WELCOME to each of you gathered for worship this morning. Please take a moment to complete the attendance sheet and place it in the offering plate when it is passed.
| OUR MISSION STATEMENT “Sharing God’s love and His promise for tomorrowEngaging with God’s children to carry the light ofJesus Christ from the altar through the door.” Louis Sanders – Council PresidentBruce Soltis – Vice-PresidentDr. Eric Hahn – SecretaryAnni Hahn – Treasurer |
Love Lutheran Church
3730 MacArthur Blvd.
New Orleans, La 70114
504-362-1967
Love Lutheran e-mail addresses: lovelutheran68@gmail.com
Love Lutheran Website: www.lovelutheran.org
Love Lutheran is a Member of the ELCA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website at: www.elca.org
Gulf Coast Synod website at: www.gulfcoastsynod.org
Follow us on Facebook: Love Lutheran Church New Orleans
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PRESIDING AT WORSHIP: Pastor Lisa Gaye
LECTOR: Elaine Teague
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IN OUR PRAYERS
| Congregation Prayers: Mary S. Melissa G. Sharon S. Dianne R. Lyn W. Robert O. Kevin T. Ken and Sandy F. Phillip B. Denise D. R. Jamie J. Hans H. Rick and Gabe L. Laurie S. Andrew D. Arlene O. Jean F. Trish F. Terrie and Willie C. | Wayne Prayers: Sarah S. Joyce B. Jodee J. Lu C. Janice B. Dixie A. Alex A. Adam A. Julien A. Alisha A. Loretta W. Ron P. Dixie Prayers: Sarah S. Joyce B. Jo Ellen Smith Nursing Home | Elaine Prayers: David and Kim T. Joshua and Savannah T. David T. Jr. Steven and Jackie T. Terri M. Jackie P. Shirley L. Louis M. Lane and Ronnie W. Landen T. Elaina C. and Children Diangelo Leya and Aaliyah Gwenn J. and Family Lisa and Claude M. Claude and Elaine J. Pastor Lisa Prayers: Community and World |
For those who work and live in nursing homes
Staff of United Churches of Algiers Emergency Fund
Our military serving here and abroad
We pray also for Love Lutheran Church and for all those in need of healing power of God’s love.
Ask and it will be given to you: Our Lord invites us to bring all our cares and concerns to him and trust in his mercy and grace. If you have prayer concerns please let Pastor Gaye know by noon on Wednesday so that your prayer request may be included in the prayers of the people at Sunday worship. Please inform Pastor Gaye if your prayer request needs to be extended longer than two weeks.
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| LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH Interim Clergy: Rev. Lisa Gaye Adult Bible Study: 9:00 A.M. Office: 504-362-1967 Worship: 10:00 A.M. |
Second Sunday after Epiphany January 14, 2024
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Stand as you are able)
BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.
(Silence is kept for reflection)
P: Most merciful God,
C: We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. 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: In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ and by his authority. I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
OPENING HYMN: #ELW 508 “As Rain from the Clouds”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
THE GREETING
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
THE KYRIE
THE HYMN OF PRAISE: “Now the Feast and Celebration”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray.
C: Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful redeemer, for the countless blessings and benefits you give. May we know you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day praising you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(You may be seated)
First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20]
At a time when visions are rare and unexpected, the Lord comes to Samuel and calls him to speak the divine word. Though just a boy, Samuel responds to God obediently, as Eli the priest has taught him to respond. This marks the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic ministry.
1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 The LORD called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The LORD called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
[11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.” 15 Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” He said, “Here I am.” 17 Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, “It is the LORD; let him do what seems good to him.” 19 As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the LORD.]
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
You have searched me out and know me. (Ps. 139:1)
1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely.
5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.
13 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.
17 How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 I try to count them — they are more than the sand; I come to the end — I am still with you.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Paul helps the Corinthians understand that God has claimed the entirety of their lives through the death of Christ. Hence Christian relationships and conduct, including areas of human sexuality, are to reflect the reality that we belong to Christ and that the Holy Spirit lives within us.
12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. ” All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.” 17 But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
(Stand as you are able)
Gospel: John 1:43-51
The Holy Gospel according to John Glory to you, O Lord.
In John’s gospel, Jesus’ ministry begins with the call of disciples, who then bring others to Jesus. Philip’s friend Nathanael moves from skepticism to faith when he accepts the invitation to “Come and see.”
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
(You may be seated)
SERMON
(Stand as you are able)
HYMN OF THE DAY: #ELW 798 “Will You Come and Follow Me”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I 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 into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father,
And he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy Christian church.
The communion of saints
The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
And life everlasting. Amen.
(You may be seated)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
A: As we celebrate Christ embodied in human form, we pray for God’s blessing on the church, the world, and all of creation.
(A brief silence)
A: Encourage the ministry and mission of the church, God of truth. Let the leaders of your church be trustworthy and accountable stewards, that all its resources and out-reach bring hope and healing to communities. God of grace,
C: receive our prayers.
A: Delight in the goodness of your creation, God of fig trees and fertile soil. Heal areas of the world harmed by human greed. Restore those recovering from natural disasters. Protect our forests and waterways and all the creatures that live in them. God of grace,
C: receive our prayers.
