Third Sunday of Epiphany
Organ Prelude “Introduction” (H. Hofmann)
Congregational Welcome
Choral Introit “Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord” (Hopson)
Call to Worship
*Opening Hymn #443 O Christ, the Great Foundation
*Prayer of Invocation and Enlightenment
One Voice: In the Book of Jonah, there is a story of divine change. It begins like this: “(God said to Jonah) Get up, go to Nineveh, and proclaim the message I tell you… So Jonah set out, according to the word of God. (And when he spoke) the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast… and when God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind…” There are other stories of enlightenment and change in scripture, for God, for people, and for creation, so this Epiphany let us pray together for the gift of change.
All: God of creation, re-creation, resurrection, inspiration, and delight, be with us now celebrating the gifts of change and new life. Be with us reminding us that your ancient promises involve liberation, and that Jesus calls for us to be “unbound and free.” We believe this is possible because even you, O God, are ever free, even you have changed, as the needs of your world do. So be with us in the Spirit of new life that we share in worship. Be with us in the Spirit of Jesus, overflowing with healing and hope. Be with us in wisdom and conviction: In our open hearts and minds, in our Epiphany worship together, Amen.
*Assurance of Grace
*Sung Response in Praise (Hymn #229, vs. 1)
From all that dwell below the skies, Let the Creator’s Praise arise:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let the redeemer’s name be sung Through every land, in every tongue.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*Sharing of Peace
One Voice: The Peace of Christ be always with you.
All: And also with you!
The Gospel Reading Mark 1: 14-20
The Children’s Time
Hymn Response #191 God is our Refuge and Our Strength
(During the hymn children are invited to Church School)
The Day’s Psalm Psalm 65: 5-12
The Morning Meditation The Rev. Kenneth Baily
The Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
(Our father and mother…trespasses)
Call to Offering
Choral Offering “Kingsfold” (arr. J. Ness Beck)
*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Christ the word in flesh born low,
Praise Holy Spirit evermore,
One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
*Prayer of Thanksgiving
*Closing Hymn (insert) You Walk along Our Shoreline
*Assurance and Blessing
*Choral Benediction “Grace to You” (Larson)
Postlude “Allegro Moderato” (A. Guilmant)
* Those who are able please stand
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NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose:
whoever you are, you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,”
so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.
Inquiring New Members will meet after worship today at 11:30 in the Pastor’s Office (halfway between the Sanctuary and the Parlor). If you would like to join a small group to learn a bit more about NHCC and meet other inquirers, please come along.
The Rite of Confirmation will be celebrated next Sunday in morning worship. A group of almost a dozen teenagers have been gathering since the fall of 2022 to study, discuss, question, and explore the Christian faith and the mission of NHCC. This special event is centered on celebratory worship, so come back next Sunday, wear something red if you are willing (it’s the color of the Holy Spirit), and bring your prayers and delight to this wonderful event.
Thanks to worship leaders Ken Baily, Wendy Donnell, Jan Zimmerman,
Yevgenia Semeina-Maroyan, Tannika Woods, Steve Harris, Worship & Spiritual Life, and Misha Hill.