February 2, 2025 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (Green)
Prayer Focus: The Marginalized and Vulnerable
Welcome to worship at Central!
In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to worship at Central where it is our mission to follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors. Our clergy, Rev. Thomas Smith, Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan, and Rev. Meg Jiunnies, are grateful you’ve chosen to make Central a part of your day! If it is your first time worshiping with us, please fill out a Connect Card and bring it to the Welcome Center where you will receive a gift from the church. Once again, welcome!
Music Note
The opening and closing voluntaries today are taken from a suite of pieces by Denis Bédard. Born in Quebec City in 1950, Bédard studied music at the Conservatoire de musique de Québec, achieving first class honors in organ, harpsichord, chamber music, counterpoint and fugue. He continued his studies in Paris, Montreal, and Amsterdam. Academic posts include the Conservatoire de musique de Québec and the University of British Columbia. Bédard has held church positions in Quebec City and at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver. In addition to his many organ works, his compositions include chamber, orchestral, and vocal works. His music is essentially tonal and melodic with attention to formal clarity.
Sermon Note
Worship can be a welcome withdrawal from the cares and concerns of everyday life, but we do not worship in a vacuum. Jesus’ words in the synagogue stirred up controversy in the community. We don’t necessarily need to stir up controversy, but how can worship prepare us to engage the world?
Flowers
The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Donna Flynn on the occasion of her birthday, February 3, by her husband, Bill. “The color red represents love; yellow is for home. She is now home.”
Order of Worship
GATHERING
PARISH CONCERNS
(The service of worship begins. The prelude is offered for the entire congregation. Quiet meditation and private prayer are encouraged.)
OPENING VOLUNTARY .................................................................................................
Denis Bédard
Aria for the Flutes from Suite on the Third Tone
*CHIMING OF THE HOUR
(*All who are able are asked to stand.)
*GREETING
Leader: God is our rock of refuge.
People: God is the strong fortress who saves us.
Leader: God rescues us from evil.
People: Let us praise God forever!
*HYMN IN PROCESSION 578 ............................................................................
UNSER HERRSCHER
God of Love and God of Power COLLECT
Almighty God, who enlightens all the nations of the earth. We pray that you will set our hearts on fire with the brightness of your glory, that we may always acknowledge our Savior and proclaim our Lord; Who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God in glory everlasting. Amen.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 881 .....................................................................................
Apostles’ Creed
*GLORIA PATRI 71 ........................................................................................................... GREATOREX
Glory Be to the Father
RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP CHILDREN’S CHURCH DISMISSAL
(Children in 3K - 1st grade are now dismissed for Children’s Church and may be picked up in room #145 or #147 after the service.)
PROCLAMATION
ANTHEM ....................................................................................................................
He Comes to Us as One Unknown
He comes to us as one unknown, a breath unseen, unheard; as though within a heart of stone, or shriveled seed in darkness sown, a pulse of being stirred. He comes when souls in silence lie and thoughts of day depart; half-seen upon the inward eye, a falling star across the sky of night within the heart. He comes to us in sound of seas, the ocean ’ s fume and foam; yet small and still upon the breeze, a wind that stirs the tops of trees, a voice to call us home. He comes in love as once he came by flesh and blood and birth; to bear within our mortal frame a life, a death, a saving Name, for every child of earth. He comes in truth when faith is grown; believed, obeyed, adored; the Christ in all the scriptures shown, as yet unseen, but not unknown, our Savior and our Lord.
SCRIPTURE LESSON ........................................................................................................ Luke 4:21-30
Leader: The Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
SERMON ..................................................................................................................
Even In Your Hometown Series: Where You Are PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Rev. Thomas Smith
arr. John Ferguson
OFFERTORY SOLO .........................................................................................................
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
Maurice Bevan
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea; there’s a kindness in his justice, which is more than liberty. There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven; there is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgement given. For the love of God is broader than the measure of man ’ s mind; and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind. But we make his love too narrow by false limits of our own; and we magnify his strictness with a zeal he will not own. There is plentiful redemption in the blood that has been shed; there is joy for all the members in the sorrows of the Head. There is grace enough for thousands of new worlds as great as this; there is room for fresh creations in that upper home of bliss. If our love were but more simple, we should take him at his word; and our lives would be all gladness in the joy of Christ our Lord.
*DOXOLOGY 95 ......................................................................................................................
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
*COMMUNION HYMN 632 ..................................................................................
Deck Thyself, My Soul with Gladness *HYMN 617 .........................................................................................................
I Come with Joy
