FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 109 West Third Avenue, Warren, Pennsylvania

Phone: (814) 723-6450 Fax: (814) 723-0935

Email Office: jess@flcwarren.com Website: www.flcwarren.com

The Rev. Jeffrey B. Ewing, Pastor pastorjeff@flcwarren.com

Jack Hemink, Director of Music Julie Baughman, accompanist

Cheri Kellogg, Director of Children, Youth and Family

“Welcome to First Lutheran Church! All are accepted and affirmed just as we are, with all

our differences and gifts – unique children of God. No matter your race, ethnicity, gender

expression or identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities, social or economic

status, we have a place for you. As part of the whole complex, colorful spectrum of God’s

creation in all its diversity we are all one in Christ!”

January 31, 2021 With One Voice, Setting V

In Deuteronomy God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses, who will speak for God; in

Psalm 111 God shows the people the power of God’s works. For the church these are ways of

pointing to the unique authority people sensed in Jesus’ actions and words. We encounter

that authority in God’s word, around which we gather, the word that prevails over any lesser

spirit that would claim power over us, freeing us to follow Jesus.

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WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE Dearest Jesus, at Your Word J.S. Bach

*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.

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HYMN Dearest Jesus, at Your Word #520

Verses 1 and 3

1. Dearest Jesus, at your word we have come again to hear you; let our thoughts and

hearts be stirred and in glowing faith be near you as the promises here given draw us

wholly up to heaven.

3. Radiance of God’s glory bright, Light of Light from God proceeding, Jesus, send your

blessed light; help our hearing, speaking, heeding, that our prayers and songs may

please you, as with grateful hearts we praise you.

*GREETING

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy

Spirit be with you all.

C: And also with you.

KYRIE

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HYMN OF PRAISE

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*PRAYER OF THE DAY

Compassionate God, you gather the whole universe into your radiant presence and

continually reveal your Son as our Savior. Bring wholeness to all that is broken and speak

truth to us in our confusion, that all creation will see and know your Son, Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

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First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Today’s reading is part of a longer discourse in Deuteronomy, an updating of the law for the

Israelite community as the people wait to enter the promised land. Here Moses assures the people

that God will continue to guide them through prophets who will proclaim the divine word.

[Moses said:] 15The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among

your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. 16This is what you requested of

the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the

voice of the LORD my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” 17Then

the LORD replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. 18I will raise up for them

a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the

prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. 19Anyone who does not

heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold

accountable. 20But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes

to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that

prophet shall die.”

A: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 111 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. (Ps. 111:10)

1Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with | my whole heart,

in the assembly of the upright, in the | congregation.

2Great are your | works, O LORD,

pondered by all who de- | light in them.

3Majesty and splendor | mark your deeds,

and your righteousness en- | dures forever.

4You cause your wonders to | be remembered;

you are gracious and full | of compassion. R

5You give food to | those who fear you,

remembering forev- | er your covenant.

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6You have shown your people the power | of your works

in giving them the lands | of the nations.

7The works of your hands are faithful- | ness and justice;

all of your pre- | cepts are sure.

8They stand fast forev- | er and ever,

because they are done in | truth and equity. R

9You sent redemption to your people and commanded your cove- | nant forever;

holy and awesome | is your name.

10The fear of the LORD is the begin- | ning of wisdom;

all who practice this have a good understanding. God’s praise en- | dures

forever. R

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Paul is concerned about the way some Corinthian Christians use their freedom in Christ

as license to engage in non-Christian behavior that sets a damaging example to other,

impressionable believers. Christians have a responsibility to each other that their

behavior does not cause another to sin. 1Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.”

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2Anyone who claims to know something does

not yet have the necessary knowledge; 3but anyone who loves God is known by him.

4Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world

really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5Indeed, even though there may be so-

called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords—6yet

for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and

one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

7It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so

accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an

idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8“Food will not bring us close to God.”

We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9But take care that this

liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if others

see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since

their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to

idols? 11So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are

destroyed. 12But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their

conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food is a cause of their

falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

A: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

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*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 1st chapter.

C: Glory to you, O Lord.

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 Forces that would bring death and disease have taken hold of a man, yet they recognize

Jesus and know what his power means for them. Jesus commands these forces to leave

and people are amazed at his authority. 21[Jesus and his disciples] went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered

the synagogue and taught.22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as

one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a

man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of

Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of

God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the

unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They

were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—

with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28At once his

fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON Pastor Jeffrey Ewing

Silence for reflection may follow.

