Worship Service – January 17, 2021

The Building is Closed and the Church is Open

While we have restricted access to the building, Peace Church is very much open to ministry—working to respond to our own congregation, as well as the needs of our neighbors and community.  Please consider giving either to Peace Church general fund or the Gabriel Fund – which is used to meet the needs in the community.

We recognize that in this time, people’s financial situations may have changed. We ask you to prayerfully consider what you can give.  If you use electronic giving, we thank you for your constancy of support.  If you would like to give through our online form, we would be grateful. For all the contributions from our members and friends—whether financial, time, or prayer—we ask God’s blessings on those gifts that Peace Church may be healing balm in this time when we are living in our own Gilead.

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January 17, 2021  ⁂ 10:30am

Liturgists

The People of Peace Church
Jim Pospisil, Music Director
Nathan Holst, Faith Formation Minister
Rev. Greg Briggs, Interim Minister

Prelude    Violin Sonata by Claude Debussy Eli Bissonett, violin

Announcements and Ringing of the Peace Bells

God is Revealed as We Gather

Responsive Call to Worship 

God hears the cries of the oppressed;
Speak to us, O God, so we may listen.
God notices the plight of the hungry and homeless;
Call to us, O God, to take notice.
God knows the struggles of the imprisoned;
Open our hearts, O God, to Your mercy and justice.
God speaks to us, calling us by name,
And we are listening, O God; ready to do Your will.

Opening Hymn    “Hush, Hush…”   (#604)

Unison Prayer of Confession

God of every life, because we are so focused on ourselves it is hard to see the lives which others endure. When we are so worried about how the economy will affect us, we do not notice those in need around us. As we grumble about our aches and pains, and about how difficult it is to get out of the bed each day, we easily ignore the broken.
Forgive us, God of goodness and grace. Speak to us of healing, so we might bring help to others. Speak to us of grace, so hearing, we may share it with everyone we meet. Speak to us of love and life, so we may offer it as freely as Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, brought it to us.

Assurance of Pardon

Story for All Ages

Litany of Welcome

CONGREGATION: We, the people of Peace United Church of Christ in Duluth Minnesota, receive you as a servant of God and pledge our partnership as we continue to use the gifts God has given us for the ministries of the Gospel in this place: worship, education, witness, service, and stewardship. 

God is Revealed in the Word

God’s Word in the Psalms:   Psalm 139:1-6,13-18

Special Music    Giga Partita #3 in E major by J. S. Bach

Sermon     “Who is this Guy?” by Pastor Greg

Hymn     “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”    (#495)

We Respond to God’s Presence

Sharing Our Prayer Concerns, Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer by Nathan Holst, the Lord’s Prayer and Choral Amen

Sharing our Offerings

Offertory    “Røros” by Arto Järvelä

The Thanksgiving   “Doxology”

Prayer of Dedication
The only normalcy that we will settle for is the normalcy that recognizes the dignity and worth of all of God’s children. The only normalcy that we will settle for is the normalcy that allows judgment to run down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. The only normalcy that we will settle for is the normalcy of siblinghood, the normalcy of true peace, the normalcy of justice.

Closing Song    “Lift Every Voice and Sing”    (#593)

Benediction

Postlude    “Liebesleid” by Fritz Kreisler