January 15, 2017

2nd Sunday after Epiphany

16548 Ferris Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95032 | (408) 356-5055 | www.faithlosgatos.org

Office Hours: Tues./Thurs. by appointment | Church phone answered 9 AM – 7 PM

For Emergencies: Pastor Anne (408) 406-8749 or Pastor Carol (831) 239-1254

2 | P a g e

GOSPEL MESSAGE

January 15, 2017

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

What an Epiphany!

In today’s gospel we hear John the Baptist announce, “Here is the Lamb of God who

takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). The next day, John the Baptist says it

again, this time in front of Andrew and another who will follow Jesus (John 1:36).

John the Baptist reveals Jesus as the Lamb of God just as Jesus begins his public

ministry. What an epiphany! At this point, even those who have an inkling Jesus is

the Messiah do not imagine him as a suffering servant-Savior.

With the benefit of knowing the whole gospel story, we realize the fullness of John

the Baptist’s insight. We know, and our communion liturgy helps us remember, Jesus

is “the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God”

(Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 101).

Jesus, born in a cave and laid in a manger, is Emmanuel, God-with-us, not God-far-

away. Jesus, who dies on a cross and rises again, is the Lamb of God who takes away

the sin of the world. Even today, with the benefit of centuries of reflection, it is

difficult to imagine an all-powerful God loving the world enough to enter it as a

suffering servant-Savior.

So often we get it wrong. We vie for power, we expect reward and recognition for

faithfulness, we turn away the stranger, we arrogantly assume our ways are God’s

ways. And often, Spirit-led and by God’s good grace, we get it right. Our words and

actions point to Jesus, the Lamb of God. Following Jesus, we find ourselves called

and empowered to risk discipleship, sacrifice for the good of another, and give

generously. We are blessed to be better than our natures, humbly willing to serve,

welcome, comfort, and console. Others recognize we are Christians by our love.

What an epiphany!

Copyright © 2016 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies

Annual License #SAS103424.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the

Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

3 | P a g e

Prelude

The Invitation of the Bell

(please stand as you are able)

Gathering song: “Christ Be Our Light” #715 (red book)

Words and Music: Bernadette Farrell. © Bernadette Farrell, admin. OCP Publications.

All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-726427.

GATHERING

4 | P a g e

Greeting & Prayer of the Day:

P: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy Spirit be with you all.

C: and also with you.

P: Let us pray…

C: Holy God, our strength and our redeemer, by your Spirit hold us forever,

that through your grace we may worship you and faithfully serve you,

follow you and joyfully find you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and

Lord.

Amen.

(please be seated)

Welcome & Praise Reports

Praise Song: “He Has Made Me Glad”

I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart,

I will enter his courts with praise.

I will say this is the day that the Lord has made;

I will rejoice for he has made me glad.

He has made me glad, he has made me glad,

I will rejoice for he has made me glad.

He has made me glad, he has made me glad,

I will rejoice for he has made me glad. [repeat]

Words and Music by Leona Von Brethorst. CCLI Song # 1493. © 1976 Universal Music - Brentwood Publishing.

For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. Ccli.com. CCLI License # 11396410

Time with God’s Kids Pastor John Goldstein

First Reading: I Corinthians 1:1-9

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother

Sosthenes,

WORD

5 | P a g e

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus,

called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our

Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been

given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech

and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened

among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the

revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that

you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him

you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

AM: Word of God, Word of Life

C: Thanks be to God!

Psalm Reading: Psalm 40: 1-10 (read responsively)

AM: 1 I waited patiently for the LORD;

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

C: 2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,

out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock,

making my steps secure.

AM: 3 He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

and put their trust in the LORD.

C: 4 Happy are those who make

the LORD their trust, who do not turn to the proud,

to those who go astray after false gods.

AM: 5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God,

your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;

6 | P a g e

none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them,

they would be more than can be counted.

C: 6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,

but you have given me an open ear.

Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.

AM: 7 Then I said, “Here I am;

in the scroll of the book it is written of me.

C: 8 I delight to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart.”

AM: 9 I have told the glad news of deliverance

in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips,

as you know, O LORD.

C: 10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,

I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;

I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness

from the great congregation.

(please stand as you are able)

Gospel Acclamation “Halle, Halle, Halle” # 172 (red book)

Music: Caribbean traditional; arr. Mark Sedio. Arr. © 1995 Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-726427.