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*HYMN OF THE DAY We Eat the Bread of Teaching #518

Verses 1 and 3

Refrain: We eat the bread of teaching, drink wine of wisdom, are given here a taste of the

kingdom. Together joined, the greatest and the least, we all are one at Wisdom’s holy

feast.

1. Wisdom calls throughout the city, knows our hunger, and in pity gives her loving

invitation to the banquet of salvation.

Refrain

3. Enter with delight and singing, for her richness now is bringing us this joyous

celebration; eat and drink in jubilation.

Refrain

NICENE CREED

Assistant: Let us confess our faith using the words of 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,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary

and became truly human.

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,*

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who 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.

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the

world, and all people in need.

For all who share the gospel and proclaim freedom in Christ throughout the world:

prophets, teachers, pastors, deacons, and lay leaders; for the church and its ministries, let

us pray.

Have mercy, O God.

For all God’s works in creation: plants and animals, water and soil, forests and farms; and

for those tasked with protecting our natural resources and all that exists, let us pray.

Have mercy, O God.

For government and leaders: cities and nations, rescue professionals and legal aid

attorneys, elected officials and grassroots organizers; for all responsible for the well-

being of civil society, let us pray.

Have mercy, O God.

For those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: those who are sick and hospitalized, those

living with HIV/AIDS, those struggling with COVID and with mental illness, those who

are hungry or homeless, and all in any need especially those we name before you; for

caregivers, hospice workers, and home health aides, let us pray.

Have mercy, O God.

For the concerns of this congregation: those who travel, those absent from us, those

celebrating birthdays or anniversaries; for the people of God in this place and for other

needs in our community, let us pray.

Have mercy, O God.

For the covenant God made with us in the waters of baptism, and in thanksgiving for the

baptized who have died in the Lord, 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 THE PEACE

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: And also with you.

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MEAL_____________________________________

OFFERING

OFFERTORY RESPONSE

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OFFERTORY 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.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

P: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them to the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,…

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Congregation: SANCTUS

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER AND RESPONSE

…Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is

yours, almighty Father, now and forever.

LORD’S 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.

Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Thanks be to God!

LAMB OF GOD

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May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the gifts of his body and blood strengthen,

keep and unite us, now and forever.

Amen.

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

Christ Jesus,

at this table we see you in the bread and wine

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.

BLESSING

God the creator strengthen you;

Jesus the beloved fill you;

and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace.

Amen.

SENDING

*HYMN Son of God, Eternal Savior #655

Verses 1 and 4

1. Son of God, eternal Savior, source of life and truth and grace, Word made flesh, whose

birth among us hallows all our human race, you our head, who, throned in glory, for

your own will ever plead; fill us with your love and pity, heal our wrong,

and help our need.

4. Son of God, eternal Savior, source of life and truth and grace. Word made flesh, whose

birth among us hallows all our human race: by your praying, by your willing that your

people should be one, grant, oh, grant our hope’s fruition:

here on earth your will be done.

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Be the light of Christ.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Scherzo Alan Ridout

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Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License

#SAS022272. New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Revised Common Lectionary,

Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission.

FLOWERS Given by Elsa Redding in loving memory of Hedevig Lind!

Given by Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Beardsley in memory of loved ones!

Serving Today January 31 February 7 CANTOR Dave Campbell Brenda Hunter

ASSISTING MINISTER Keith Hedges Barb Luce

ASSISTING MUSICIAN Carolyn Worley Linda Ross

PRAYER LIST

Names will remain on the list for a period of three weeks. Names may be returned to the

prayer list by contacting the church office. Please receive permission before submitting

names to be included on the Prayer List. 3

Prayer Requests: servicemen & women, especially Andrew Shodi, Swede Backhus,

Adam & Ben Frederick, Eric Smith, Shane Simpson, Curtis & Annie Royek, Ty Elmquist,

Matt Pierotti, Julie Sveda January 31: Sharyn Stone, Marcia Granger Kathy Betts, Joyce and Rory Sawtelle,

Brodie Burroughs, and Linda Burroughs, Family and Friends of Gail Larson

January 24 Bonnie Parker, Karen Schumacher, Shirley Brown, Lutheran Home in

Kane, Mary McNett, Al Citro

January 17: Ryder Check, Greg Nagurney, Rod Anderson, Bob Engstrom, Vera Kellogg,

Steve Hoden, Deanna Lent, Nancy Clark, Margaret Long, Betty Knupp, Nancy Stanley, Jared

Keller

Please contact the Church Office if you, a family member or someone from the parish is in

the hospital. Help us help you when pastoral care is needed! Thank you.

