SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION – COVID-19 Virtual and In-Person

St. John Lutheran Church (ELCA)Mineola, IA

Pastor Luke Kuenzli

Order of Service and Worship Texts

For Virtual and In-person Worship

Adapted from Evangelical Lutheran WorshipSetting 2 and from Sundays & Seasons

February 2021 during COVID-19 pandemic

St. John Lutheran Church

Mineola, Iowa Phone (712) 526-2268

Website: stjohnluthchurchmineola.org

Pastor Luke Kuenzli

February 7, 2021 10:30am

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

We are called to glorify God, grow in faith, and build community.Mission Statement

THIS SUNDAY: February 7, 2021 – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

10:30 – In-person Worship with YouTube Live stream

11:30– Community Prayer and Listening regarding American Flag and Worship. In-person or virtual at: meet.google.com/vfp-cudm-dfw

ACCOMPANIST:Barb Mass

READER:Leslie Speck USHERS:Rob and Susan Simmon

Tues – 1:00 Quilting

Mon/Wed/Fri – Preschool 9:00-11:30

Wed/Thurs – Virtual Communion (times below)

NEXT SUNDAY: February 14, 2021 – Happy Valentine’s Day!

10:30– In-person Worship with YouTube Live stream; installation of Council Members

Wed, Feb 17 – Ash Wednesday Worship 7pm; Imposition of Ashes anytime at the Church.

Virtual Communion:During Sunday worship (when worship is virtual-only) ORWhen Sunday worship is in-person: (meeting address is the same each week) Wednesdays at 11am: meet.google.com/ixe-mnpg-eejAND Thursdays at 6:30pm: meet.google.com/uwh-pewk-hmsORby other arrangement with Pastor Luke.

If worshipping from home, pick up a prepackaged communion cup/wafer at church at any of the following times at the North entrance, near the Church office. (or use your own bread and wine/grape juice):

Communion Pick-Up Times: Sunday – 9:15-11:30am

Monday/Wednesday/Thursday – 9:30am-Noon,      or 1:30pm-5:00pm, or evening as arranged.      Tuesday – 2:00-5:00pm, or evening as arranged.        Friday/Saturday – by arrangement with Pastor Luke.

Covid-19 Precautions for in-person worship

· We will require masks be worn while you are in the building (Ages 2 and up). Refusal to wear a mask will result in your being asked to leave.

· We will be practicing social distancing of 6 feet. Closed pews are cordoned off and labelled.

· Please don’t gather in the hallway or enter any closed spaces. Restrooms will be limited to single-person/family use at any given time. Those who do not comply with social distancing policies will be asked to leave.

· There will not be prolonged singing or unison speaking, communion, or fellowship time. Virtual communion will be held midweek.

· We continue to advise (not require) that persons in the vulnerable population groups of 65+ years of age and anyone with underlying medical conditions remain home.

· We ask that anyone with any respiratory symptoms (cough, sniffles, sneezing, sore throat) or fever please remain home. You will be asked to leave if you are displaying such symptoms.

· We ask that if you are traveling to areas of high virus activity, you remain home for the Sunday following your travels.

· Hand sanitizers are located throughout the open areas. Feel free to use them!

Food Drive

The Women of St. John are having a food drive and collecting for Mills County Ministerial food pantry all through the month of February.

Kid-friendly cereals, canned tuna, chicken, pears, peaches and mixed fruits, dry pastas, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products ALWAYS welcome and needed.

Items will be collected in the shopping cart. Only food items are counted for weight, but hygiene items are still needed!

Evangelical Lutheran Worship (Setting 2) (*Stand)

Prelude

Welcome/Announcements

Gathering

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose voice is upon the waters,

whose mercy is poured out upon all people,

whose goodness cascades over all creation. Amen.

Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Holy God, you search us and know us.

You are acquainted with all our ways.

We confess that our hearts are burdened by sin—

our own sins and the broken systems that bind us.

We turn inward, failing to follow your outward way of love.

We distrust those who are not like us.

We exploit the earth and its resources

and fail to consider generations to come.

Forgive us, gracious God, for all we have done and left undone.

Even before the words are on our tongues, you know them;

receive them in your divine mercy. Amen.

How vast is God’s grace!

Through the power and promise of ☩ Christ Jesus, our sins are washed away

and we are claimed as God’s own beloved. Indeed, we are forgiven.

