ARISE! YOUR LIGHT HAS COME

Epiphany (shining forth, appearing) observes the manifestation of Christ to all the nations of the world.  In the Sundays of the Epiphany season we see Christ as our light, our revealer.  What these epiphanies have to say to us is that looking with discerning eye and listening with discriminating ear, we can perceive God behind, above, within, around, and below the world all about us.  In Epiphany we begin to see more and more of Jesus, from his baptism in the Jordan River to his transfiguration on the mountain.  Christ is the coming of the light and the power of the light to draw us to God.  This light will unveil evil even as it reveals the goodness and glory of God; God’s unstoppable love for us.

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

WE REMEMBER OUR BAPTISMS, CONFESS OUR FAITHLESSNESS, 

AND HEAR GOD’S FAITHFUL PROMISE OF FORGIVENESS

Pastor: Trusting in the word of life given in baptism,

we are gathered in the name

of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

the holy Trinity, one God,

the fountain of living water,

the rock who gave us birth,

our light and our salvation.

People: Amen.

Pastor: Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,

we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Let us  give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Pastor: We give you thanks, O God,

for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters

and by your Word you created the world,

calling forth life in which you took delight.

Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family.

You led Israel safely through the Sea from slavery into freedom and the land of promise.

In the waters of the Jordan, your Son was baptized by John, anointed with the Holy Spirit, and proclaimed your beloved one.

By water, your Word, and the Spirit you claim us as your daughters and sons,

making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.

Through this water remind us of our baptism.

We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life,

and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.

Shower us with your Spirit,

and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.

To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

People: Blessed be God,

who gives us life with all creation,

joins us to the saving death of Christ,

and raises us to new life by the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

HYMN FOR THE SEASON OF EPIPHANY

 “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright”

[click on the link below]

O Morning Star, how fair and bright!

You shine with God’s own truth and light,

aglow with grace and mercy!

Of Jacob’s line, King David’s son,

our Lord and Savior, you have won

our hearts to serve you only!

Lowly, holy!!

Great and glorious,

all victorious,

rich in blessing!

Rule and might o’er all possessing!

Come, precious diamond, light divine,

and deep within our hearts now shine;

there light a flame undying!

In your one body let us be

as living branches of a tree,

your life our lives supplying.

Now, though daily

earth’s deep sadness 

may perplex us 

and distress us,

yet with heav’nly joy you bless us.

Lord, when you look on us in love,

at once there falls from God above

a ray of purest pleasure.

Your word and Spirit, flesh and blood

refresh our souls with heav’nly food.

You are our dearest treasure!

Let your mercy

warm and cheer us!

Oh, draw near us!

For you teach us

God’s own love through you has reached us.

Almighty Father, in your Son

you loved us, when not yet begun

was this old earth’s foundation!

Your Son has ransomed us in love

to live in him here and above:

this is your great salvation.

Alleluia!

Christ the living,

to us giving

life forever, 

keeps us yours and fails us never!

Oh, let the harps break forth in sound!

Our joy be all with music crowned,

our voices gaily blending!

For Christ goes with us all the way–

today, tomorrow, ev’ry day!

His love is never ending!

Sing out!

Ring out!

Jubilation! Exaltation!

Tell the story!

Praise to Christ, who reigns in glory!

What joy to know, when life is past,

the Lord we love is first and last,

the end and the beginning!

He will one day, oh, glorious grace,

transport us to that happy place

beyond all tears and sinning!

Amen!

Amen!

Come, Lord Jesus! Crown of gladness!

We are yearning

for the day of your returning.

GATHERING

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL WITH PRAISE AND PRAYER,
AND PREPARE TO HEAR GOD’S WORD OF LIFE

GREETING

Pastor: The light and love of God,

who wonderfully made you,

who graciously redeemed you,

who calls you each by name,

be with you all.

People: And also with you

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Pastor:  The Lord be with you. 

People: And also with you. 

Pastor:  Let us pray

People: Holy God, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we  see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ.  Transform us into the  likeness of your Son, who renewed our humanity so that we may share  in his divinity, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you  and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

WORD

THE CHURCH HEARS THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD ACTING
IN THIS AND EVERY TIME AND PLACE

FIRST READING  

Exodus 34:29-35

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterwards all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him. 

SECOND READING                                                                                                                    2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2                                                                                                                Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 

Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practise cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 

THE GOSPEL

Luke 9: 28-43

Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the ninth chapter.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. 

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, ‘Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.’ Jesus answered, ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.’ While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

SERMON

[click on the link below]

HYMN OF THE DAY

“Christ, Be Our Light”

Longing for light, we wait in darkness
Longing for truth, we turn to You
Make us Your own, Your holy people
Light for the world to see

Refrain:

Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts
Shine through the darkness
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today

Longing for peace, our world is troubled
Longing for hope, many despair
Your word alone has pow’r to save us
Make us your living voice.

