In today’s reading from Deuteronomy we are called to choose life by loving and obeying God. Much of
today’s gospel reading echoes portions of the Ten Commandments. Jesus’ instructions to the crowd reveal a pattern of behavior that honors both God and the neighbor, resulting in life and health for the
whole community. We too are invited to embrace these commandments, not out of fear of retribution,
but because God has promised that to do so means life for us.
PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
GATHERING
Please stand as you are able
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
L Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God, who makes all things new, whose mercy endures
forever.
C Amen.
L Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection
L Holy One, source of our renewal,
C we confess that we are wrapped up in sin, and cannot free ourselves. We have not practiced your righteousness. Our hearts have turned away from you. For the sake of the
world you so love, forgive us, that we may be reconciled to one another for the glory of
your holy name. Amen.
L Thus says our God: “The former things have come to pass and new things I now declare.”
God’s mercy makes us new. We are forgiven in the name of ☩ Christ our Savior.
C Amen.
GATHERING SONG Light Dawns on a Weary World ELW 726
GREETING
L 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.
HYMN OF PRAISE Christ, Be Our Light (vs 1, 2 & 5) ELW 715
PRAYER OF THE DAY
C O God, the strength of all who hope in you, because we are weak mortals we accomplish nothing good without you. Help us to see and understand the things we ought to
do, and give us grace and power to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and
Lord. Amen.
Please Be Seated
WORD
FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 30:15-20.
L A reading from Deuteronomy
(after the reading)
L Word of God. Word of Life. C Thanks be to God.
PSALM 119:1-8,
1Happy are they whose | way is blameless, who follow the teaching |
of the Lord!
2Happy are they who observe |
your decrees and seek you with |
all their hearts,
3who never do |
any wrong, but always walk |
in your ways.
4You laid down |
your commandments, that we should |
fully keep them. R
5Oh, that my ways were made |
so direct that I might |
keep your statutes!
6Then I should not be |
put to shame, when I regard all |
your commandments.
7I will thank you with |
a true heart, when I have learned your |
righteous judgments.
8I will |keep your statutes; do not utter-|
ly forsake me. R
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9.
L A reading from 1 Corinthians
(after the reading)
L Word of God. Word of Life. C Thanks be to God.
LET THE CHILDREN COME (Please pass worship cards to the center aisle)
Please Stand As You Are Able
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia. Lord, to Whom Shall We Go? ELW Pg 188
GOSPEL: Matthew 5:21-37
L The holy gospel according to Matthew C Glory to you , O Lord.
(after the reading)
L The gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ
Please Be Seated
MESSAGE Pastor Megan Morrow
Please stand As You Are Able
HYMN O God of Mercy, God of Light (vs 1,3,4) ELW 714
APOSTLES CREED ELW pg 235
INSTALLATION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
each petition ends with
L Merciful God, C receive our prayer.
SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE
L You are marked with the cross of Christ forever.
C Thanks be to God
Please Be Seated
Offering Plate Is Brought Forward As We Sing:
OFFERING SONG We Are an Offering ELW 692
OFFERTORY PRAYER
L Liberating God, you break the bonds of injustice and let the oppressed go free. Receive these
offerings in thanksgiving for all your works of merciful power, and shape us as people of
your justice and freedom. You we magnify and adore, through Jesus our Savior,
C Amen
SENDING
LORD’S PRAYER
L We invite you to join as we pray the prayer our Savior taught us:
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.
SENDING HYMN Blessed Assurance ELW 638
BLESSING
L The God who faithfully brings forth justice and breaks the oppressor’s rod ☩ bless,
strengthen, and uphold you, today and always.
C Amen.
DISMISSAL
L Go in peace. Follow the way of Jesus.
C Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
ADDITIONAL WORSHIP SCHEDULES
‘ONLINE WORSHIP’ – VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: Alliancestjohns.org
OR OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AT: Alliance NE St Johns Lutheran
SUNDAY SCHOOL @ HOME – on our Facebook Page and Web Site when it is available.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF FEBRUARY 19th– Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 2,
2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9.
BURNING THE PALMS– We will be burning palms next Sunday, February 19th, in preparation
of Ash Wednesday, February 22nd!
COMMUNITY TABLE – Monday, February 20th & 27th at 10:30am. Are you able to help
serve? Please contact the church office at 762-1883.
WORSHIP HELPERS – Feb 19-Reader– Melinda Ewing, Lay Assistant– Jess Wimmer.
MINI-REVOLUTION – Join the faith-filled fun by signing up to lead or assist. Sign-up is in the
Fellowship Room on the oak table.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY– Led by Jody Mischnick Wednesdays at 9:30. In the study of 1st &
2nd Corinthians.
HEAD START BACKPACKS – We are collecting individually packaged items for 31 children
this year! We provide one bag per child each week with ten items in each bag. At times it is hard
to find enough items in the grocery stores to fill this need, so please be on the look out for prepackaged items. Thank you for all your generous donations!
GROCERY KART RECEIPTS– We are collecting Grocery Kart receipts to benefit our Preschool next year.
LENTEN LUNCH– Starts February 23rd at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. St. John’s will host
the luncheon on March 2nd!
CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION CLASSES– Please let the church office or
Pastor Megan know ASAP if you have a youth to participate in either class. The information
meeting for Confirmation is scheduled for FEBRUARY 26TH AFTER WORSHIP! First
Communion group will have a workshop APRIL 1ST FROM 9AM-12PM!
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 2/5/2023 $13,880.96
Giving thru 2/5/2023 $15,299.00
Giving over actual expenses $1,418.04