In the wake of God’s forgiveness, we are called to be the beloved community

living out Christ’s justice and the Spirit’s reconciling peace. Amen.

Gathering Hymn“O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come” #610Those at home may sing along. Those in-person, please listen and meditate on the words as one person sings.

Text © 1969 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

GreetingThe grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

Kyrie (sung or hummed quietly)p. 120

*This is the Feast (sung or hummed quietly)p.122

SalutationThe Lord be with you. And also with you.

Prayer of the Day (spoken quietly)

Everlasting God, you give strength to the weak and power to the faint. Make us agents of your healing and wholeness, that your good news may be made known to the ends of your creation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

WORD

First Reading: A reading from Isaiah 40:21-31.

21Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

22It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in;

23who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.

24Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

25To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One.

26Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.

27Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?

28Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

29He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.

30Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted;

31but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint....Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

Psalm 147:1-11, 20cTwo lectors read responsively by whole verse.

1Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God!How pleasant it is to honor God with praise!

2The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem, and gathers the exiles of Israel.

3The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

4The Lord counts the number of the stars and calls them all by their names. 

5Great is our Lord and mighty in power; there is no limit to God’s wisdom.

6The Lord lifts up the lowly, but casts the wicked to the ground.

7Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music upon the harp to our God,

8who covers the heavens with cloudsand prepares rain for the earth, making grass to grow upon the mountains. 

9God provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they cry.

10God is not impressed by the might of a horse,and has no pleasure in the speed of a runner,

11but finds pleasure in those who fear the Lord,in those who await God’s steadfast love. 20c Hallelujah! 

Second Reading: A reading from 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

16If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. 18What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.  19For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.…Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

*Gospel Acclamation (sung or hummed quietly)

The servant of God took our in-firmities | and bore  our dis - eases.

*Announcement of the Gospel The holy gospel according to Mark 1:29-39. Glory to you, O Lord.

*The Gospel is proclaimed

29As soon as [Jesus and the disciples] left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.  32That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.  35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.… The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SermonPastor Luke Kuenzli

From worshipping God at the synagogue to healing Simon’s mother-in law and countless others (the whole city!) in Capernaum. From prayer in a deserted place to casting out demons throughout Galilee. Jesus could do amazing things, but even he needed his moments of peace and quiet; opportunities to be alone with God; chances to worship and to teach what he knew of God’s will for the world. And if Jesus needed to hear the scriptures and speak of them; if Jesus needed to pray and to rest… then how about us? It’s easy to come to these conclusions, but harder to actually make them happen, isn’t it? Sure, we all know (pastors included) that we could do better about reading the Bible, about intentionally spending time each day in prayer, about telling others of Jesus’ love… we know we could do better, but it’s hard to get ourselves into the habit.

In the same way, it is easy to read the few verses about Simon’s mother-in-law being healed and immediately getting up to serve, and conclude that because Jesus has healed us (forgiven our sins, granted us mercy, died for our salvation), we are called into service, too. But knowing that we are being called to serve is not the same as actually serving.

There are any number of reasons that we fail to answer the call to prayer, the call to service, the call to dwell in the scriptures… most of them have to do with not having enough time. But try as we might, we cannot make more time than we have already been given. We have been given 24 hours, every day, no more and no less. We have been given one lifetime, however long it may be, here on this earth – and there are no guarantees that any one of us will live to see the end of this day. As Isaiah 40 proclaims: “Scarcely are [we] planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has [our] stem taken root in the earth, when [God] blows upon [us], and [we] wither, and the tempest carries [us] off like stubble.”

We only have so much time. But God isn’t so limited by our mortal frame. Isaiah’s message is that God who is everlasting, unfainting, unwearied, whose understanding is unsearchable because we simply don’t have the perspective over the fullness of things… God who is eternal and omnipresent, walks with us in our own times and places. The wealth and power of earthly princes do nothing to impress God – only acknowledgement of God’s power. And so, Isaiah says, we shall wait on the Lord.

This is the message of the Psalm – that the God who is without limits, who numbers the countless stars, stoops to heal and to make whole even lowly creatures such as ourselves. And so, the Psalmist declares, we shall await God’s steadfast love, crying “Hallelujah!”

