NOTE: January 12 and 19 are both posted below

Baptism of Our Lord

January 12, 2025, 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live

Classic Communion Service

We honor the Kumeyaay Nation, on whose ancestral lands we have made our home.

Holy Communion will be part of this service. Here at Gethsemane we practice open communion, meaning all who believe in the power of Jesus Christ to bring salvation are welcome to join in. In our Lutheran understanding, both sacraments—Baptism and Holy Communion—are best conducted among the gathered assembly. If you are present on this live-stream, you are present in our assembly. The body of Christ is not limited by place or time, so even if you are on the replay of this service, you are part of our assembly. Any bread and any wine or grape juice will do. If you are celebrating as a family or group, please feel free to break the bread into the right number of portions or have a separate piece for each person. Same with the cup. You may have one cup for all or each member gathered uses a separate cup. We believe the Christ is fully present in both Word and Sacrament, in both the bread and the wine/grape juice so if you only have one or the other, or even if you refrain from communion, you are not missing out on the grace of God. We understand both the Word and Sacraments as the means of grace. Remember it is not the type of bread or wine, nor is it the quantity, but it is your faith in taking the elements that is the window for the Holy Spirit to enter your life.

In the interactive part of the liturgy, the leader’s part is in regular text. The people’s response is in bold. All people are welcome to sing along with the songs where the lyrics are printed.

GATHERING

WELCOME

“Shall We Gather at the River”              ELW #423

1    Shall we gather at the river,

      where bright angel feet have trod,

      with its crystal tide forever

      flowing by the throne of God?

Refrain

      Yes, we’ll gather at the river,

      the beautiful, the beautiful river;

      gather with the saints at the river

      that flows by the throne of God.

2    On the margin of the river,

      washing up its silver spray,

      we will walk and worship ever,

      all the happy golden day.  Refrain

3    Ere we reach the shining river,

      lay we ev’ry burden down;

      grace our spirits will deliver,

      and provide a robe and crown.  Refrain

4    Soon we’ll reach the shining river,

      soon our pilgrimage will cease;

      soon our happy hearts will quiver

      with the melody of peace.  Refrain

Text: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899 

PROMISE AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

our creator,

our protector,

our wellspring of life.

God proclaims these words of assurance:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name. You are mine.”

In ☩ Christ, we are forgiven.

In the Spirit, we are made free.

Refreshed by the waters of mercy,

we live anew as beloved children of God.

Trusting these promises, we dare to confess where we have fallen short of God’s glory:

            Silence is kept for reflection.

Merciful God,

you speak blessing and compassion into the world.

Forgive us for the ways we act

with judgment, cruelty, or indifference.

We ignore the needs of our neighbors;

we resist your call to oppose injustice;

we give in to worries about scarcity;

we cling to fear instead of faith;

we assume the worst about one another.

Cleanse us from our faults

and release us from their grasp.

Show us your lovingkindness.

Restore our hearts and repair your world,

that we may live in the way of Jesus.

Amen.

Now, being freed from that which weighs us down, receive our worship and praise. 

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, through Jesus the Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“Songs of Thankfulness and Praise”              ELW #310 vss 1, 4

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.

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.

WORD

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

CHOIR ANTHEM                                                                       “I Am the Bread of Life”

Isaiah 43:1-7

Near the end of Israel’s exile in Babylon, God promises to bring the people home. They need no longer be afraid, because the one who formed, created, and called them by name now redeems them from all their enemies. God declares them precious and honored, and God loves them.

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

The reading opens with questions about the identity of the Messiah. John the Baptist insists that he is not the Messiah; instead he points ahead to one who is coming. And whether the voice of God was heard by all or only by Jesus, God settles the matter: Jesus is God’s beloved Son

SERMON                                                                                                       Pastor Karla

“Born, Reborn”                  ACS #956

Refrain

      Born, reborn! Born, reborn! Formed, reformed!

      Souls with gladness now adorned!

      Born, reborn! Born, reborn! Formed, reformed!

      Praise our God forevermore!

