is available.

 

Also, child care for older children

is available 10:15-11:45 in Classroom B.

Attendants – NONE

Please ask an usher for assistance.

 

 

(A good preparation for Holy Communion

is found on pages 329-330 in our Lutheran Service Book.)

 

(The congregation is often greeted with, “This is the day the Lord has made.”  You are invited to respond, “Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 

The greeting is from Psalm 118:24.)

 

During the Call to Worship and Welcome,

the person seated closest to the center aisle is asked to take

 the Record of Fellowship book, sign it, and pass it to others in the row.

The last person to sign is asked to pass the book back.

 

Call to Worship

 

Welcome

 

The Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: And also with you.

 

(You are invited to wish those around you God’s peace.  However, because we are in the cold and flue season, feel free and comfortable not to shake hands.  Following the sharing of the peace, please remain standing.)

 

Invocation

P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

 

Confession and Absolution

P: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

C: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

(Silence for meditation and reflection)

 

P: Most merciful God,

C: we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean.  We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed.  We have not loved you with our whole heart.  We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.  We justly deserve your present and eternal punishment.  For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways – to the glory of your holy name.  Amen.

P: Upon this, your confession, I, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God to all of you.  And in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.  Thanks be to God.

 

Hymn: “O Sing to the Lord,” bulletin page 11

(To sing harmony, turn to page 808 in the Lutheran Service Book.)

 

Prayer of the Day

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

P: We pray together: 

C: Almighty God, we live in the midst of so many dangers that, in our frailty, we cannot stand upright.  Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Lesson – Deuteronomy 18:15-20

 

Second Lesson – 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

 

Alleluia Verse (Please stand to sing)

    Al – le – lu –  ia. Lord, to whom shall we go?             You   have the

words of   e –ter –nal   life.            Al –le –lu –ia,     al –le –lu   - ia.

 

The Holy Gospel – Mark 1:21-28

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 1st chapter.

C: Glory to you, O Lord.

 

They (Jesus and his disciples) went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.  They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.  Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?  Have you come to destroy us?  I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’  And the unclean spirit, throwing the man into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.  They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this?  A new teaching!  With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’  At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

 

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to you, O Christ.

 

Choir

 

Sermon

 

Confession of Faith – The Nicene Creed

P: We confess together the faith we hold and the faith we share:

C: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

 

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.  He suffered and was buried.  And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.  And he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

 

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.  And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

 

The Prayers

P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

 

(After the pastor ends each petition with, “Lord, in your mercy,” the congregation responds with, “Hear our prayer.”)

 

P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C: Amen.

 

The Offering

 

Hymn: “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"

 

Text (st. 1) and Music: Public domain

 

We invite to the Lord’s Supper all Christians who are baptized, who have communed in a Christian church, and who share our Lutheran understanding that, along with the bread and wine, we receive the body and blood of our living Lord Jesus – for the strengthening of our faith and witness.  Children who do not commune are invited to come for a blessing.  Pastor asks that they fold their hands to show that they are not communing.

 

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

P: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them to the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

P: It is truly good, right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, and now we praise you that you sent us your only-begotten Son and that in him, being found in fashion as a man, you manifested the fullness of your glory.  Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and singing:

 

         Ho -  ly,   ho  - ly,       ho   -   ly!       All    the  saints   a     -  dore  Thee,

      Cast – ing down their  gold–en crowns a   - round the glass -y      sea;

     Cher– u – bim and    ser –a –phim       fall -   ing down   be  -  fore    Thee,

      Which      wert  and     art       and        ev  -   er  -  more     shalt    be.

 

Holy, holy, holy!  Though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye made blind by sin Thy glory may not see,

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

 

Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

 

The 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.  Again, 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 for the forgiveness of sins.  Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

P: We pray together:

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.

 

The Distribution

(The glasses in the very center of each tray contain grape juice for those who are not able to drink wine.)

 

Post Communion Prayer

P: We pray together:

C: We give thanks to you, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through this salutary gift.  And we implore you that, of your mercy, you would strengthen us through the same in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen.

 

Announcements

 

The Benediction  (Numbers 6:24-26)

P: The Lord bless you and keep you.

  The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

  The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

C: Amen.

 

Hymn: “O Bless the Lord, My Soul,” bulletin page 12

(To sing harmony, turn to page 814 in the Lutheran Service Book.)

 

The Sending Forth

P: Go in peace and serve the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

 

Post-service Music

+              +               +

 

The FLOWERS are given today by Liz & Roger Fleming in memory of son, Donald.

 

GOD’S BLESSINGS to those celebrating birthdays this week:  Dick Schneider on Monday, Greg Hardesty on Tuesday and Kayleen Ringer on Friday.  And blessings to Rod & Donna Hansen, who are celebrating their anniversary on Wednesday.