And this idea that God’s perspective is so much greater than our is set, in this Occasion of the 5th Sunday after Epiphany, alongside Paul’s message to the church in Corinth; that everything we do shall be for the sake of the Gospel, and not for the sake of any reward we might earn for ourselves.

So… here, in these four brief snippets of scripture, we have (in the Gospel) calls to service, to prayer, to solitude, to study of scripture; we have (in the First Lesson) calls to submission to God’s will and simplicity in living; we have (in the Psalm) calls to worship and thanksgiving; and we have (in the Second Lesson) calls to guidance through teaching. Each of these ways of life – for that is what they are – can be considered a form of spiritual discipline.

The reality of life is such that we often become preoccupied with the tasks of daily living. We have to do the laundry, clean the dishes, clean up after the dog. We have to go to work, answer our emails, make those appointments. We have to do this, we have to do that, and by the time the evening comes, we just don’t want to do one more thing!

It may be surprising, then, to discover that when you choose to engage in a spiritual discipline, and by doing so adding something into your daily routine, you may find yourself feeling more energized, more fulfilled, more joyful, or at the very least more purposeful. Now, I’ll add this caveat – not every spiritual discipline is the right fit for every person, especially not at first. But if you were to start with a comfortable practice that you enjoy, you may grow into practices that are more challenging, but which may also be (probably) more necessary for your spiritual growth.

“Why should I worry about spiritual growth?” you might ask. “Hasn’t Jesus already cleansed me from sin, forgiven me, and promised me heaven?” Of course he has – but that’s just the beginning and end of the journey! There is the whole middle that has yet to be lived!

All spiritual disciplines are, by their very nature, choices and commitments made by individual people of faith who seek a greater knowledge of God, a greater understanding of who God is and what God is up to in the world. Sometime we mistake this to mean that spiritual disciplines are really all about the individual and her or his relationship with God. But spiritual disciplines are also intended to benefit not only the individual practicing them, but the entire community. Think of it this way: if you are better in tune with God’s will, then everyone around you has a clearer glimpse of God’s love for them and for the world!

I would venture to guess that many of you think, from time to time, “I wish I could make life better for my family.” Some of you might even think “I want to make the world a better place!” I would suggest that if you want to improve the world or the people around you, the most effective way to do so is to improve your understanding of God. With Lent coming upon us very soon (it begins in just ten days!), this may be a great opportunity to take one step on your own journey of discipline – your journey of discipleship. I will be reading “The Book of Joy,” a record of a week-long conversation between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and I invite you to read it along with me, and to incorporate some of the “joyfulness practices” recommended – or to read another book on spirituality or to begin, resume, or adapt a spiritual discipline that interests you.

But again, you might ask, “why?” I’m not going to tell you that it’s because it’s just what Christians should do, or because God misses spending time with you, or any of those kitschy sayings that guilt people into deeper spiritual endeavors. You don’t need that. No one does.

Instead, I’ll just say “why not?” Instead, I’ll say “You don’t have to do these things… but you have permission to try them, to fail at them, to learn from them, to hate them, to discover that you really enjoy them.” I’ll say “what have you got to lose?” Time? No, you don’t. But you may have something to gain – for yourself and for the people around you.

And doing things for the betterment of family, of friends, of community, of the world… that’s what Paul is talking about when he says he does all things for the sake of the Gospel. Everything for the sake of good news for all people – the good news that Jesus Christ has come to heal and to make whole, to cast out demons and to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

And Jesus comes to you, too. Today and every day, Jesus comes to your home, as he did to Simon and Andrew’s; he comes into your life, as he did for Capernaum and the surrounding villages, to lift you up from whatever ails you in mind, body, or spirit. You may not notice it happening, you may not acknowledge God’s presence with you, you might not recognize the Spirit’s guidance, but God is there, waiting for you, loving you, living in you and for you – and for the whole world.

All we can do, once we become more aware of this good news, is respond to it with gratitude, carry it out with lives of grace and mercy, serve others as God has chosen to serve us in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Servant. “Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! How pleasant it is to honor God with praise! Hallelujah!” Amen.

*Apostles’ Creed

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 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.

Installation of Council

The assembly is seated. The presiding minister addresses the assembly.

The following people have been elected by the congregation to positions of leadership. We give thanks for their willingness to serve. In baptism we are welcomed into the body of Christ and sent to share in the mission of God; we rejoice now that these sisters and brothers will lead us in our common life and our mutual mission as a congregation.

