ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

JANUARY 30, 2022                                                                              
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

SILENT MEDITATION:  

“Love is the result of an identification—the identifying of our wills with the will of God, and the

 identifying of our fate with that of all (people), however obscure, fallen and needy.” Rose Terlin

GATHERING MUSIC

GREETING

PRELUDE: "Air"                                              

George Frideric Handel

CONGREGATION HYMN No. 680 “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”                            

ALL THE WAY

All the way my Savior leads me–What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me–Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for ev'ry trial, Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me–Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way.

CALL TO WORSHIP

One:  Let us worship our Triune God. Lover, Beloved, and Love itself.

All:    God’s love overflows, filling heaven and earth with rejoicing.        

One:  Love gathers our spirits as one across time and place.         

All:    God’s love sets us in community with one another.

One:  God’s love opens our eyes to one another.

All:    Sharing love with one another opens our eyes to God.

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

Steadfast and Merciful God, we say we love you, but we fail to love those around us. We say we want to see you, but we turn our eyes away from those who have needs. Forgive us and open our eyes to see you in the faces of your children. Restore us to fellowship with one another and with you through loving actions that make your love known, setting us together in one body in fellowship. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

GLORIA PATRI         

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.

MOMENTS WITH MINNIE

PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 sins as we forgive those
who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC: "Shout to the Lord"                                       

Darlene Zschech

SCRIPTURE: Luke 4:21-30

                  
SERMON: “Where’s The Love?”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 79 “My Jesus, I Love Thee”                                                                    

GORDON

My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine; for thee all the follies of sin I resign;
my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou; if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I love thee because thou hast first loved me and purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow; if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I'll love thee in life, I will love thee in death, and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath,
and say when the deathdew lies cold on my brow: If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight, I'll ever adore thee in heaven so bright;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow: If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

OFFERING OUR TIME, TALENTS AND TITHES

CALL TO OFFERING   

OFFERTORY: "Allegro Maestoso"                              

George Frideric  Handel

DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host:

Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)       

Gracious and loving God, receive the gifts we bring and our lives along with them. We offer our gifts freely, joyfully, prayerfully. With them we praise you. With them we celebrate the great power of love—a love that abides always, a love that transforms, a love that makes us whole and also makes you known. Amen

*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 446 “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” (vs 1,2,4)                  

MESSAGE

 We've a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light, a story of peace and light.

Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright,
and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.

We've a song to be sung to the nations, that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
a song that shall conquer evil, and shatter the spear and sword, and shatter the spear and sword. [Refrain]

We've a Savior to show to the nations, who the path of sorrow has trod,
that all of the world's great peoples may come to the truth of God, may come to the truth of God! [Refrain]

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE: "Mirror"                                              

Ron and Carol Harris

The Liturgist today is Marita Ray.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNUAL MEETING

TODAY, following the worship service.
This will be a hybrid meeting—both in person and on zoom. The zoom link was sent by email this morning. In order to set up for the meeting, we anticipate that the meeting will begin approximately 10 minutes after the worship service ends.

ANNUAL GIVING STATEMENTS

If you need an annual giving statement/tax statement, please sign up on the sheet in the hallway or email the church office at stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org.
Your statement can be given to you the following Sunday, emailed or mailed to you. Please indicate your preference on the sheet or in the email requesting the statement. 

CHECK IN, SHARE AND COMMENT

If you are worshiping in person, please “Check-in” on Facebook, then, share the service, comment on it and like it. You are encouraged to have your device out during the service.
If the music inspires you, tell Matthew and Margie by
commenting about how wonderful it was or say thank you.
If the sermon speaks to you, comment with how it touched you.
If there is a great story during Children’s Moment or a kid makes you laugh,
comment and tell what it was.
If someone makes a comment that you like, reply to them.
We encourage you to connect with those worshiping online as well as in person.

If you are worshiping online, share and comment on the service. Comment on the things listed above, reply to and/or like other people’s comments.
Again, it is so important to stay connected and these are simple ways to do that.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Sunday
10:45 AM Online Worship
5:00 PM Confirmation Class
Monday—Friday, 9:45 AM Live with Pastor Paul in Windows Facebook Group
Monday, 6:00 PM Girl Scout Meeting
Wednesday, 9:30—1:00 ABC Quilting
7:00 PM NA Meeting
Thursday, 6:00 PM Handbell Choir Rehearsal
For more information about any of these, please email the church office at stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org

GIVING OPTIONS

If you wish to make a donation to St. Luke’s, there are several options available:
1. Check mailed to church office at 727 N. Main, Independence, MO 64050
2. Internet donation – you may now donate from a secure site by clicking on the
Give Now button on the website.  
3. Electronic funds transfer – your offering can be automatically deducted
from your checking or savings account.
To sign up, click here.  After completing the form, contact the church office
stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org for instructions.
4. Vanco Mobile App - download the free app on Google Play or the App Store. Enter St Lukes (without punctuation) as the church name Select St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Independence. From there you can create an account and use the app for donations.
5.  Text the word GIVE to 816-312-5053 and you will be directed to a secure site for giving.

CONNECT
If you are visiting today we would love to connect with you.
Text CONNECT to 816-312-5053

PHOTO/VIDEO POLICY

May it be understood that any pictures/videos taken during any church event
may be used for promotion. Church events, including but not limited to,
worship services may be broadcast live on Facebook.
If you are not in agreement with this notify the church office.