Living Savior Lutheran Church4616 Gharrett St Missoula, MT 59803

livingsaviormissoula.org 406.543.8222Pastor Justin Cloute pastor@livingsaviormissoula.org

January 14, 2018 Epiphany 2 WELCOME TO WORSHIPWe’re happy you’re here to worship with us! We pray that the Lord bless you through his Word this morning.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask one of the greeters or anyone else.

Restrooms – There are restrooms out the back doors and down the second hallway on the right.

Parents, we are so glad that you have brought your little children to church this morning. If needed, there is a nursery out the back doors to the right.

We recognize that our new sanctuary is a little “echo-y” and apologize for any sound difficulties. We are working to remedy the problem. The best place to sit to avoid reverberation is near the middle.

The Season of EpiphanyThe word “Epiphany” comes from the Greek word for “appearance” referring to the appearance of Christ as the Savior. During this season (Jan 6 – Ash Wednesday) we consider how the “true light” was shown to be the Son of God and Savior of all (both Jews and Gentiles). Epiphany provides us with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the revealing of God’s love and light in Jesus without the worldly distractions of the holiday season. Looking ahead… January 7 – We get to know Jesus by baptism – his and ours. January 14 – Jesus gives us the desire and ability to follow through the Word January 21 – Jesus’ call to follow changes lives January 28 – Jesus comes with authority and power over Satan

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About our Worship

Why do we worship the way we do? “If you don’t understand why you are doing what you are doing, there’s probably no point in doing it.”

Since the very beginning followers of Jesus have regularly gathered together for worship. The book of Acts tells us that early Christians met daily near the temple and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42). As we gather 2000 years later we continue to follow in their footsteps. While Scripture doesn’t tell us exactly when to sit or stand and what songs to sing or melodies to follow, it does say, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16).

To help us do that we follow a pattern of worship called “the liturgy,” which helps us keep the Word of Christ at the center of our worship and allows us to respond with words and songs of praise. The liturgy also draws on the rich history of worship and joins with Christians throughout the centuries. We acknowledge that the Church did not begin with us and neither did worship.

It’s important to remember that even though God is pleased with faith borne worship, he does not need our worship. He created the heavens and the earth and has all things. We need worship. We need to hear that we are his forgiven children. We need to be reminded of our Savior’s love. We need to confess, to praise, and to pray and give thanks. This is our spiritual inhaling and exhaling. May God bless your worship today!

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SERVICE OF THE WORDOur worship follows an order (liturgy) that centers our attention on listening to God’s Word, recounting what he has done for us, and responding with thanks and praise. This basic order has been the foundation of worship for centuries in the Christian Church and keeps Christ at the center of our gathering.

SERVICE THEME:JESUS GIVES US THE DESIRE AND ABILITY TO FOLLOW

THROUGH HIS WORD

OPENING HYMN Speak, O Lord | 735 (Pg. 10)

INVOCATION

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTIONWe confess our sins together and hear the word of forgiveness announced by the pastor. We can take comfort in these words, because Jesus himself promises, “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven” (John 20:23).

P: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.

C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.

P: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt

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forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.

C: Amen. P: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord:

RESPONSE Oh, Taste and See

PRAYER OF THE DAYP: Almighty God, you gave your one and only Son to be the light of the

world. Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and believed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ

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our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.THE WORD OF GOD

THE FIRST LESSON 1 Samuel 3:1-10In his grace the Lord called Samuel, and Samuel responded in the best way possible by saying, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” The Gospel creates a willingness in our hearts to say the same.

1 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not

yet been revealed to him.8 A third time the Lord called,

“Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

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Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

PSALM OF THE DAY 72 EVERY NATION ON EARTH WILL ADORE YOUSung by Choir

Arranged by Marty Haugen, GIA publications, 2013

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 1:43-51Notice the powerful call of Christ and how it changes hearts, which at first may be reluctant, to willingly give up all and follow.

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.“Come and see,” said Philip.47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell

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you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

HYMN OF THE DAY Christ Be My Leader | 367

THE SERMON TEXT 2 Thessalonians 2:13-1713 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

SERMONThe Gospel’s Call Makes Us Stand Firm

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

APOSTLE’S CREEDI believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.I believe 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.

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The third day he rose again from the dead.He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.From there 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.

OFFERING “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

LORD’S PRAYERC: 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.

THE BLESSING

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P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.The Lord bless you and keep you;The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;The Lord look on you with his favor and give you peace.

C: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN Almighty Father, Bless The Word | 323

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News and NotesBible Study – This morning we will have a devotion before our

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congregational update. After our update, the Women’s Group and Church Council will have their monthly meetings.Growth Group – We will begin this week by looking at Holy Baptism. Join us to review the wonderful blessings that God gives through this Sacrament. Next week we will look at Holy Communion. Thursday 6:30pm. Children’s Sunday School & Catechism – Today at 11:15 with Ms. Rachel & Vicar.Annual Planning Meeting will be held on January 21st. We hope you can stick around to help us plan ways that we can serve our Savior together in 2018 and reach out with God’s love to our community. All are invited. Lunch will be provided.Book Club is meeting at Deb Johnson’s house on January 29, at 6:00 pm to discuss the book: “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate.Cleaners – We have been blessed with volunteer cleaners who faithfully clean our building. Would you be willing to be one of them? We could use one or two more people to help take care of our facility. Please speak to Phil M. or Jerry Murphy if you are interested.

Serving at Living Savior

Music:Today: SherylNext Sunday: Jon

Camera:Today: DonavonNext Sunday: Terry

Greeters:Today: LandersNext Sunday: Knox

Cleaners:This Week: Sanford/Petty

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