Refrain:

Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.                                                                                                         Refrain:

Longing for shelter, many are homeless
Longing for warmth, many are cold
Make us Your building, sheltering others
Walls made of living stone

Refrain:

Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.                                                                                              Refrain:

APOSTLES’ CREED

Pastor: Let us confess our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

All:       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.

TODAY IN OUR PRAYERS

Bill, Carol, Curtis, and Christine Buchkowsky, Teri Peterson, Wayne Turner, Janet Gregory, Marge McMillan, Kyrie Parimi, John Beaven, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Bryan Matschke, Audrey Hedlin,  Mona Neher, Carl Rausch, Oma Ywo, Joan Schock, Helen Neher, Owen Peterson, Lux Matschke, the family of Norm Gregory, the family of Mary Anderson (Evelyn Robson’s mother), the family of Joel Zimmerman, the family of baby Mavrick Gallant (Bev Gregory’s great-grandson), the family of Ray Johnson (the brother of Doris Turner), and the family of Katherine Meger (Joshua Bratvold’s great grandmother), the family of Lois Jenkins (Ann Salmon’s mother)

We remember the missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada, the children and people buried in unmarked graves at residential schools and First Nation lands, and all those who have suffered the trauma of residential schools, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,the people of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, Hong Kong, the Palestinians and Israelis, the civil war in Ethiopia, Myanmar, the Rohingya Muslim refugees and the ethnic Karen of Myanmar, Lebanon, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the people of Haiti suffering from earthquake, hurricane, and political disasters, those in northwestern Washington, and southern B.C. devastated by torrential rains and flooding, the communities in the Philippines ravaged by typhoon Rai, the people of Tonga whose communities are destroyed by volcano and tsunami, the people of Madagascar recovering from four cyclones and drought, the people of Brazil recovering from flooding and mudslides, those in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world caught up in racism and injustice and the resulting violence, and those throughout the world, in Canada, in our province, and in our community still threatened by the coronavirus and fearful of the omicron variant.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF FAITH

 [The congregational response after each petition is:  “HEAR OUR PRAYER.”]

Pastor:  As we see and hear the promises of God revealed in Jesus, the Word made flesh, let us pray for all people and the whole creation that the light of Christ’s grace and mercy shine upon all , saying, “O Christ, our light and life,” and responding, “Hear our prayer.”

Petitioner:  O God, who calls us, open our ears and hearts and minds to Christ, your Word, and the living word of the Gospel.  Help us to listen to him.  To hear and to declare the word of forgiveness, to hear and to act in the ways of love, to hear and to work for peace, to hear and to live the hope of eternal life.   O Christ, our light and life …

Petitioner:  Lift the veil of self interest, power, and revenge from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and make the faces of all world leaders and nations shine with the love of justice, peace and protection for the vulnerable and exploited.    O Christ, our light and life …

Petitioner:  God of new life, through our baptism renew and transform your people from our foolish lives of sin and evil.  When we are frantic, troubled, or feeling powerless breathe your Spirit into us, lead us into quiet places of prayer, that, restored by your peace, we gladly serve you and our neighbours in our daily lives.  O Christ, our light and life …

Pastor:   Speak to those who are afraid—those who fear death, failure, loss, or an unknown future—and comfort those who are sick or  grieving.  We remember especially before you ….  Transform them by your presence, and give them courage and healing.   O Christ, our light and life…

Petitioner:   God of surprising grace, let the glory of Christ’s cross be reflected by this community of faith to all people who live in this community, for the people who go past these doors wishing that they knew you, but never enter.  O Christ, our light and life … 

Petitioner:  Sustaining God, you dazzle us with the abundance of creation and make your creation awe-inspiring and beautiful.  Show us your glory in every living thing, so that we may treat all of creation with humility and deep respect.   O Christ, our light and life….

Petitioner:   We give thanks to you, O God, for the greatest of epiphanies in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  May it be the source of our hope, a guide for our lives, and the power that enables us to sing, to pray, to hear the Gospel, and to love our neighbour.  O Christ, our  light and life …  

Pastor:   God of splendor and light, hear our prayer, illumine us with the radiance of your glory, and fill us with your presence among us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

People:  Amen.

THANKSGIVING

THE COMMUNITY PRAISES GOD FOR THE GRACIOUS GIFTS OF
 CREATION AND THE SAVING DEEDS OF JESUS CHRIST

THE GREETING AND SHARING OF PEACE

Pastor: Since we are forgiven and renewed by God’s Spirit, let us also be reconciled with one another and share the Peace of the Lord.  

The peace of Christ be with you always.

People: And also with you.

(The congregation greets one another with a gesture of peace, using these or similar words:
“Christ’s peace be with you.”)

THE OFFERING

(We worship God with the offering of our selves, our time, our talents, and our possessions.)

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Leader: Let us pray.
God of all creation,

People: with great joy we worship you and lay before you these gifts.

