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 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany.


 

Our Gathering song at our Traditional service is “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (ELW 886)

Prayer of the Day

Compassionate God, you gather the whole universe into your radiant presence and continually reveal your Son as our Savior. Bring wholeness to all that is broken and speak truth to us in our confusion, that all creation will see and know your Son, Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

 

This week’s readings are from Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111and 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

 

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Today’s reading is part of a longer discourse in Deuteronomy, an updating of the law for the Israelite community as the people wait to enter the promised land. Here Moses assures the people that God will continue to guide them through prophets who will proclaim the divine word.

 [Moses said:] 15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. 16 This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” 17 Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet,who shall speak to them everything that I command. 19 Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. 20 But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.”

 

Psalm 111

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Ps. 111:10)

Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
    the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
    he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
    in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever,
    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
    he has commanded his covenant forever.
    Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures forever.

 

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Paul is concerned about how some Corinthian Christians use their freedom in Christ as license to engage in non-Christian behavior that sets a damaging example to other, impressionable, believers. Christians have a responsibility to each other that their behavior does not cause a sister or brother to sin.

1Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; 3but anyone who loves God is known by him.
4Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords—6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8“Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 11So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. 12But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

 

This week’s Gospel text is from Mark 1:21-28

21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He[a] commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

 

Pastor Dave’s Sermon Snapshot: “Clean/Dirty”

Coming soon!

 

 

 

 

The Hymn of the Day in our Traditional service is “Rise, Shine, You People!” (ELW 665)

 

Prayers of the People – 1/25/18

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.

Guiding Lord, we pray your power be upon those who speak your word of truth in the church and in the world.  We pray for advocacy agencies that work for justice and equity, especially the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Advocacy, Justice for Women, and Racial Justice advocacy efforts. We pray for ELCA universities and seminaries that prepare leaders for your people, especially our partners at Pacific Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. We lift to you this week our ELCA, Northwest Washington Synod, East King County Cluster sister congregation Shepherd of the Hills in Sammamish, and Pastor Debbie Boyce. God of mercy…

Hear our prayer.

Creating and Sustaining Lord, we pray for your creation that reveals your majesty in diverse and beautiful ways, for an end to pollution and unjust uses of natural resources, for good and safe weather, for protection of fragile lands and endangered species, and for your people to respond faithfully to your calling that we be good stewards and shepherds of all that you have entrusted into our care. God of mercy…

Hear our prayer.

Unifying Lord, we pray for peace and justice throughout the world, for an end to racism, sexism, and all forms of prejudice and division, and for justice as well as reconciliation where harm has been done.  We pray for our political leaders at all levels and for those who provide public services. Grant them wisdom as they carry out their tasks for the benefit of all they serve. God of mercy…

Hear our prayer.

Generous Lord, we pray for those in our congregation celebrating special events, for those marking birthdays, anniversaries, and other important milestones, for those planning for baptisms, weddings, and other celebrations, and for those giving thanks to you for blessings that have come from your hands. Help us to be grateful for all your gifts, especially the gifts of family, friends, and our family of faith. God of mercy…

Hear our prayer.

Healing Lord, be near to all in need. We especially lift to you our members and those dear to them who have asked for our public prayers: Anna Bero, Brian Constable, Heidi Fine, Phyllis Hahn, Claire Huehnerhoff, Marlys Paulson, John Paulson, Vernette Rae, Corinne Riemer and Marilyn Van Brero. We pray for Larry Brink, friend of Linda Ernst, being treated for serious injuries sustained in a fall last week.  We pray also for those missing from our worship today, especially our homebound members Leona Lenschow, Doris Lundquist, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Jane Pittenger, Corrine Riemer, and Norman Stromer.  God of mercy…

Hear our prayer.

