St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

February 4, 2018

8:30 and 11:00 AM

And rising very early in the morning...he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35

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OUR MISSION

As a Lutheran community of faith, we continue our history of proclaiming Christ crucified through Word and Sacrament in joyful service to God and our neighbor.

WELCOME TO ST. MATTHEW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

We welcome all who worship with us today. We gather as the Body of Christ to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise to God. Ushers are available to answer any of your questions. The church is equipped with a hearing impaired system. If you need a listening device, it may be obtained from an usher. In the minutes prior to the beginning of each service, the doors to the nave are closed, and quiet is encouraged. Music is offered which prepares worshipers to receive God’s gifts from His Hand – the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

Everyone is asked to sign the Attendance Record found at the end of each pew or row of chairs. Please sign this record and pass it down to those beside you during the announcements. As it is returned, please note who is worshipping with you. The Attendance Record helps worshipers to put names and faces together. We make new friends in this way and grow in care for each other.

Celebrating Holy Communion: We believe, teach, and confess Christ is truly present in the bread and wine. All baptized Christians, who share this belief, are invited to receive Jesus as He comes in the Holy Communion to forgive the sins of the penitent. Children and others who are not yet receiving the sacrament, or who choose not to commune with us, are invited to come forward for a blessing, crossing their arms over their chest. After receiving the host in your outstretched hands, please eat the host if you wish to drink from the first cup, the metal chalice. Please hold the host if you wish to dip your host in the second cup, the ceramic chalice. Those unable to drink wine are urged simply to touch their host to the outside of the cup prior to eating.

The altar flowers are dedicated to the Glory of God and given by Cathy Aleksandravicius in loving memory of her mama, Dorothy Koester Barker, on her birthday, and by Tom and Margo Russell in loving memory of Eleanor Russell, Tom’s mother.

Sunday School is sponsored by Shane and Maggie Oxford in honor of Allison’s 10th birthday.

WELCOME IN THE NAME OF JESUS! On this 5th Sunday after Epiphany, the Lord Jesus is very busy healing Simon's mother-in-law, casting out demons, and focused on preaching in the synagogues. In the middle of the gospel text, we find the power for His ministry is located in quiet time away in prayer with the Father and the Holy Spirit. If our Lord and Master needed to be powered by prayer, ought we expect that we can do our daily life and work better without prayer? Today we think about all the distractions the old evil one throws up so that we will find excuses not to pray. Nevertheless, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

I will strive to …… Pray daily Worship weekly Read the Bible Serve at and beyond St. Matthew’s Be in Relationship to encourage spiritual growth in others Give of my time, talents and resources

Those Serving in Worship

Portions of today’s liturgy and hymns are reprinted from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, and Lutheran Book of Worship © 1978 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission of Concordia Publishing Liturgy license #000010164, Concordia Publishing Hymn license #100010164, Augsburg Fortress license #9245-L, Augsburg Fortress license #26780, and CCLI license #2014768. Eucharistic Prayer and Fraction reprinted by permission from A Little Book of Canons by Rod L. Ronneberg, STS, © 1997 and © 2010.

Assisting Ministers 8:30 Bethel Paris 11:00 Marti Felter

Lectors 8:30 Butch Ruefle 11:00 Paul Ebert

Ushers 8:30 John and Kathy Bink 11:00 John Lovett, Trevor Hornick

Communion Assistants 8:30 Karin Cook, Sheila Leach, Settie Jones, Diana Robinson 11:00 Judy Daniels, Jon Lindsay, Lisa Hornick, Connie Palmer

Greeters 8:30 Bruni Kline, Ron and Suzanne Asmus 11:00 Cindy Lindsay, Bill and Connie Palmer

Acolytes 8:30 Joy Shaver 11:00 Matthew Whitmarsh

Crucifers 8:30 Jane Shaver 11:00 Robert Shivers

Altar Guild Arlene Robie, Teresa Hall

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(*Please stand as you are able.)

