Welcome to ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.
At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians:
We GATHER with songs and prayer,
We HEAR God’s word,
We SHARE a meal of bread and wine,
We are SENT into the world to love and serve.
Let us know how this format works for you.
Today is the Second Sunday after the Epiphany.
Call to Worship
People of God, arise, shine, for your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon us!
The Magi from the East worshiped him as God and King.
Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
In the waters of the Jordan he was proclaimed “Beloved of the Father.”
Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
He called ordinary people to become his followers.
Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
He demonstrated authority over illnesses, unclean spirits, and creation itself.
Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
On the mountaintop his divine glory was revealed.
Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
People of God, arise, shine, for your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon us
Our Gathering song at our Traditional service is Dearest Jesus At Your Word (ELW 520)
Prayer of the Day
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful redeemer, for the countless blessings and benefits you give. May we know you more clearly, love 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.
This week’s readings are from 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, and 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
1 Samuel 3:1-10
1Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
2At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3the 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. 4Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5and 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. 6The 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.” 7Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8The 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. 9Therefore 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.
10Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
1Lord, you have | searched me out;
O Lord, you | have known me.
2You know my sitting down and my | rising up;
you discern my thoughts | from afar.
3You trace my journeys and my | resting-places
and are acquainted with | all my ways.
4Indeed, there is not a word | on my lips,
but you, O Lord, know it | altogether. R
5You encompass me, behind | and before,
and lay your | hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonder- | ful for me;
it is so high that I cannot at- | tain to it.
13For you yourself created my | inmost parts;
you knit me together in my | mother’s womb.
14I will thank you because I am mar- | velously made;
your works are wonderful, and I | know it well. R
15My body was not hid- | den from you,
while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths | of the earth.
16Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written | in your book;
my days were fashioned before they | came to be.
17How deep I find your | thoughts, O God!
How great is the | sum of them!
18If I were to count them, they would be more in number | than the sand;
to count them all, my life span would need to | be like yours. R
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
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. 14And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. 15Do 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! 16Do 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.” 17But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. 19Or 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? 20For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
This week’s Gospel text is from John 1:43-51
43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip 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.” 46Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51And 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.”
Pastor Dave’s Sermon Snapshot: “Are Your Ears Burning?”
As the season of Epiphany continues, we listen in on two powerful Biblical stories of ordinary people being called to extraordinary purposes. A young apprentice to an elderly priest in our Old Testament lesson, and some young fishermen in our Gospel reading, hear and respond when called. May our ears and hearts be open to hear from the Lord today as we gather in the name of Jesus, the Light of the World. Welcome to worship!
The Hymn of the Day in our Traditional service is
Prayers of the People – 1/14/18
Confident that God our light and our salvation hears and answers our prayers according to his good will and perfect timing, let us pray for the church, the world, and all people according to their need. Each petition will conclude, “God of mercy” to which the congregational response is “Hear our prayer.” We observe a time of silence for reflection and preparation.
For calling us through water and the word at our baptism, for entrusting us with the mission of sharing the good news, for empowering us by the Holy Spirit to live out our holy commission, we give you thanks, asking that in word and deed we might reflect to others the brilliant glory and amazing grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. God of mercy…
Hear our prayer.
For adopting us as your children, and placing us in the community of this family of faith and in communion with all the saints; for the gifts of the church that helps us worship you and grow in faith; for brothers and sister in Christ who stand with us in our times of loss and celebrate with us in times of joy, we give you thanks, asking that you might show us new ways to welcome all. This week we remember in prayer our ELCA, Northwest Washington, East King County Cluster sister congregation Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church and Pastors John LaMunyon and Eric Hanson. God of mercy…
Hear our prayer.
For the sick and suffering, the imprisoned and hungry, the lonely and grieving, we pray comfort, healing and hope, especially for those who have asked for our public prayers: Anna Bero, Heidi Fine, Phyllis Hahn, Claire Huehnerhoff, Maryls Paulson, John Paulson, Vernette Rae, Corinne Riemer, and Marilyn Van Brero. We lift to you Donnell and Quincy, recovery from injuries suffered in the Amtrak train derailment, and for Suzanne Fisher-Anderson’s daughter-in-law Karen dealing with a long-term illness. We ask for blessings for David and his family following the Memorial Service yesterday for his wife, Mary. We pray for the families of Tom Fine and Lavonne Ekren as they plan for Memorial services for their loved ones later this month. We remember all those who have been impacted by mudslides in Southern California this week. God of mercy…
Hear our prayer.
