Fourth Sunday after Epiphany | January 31, 2021

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany | January 31, 2021

Worship Service for The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Rev. Gregory Mech | January 31, 2021 | Epiphany 4 | Divine Service, Setting One | Immanuel Lutheran Church ONLINE and IN-PERSON – Joplin, Missouri | 8:00 and 10:30 am

Still Wearing Face Masks, Some Classes and On-Campus Activities Have Returned | In-Person Services and Holy Communion are back! Limited Seating. Learn more.

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Martin Luther School is Joplin’s Lutheran School, serving children from age 2 through 8th grade. Learn more and receive a FREE Educational Success Consultation! Call 417-624-1403.


Special thanks to all who helped to make this broadcast possible today:
Rev. Gregory Mech, DCE Jason Glaskey, organist Betty Lingenfelter,
the COVID Committee and Board of Elders.


01.31.21 Epiphany 4 bulletin cover. immanuel lutheran church lcms. joplin missouri.

And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority.

A portion of the Holy Gospel from Mark 1, one of the readings assigned for The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. May God richly bless you as you hear His Word and Jesus’ teaching! Welcome to Immanuel Lutheran Church.


The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

January 31, 2021 — Divine Service, Setting One

HYMN “Faith and Truth and Life Bestowing”584

Faith and truth and love bestowing,
Open now the Scriptures, Lord,
Seed to life eternal sowing,
Scattered on the wind abroad.
Let not hearts, Your Word receiving,
Like a barren field be found,
Choked with thorns and unbelieving,
Shallow earth or stony ground.

May the Spirit’s power increasing
Bring to life the hidden grain,
Daily in our hearts increasing, 
Bearing fruit that shall remain.
So, in Scripture, song and story,
Savior, may Your voice be heard.
Till our eyes behold Your glory
Give us ears to hear Your Word.

INVOCATION, CONFESSION and DECLARATION OF GRACE

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen. Matthew 28:19

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination

Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. John 1:1-2; Philippians 1:6
Amen.

Psalm 111

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 splendor and majesty is his work,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
    the LORD is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
    in giving them the inheritance 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!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures forever!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.

KYRIE “Lord, Have Mercy”        

In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy. 

For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy. 

For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy. 

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.

HYMN OF PRAISE “This Is the Feast” Revelation 5:12-13, 19:5-9

Refrain
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, 
whose blood sets us free to be people of God.

Refrain
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, 
and honor and blessing and glory are His.  

Refrain
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation: 
“Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.”

Refrain
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.

Refrain
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

SALUTATION and COLLECT OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray. Almighty God, You know that we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

KIDS TALK

OLD TESTAMENT Deuteronomy 18:15–20

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ And the LORD said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 8:1–13

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 

Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet 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.

However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

ALLELUIA and VERSE

Aleluia! Lord, to whom shall we go? 
You have the words of eternal life. 
Alleluia, alleluia!

HOLY GOSPEL Mark 1:21–28

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

This is the Gospel of the Lord. 
Praise to You, O Christ.

HYMN “Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens” 589

Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens, 
Let Your Word to me come near;
New-born life and spirit give me,
Let each promise still my fear.
Death’s dread power, its inward strife
Wars against Your Word of life;
Fill me, Lord, with love’s strong fervor
That I cling to You forever.

Oh, what blessing to be near You
And to listen to Your voice;
Let me ever love and hear You,
Let Your Word be now my choice!
Many hardened sinners, Lord,
Flee in terror at Your Word; 
But to all who feel sin’s burden
You give words of peace and pardon.

Lord, Your words are waters living
When my thirsting spirit pleads.
Lord, Your words are bread life-giving;
On Your words my spirit feeds. 
Lord, Your words will be my light
Through death’s cold and dreary night;
Yes, they are my sword prevailing 
And my cup of joy unfailing.

As I pray, dear Jesus, hear me;
Let Your words in me take root.
May Your Spirit ever be near me
That I bear abundant fruit.
May I daily sing Your praise,
From my heart glad anthems raise,
Till my highest praise be given
In the endless joy of heaven.

SERMON

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

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 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.

BENEDICTION

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen.

Special thanks to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Choir in Colorado Springs, Colorado with organist Paul Soulek.

HYMN “I AM Forever WHO I AM”

Text: Richard W. Wiegmann
Tune: Kurt E. von Kampen

Though mountains slide into the sea, 
And waters rush where fields should be,
Though monuments and nations fall, 
Your Holy City stands through all.
When nothing seems to stay the same, 
You teach us Your eternal name.

I AM forever WHO I AM,
Above you, beneath you, 
Around you and within you.
Be still and know that I am God.

We buy and sell, we lose or gain; 
Our fortunes shift like sun and rain.
Sustain our lives, reward our toil 
With bread and honey, wine and oil.
Save us and others from our greed; 
You always give us what we need.

I AM forever WHO I AM,
Above you, beneath you, 
Around you and within you.
Be still and know that I am God.

Our lust for power, wealth and land 
Diminishes the earth You planned.
Prevent our crimes and futile wars; 
Convince us that all things are yours.
We rage and burn and kill and steal, 
but You redeem, restore and heal.

I AM forever WHO I AM,
Above you, beneath you, 
Around you and within you.
Be still and know that I am God.

Like shepherds watching for the light, 
Aware of dangers in the night,
We hear the angel: 
“Do not fear, the Savior of the world is near.”
We run, we see, we touch, we laugh. 
You come to earth on our behalf.

I AM forever WHO I AM,
Above you, beneath you, 
Around you and within you.
Be still and know that I am God.

Each generation looks for truth, 
And doubt can trouble age or youth.
If other gods would take Your place, 
Remember us with love and grace.
Reclaim us if we go astray; 
You are the Truth, the Life, the Way.

I AM forever WHO I AM,
Above you, beneath you, 
Around you and within you.
Be still and know that I am God.

Some days seem long, though life is brief, 
And death is waiting like a thief.
When vision fades and dreams go dry, 
We will on unseen things rely.
Our stories take up but a page, 
But Yours goes on from age to age.

I AM forever WHO I AM,
Above you, beneath you, 
Around you and within you.
Be still and know that I am God.

IMMANUEL’S MISSION PRAYER

Heavenly Father, We pray to see the future as You see it, so we may live the present as You will it. We pray we may be grounded in Christ as a Lutheran congregation, and guided by Your grace as we walk in forgiveness. We pray we are growing continually in faith as servants in Christ’s Kingdom proclaiming the Gospel. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

COMMON DOXOLOGY

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. From Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

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