Silence for Meditation

PRELUDE A Voluntary on “NETTLETON” setting Paul Manz TEMPLE TALK Valentine Dinner Nancy Magruder WELCOME * THE CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen.

Pastor: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Congregation: Amen.

Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Pastor: Most merciful God, Congregation: we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned

against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Pastor: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen. * OPENING HYMN Praise to the Lord, the Almighty LBW 543 * THE GREETING Pastor: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Congregation: And also with you.

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* HYMN OF PRAISE * THE SALUTATION

* THE PRAYER OF THE DAY Pastor: Stand watch over your family, O Lord, that we who depend entirely on your heavenly grace may always be protected in the mighty fortress of your love. Through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Congregation: Amen. THE CHILDREN’S SERMON

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FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 40:21-31 21Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It 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 dwell in; 23 who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. 24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. 25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? 28 Have 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. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they 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.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

PSALM 147:1-11, 20c Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises / to our God;* for it is pleasant, and a song of / praise is fitting. The Lord builds up Je- / rusalem;* he gathers the out- / casts of Israel. He heals the / brokenhearted* and binds / up their wounds. He determines the number / of the stars;* he gives to all of / them their names. Great is our Lord, and abun- / dant in power;* his understanding is / beyond measure. The Lord lifts / up the humble;* he casts the wicked / to the ground. Sing to the Lord / with thanksgiving;* make melody to our God / on the lyre! He covers the heav- / ens with clouds;* he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow / on the hills. He gives to the / beasts their food,* and to the young / ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength / of the horse,* nor his pleasure in the legs / of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in / those who fear him,* in those who hope in his steadfast love. / Praise the Lord! Glory to the Father, and / to the Son,* and to the / Holy Spirit; as it was in the begin- / ning, is now,* and will be forev- / er. Amen. SECOND LESSON: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To 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 not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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* THE VERSE * THE GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Pastor: The HOLY GOSPEL according to St. Mark, the first chapter.

HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 1:29-39 29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed 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. 35 And rising very early in the morn-ing, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

The Gospel of the Lord.

* THE GOSPEL RESPONSE

THE SERMON “The Incarnate Word: Praying With Him” Pr. Zumwalt

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* HYMN OF THE DAY In Holy Conversation

* THE NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. * PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Assisting Minister: Lord, in your mercy. Congregation: Hear our prayers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

* SHARING THE PEACE Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. Congregation: And also with you.

THE OFFERING (8:30) Lord I Want to Be a Christian arr. Christiansen

Adult Choir

(11:00) Give Me Jesus arr. David Cherwien Jan Betts, soloist

Text: Gregory J. Wismar, b. 1946 Tune: Swedish; setting: With One Voice, 1995

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* THE OFFERTORY RESPONSE * THE OFFERTORY PRAYER Assisting Minister: Eternal Father, Congregation: with your generous gifts you have aroused this sacrifice of praise. Teach us to live and love more generously that every creature may be stirred to bless your name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. * THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

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Pastor: It is indeed right and salutary...we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

* THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Pastor: You are indeed holy…mystery of our faith: Congregation: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Pastor: Gracious Father...eternal kingdom. Congregation: Through Him, with Him and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen. Pastor: Lord remember us...and teach us to pray:

* THE LORDS PRAYER 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 FRACTION Pastor: The Light has shattered the darkness. Congregation: Let us follow the Star and behold our God! THE DISTRIBUTION (Please be seated; an usher will direct you to the altar rail.)

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DISTRIBUTION HYMNS On Eagles’ Wings

(continued on next page)

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I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me

* THE POST-COMMUNION BLESSING Pastor: May this the body and this the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace. Congregation: Amen.

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* THE POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE

* THE POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Assisting Minister: Lord Jesus, by eating once again with you, we have obeyed your call to celebrate the greatest truth of all. May this teaching of eternal love and peace change our lives forevermore. Congregation: Amen. * THE BENEDICTION Pastor: Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Congregation: Amen. * CLOSING HYMN Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness

At this time anyone desiring prayer for healing is invited to approach the altar rail.