A: Call the leaders of every neighborhood and nation to serve faithfully, God of wisdom. Give them visions of justice and unity. Lead them to action that promotes equitable partnership and uplifts those on margins of society. God of grace,
C: receive our prayers.
A: Hold in your care any who suffer and struggle, God of compassion. You who know our inner hearts, be present with any who are oppressed and all who long for respite or restoration (especially…). God of grace,
C: receive our prayers.
A: Give this congregation the anticipation and excitement of Samuel, so inspired and empowered to do your work in the world. God of unity. Make us faithful as we build communities of inclusion and mutual care. God of grace,
C: receive our prayers.
(Here other intercessions may be offered spoken aloud or in our hearts.)
(After each petition we respond:)
A: God of grace,
C: receive our prayers.
A: Trusting God who raised Jesus and will also raise us in spirit and truth, we remember all who have died and are at peace. Among the saints. God of grace,
C: receive our prayers.
P: Knowing the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, we offer these prayers and the silent prayers of our hearts in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
C: Amen.
P: Lord Jesus, you said to your apostles: I leave you my peace, my peace I give you. Look not on the sins, but on the faith of your church, and grant us peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever.
C: Amen.
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
(You may be seated)
THE OFFERING
(Stand as you are able)
THE OFFERTORY: “As the Grains of Wheat”
(printed on the following page)
THE OFFERTORY PRAYER
A: Let us pray, Merciful God,
C: everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. We joyfully release what you have entrusted to us. May these gifts be signs of our whole lives returned to you, dedicated to the healing and unity of all creation, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
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.
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
PROPER PREFACE
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 saying:
THE SANCTUS:
(printed on the following page)
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
P: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed,
took bread and when He had given thanks,
He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying:
‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of Me.’
“In the same way also, He took the cup after supper, gave thanks,
and gave it to them saying: ‘Drink of it all of you;
this cup is the New Testament in My blood,
which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins.
Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
P: We say together
C: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Amen
P: Let us pray:
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 COMMUNION
P: The gifts of God for the people of God, feed on them in your heart with thanksgiving.
C: Amen
(You may be seated)
The Communion follows:
the congregation sings “Lamb of God”
(printed on the following page)
(Stand as you are able)
COMMUNION HYMN: #ELW 574 “Here I am, Lord”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
A: Let us pray.
Giver of every gift, Christ’s body is our food, and we are Christ’s body. Raise us to life by your power for the benefit of all and to your glory, now and forever.
C: Amen.
THE BENEDICTION
P: God who names you, Christ who claims you, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, (+) bless you and remain with you always.
C: Amen.
SENDING HYMN: #ELW 551 “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
DISMISSAL
P: Go in peace. You are God’s beloved.
C: Thanks be to God.
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Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible with Apocrypha.
Copyrighted elements of Revised Common Lectionary, liturgical texts, and liturgical music used by permission of Augsburg Fortress under license number SB144485. All music and portions of the liturgical music reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-705233. All rights reserved. Clipart and images as reprinted from Churchart.com license.
Scripture Next Sunday: Third Sunday after Epiphany
Jonah 3:1-5, 10;
Psalm 62:5-12;
1 Corinthians 7:29-31;
Mark 1:14-20
Hymns
(continued on the following page)
The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve 551
Text: Delores Dufner, osb, b. 1939 Chesterfield
Music: attr. Thomas Haweis, 1734–1820 CM
Text © 1993 Delores Dufner, admin. OCP Publications
ANNOUNCEMENTS
In the event of an emergency you may contact Pastor Gaye at the church office (504) 362-1967.
Cell Phones: We are requesting that members and visitors please silence your cell phones to “off” while in the sanctuary and we are in worship service.
| UPCOMING EVENTS: Wednesday, 17 January 2024 – Church Council, 6PM Sunday, 21 January 2024 – Installation of Church Council Sunday, 28 January 2024 – Guest Musician, Classical Guitarist, Brian King |
Please consider a donation to the Memorial Engelbracht Guest Musician Fund. Donation envelopes can be found in the rear of the church.
If you wish to help to aid in the recovery of victims of disaters, donations can be made through Lutheran Disaster Relief at LDR.com.
The Gulf Coast Synod seeks individuals from the Bayou Conference to serve on the Lutheran Disaster Relief Team. Let Pastor know if you are interested in serving on this team.
“Souper” Bowl of Caring– We are collecting soup cans and monetary donations from now until the Super Bowl for the United Churches of Algiers Emergency Fund Food Bank. Please consider picking up an extra soup can to donate when grocery shopping. The food bank would greatly appreciate all the donations our church can collect.
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Daily devotional website as suggested by Pastor Lisa Gaye
https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/
Meditation on the Lessons – Take Home
Prayer:
O Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest your word, that we may embrace and hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
1. Identify a passage from scripture today that touches your life.
2. Pray for the Holy Spirit as you write: “From what I’ve heard and shared, what do I believe God wants me to do or be? Is God inviting me to change in any way?
Last modified: February 9, 2024