7 | P a g e

P: The Good News of Jesus according to: John 1: 29-42

C: Glory to You, O Lord

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of

God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me

comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not

know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed

to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove,

and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to

baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is

the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen and have

testified that this is the Son of God.”

35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he

watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37 The two

disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw

them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him,

“Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to

them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained

with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40 One of the two who

heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first

found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is

translated Anointed). 42 He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said,

“You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated

Peter).

P: The good news of Jesus

C: Thanks be to you, O Christ

(please be seated)

Message Pastor John Goldstein (Usher will come by and pick up your Prayer cards)

(please stand as you are able)

8 | P a g e

Song of the Day: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

No turning back no turning back

The world behind me the cross before me

The world behind me the cross before me

The world behind me the cross before me

No turning back no turning back.

Though none go with me still I will follow

Though none go with me still I will follow

Though none go with me still I will follow

No turning back no turning back

Words: Attr. S. Sundar Singh. Music: Hindustani Melody. Public Domain.

Apostles Creed

P: With the whole Church, let us affirm our faith:

C: I believe in God, the Father almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son our Lord,

who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

on the third day he rose again;

He ascended into heaven,

He is seated at the right hand of the Father,

And He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen

9 | P a g e

Prayers of the People (please be seated)

AM: Called to be a light to the nations, let us pray for God’s justice, peace, and

healing.

A brief silence.

AM: Gather us in, gracious God. Bring together Methodist and Pentecostal, Baptist

and Roman Catholic, Lutheran and AME-Zion. Form us in worship into your

united people. Send us out as one in you, proclaiming your glory and serving

all. Hear us, O God.

C: Your mercy is great.

AM: Fed with bread and wine, Christ’s body and blood, make us eager to care for

your good creation. Send us to pick up litter from highways and lakeshores and

protect animal habitats. Hear us, O God.

C: Your mercy is great.

AM: We pray for all the nations of the world. Help us to reach out to the places

where the scandal of hunger resides. Hear us, O God.

C: Your mercy is great.

AM: We pray for the world. This week from the Cycle of World Prayer we

especially lift up Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab

Emirates, and Yemen. May they live in your peace and protection. Hear us, O

God.

C: Your mercy is great.

AM: Quell the anxieties of all who wait for test results. Bring hope to all whose life

is a struggle and filled with despair. Send us to care for those who suffer

(especially those we name here silently or aloud…). Hear us, O God.

C: Your mercy is great.

AM: Open us to see how our congregation abounds with every spiritual gift. Send us

out to share our abundant gifts and proclaim your steadfast love. Hear us, O

God.

C: Your mercy is great.

AM: Bless the ministry of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Saratoga, our sister

congregation in our El Camino Real Conference as we lift them up in prayer.

Hear us, O God.

C: Your mercy is great.

10 | P a g e

AM: We thank you for the faithfulness of your prophets. Strengthen our faith in

you. Send us out to proclaim and live your justice boldly. Hear us, O God.

C: Your mercy is great.

Pastor: Receive these prayers in the name of Christ, the light of the world, who is

one with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

C: Amen.

Reconciliation & Peace

P: As you have been reconciled with God, so now reach out to those just around

you and share the reconciliation of God with others.

P: The peace of Christ be with you.

C: and also with you.

P: God be with you

C: And also with you

P: Lift up your hearts!

C: We lift them to the Lord

P: Let us give thanks to God.

C: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

P: God of all time and space, you touch us with your Light in this time of Epiphany,

reminding us of your wisdom and love made human among us. You set us alight with

your Spirit, calling us to be the hope and joy you promise to all creation – to nurture

your realm of peace, already alive – around, among, and between us. So we join our

voices with the peoples of all times and places as we sing:

MEAL

11 | P a g e

“What Feast of Love” #487 vs 1, 3 (red book)

Text: Delores Dufner. Music: English ballad, 16th century. Text © 1993 Delores Dufner,

admin. OCP Publications. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-726427.

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread,

gave thanks, broke it,

and gave it to his followers saying:

Take and eat; this is my life, given for you.

Do this to re-member me.

Later, during the meal, he took the cup,

gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant given to you and to all people

for the forgiveness of sin.

Whenever you do this, re-member me.

So let this moment be held in the brightness of your being.

Let this bread, wine, and all of us be blessed

by the breath of your Spirit.

With your people in every time and place,

we praise and glorify you forever. Amen.

12 | P a g e

P: Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus, a prayer of hope for a new creation.

