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: Lord God, with endless mercy you receive the prayers of all who call upon you.  By your Spirit show us the things we ought to do, and give us the grace and power to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen.

WORD

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

FIRST READING   

Isaiah 6:1-9aShout out, do not hold back!
   Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
   to the house of Jacob their sins.
Yet day after day they seek me
   and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that practised righteousness
   and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgements,
   they delight to draw near to God.
‘Why do we fast, but you do not see?
   Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day,
   and oppress all your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
   and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
   will not make your voice heard on high.
Is such the fast that I choose,
   a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
   and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
   a day acceptable to the Lord? 

Is not this the fast that I choose:
   to loose the bonds of injustice,
   to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
   and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
   and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
   and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
   and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
   the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
   you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. 

SECOND READING                                                                                                           1 Corinthians 2:1-16When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. 

Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
   nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. 

Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are discerned spiritually. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.
‘For who has known the mind of the Lord
   so as to instruct him?’
But we have the mind of Christ. 

 Word of God, word of life. 

Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL

Matthew 5:13-20

Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the fifth chapter.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 

‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

[click on the link below]

HYMN OF THE DAY

“Christ Be Our Light ”

[click on the link below]

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 power 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,

signs of 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, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Audrey Hedlin,  Mona Neher, Oma Ywo, Owen Peterson, Helga Halldorsdottir, Evaline Sanders, Wayne Andre, the family of Norm Gregory,  the family of baby Mavrick Gallant (Bev Gregory’s great-grandson), the family of Katherine Meger (Joshua Bratvold’s great grandmother), the family of Lois Jenkins (Ann Salmon’s mother), the family of John Beaven (Bev Gregory’s brother), and the family of Carl Rausch.  

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, Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, the Palestinians killed in Jenin and Israelis killed in East Jerusalem, Ethiopia and Tigray, Myanmar and the Rohingya Muslim refugees, Lebanon, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the 100 million refugees and displaced persons, the people of Haiti suffering from disasters, the victims and communities of the mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California and the victims of the suicide bombing in Pakistan, the people of California and Auckland, NZ devastated by catastrophic rainfall and flooding, the people of Brazil and Peru, caught  up in political violence, those in the United States (especially in Memphis with the death of Tyre Nichols), 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 the many omicron variants.

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 that the light of Christ’s grace and mercy shine upon the Church, the world, and all those in need, saying, “O Christ, our light and life,” and responding, “Hear our prayer.”

Petitioner:  God of surprising grace, you have called us to be a congregation and have  led and assembled us in this place. Help us now boldly to live out our calling with love, compassion, wisdom, understanding, forgiveness, invitation, and welcome.  In the light of the cross of Christ may we recognize you in all around us and may we reflect that light and love for the sake of the world.  O Christ, our light and life … 

Petitioner:  We pray for the peoples of the world whose lives are at risk through the dangers of poverty, disease, oppression, violence, and war.  Open the hearts and minds  of others to meet these crises and to effect long-term change.  We remember those seeking refuge and unjustly and heartlessly kept waiting or turned away.  May all be led by  your  righteous hand to act with honesty, justice and wisdom and to live in safety and health.  O Christ, our light and life …

Petitioner:  Abundant God, make us the salt that preserves and flavours your creation. Bring healing to lands and waters that are polluted or neglected, and teach us to live simply and humbly by your grace.  O Christ, our light and life…

Pastor:   Compassionate God, bind and make whole those who have broken bodies and hearts.  Comfort those who hurt and grieve, relieve those who worry or are depressed, restore those who are sick. We remember especially before you …  Bring healing, courage, and hope  into their lives.  O Christ, our light and life…

Petitioner:   God of new life, renew your people through our baptism from our fevered 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 …  

Petitioner:  O God, as your light shone through the star to welcome those foreign Magi, so call all your baptized to be a light of hospitality in the world.  We pray that the Holy Spirit would make our lives radiant with reconciliation for all people in Canada, and especially for all whose lives have been torn apart by racism, hatred, and xenophobia.  Make us shine forth as witnesses to Christ’s gracious presence welcoming all and living in peace.   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

“Word of God, Come Down to Earth ”

[click on the link below]

Word of God, come down on earth,

living rain from heaven descending;

touch our hearts and bring to birth

faith and hope and love unending.

Word almighty, we revere you;

Word made flesh, we long to hear you.

Word eternal, throned on high,

Word that brought to life creation,

Word that came from heaven to die,

crucified for our salvation,

saving Word, the world restoring,

speak to us, your love outpouring.

Word that speaks God’s tender love,

one with God beyond all telling,

Word that sends us from above

God the Spirit, with us dwelling,

Word of truth, to all truth lead us;

Word of life, with one bread feed us.