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* THE DISMISSAL Pastor: Go in peace. Serve the Lord! Congregation: Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE Praise to the Lord, the Almighty setting Paul Manz

LESSONS for NEXT WEEK:

2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

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Christian Sympathy is extended to the Family and Friends of the following:

Beth Crawford Anne Gourville

Don Johns Peter Kettner

Jack Lieber Annie Mae Rutland

Sharron Schedler Pr. Wyman Dowd

Pearl Foster

MEMBERS

REMEMBER OUR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS:

Dale Blade Elsie Cates Barbara Clemmons Becky Davis

Carol Doniere Frank Fauser Bill and Margaret French

Mary Guerassio Jane McDougald Lefty Plante

Doris Prillaman Ray Tyler Ed Wright

FRIENDS/FAMILY OF MEMBERS

REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Donna Siegmund, Rick Martuscelli, Lynette Farmer, Joanne Johnson, Abby

Janet Somersett Doris Ullman Edith Zetzer Nancy Miller Anna Dineen Peg Barr Landon Dearie Bob Byrne Bill Baldwin Karen Martin Judy & Don Benson Lynn Stophel Ethel & John Milewski

Carol & John Lovett Lou Painter Sara Schneider Arthur Moore Sherri Hiler Lon Ostby Samantha Johnson Joyce Crouch Ken Manning Nancy Fauser Marti Felter Carrie McDonough Betty Mantey

Patty Macino Heather Benson Jan Magnus Keith Farmer Denis Hall Ron Martin Fran Perry Alan Hunsberger Aleda Marggraff Craig Hales Virginia Parisek Morris Johnson Bill Gourville

Claire Houser Lefty Plante John Matthews Ruthann Getsinger Laura Matthess Pr. Marv Schedler Gilbert Alphin Jack Loflin Elaine Mattes Erike Braje Bill French Ed Ludacer Jane McDougald

Janice Comeskey Debby Young Amie Knauer Bernie Jackson Dan Thompson Mary Martuscelli Stan Brunt, Sr. Patty Mootz Tom Adamec Mellissa Perkins Mike and Brooke Miller Kendrick Farmer Jacob Alvarez Bruce Jones Scott and Hadie Carter Carol Zane Heidi Hall Geraldine Vanderbush

Patrick O’Donnell George Casares Celina Marino Nicholas Hufham Lynda Gibbs Craig Marggraff Eric Johnson Joan Smith Alec Chambers Tim Ford Barbara Weyhrauch Hazel Viola Matt Duff Patrick Shilean Melessa Martin Amy Lem Wylene Mapson Wayne Ulisnik

Cyril Dearie Gwynneth Megahan Paula Gibbs Erik Berg Danny Morrison Emma Hieronymus Shirley Winter Colleen Murphrey Kira Lerant Dona Peterson Bonnie Gaspari Bill Owens Jean Jarunsinsky Frances Rud Joe Ramm J.B. Vic Jonathan LeBer Marianne Mangels

Rosa Craven Marti Gregory Dorothy Smithman Joel Barmes Liz Marcus Kari Hancock-Himmerick Kathy Nguyen Roller John Blank David Caldwell Jody Burke Marisa Felici Brad Cook Betty Scheidt Matthew Dingfelder Charli Johnson

General Fund Revenues Expenses

Difference

Dec 2017

Month

75,125.14 50,647.10

24,478.04

YTD

539,779.45 547,168.35

(7,388.90)

Building Fund Revenues Expenses

Difference

Month

15,435.00 511.76

14,923.24

YTD

62,870.61 8,239.80

54,630.81

Sunday School: 60

Received for Ministry: $10,288.80

Saturday 54 Sun. 8:30 72 Sun. 11:00 133 Mon/Ski Trip 10/14

Worship Service Total: 283

Totals: January 28, 2018

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St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 612 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-4582 www.stmatthewsch.org

The Rev. Dr. Samuel D. Zumwalt szumwalt@bellsouth.net

Weekly Worship Schedule Saturday - 6:00 p.m. Sunday - 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.