The offices and names of those who are to be installed are read.

Newly elected members: Chris Clayton, Trustee; Marge Kahl, Treasurer

Re-elected members: Chris Mead, Trustee; Frank Lilly & Carol Tedder (Pres.), DeaconsContinuing members: Kris Sorensen, Secretary; Terry Tedder, Trustee; Leslie Speck & Dave Stickrod (V.P.), Elders

The presiding minister addresses those being installed.

A reading from First Corinthians: There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

You have been elected to positions of leadership and trust in this congregation.

You are to see that the words and deeds of this household of faith bear witness to God, who gathers us into one together with the whole church.

You are to seek to involve all members of this congregation in worship, learning, witness, service, and support, so that the mission of Christ is carried out in this congregation, in the wider church, in this community, and in the whole world.

You are to be faithful in your specific area of serving, that the Spirit who empowers you may be glorified.

You are to be examples of faith active in love, fostering peace, harmony, and mutual understanding in this congregation.

The presiding minister addresses those being installed.

On behalf of your sisters and brothers in Christ, I ask you: Will you accept and faithfully carry out the duties of the offices to which you have been elected?

Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.

The assembly stands. Those being installed face the assembly. The presiding minister addresses the assembly.

People of God, I ask you: Will you support these, your elected leaders, and will you share in the mutual ministry that Christ has given to all who are baptized? Response: We will, and we ask God to help us.

Those being installed face the presiding minister, who addresses them.

I now declare you installed as council members of this congregation.

Almighty God bless you, and direct your days and your deeds in peace,

that you may be faithful servants of Christ. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

For the church: for ministries of healing and wholeness, for hospital, hospice, and military chaplains, for those serving in prison ministry, for all who proclaim freedom and release in the name of Christ; for Immanuel Lutheran in Alta, Our Savior’s Lutheran in Rembrandt, and Trinity Lutheran in Linn Grove and TEEM Candidate Rhonda Wykoff; for St. John’s Episcopal in Glenwood and Pastor Kathy Halverson-Rigatuso, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For creation: for insects in the grass, clouds on the mountaintops, for cattle and the rainwater they drink, for the humility to take our place among all creatures of the earth, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For the nations: for all who lead in cities and towns, states and countries; for community organizers, school officials, and CEOs; for international health organizations, that in times of trial, fear, or hopelessness, they find freedom in service to those most in need; for defenders of freedom and champions of justice, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For all wearied by life’s burdens: for those who are poor, for those lacking supportive relationships, for those crushed by debt, for those struggling with chronic pain or other sickness, for those exhausted from overwork or stress, and for all who cry out to you, especially, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For this congregation: for outreach and social ministries centered here and with our cooperation with other congregations; for members and visitors; for ministries of companionship and support, for the young people in this place who open us to new understandings, for the leadership of our congregation council, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

In thanksgiving for the faithful departed, who were called by name and now rest from their labors, that their lives serve as witnesses to the goodness of God, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving for the WordPraise and thanks to you, holy God, for by your Word you made all things: you spoke light into darkness, called forth beauty from chaos, and brought life into being. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.

By your Word you called your people Israel to tell of your wonderful gifts: freedom from captivity, water on the desert journey, a pathway home from exile, wisdom for life with you. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.

Through Jesus, your Word made flesh, you speak to us and call us to witness: forgiveness through the cross, life to those entombed by death, the way of your self-giving love. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.

Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us: renew our faith, increase our hope, and deepen our love, for the sake of a world in need. Faithful to your Word, O God, draw near to all who call on you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Gathered together by the Holy Spirit, we pray as Jesus taught us: (spoken quietly)

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

Blessing

God the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you;

and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace. Amen.

Sending Song“Spread, Oh, Spread Almighty Word”#663

Those at home may sing along. Those in-person, please listen and meditate on the words as one person sings.

Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

DismissalGo in peace. Be the light of Christ. Thanks be to God.

Scripture quotations from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Service adapted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006. All rights reserved.And/or from Sundays and Seasons.com. © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #46263.

“O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come” Text © 1969 Hope Publishing Company.All rights reserved. Used by permission from ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A.

“Spread, Oh, Spread, Almighty Word” Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission from ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A.

Permission to stream music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A. All rights reserved.

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