Use what we have gathered here

in feeding the hungry world with your love.

Let our lives serve you only,

and lead us always to our dearest treasure,

Jesus Christ, the light of the world and the life of all. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Pastor: Let us pray with confidence in the words our Saviour gave us:

People: Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

  on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

  who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

SENDING

ALL RECEIVE THE BLESSING OF GOD, LEAVE IN PEACE,
AND ARE SENT OUT TO SERVE

BENEDICTION

Pastor:  May Christ, whose epiphany revealed God’s glory to the world,

deepen your faith and make your hearts glad.

God’s blessing be with you,

Christ’s peace be with you,

the Spirit’s outpouring of love be with you, now and always.

People: Amen

CLOSING HYMN

“Rise, Shine, You People!”

Rise, shine, you people! Christ the Lord has entered
our human story; God in him is centered.
He comes to us, by death and sin surrounded,
with grace unbounded.

See how he sends the pow’rs of evil reeling;
he brings us freedom, light and life and healing.
All men and women, who by guilt are driven,
now are forgiven.

Come, celebrate; your banners high unfurling,
your songs and prayers against the darkness hurling.
To all the world go out and tell the story
of Jesus’ glory.

Tell how the Father sent the Son to save us.
Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.
Tell how the Spirit calls from ev’ry nation
God’s new creation

DISMISSAL

Pastor: Go forth as light into the world.  The joy of the Lord is your strength.

People: Thanks be to God.

OUR TRANSITION INTO THE LENTEN SEASON

“Alleluia, Song of Gladness”

Alleluia, song of gladness,
voice of joy that cannot die;
alleluia is the anthem
ever dear to choirs on high;
in the house of God abiding
thus they sing eternally.

Alleluia you are sounding,
true Jerusalem and free;
alleluia, joyful mother,
bring us to your jubilee;
here by Babylon’s sad waters
mourning exiles still are we.

Alleluia cannot always
be our song while here below;
alleluia our transgressions
make us for a while forgo;
for the solemn time is coming
when our tears for sin shall flow.

In our hymns we pray with longing:
Grant us, blessed Trinity,
at the last to keep glad Easter
with the faithful saints on high;
there to you forever singing
alleluia joyfully.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TODAY AT KOG                                                                                         

THIS WEEK AT KOG

COMING UP AT KOG

– Monday, March 7, Church Council, 7:30 via Zoom

King of Glory will hold our regular in-person worship services—following the provincial protocols recommended—on a weekly basis at the regular time 6:30 p.m.  Of course, should there be any significant changes with regard to the pandemic situation the Church Council will revisit the issue.

Thank you from Canadian Lutheran World Relief for your contributions to their various aid programs in Canada and throughout the world.

December, January, and Year-to-Date Budget and Contribution Report for KOG

2022 Budget:  $48,854       Monthly Budget:  $4,071.17     Weekly Budget:  $939.50

2021income/expenses: –$1,734.04

December income/expenses: $2,994.99

Weekly contributions for January:  January 2: $650    January 9: $10,050

January 16: $300  January 23: $0  January 30: $340

Weekly contributions for February:  February 6: $103     February 13: $660 

February 20: $180

St. David’s Trinity United Church

ST. PATRICK’S DAY STEW SUPPER   

Thursday, March 17^th

(Curbside Pick-up from 3:30-5:30)

Tickets: $15/meal includes 12 oz. beef stew, dinner roll, shamrock cookie

Gluten free options are available.  

Extra dinner rolls and cookies are provided for children’s shared meals.

You may order your tickets through Interac e-transfer to st.davidstrinityuc@sasktel.net or by cash or cheque during office hours

(catered by Mulberry’s Catering)

Lenten Mid-week services for the 7 ELCIC churches will again be on Zoom. 

The Zoom information including the link for our Lenten services is the same one as last year, which is the following:

Topic: Saskatoon 7 ELCIC Lenten services

Time: Wednesdays at 7:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89600870712?pwd=YjlxOEE5bUFyUE81QUp0bGJpQXNKdz09

Meeting ID: 896 0087 0712

Passcode: 093604

Or phone:

       +1 647 374 4685 Then Meeting ID then Passcode

Meeting ID: 896 0087 0712

Passcode: 093604

Offerings.  

(Please no cash for mail security reasons)

Send your contributions to:  King of Glory Lutheran Church

    3318 Merritt Street

    Saskatoon, SK  S7M 3P6

Thank you for your generosity.

Checklist and Guidelines for Re-opening Worship Services

Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc before the service

One person preps worship materials [pastor]

Six feet distancing recommended

No sharing of pencils, pens, etc.

No serving of food or beverages

Try not to use the washrooms

Open doors and windows if possible

Use/wear face masks, but you may sing quietly recommended

Hand sanitizer available

No physical contact (e.g. sharing of the peace, no passing of offering plate)

Communion procedure: distribution in a way that maintains physical distancing

Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc after the service