For those who have boldly and bravely brought you life into dark places and dark hearts, especially this weekend the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others who famously or unremembered confronted racism in this nation and inspired us to live out our commitment to the causes of liberty and justice for all, that their work will continue in our time, and that all who are oppressed, ostracised, shamed, discounted and mistreated for whatever reason will find in us advocates, defenders, and friends, even as your son called the least of this world his sisters and brothers. God of mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Receive our prayers for the sake of the one through whom you have revealed your goodness, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Communion song at our Mosaic service is Behold The Lamb
On 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 and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.
And because there’s always something going on, the Announcements!
YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.
UNDIE SUNDAYS – The Cross of Christ preschool through 5th grade Sunday School students will be collecting donations of new-in-package socks and underwear for all ages and sizes of people today and next Sunday. Donation will be distributed to local shelters serving homeless men, women, and families. Look for the collection basket in the Narthex and thank you for your support! Thank you to Thrivent Actions Teams for sponsoring our project!
STYROFOAM COLLECTION – Our Cub Scout Den is collecting Styrofoam today to them earn an Arrowhead award in Conservation. If you have any questions, please see Laurie Beck in the Narthex today, or contact her at laurie_beck@msn.com. Thanks for supporting the Scouting program and being a good steward of our home planet!
ADULT FAITH FORMATION ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP SERIES – Join Pastor Dave as he leads “Christianity, Care of Creation, and Environmental Stewardship” – a four-week Bible-based look at the environment, our place in it, and our part in caring for it from a perspective of faith. Each session is built around a central question. Today’s is “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” Adult Faith Formation meets between services, 10:15 to 10:55 am, in the Library. All are welcome.
SUNDAY SCHOOL THEMES FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY – Come join us in January as we learn about Jesus the kid! At the beginning of February, we’ll start an extended unit on God’s plan for a baby named Moses. Children’s Sunday School is for ages 3 through 10. We hope you can join us in the Youth Room between services!
OFFICE CLOSED MONDAY – for the MLK Day holiday. The office reopens Tuesday at 930 am. Thank you.
GRIEF GROUP MEETS WEDNESDAY – in the Gathering Room, from 10 to 11 am. Pastor Dave leads the group with a gathering devotion and facilitates the comfortable and confidential conversations. Anyone is welcome to come.
INTERFAITH COVENANT LECTURE SERIES WELCOMES FORMER KING-5 WEATHERMAN JEFF RENNER – Long-time local television meteorologist Jeff Renner will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Interfaith Covenant Lecture event, hosted by Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, on Wednesday, January 31, at 7 pm. The event is free, and open to the public. Mr. Renner will be speaking on his career as well as his understanding of current and future weather and climate threats, including the impact of global warming. He will also speak from his perspective as a person of faith on how his beliefs inform his views on environmentalism, stewardship of the earth, and care for the world for ours and future generations. After nearly four decades on air, Mr. Renner retired from King 5, Seattle’s NBC affiliate, as the station’s chief meteorologist for weeknight broadcasts. In addition to running a weather consulting business, he is a frequent speaker and advocate at events like the Interfaith Lecture Series.
LECTORS AND GREETERS – We are in need of more greeters before our church services and lesson readers during them. Greeters welcome folks for about 15 prior to worship. Lectors read one of the lessons of the day. There are signup sheets at the Information Desk, and you can also sign up online at crossofchristbellevue.org. Thank you!
TOM FINE MEMORIAL SERVICE – Friday, January 26, at 3 pm, followed by a dessert and coffee luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. If you are able to assist with the reception or provide a dessert, please contact Gale Hill at ghill5250@gmail.com or at 206-940-1214.
2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES – Thank you to those who have already picked up their offering envelopes. There are a few remaining. Please check the table in the Narthex near the Library if you have not yet taken home your new offering envelopes. If you would like envelopes but they have not been provided for you, please contact Denise Fuentes, our bookkeeper, at bookkeeper@cofclc.net or by calling the office on Mondays or Wednesdays. Thank you.
PASSING OF LAVONNE EKREN – Longtime Cross of Christ member Lavonne Ekren died Tuesday. She had been receiving hospice care for the past few weeks as her condition declined. A Memorial Service at Cross of Christ will be planned, but details are yet to be determined. More information will be shared when available. In the meanwhile, please hold son Steve and the family and friends of Lavonne in your prayers.
PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Marilyn Van Brero, Leona Lenschow, Doris Lundquist, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Jane Pittenger, Corrine Riemer, and Norman Stromer.
Our sending song in our Traditional service is Will You Come and Follow Me (ELW 798)
By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to
Worship God
Grow in Faith
Share the Gospel
Serve others, and
Welcome all.
Thanks be to God!
