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 Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany.


 

Our Gathering song at our Traditional service is “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (ELW 858)

Prayer of the Day

Everlasting God, you give strength to the weak and power to the faint. Make us agents of your healing and wholeness, that your good news may be made known to the ends of your creation, through 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 Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, and 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

 

Isaiah 40:21-31

Psalm 147:1-11

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

9For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

This week’s Gospel text is from Mark 1:29-39

 

Pastor Dave’s Sermon Snapshot: “May I Serve You?”

Today’s Gospel reading is the account of Jesus healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and others. Jesus is “revealed” as having authority over illnesses and evil spirits.  He also “reveals” that he has come to heal souls by preaching the good news of God’s grace.  In deed and word Jesus “reveals” God’s kingdom. He calls his followers to continue this mission.  We, the church, are called to both share the gospel and serve others – this is not an either-or commission we have been given by the Lord.

 

 

 

 The Hymn of the Day in our Traditional service is “Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak” (ELW 676)

Prayers of the People – 2/4/18

 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.  

We pray for all who proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, who bring healing, who provide hope, who welcome the stranger, who seek freedom for the captive, who bring holy light into dark places.  Today we ask you blessings for our ELCA, Northwest Washington Synod, East King County Cluster sister congregation Saint Andrews Lutheran Church and Pastor James McEachrun. God of mercy…

Hear our prayer.

We pray for women, especially women who serve the church as Bishops and Pastors and Deacons, as Council Presidents and Officers and Members, as staff members, as teachers, as lay ministers and as volunteers. In your own image you created humanity, men and women, who together share is showing forth your glory. We also pray for women who have been victims, or are currently victimized, in any way. May justice have no gender barriers or boundaries.  God of mercy…

Hear our prayer.

We pray for our home, the earth. Grant us a renewed commitment to being good stewards of your good creation, and a clear understanding of our Earth-keeping role as servants and shepherds. Stir us to learn what damage we cause to the environment and our fellow inhabitants of it, by our actions and by our inaction, as inspire us to change in ways that are sustainable for us, and a blessing for future generations. God of mercy…

Hear our prayer.

We pray for 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 for those suffering from any illness, including the flu that has claimed the lives of more than 50 children in this country alone.  Protect the vulnerable, strengthen the sick and injured, guide medical personnel, and invigorate caregivers. God of mercy…

Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who lead our youth.  Today we give thanks for the Scouting Program that has blessed boys and girls at Cross of Christ for more than 50 years. Encourage leaders in there service, and bless our Scouts as they grow in body, mind, and spirit. 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 “Christ, Be Our Light” (ELW 715)

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!

TODAY IS SCOUT SUNDAY – Joining us in worship at both services are adult leaders and members of Troop and Den 673.  Welcome, Scouts!

HAVE A HEART CAMPAIGN BEGINS TODAY – in support of The Good Samaritan Fund, which provides financial aid to members and neighbors in need. Read more about it in the pamphlet available at the Information Desk. Please consider making a special donation this month to The Good Samaritan Fund over and above your usual giving. Thank you.

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.

NEW SERIES ON JOEL BEGINS TODAY IN ADULT FAITH FORMATION – For the four weeks of February, we will study the Old Testament book of the prophet Joel, in a series with the intriguing title, “Why Does Sin Bug God So Much?” Adult Faith Formation meets between services from 10:15 to 10:55 in the Library.

SUNDAY SCHOOL – Come float down the Nile River with us as we learn about God’s plan for a baby named Moses this month! 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 worship services.

THE PAGETURNERS BOOK CLUB MEETS MONDAY – 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.”

UPCOMING YD EVENTS – Youth Discipleship (YD) is our Confirmation program for young people, helping them grow in faith and prepare for the rite of Affirmation of Baptism. We meet this Wednesday from 5 to 6:30 pm in the Youth Room. We are also attending Youth Quake – an annual regional youth retreat – February 16-18, Friday afternoon through Sunday noon, at Great Wolf Lodge Hotel and Indoor Water Park in Grand Mound. See Youth Ministry Leader Kristie Walker for more details.

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 minutes 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!

SUBMISSIONS FOR THE NEXT CROSSCURRENTS Please submit any articles, photographs or other items you would like to be considered for inclusion in the upcoming March-April edition of our newsletter by February 15 to Office Administrator and CrossCurrents Publisher Judy Giseburt via email at office@cofclc.net.  If you have any questions you can reach Judy during office hours at 425-746-7300.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES FEBRUARY 14 – The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday’s powerful worship services, when we receive the sign of the cross in ashes upon our foreheads, remember our mortality, celebrate Holy Communion, and prepare for our Lenten journey.  A noon Service of the Word (no music) is offered for those for whom the evening service time, 7 pm, is not convenient.  Beginning the following Wednesday, February 21, we gather downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for Soup Supper at 6 pm followed by a 45-minute worship service in the Sanctuary.  This year’s Advent Midweek Worship Series is inspired by Henri Nouwen’s book “Can You Drink the Cup?” which is drawn from the question Christ asked of his disciples.  Please make plans to join us for Ash Wednesday and Midweek worship.

PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Marilyn Van Brero, Leona Lenschow, Doris Lundquist, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Jane Pittenger, Corrine Riemer, and Norman Stromer.

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.

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. The shelter has moved 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.

 

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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