1    Drown us. (Drown us.) Raise us. (Raise us.)

      Mark us. (Mark us.) Claim us! (Claim us!)  Refrain

2    Name us. (Name us.) Heal us. (Heal us.)

      Wash us. (Wash us.) Seal us! (Seal us!)  Refrain

Text: Justin Rimbo, b. 1980

Text © 2020 Augsburg Fortress 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

O Lord, give strength to your people;

                  give us, O Lord, the blessings of peace. (Psalm 29:11)

MEAL

OFFERING OUR GIFTS FOR THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF GOD’S CHURCH

We have prayed. We have sung.  We have heard the Word. Now, being thankful for the ministry we are called to do, we are invited to offer ourselves; our time, talents and treasure in faithful witness of the good things God has done for us and in confidence that our worship extends beyond this place and time. Your financial contributions are gratefully accepted to further the life and ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran. Thank you.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION

LORD’S PRAYER

One: And now, join me in praying as Jesus taught us…

All: 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. 

DISTRIBUTION

POST COMMUNION BLESSING

SENDING

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLESSING

“Go, My Children, with My Blessing”               ELW 

1    “Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone.

      Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own.

      In my love’s baptismal river

      I have made you mine forever.

      Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.”

2    “Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.

      Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.

      Here you heard my dear Son’s story,

      here you touched him, saw his glory.

      Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.”

3    “Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.

      Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.

      Here my Spirit’s power filled you,

      here my tender comfort stilled you.

      Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.”

Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, b. 1919, alt.

Text © 1983 Concordia Publishing House

OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION 

You are the body of Christ.

We are the body of Christ in the world!

So go in peace

To explore the faith

Live in peace

To express our faith to others

Share the peace

By inviting others to join us on this journey.

WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD, SO LET’S GO BE THE GOOD NEWS WE BELIEVE IN!

THANKS BE TO GOD.

 Reading synopsis, Prayer of the Day (altered), and cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.

Icon images reproduced by permission of Augsburg Fortress for local use only. No further reproduction allowed without the written permission of the publisher.

2^nd Sunday after Epiphany

January 19, 2025, 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live

Classic Communion Service

We honor the Kumeyaay Nation, on whose ancestral lands we have made our home.

Holy Communion will be part of this service. Here at Gethsemane we practice open communion, meaning all who believe in the power of Jesus Christ to bring salvation are welcome to join in. In our Lutheran understanding, both sacraments—Baptism and Holy Communion—are best conducted among the gathered assembly. If you are present on this live-stream, you are present in our assembly. The body of Christ is not limited by place or time, so even if you are on the replay of this service, you are part of our assembly. Any bread and any wine or grape juice will do. If you are celebrating as a family or group, please feel free to break the bread into the right number of portions or have a separate piece for each person. Same with the cup. You may have one cup for all or each member gathered uses a separate cup. We believe the Christ is fully present in both Word and Sacrament, in both the bread and the wine/grape juice so if you only have one or the other, or even if you refrain from communion, you are not missing out on the grace of God. We understand both the Word and Sacraments as the means of grace. Remember it is not the type of bread or wine, nor is it the quantity, but it is your faith in taking the elements that is the window for the Holy Spirit to enter your life.

In the interactive part of the liturgy, the leader’s part is in regular text. The people’s response is in bold. All people are welcome to sing along with the songs where the lyrics are printed.

GATHERING

WELCOME

 

“To Be Your Presence”                ELW #546

1  To be your presence is our mission here,

to show compassion’s face and list’ning ear,

to be your heart of mercy ever near,

alleluia!

2  To be your presence is our mission bold,

to feed the poor and shelter homeless cold,

to be your hands of justice, right uphold,

alleluia!

3  To be your presence is our mission blest,

to speak for all the broken and oppressed,

to be your voice of hope, your love expressed,

alleluia!

4  We are your heart, O Christ, your hands and voice,

to serve your people is our call and choice,

and in this mission we, the church, rejoice,

alleluia!

 

Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, b. 1939

Text © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

PROMISE OF FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

our creator,

our protector,

our wellspring of life.

God proclaims these words of assurance:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name. You are mine.”

In ☩ Christ, we are forgiven.

In the Spirit, we are made free.

Refreshed by the waters of mercy,

we live anew as beloved children of God.

Trusting these promises, we dare to confess where we have fallen short of God’s glory:

            Silence is kept for reflection.

Merciful God,

you speak blessing and compassion into the world.

Forgive us for the ways we act

with judgment, cruelty, or indifference.

We ignore the needs of our neighbors;

we resist your call to oppose injustice;

we give in to worries about scarcity;

we cling to fear instead of faith;

we assume the worst about one another.