 

Monies spent by the MACON CHAPTER OF THRIVENT FINANCIAL come from two funds: the Caring and Community Fund and the Operating Fund. Thrivent gave the Chapter $4,435 to spend.   Virginia Daley (Financial Treasurer, Macon Chapter Thrivent Financial) has submitted a complete breakdown of these monies; this will appear in the February newsletter.

 

On January 1st, I provided goodies for after service.  I have not been able to locate ONE OF MY PLATTERS.  It is clear glass with an etching of Santa on the bottom.  If you have seen it, please let me know or drop it off at the church kitchen.  THANKS!  ~ Darlene Zenami

 

Your STEPHEN MINISTERS and STEPHEN LEADERS ask for your prayers that we always be open to God's guidance and remain committed to quality Christian care for our care receivers. For more information, call Virginia Daley (706-485-3564), Leroy Horst (706-453-1602) or Phil Larsen (706-473-1078).

 

The PRAY, HOPE AND BELIEVE Cancer Support Group for Women in Greensboro, Monticello and Eatonton will be meeting at Putnam General Hospital on February 2nd, 2012.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the classroom.  All female cancer survivors are invited to attend this meeting.  This month our guest speaker is Heather Thrift.  Heather is the Public Relations Director at Putnam General Hospital.  She will be giving us a tour of the different departments and discussing “What Putnam General Hospital Can Offer You.” Join us for this enlightening topic and bring a friend.  Our group is only as good as we make it!  For additional information, please feel free to contact Toni S. Davis at 706-923-1708.

 

SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP – A kick-off pot luck dinner will be held at the church on Friday, February 10th, starting at 6:30 p.m., for all adult members interested in participating in Small Group Fellowship this year.  Groups of 6–8 people will be randomly formed to meet together during this year.  Each group can decide how often, when and where they would like to meet.  The idea is to provide some new opportunities to become better acquainted, have fellowship and connect with additional members of LOLC.  They can meet for meals, dessert, games, a movie and discussion – or whatever they choose to do together.  What a great way this will be to form new friendships within our congregation! Those who desire to explore being involved in Small Groups need to sign-up for this pot luck dinner, which will be a meal of heavy hors d’oeuvres-type foods. Beverages will be provided, but you need to sign up to bring food; sign-up sheet is on the round table.  Take a chance – come make some new friends at LOLC!  Sign up soon!

 

Pastor Ron will be away this afternoon through this Wednesday, February 1st.  He will be at the Hilton Garden Inn in College Park for a Concerns of Police Survivors seminar, “Traumas of Law Enforcement,” for training in providing appropriate responses to line-of-duty death, disability, critical incidents and police suicide.  The number for the hotel is 404-766-0303.  Pastor’s cell is 706-473-0901.

 

The January-March PORTALS OF PRAYER are available free of charge at the ushers’ table.

 

Your 2011 GIVING STATEMENTS are in your hanging folders.

 

POSTAGE COSTS are about to rise again.  Many members are going online to access our monthly newsletter.  That saves postage costs.  If you have access to the internet and are still receiving your newsletters by mail, please consider canceling the newsletters by mail.  Just give the church office a call.

 

Our FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE has been responsible for many enjoyable events here at LOLC, including but not limited to the “meet & eat” groups, church picnic, fish fry, October Fest and golf outings.  Interested in serving with the great group of folks in this committee?  Sign up today on the table in the rear, speak with Greg Hardesty (706-752-1328) or Lou Stefurak (706-454-1288).

 

WEEKLY CALENDAR:

Thursday       – Divine Drama Class, 6:30 p.m.

Friday             – Divine Drama Class, 9:30 a.m.

NEXT Sunday – Adult Bible Study, 9 a.m.

                      Choir Practice, 9 a.m.

                      Worship Service, 10:30 a.m.

Hymn: “O Sing to the Lord”


 

3

So dance for our God    And blow all the trumpets.
So dance for our God    And blow all the trumpets.
So dance for our God    And blow all the trumpets.
And sing to our God,    And sing to our God.

 

4

O shout to our God,    Who gave us the Spirit.
O shout to our God,    Who gave us the Spirit.
O shout to our God,    Who gave us the Spirit.
O sing to our God,    O sing to our God.

 

5

For Jesus is Lord!    Amen! Alleluia!
For Jesus is Lord!    Amen! Alleluia!
For Jesus is Lord!    Amen! Alleluia!
O sing to our God,    O sing to our God.

 

 

Text (sts. 1–5): © Gerhard Cartford Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, number 100010599.

Tune: Public domain

 

Hymn: “O Bless the Lord, My Soul”



 

5

He fills the poor with good;
    He gives the suff’rers rest.
The Lord hath judgments for the proud
    And justice for the_oppressed.

 

6

His wondrous works and ways
    He made by Moses known,
But sent the world His truth and grace
    By His belovèd Son.

 

Text (sts. 1–6) and Music: Public domain

comic 

"Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org"