Comforting Lord, we pray in thanksgiving for the faithful departed, including the theologian Thomas Aquinas, whom the church commemorates today. We give you thanks for the lives of Tom Fine and LaVonne Ekren, which we celebrated this week in memorial services, and whom we have entrusted into your eternal care. Bless their loved ones and all who mourn, that they may not grieve as those who have no hope. 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 Traditional service is “There Is a Balm in Gilead” (ELW 614)

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 FAMILES ARE INTIVED 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.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP SERIES – concludes today as we ask the question, “Was Martin Luther an Environmentalist?” and consider some practical ways we as individuals and as a church can be good stewards of God’s creation. Join us in the Library from 10:15 to 10:55, between services. Next week Pastor Dave begins a new series for the Sundays in February on the book of Joel, with the intriguing title, “Why Does Sin Bug God So Much?”

SUNDAY SCHOOL – Come float down the Nile River with us as we learn about God’s plan for a baby named Moses! Children’s Sunday School is designed to be a drop-in program for 3 through 10. We hope you can join us in the Youth Room between services!

INTERFAITH COVENANT LECTURE SERIES WELCOMES FORMER KING-5 WEATHERMAN JEFF RENNER WEDNESDAY – 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, this Wednesday 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.

NEXT SUNDAY IS SCOUT SUNDAY – Joining us in worship at both services will be adult leaders and member of Troop and Den 673. If you are a former Scout, be invited to wear your Scout gear and join in a special litany based on the Scout Oath and its Biblical foundations.

THE PAGETURNERS – Book club will meet on Monday, February 5 at 3 pm, at Hildegard Schmidt’s house (425-747-5249) to discuss Edith Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence.” Anyone is welcome. The March book will be Laura Mariarty’s “The Chaperone.”

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!

WELCA MEETING AND BIBLE STUDY – The next WELCA Board meeting is tomorrow at 1 pm in the Conference Room.  Circle Bible Study leaders for February are invited to join Pastor Dave on Thursday at 10 am, also in the Conference Room, as he helps you prep to lead this month’s study.

THANK YOU FROM MEHLUM, FINE AND EKREN FAMILIES – to everyone who helped with services for Mary (January 13), Tom (Friday) and LaVonne (Saturday). A special thanks to Gale Hill and the Reception Committee, and to Sandra Volkman and Hildegard Schmidt who always do such a nice job with décor and personalized table centerpieces. These families all expressed their appreciation for their Cross of Christ family of faith and the care they and their loved ones were shown in this time.

SOPHIA WAY – The Emergency Shelter is a sanctuary for women experiencing homelessness.   We serve about 30 women every night, providing a warm meal and a safe place to sleep.  On February 1, we move from Lakeside Christian Church to Holy Cross Lutheran, 4315 129th Pl SE, in South Bellevue.  You can make the difference by providing a warm meal at 8pm – find out more at sophiaway.org/donate-meals/ or sign up online: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/1922673/false#/invitation    This is fun to do in a group! Call 425 463 6285 with any questions.

MAMMA MIA! LARKS PLAN FUN OUTING – Join us for the award-winning musical Rom-Com, Mamma Mia! Saturday, February 10, at 2 pm, at 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle. We have a limited number of seats in the upper balcony at a cost of $42. Please sign up at the Information Desk if you would like a ticket. Parking is $ 7 at the City Centre Parking Garage on 6th Avenue, or we can go by bus.  Please call Nancy Weisel at 425-748-4278 for more details.

CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS UPDATE – After almost a year and a half without indoor restrooms, laundry facilities, and a real kitchen, the renovations are now complete at the CFH Day Center and Winter Shelter at Lincoln Center and bunk beds are in place to serve 88 men. The shelter is collecting paper plates/bowls/napkins, foot powder, hand warmers, pillow cases, and small travel soaps and shampoo. The Community Outreach Team is collecting your donations of any of these items in the CFH wooden box in the Narthex. If you can provide a meal or part of a meal for the shelter please visit www.cfhomeless.org.

 

Our sending song in our Mosaic service is “Holy Is the Lord”


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!

 

 

 

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