DISMISSAL

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

People: Thanks be to God.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TODAY AT KOG

– Coffee Social after the service.  Hosted by Renita Falkenstern.                         

THIS WEEK AT KOG                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                – Thursday, February 9, Bev Gregory is hosting (154 Arrand Crescent)  quilt- making bees every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.                                          

COMING UP AT KOG                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                – Sunday, February 12, Resurrection/King of Glory joint Church Councils meeting at Resurrection at 11:15 a.m.                                                                                                – Thursday, February 16, Bible Study, “A Short History of Grace,”  7:30 p.m. Host needed.  We meet in Pastor Michael’s home, 1010 Duke Street.                    – Friday, February 17, Resurrection/King of Glory Musical Talent Night at Resurrection, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.                                                                                                                               – Wednesday, February 22, Women’s Breakfast Out, 10:00 a.m.                                             – Saturday, February 25, Men’s Breakfast Out at Mulberry’s Restaurant 2326 B Millar Avenue, 8:30 a.m.                                                                                        – Thursday, March 2, Bible Study, “A Short History of Grace,”  7:30 p.m. Host needed.  We meet in Pastor Michael’s home, 1010 Duke Street.                                                                                                                – Tuesday, March 7, Church Council meeting via Zoom, 7:30 p.m.                  

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

2023 Budget:  $50,471       Monthly Budget:  $4,260     Weekly Budget:  $971

2022 income/expenses: $8,932.96

December income/expenses: $3,966.32

Weekly contributions for December:  December 4: $920  December 11: $710

December 18: $4330

Weekly contributions for January:  January 1: $470  January 8,15,22:  $640

January 29: $0

RESURRECTION/KING OF GLORY MUSICAL TALENT NIGHT: Resurrection and King of Glory Lutheran churches will be jointly hosting a musical evening of individual talents shared by members from each congregation. The event will take place on Friday, February 17 from 7-9 PM at Resurrection Lutheran.  It will be followed by refreshments in the fellowship hall; an opportunity for the two congregations to get to know each other.  If you wish to attend we would ask that you sign the attendance sheet to ensure enough refreshments will be provided.  We also need some persons from KoG to provide refreshments.

“A Short History of Grace”. This Bible and theology study looks at the ways grace is interpreted from the time of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, through St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther and to contemporary theologies of liberation. 

They’ll have you in stitches!  Bev Gregory is hosting (154 Arrand Crescent)  quilt-making bees to send quilts to various organizations throughout the city.  Quilting is every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You are invited to thread your way through this gathering of fun and service.  Bring your own lunch – they’ll turn it into a potluck – and fabrics, particularly flannels, and see what patterns emerge.

Thank you to everyone who donated food items for Christmas Hampers.  We had enough food to help stock eleven and a half hampers.  Thank you for your generosity.

Thank you to everyone who donated in support of the Alzheimer’s Society.  $260 was been contributed. Thank you for your generosity.

Thank you to all involved in the Quilts and Comfort Quilts that have been made by members of King of Glory and their friends.  Our quilting worker-bees have lost count, but guesstimate 42 quilts will be distributed to LutherCare Communities, the Wellness Centre, and the Bishop Klein Community School Program and  Comfort Quilts will be given to individuals suffering from sickness, significant change in life, loss or grief.   Prodigious thimbles full of thanks to the industrious sewers Bev Gregory, Karen McKenzie, Doreen Matschke, Carol Sarich, Lois Rombough and Sherry Andrews, to Irma Torgunrude who donated material and Iris Kristjansdottir who provided boxes.

Canadian Lutheran World Relief and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are calling on Canadians to pray for those affected by the flooding in Pakistan, and to give generously to support their urgent humanitarian needs, and for those suffering from the war in Ukraine  as the Government of Canada announces a special matching fund for donations in response to this tragedy. Please give what you can by donating at clwr.org/pakistan or clwr.org/hungercrisis or by calling 1-800-661-2597 (office hours Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm), and pray for all those who are affected by the flooding and war. 

Offerings.  

Even though we are not all meeting together we still have expenses and need your offerings so that we can pay them.  Church Council has decided that the best way to receive your offerings is that you mail a cheque (Please no cash for mail security reasons) to the church and we can process them from there.

Send your contributions to:  King of Glory Lutheran Church

    3318 Merritt Street

    Saskatoon, SK  S7M 3P6

Thank you for your generosity.

Our Mission Statement

King of Glory Lutheran Church is a community of people believing and recognizing, through worship, fellowship and faith, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

Our Mission is to all of God’s children including people of all ages, female, and male, all races and colours and regardless of their religious and social background or sexual orientation.

By the grace of God, we are called to proclaim the Good News of Christ’s love, acceptance, and forgiveness.