The Lord’s Prayer

C: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen

P: All are invited and welcome at this table. We come together and kneel or not as

we desire. There is gluten-free unleavened bread, red wine or white grape

juice in the individual cups. If you chose not to receive the bread and wine

you are invited to come for a blessing, or stay in your seat in silent prayer.

(For those who cannot come to the table, we will come to you.)

Invitation to the table

P: Come to the banquet, for nothing and no one can take your place. This is

God’s table, and Jesus is the host of this meal. It is a table of grace and it is all

we will ever need.

Communion Music : Catherine Ellacer

Post-Communion Blessing & Prayer

P: We thank you, O God, that you have strengthened our hearts through this feast

of life and love. Be light for our path, that we may do justice, love kindness, and

walk humbly with you, now and forever.

C: Amen

The Offering is Received

SENDING

13 | P a g e

Offering Song: “We Are An Offering” #146 (purple book)

(please sing during the gathering of the offering)

Words and Music by Dwight Liles. CCLI Song # 16220. © 1984 Word Music, LLC.

For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. ccli.com

CCLI License # 11396410

14 | P a g e

Offering prayer

C: Gracious God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, you call us from

darkness to light, from indifference to justice, from hatred and violence to peace

and reconciliation. With these gifts we offer ourselves to you, our hands for your

work. Amen.

Time of Testimony & Invitation

Blessing: (please stand as you are able)

P: As you go, make a joyful noise to God with all the earth.

Sing joyous songs of praise,

Let the trumpets ring, the seas roar, and the mountains sing,

For God has come among us and love is born within us – Hallelujah!

Go in the peace of Christ.

C: Amen.

15 | P a g e

Sending Song: “We Are Called” #720 (red book)

Words & Music: David Haas. © 1988 GIA Publications, Inc.

All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-726427

Dismissal

P: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, go and be God’s disciples in the world

C: Thanks be to God. We will!

16 | P a g e

Those in Service today

Pastor: Pastor John Goldstein

Organist: Catherine Ellacer

Ushers: Bob Balcomb/Les Grundy

Acolytes: Tristen Fabris/ Damian

Hernandez/Donovan Plummer

Reader/Lector:

Altar Care: Linda Perez

Refreshments:

Flowers:

Prayer List

Sharon Biller Anna Lisa Holte Thelma Spaziani

Mario Chissesi Shirley Brothers

Marie Hughes Eva Woodall

**Please let us know the names of those you would like included on the prayer list.

17

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle—This week

January 15, 2017

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab

Emirates, and Yemen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pray for: women and others in these countries who are deprived of basic freedoms and human dignity; those who misuse or exploit religious identity for extremist political ends; the wise use of the benefits oil and other natural

resources for the sake of all; the emergence of stable democratic societies based on the rule of law, social justice, and respect for religious and other

freedoms.

Financials/Attendance for Jan. 8:

Attendance:

Offering:

Social Concern of the Month:

Lord’s Pantry:

Social Concern of the Month— International Refugee Committee for Aleppo

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to Pastor John Goldstein: pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in

San Jose.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED WITH REFRESHMENTS, LECTOR, AND

FLOWERS. PLEASE SIGN UP IN THE ENTRANCE AREA

Next week will be Pastor Carol’s last Sunday with Faith Lutheran [put more words

here]

18

Faith Lutheran’s Hospitality Credo Mission: By the Power of God: Caring, Sharing, Praying, Growing

Caring & Growing 1. All are welcome

We are inclusive

We value you being here

Caring & Praying 2. We expect to meet Jesus

Every Sunday when we gather Communion/ Lord’s Supper is open to everyone without restrictions

Praying & Sharing 3. Service

Worship on Sunday is when we gather to receive God’s service to us,

and to thank and praise God.

Serving our neighbor and the stranger is what we are sent out to do.

4. Grateful and Thankful

We know all of life is a gift and blessing from God.

We are sent out to be a blessing to everyone we meet.

Sharing 5. Sharing our resources

Financial: One of God’s many blessings is our financial gifts

FLC shares 15% of all our offerings, plus the social concern of

the month offerings with:

The broader Lutheran church

The world

Our neighbors

Energy: We give our time and passion to 6 local community charities

Praying & Growing 6. We are human

We struggle with our lack of faith & human condition

We confess our sins

We repent – that is turn around to Jesus

We accept forgiveness, sometimes

We are blessed with God’s love and forgiveness

As Lutherans, we live daily as both saint and forgiven sinner.

Which means we are human.