Although there is light at the end of this long coronavirus tunnel with

the rollout of a vaccine, we are not out of the woods yet. Two new

strains of the virus in Pennsylvania have complicated our options.

Your church council met on January 18th to assess where we are as a

community and decided to continue our on-line services for now.

Council will again meet on February 8th to consider whether we can

safely offer in-person worship. As always, we encourage you to

worship with us on-line on our Facebook page at 11:00 a.m. each

Sunday and you can view the service on our website (flcwarren.com/worship) immediately

following.

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CELEBRATING COMMUNION WITH A TWIST

As we move continue further into Epiphany and into the season of Lent

knowing that the Coronavirus is still a specter for us, I know how important

it is for folks to be able to celebrate Holy Communion. I am always

available to celebrate the Eucharist and if you would like to call me and

schedule a time to meet, please do. I am also well aware that folks simply

miss celebrating communion during our on-line worship. So, after much prayer,

consideration, trepidation and consultation, for those interested, I encourage you to gather

some bread and wine/juice before Sunday’s on-line service (some of you may be doing this

already) and as the words of institution are spoken you can be assured that God is blessing

the elements you have prepared. In a family setting, I encourage you to commune one

another with the words: “The body of Christ given for you.” and “The blood of Christ shed

for you.”

QUICK LESSON: The sacraments of our church in the ELCA are baptism and Holy

Communion. In order for a sacrament to be a sacrament, two things are needed: a common

(earthly) element and God’s word. Obviously, the common element in baptism is water, and

the common elements in the Lord’s supper are bread and wine/juice. As God’s word is

spoken over the bread and wine/juice, the common elements remain what they are and they

also become the body and blood of Christ at the same time (remaining bread and wine, and

becoming body and blood is one of the great mysteries of our faith). God’s word spoken and

God’s act make the sacrament. As one pastor said: “For me the bottom line seems to be these

words spoken in person or taped are God’s words of promise spoken with a purpose and thus

effective.” It is my hope that you find this celebration, although different than what we are

used to, beneficial!

Shalom, Pastor Jeff

STEWARDSHIP: MAKE IT MATTER While we are

still worshipping virtually, we continue to share the

resources God has blessed us with to bring God’s kingdom

into this place and time. Thanks to you and the

thoughtfulness of a congregant long ago, our annual Special

Gifts fund was able to distribute grants to various people

and ministries in the area and beyond. Check out the

January Lantern for a full list of these ministries.

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THE SALVATION ARMY has made a request for the following items:

*Rice *Soups

*Spam *Canned Pasta

If you have any donations, please leave them in the marked Salvation Army

collection in the narthex.

Our board met (Zoom) on Tuesday and voted to postpone,

again, our annual convention scheduled for May 14-15, 2021

due to the virus causing so much uncertainty and continues to

do so.

Prayers requested for board members from First Lutheran,

Sandy Wachter and Joyce Kelley.

Women of the ELCA has a long-standing scholarship program that offers financial

support to lay women and those studying to be ordained. While the individual scholarship

amounts are modest, every little bit helps as a woman is furthering her education.

The annual scholarship program is now accepting applications. The deadline to complete an application is April 5. Specific questions can be sent to Valora Starr who coordinates the program. The number of women applying has been declining over the past couple of years. For instance, last year only 11 applications were received and three were rejected because they did not include all the necessary information. Who do you know who could benefit from applying? It’s evident that assisting students is important to many of our synodical organizations because many SWOs have scholarships themselves. Yet last year there were no recipients from Regions 1, 3, 8 and 9. In the previous year there were no recipients from Regions 1 and 9.

AVAILABLE FLOWER DATES IN 2021

Please contact Kris Whitaker to schedule dates for altar flowers. You may reach her at

726-2843 or by email at whitakerc@verizon.net

February 21 November 14

March 28 November 28

April 11 April 18