Cleanse us from our faults

and release us from their grasp.

Show us your lovingkindness.

Restore our hearts and repair your world,

that we may live in the way of Jesus.

Amen.

Now, being freed from that which weighs us down, receive our worship and praise. 

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Lord God, source of every blessing, you showed forth your glory and led many to faith by the works of your Son, who brought gladness and salvation to your people. Transform us by the Spirit of Jesus’ love, that we may find our life together in him, Jesus the Christ, our Savior. Amen.

 

“I Love to Tell the Story”             ELW #661

1    I love to tell the story

      of unseen things above,

      of Jesus and his glory,

      of Jesus and his love.

      I love to tell the story,

      because I know it’s true;

      it satisfies my longings

      as nothing else would do.

Refrain

      I love to tell the story;

      ’twill be my theme in glory

      to tell the old, old story

      of Jesus and his love.

2    I love to tell the story:

      how pleasant to repeat

      what seems, each time I tell it,

      more wonderfully sweet!

      I love to tell the story,

      for some have never heard

      the message of salvation

      from God’s own holy word.  Refrain

3    I love to tell the story,

      for those who know it best

      seem hungering and thirsting

      to hear it like the rest.

      And when, in scenes of glory,

      I sing the new, new song,

      I’ll sing the old, old story

      that I have loved so long.  Refrain

Text: Katherine Hankey, 1834-1911

 

WORD

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

 

CHOIR ANTHEM                                                                    

 

1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-11

The congregation at Corinth experienced division as people were comparing their spiritual gifts, thinking some to be superior to others. Paul invites this fractured community to trust that God’s Holy Spirit has gifted them all perfectly for their mission together.

 

JOHN 2:1-11

Turning water to wine at the wedding at Cana is described as the first of Jesus’ signs. Through many such epiphanies, Jesus reveals that he bears God’s creative power and joyful presence into the world.

 

SERMON                                                                                                       Pastor Karla

“Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”                       ELW #674

 

1    Let us talents and tongues employ,

      reaching out with a shout of joy:

      bread is broken, the wine is poured,

      Christ is spoken and seen and heard.

Refrain

      Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

      pass the Word around: loaves abound!

      Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

      pass the Word around: loaves abound!

2    Christ is able to make us one,

      at the table he sets the tone,

      teaching people to live to bless,

      love in word and in deed express.  Refrain

3    Jesus calls us in, sends us out

      bearing fruit in a world of doubt,

      gives us love to tell, bread to share:

      God (Immanuel) ev’rywhere!  Refrain

Text: Fred Kaan, b. 1929

Text © 1975 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Your love, O Lord, reaches into the heavens,

                  and your faithfulness extends beyond the clouds. (Psalm 36:5)

 

MEAL

OFFERING OUR GIFTS FOR THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF GOD’S CHURCH

We have prayed. We have sung.  We have heard the Word. Now, being thankful for the ministry we are called to do, we are invited to offer ourselves; our time, talents and treasure in faithful witness of the good things God has done for us and in confidence that our worship extends beyond this place and time. Your financial contributions are gratefully accepted to further the life and ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran. Thank you.

 

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION

LORD’S PRAYER

One: And now, join me in praying as Jesus taught us…

All: 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.

 

DISTRIBUTION

 

POST COMMUNION BLESSING

 

SENDING

 

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

BLESSING

 

“Will You Come and Follow Me”                       ELW #798 vss 1, 2

The Summons

 

1    “Will you come and follow me

      if I but call your name?

      Will you go where you don’t know

      and never be the same?

      Will you let my love be shown,

      will you let my name be known,

      will you let my life be grown

      in you and you in me?

2    “Will you leave yourself behind

      if I but call your name?

      Will you care for cruel and kind

      and never be the same?

      Will you risk the hostile stare,

      should your life attract or scare?

      Will you let me answer pray’r

      in you and you in me?

Text: John L. Bell, b. 1949

Text © 1987 Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc., agent 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION 

You are the body of Christ.

We are the body of Christ in the world!

So go in peace

To explore the faith

Live in peace

To express our faith to others

Share the peace

By inviting others to join us on this journey.

WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD, SO LET’S GO BE THE GOOD NEWS WE BELIEVE IN!

THANKS BE TO GOD.

Reading synopsis, Prayer of the Day (altered), and cover art from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.