2nd & 4th Sundays - 8:30 a.m. Chicago Folk Service Evening Prayer and Bible Study - Monday 6 p.m. A nursery is provided for all Sunday Services and during the Sunday School hour.

This Week at St. Matthew’s

Sun., Feb. 4 5th Sunday after Epiphany 8:30 Eucharist 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Eucharist 12:15 Luther Choir 6:00 HS Youth Mon., Feb. 5 9:10 Counting Team 11:00 Social Ministry 12:00 Conversations 4:00 CFA Basketball practice 6:00 Evening Prayer 7:00 Midtown AA Tue., Feb. 6 10:00 Prayer Group 6:00 Cub Scouts 274 6:30 Stephen Ministry 6:30 Joyful Noise rehearsal 8:00 Welcome AA Wed., Feb. 7 8:30 Men’s Breakfast 6:00 Crossways 6:00 MS Youth 6:00 Adult Handbells 7:00 Confirmation Class 7:00 Adult Choir 7:30 Halo Hoops basketball practice Thur., Feb. 8 10:00 Crossways 4:00 CFA basketball practice 6:00 TOPS 6:30 Church Council 6:30 Boy Scouts 274 7:00 Midtown AA Fri., Feb. 9 Valentine Dinner set-up (all day-McCombs) Sat., Feb. 10 9:00 New Member Orientation 10:00 Quilt Ministry 6:00 Eucharist; New members rec’d 6:00 Valentine Dinner-1st seating 7:00 Valentine Dinner-2nd seating Sun., Feb. 11 Transfiguration of Our Lord New members received today. 8:30 Eucharist-Chicago Folk Service 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Eucharist 12:15 Luther Choir 12:30 Grief Support Group 1:00 K-5th Youth Group 6:00 HS Youth

ANNOUNCEMENTS

It’s ‘Souper Bowl’ weekend. The Youth will be taking your generous monetary and non-perishable food item donations in the Commons for the local Food Bank.

Today is the last day to turn in your reservation for the Valentine Dinner! It is February 10th with a 6 and 7pm seating. Cost is $15 per person for a 4 course meal, which includes a vegan option. Reservation envelopes on the easel in the Commons.

New Member Orientation is February 10th, 9am-12pm for transferring Lutherans or anyone who attended New Disciples. New members will be received the weekend of February 10-11. If you are interested in joining St. Matthew’s please contact Donna Capozio at 791-4582 or dcapozio@stmatthewsch.org.

The Quilt Ministry will be meeting next Saturday, February 10 in room 117, 10am-4pm.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is February 13th, 5-7pm in McSwain Activity Center. Sign-up sheets are in the Commons for regular and gluten-free. Please indicate last name and how many will be attending.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday Eucharist on February 14th, at noon or 7pm.

The Lenten Prayer Retreat “The Small Catechism for grown-up Christians” with the Rev. Dr. Dick Johnson is February 24th at 8am. There will be three 45-minute teaching sessions, and cost is $20 which includes lunch and snacks. The sign-up sheet is on the board in the Commons.

Social Ministry is collecting new or very, gently used towels and washcloths for the Tileston outreach program, which provides assistance to families in need in the Wilmington area. A collection area is in the Commons.

The 2018 Hospice Meal sign-up sheet and details have been posted on the board in the Commons. Please pick a date (or more!) where you’d like to help.

If you intend to make a direct contribution from an IRA account to the church, please contact the church first in order to receive proper credit for your donation. You need to fill out a form indicating the amount of the donation and how you wish it to be applied, since the check we receive will not specify who the donor is nor indicate your wishes. Thank you for your help.

First Time Visitors - Please stop by our Welcome Center and get a sweet treat (does not contain nuts). Be sure to get information about St. Matthew’s as well.

Baby changing tables are available in the two restrooms across from the church offices and in the nursery.

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