Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
January 23, 2022
WELCOME:
PRELUDE: “O, That I Had a Thousand Voices” Jay Althouse, Covenant Choir
GATHERING SENTENCES: Worship Leader: Dana Trimble
One: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body –Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
MANY: Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body.” That would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, “that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?
One: If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be?
MANY: As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this.
One: God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
ALL: Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. I Corinthians 12:12-31
*HYMN: # 126 “Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove” (*as able please stand)
PRAYER OF ADORATION: Dana Trimble
PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Many of us are content to sit behind those whose names we do not need to know. Some of us come to worship but leave our financial resources at home. Some refuse to make a joyful noise to you, O Lord. Others keep our brokenness discreet and private, lest we should be known by others as we are known by you.
Forgive our shallow ways this morning and open to us the depth, breadth and height of your love for the church and world in Jesus Christ. May we conform to His image in this new week and cease to insist that you conform to our image. This we pray in the power of the Resurrected One, now and forever. Amen.
(A moment for silent confession)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
THE WORD
Old Testament Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen’, lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’
*Old Testament Reading: (*Stand as able) Psalm 19 Dana Trimble
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Thy Word is Like a Garden Lord” arr. Robert L. Powell, Covenant Choir
Gospel Reading: Luke 4:14-21 The Reverend Michael Mansperger
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
SERMON: “Declaring God’s Glory!” The Reverend Michael Mansperger
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Nicene Creed Please see the front of the hymnal pg. 15
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:
Fred and Ellen Hummel’s daughter Cynthia and family, Eddie Ruby, Marilou Swenson, June Wright, “Chickie” Johnson, Bob Harrod, Ross and Lois Reed, Ryan Page, Joshua Trimble, Donna Adams, Keith Hirst, The family of Harold Paul; Afghanistan and those who have been left behind, Ronnie Crain, Barbara O’Reilly, Dona Whitehouse, Tom Miner, Jim Diefenderfer. Marilyn Brown, Norma Lewis, Doug and Muriel Maxwell, Linda Page, Marilyn Gabriel, Binnie Trimble and Barbara Niepert, David King, Curt and Nancy Hood, Herm and Marian Wissenberg , Dawn McDonald, Don Bates, Charlene Orletski, Bob and Diana Leipprandt, the border crisis where Turkish immigrants have recently been arrested. Our nation, Mision Peniel and staff members Miguel Estrada and Ruth De Yoe (Ruth’s husband Jeff has been diagnosed with a brain tumor). Pam our mission co –worker; Sue Spicer’s brother-John Harrison fighting lung cancer, that is now in remission.
OFFERING OF OUR LIVES
*HYMN # 473 “For the Beauty of the Earth” (five verses) (* as able please stand)
THE SENDING
BENEDICTION by Richard Halverson former Chaplain of U.S. Senate
POSTLUDE “Postlude on Hyfrydol” arr. D. Stasney & D. Zirpoli
Coffee Hour is temporarily cancelled.
Flowers today are given by Verona Morse in loving memory of Bill.
Happy Birthday in January to: Douglas Maxwell 1st, Meg Richmond 1st, David Stasney 1st, Donald Bates 4th, Helen Krueger 4th, James Pratt 8th, A. J. Krueger 11th, Jane Pyle 12th, Judy Kraut 13th, Diane Steiger 18th, Robert Harrod 21st, Kenneth Angotti 22nd, Lois Reed 27th , Allen Steiger 28th, Mark Richmond 29th,
The “Four Hands Piano Concert” was held in the sanctuary Saturday, January 8 at 4 p.m. Our heartfelt gratitude to Carla Chase and Frank Rich for making the arrangements for sisters Jennifer and Patricia Tao to share their remarkable gifts and disciplines with our congregation and the community.
Quilting Classes starting Tuesday, February 8th at Fellowship Hall, see church bulletin board for information.
On line Facebook: Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Sarasota . Online see: presbyteriancc.org for posts and an archive of past services!
Our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place following worship on Sunday, January 30, 2022. This meeting is essential in the life and polity of Presbyterian churches. Please plan on being present to approve the minutes of our previous meeting; elect the nominating committee for the coming year and vote on the recommendations for the Minister’s compensation. Thank you for your participation.
The Secret Garden is a path at the west of Covenant’s property Bruce McQuade will lead a walk, February 6th!
