Welcome to worship. Join in Zoom worship on Sunday at 9:30 am by Zoom (christoncapitolhill.com/worship) or watch here anytime.
Our theme this season is Created Anew: Celebrating God’s creativity—and our own—in the season of new beginnings. And today… Creativity in Connection! As we continue through the time after Epiphany, stories of the call to discipleship show us the implications of our baptismal calling to show Christ to the world. Jesus begins proclaiming the good news and calling people to repentance right after John the Baptist is arrested for preaching in a similar way. Knowing that John was later executed, we see at the very outset the cost of discipleship. Still, the two sets of brothers leave everything they have known and worked for all their lives to follow Jesus and fish for people.
Prelude – Jazz Ensemble
Welcome – Vicar Anne
Gathering Song – Here I Am, Lord ELW 574
1 “I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?”
Refrain
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
2 “I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them. They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.Whom shall I send?” Refrain
3 “I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?” Refrain
Text: Daniel L. Schutte, b. 1946
Text © 1981 OCP Publications, Inc., 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
First Reading (Jonah 3:1-5, 10)
A reading from Jonah:
1The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2“Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
10When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
Word of God, word of Life. Thanks be to God.
Children’s Message – Pastor Joy
Alleluia – Worship 175
Gospel Mark 1:14-20
The gospel from Mark
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
16As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Message – Vicar Anne Wickland
Song – Beautiful Savior ELW 838
1 Beautiful Savior, King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love thee, truly I’d serve thee,
light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
2 Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands,
robed in flow’rs of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
he makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
3 Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight,
bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
than all the angels in the sky.
4 Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine!
Text: Gesangbuch, Münster, 1677; tr. Joseph A. Seiss, 1823-1904
Confession and Forgiveness
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
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.
Prayers of the People
Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need.
A brief silence.
For the church throughout the world, for pastors and teachers, for deacons and deaconesses, and for musicians and servers, that all proclaim the good news of God’s reconciling love, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For skies and seas, for birds and fish, for favorable weather and clean water, and for the well-being of creation, that God raise up advocates and scientists to guide our care for all the earth, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For those who provide leadership in our cities and around the world, for nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, for planning commissions and homeless advocates, that God inspire all people in the just use of wealth, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For those who are sick, distressed, or grieving; for the outcast and all who await relief (especially…………………………………………), that in the midst of suffering, God’s peace and mercy surround them, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For our congregation and community, for families big and small, and for the organizations that continue to meet in our building during the week, that God’s steadfast love serve as a model for all relationships, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
In thanksgiving for our ancestors in the faith whose lives serve as an example of gospel living, that they point us to salvation through Christ, 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.
Sharing Peace
Johm riab sua.
Selam.
The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you.
Offering – Jazz Ensemble
Offering Prayer
O God, receive these gifts as you receive us: like a mother receives her child, with arms open wide. Nourish us anew in your tender care, and empower us in faithful service to tend to others with this same love, through Jesus Christ, our saving grace. Amen.
Communion
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dream. Blessed are you for Mary and Joseph’s openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh.
Remember, beloved ones… how in the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
With bread and cup, we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people, fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth.
All praise and glory are yours, Holy One, Word of God Incarnate, one God, now and forever.
Invitation to Communion
Beloved: here is bread; here is wine. Here is Jesus. Come and be fed.
Now, if you are gathered with others, when the music begins, please share with one another first the bread and then the cup with the words,
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, poured out for you.
If you are by yourself, I offer this invitation…
Receive the body of Christ, given for you.
Receive the blood of Christ, poured out for you.
And if for any reason you will not receive Communion bread & cup today, a blessing for you…
May God fill you up with the Holy Spirit and give you all that you need.
Communion Song – Lord, Be Glorified ELW 744
1 In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified;
in my life, Lord, be glorified today.
2 In our song, Lord, be glorified, be glorified;
in our song, Lord, be glorified today.
3 In your church, Lord, be glorified, be glorified;
in your church, Lord, be glorified today.
4 In your world, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.
In your world, Lord, be glorified today.
Text: Bob Kilpatrick, b. 1952
Text © 1978 Bob Kilpatrick Music, assigned 1998 to The Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved.
Prayer after Communion
Christ Jesus, at this table we have feasted on your very life and are strengthened for our journey. Send us forth from this banquet nourished in body and in spirit to proclaim your good news and serve others in your name. Amen.
Cambodian Lord’s Prayer
Blessing
God the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you; and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace. Amen.
Sending Song – Songs of Thankfulness and praise ELW 310
1 Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise;
manifested by the star
to the sages from afar,
branch of royal David’s stem
in thy birth at Bethlehem:
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.
2 Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
prophet, priest, and king supreme;
and at Cana wedding guest
in thy Godhead manifest;
manifest in pow’r divine,
changing water into wine;
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.
3 Manifest in making whole
weakened body, fainting soul;
manifest in valiant fight,
quelling all the devil’s might;
manifest in gracious will,
ever bringing good from ill:
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.
4 Grant us grace to see thee, Lord,
present in thy holy word;
grace to imitate thee now
and be pure, as pure art thou;
that we might become like thee
at thy great epiphany,
and may praise thee, ever blest,
God in flesh made manifest.
Text: Christopher Wordsworth, 1807-1885, alt.
Charge
Go in peace. Be the light of Christ. Thanks be to God.
Postlude – Jazz Ensemble