The Lord’s Day, February 12, in the Lord’s Year 2023

6^th Sunday after the Epiphany and 2^nd Sunday before Lent

Please speak bold words and sing italicized words; * we invite you to stand as able.

Prelude & Quiet Prayer – five minutes before service (9:55-10:00 am)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Arise, shine, for your light is come. And the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

* Hymn 24   Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty                     MAJESTAS

* Invocation

* Confession of Sin:  Gracious God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you have promised to receive us when we come to you. We confess that 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 or our neighbors as we should. Forgive us, O God, and grant that in the Holy Spirit we may live and serve you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

* Declaration of Forgiveness in Christ: If you have repented of your sin and turned in faith to Jesus Christ, I can declare through Christ’s atoning death and life-giving resurrection that you are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

* New Life in Christ: If you love God, keep his commandments. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

* Response (Hymn 610, verse 4)                                                                            QUEBEC

Take up your cross, then, in his strength, and calmly sin’s wild deluge brave; ’twill guide you to a better home, it points to glory o’er the grave.

    O Lord, open our lips, and our mouths shall show forth your praise.

*Gloria Patri (Hymn 735)                                            GLORIA PATRI (GREATOREX)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.

* The Peace of Christ    The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

Announcements, Scripture Memory, & Catechism – see Bell Ringer

Hymn 136   Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart                                            THY WORD

Prayer of Gathering (Collect for 6 Epiphany):  O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Reading of the Holy Scriptures

Deuteronomy 30:15-20         

Psalm 119:1-8

1 Corinthians 3:1-9                

Matthew 5:21-37        The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Sermon – “Becoming Spiritual Mature”

The Apostles’ Creed – hymnal page 845

Prayers of the People, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer (saying ‘debts’)

Offering Tithes and Gifts

Offertory (Hymn 729)                                                                      HERR JESU CHRIST

All things are thine; no gift have we, Lord of all gifts, to offer thee; and hence with grateful hearts today, thine own before thy feet we lay.

* Doxology (Hymn 731)                                                                           OLD HUNDREDTH

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

* Offertory Prayer

* Hymn 74   God Is Working His Purpose Out                                              PURPOSE

* Benediction

Postlude