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4th Sunday of Epiphany/Presentation of our Lord

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, February 2, 2025

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FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

The Presentation of Our Lord

Black History Month

February 2, 2025

10:00 a.m.

PRELUDE

Let Us Break Bread Together Arr. Albert Zabel

What are the roots of “Let us break bread,” among the best known of African American spirituals? In a recently published article in the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, written by United Methodist Hymnal editor, Dr. Carlton Young, he reveals the probable roots and major variants of this spiritual. Dr. Young suggests that this “spiritual was formed in the West African Gullah/Geechee slave culture that developed in the coastal areas of South-Eastern colonial America, including St Helena Island, Beaufort, and Charleston, South Carolina . . ..”

Each version of this Spiritual over time incorporates the idea of “facing the rising sun.” One scholar suggests that this may come from the worship practices of Islamic West Africans. Another speculates that the sun was a symbolic West African source of spiritual light. Another phrase “on our knees” may have been a signal for a secret gathering, though this cannot be verified.

WELCOME

SOLA GRATIA +

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the fountain of living water, the rock who gave us birth, our light and our salvation. Amen.

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.

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. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.

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

making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.

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. Amen.

KYRIE AND HYMN OF PRAISE

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray together: Almighty and ever-living God, your only-begotten Son was presented this day in the temple. May we be presented to you with clean and pure hearts by the same Jesus Christ, our great high priest, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

SOLA SCRIPTURA +

READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Malachi 3:1-4

This reading concludes a larger section (2:17—3:5) in which the prophet speaks of the coming of the God of justice. Malachi looks for that day when the wondrous power of God will purify the priestly descendents of Levi who minister in the temple at Jerusalem.

1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM Nunc Dimittis

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum, in pace (“Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised”).

EPISTLE LESSON: Hebrews 2:14-18

Jesus shared human nature fully so that his death might be for all humans a liberation from slavery to death’s power. Here the writer uses the image of priestly service in the temple as a way of describing the life and saving death of the Lord Jesus. He is the high priest who offers his life on behalf of his brothers and sisters.

14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-40 Glory to you, O Lord.

This story is a study in contrasts: the infant Jesus with the aged prophets; the joy of birth with the ominous words of Simeon to Mary; the faithful fulfilling of the law with the presentation of the one who will release its hold over us. Through it all, we see the light of God’s salvation revealed to the world.

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word;

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON Pastor Kurt

SOLA FIDE +

HYMN OF THE DAY Now Let Your Servant Go In Peace Ruth Duck

OFFERING

Give online using the button above

or Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

Music Picardy 17th Century French Folk tune

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence arr. Charles Callahan

The tune PICARDY comes from a book of French folksongs, Chansons Populaires des Provinces de France, published in 1860. The famous English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) paired it with this text for the English Hymnal (1906), and the text and tune have been inseparable since that time.

At his feet the six-winged seraph, | cherubim with sleepless eye,

veil their faces to the presence, | as with ceaseless voice they cry:

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Lord Most High!

OFFERING PRAYER

God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you; you open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Fill us with all the good at your table that we may, in turn, come to the help of all in need through Jesus Christ, our redeemer, and Lord.

Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

*each petition will end with the phrase “God of grace,” your response is “hear our prayer.”

APOSTLES CREED We share together in the ancient story of faith.

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.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

The Peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

COMMUNION LITURGY FOR EPIPHANY

Come and see! …. Come, let us gather around the table and prepare to meet him.

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, … with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, …

… Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we who share in Christ’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

OUR LORD'S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:

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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Come, let us share this meal of gladness.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

First Lutheran invites all who trust that God is somehow present in the bread and wine, however full of mystery that might be for you, to join us at the Table of Grace and Thanksgiving. In the center of each tray there is white grape juice for those who prefer. We also have gluten free wafers. If you wish for those please indicate when you reach Pastor.

AGNUS DEI

COMMUNION HYMN Let Us Break Bread Together

COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen.

Nourishing God, at this table you have refreshed us with holy gifts of food and drink.

Strengthen us for service, and send us out to embody your good news of liberation and healing for the sake of the world. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.

SENDING SONG O Lord Now Let Your Servant

BLESSING & BENEDICTION

The Spirit of the triune God bless you with joy, anoint you with compassion,

and send you in love. Amen.

Go in peace. Live in Hope. Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

Lord Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing arr. James Kasen

This hymn is usually sung by the tune called Sicilian Mariners. However, I prefer the tune, GREENVILLE, by Genevan philosopher and composer Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), taken from an opera composed in 1752, and for me provides a beautiful musical setting for the text. - Engel

Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; | fill our hearts with joy and peace.

Let us each, your love possessing, | triumph in redeeming grace.

O refresh us, O refresh us, | trav'ling through this wilderness.

The Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director

Earl Vaults, Tenor Sax

Paul Engel, Cantor

Joe Slevcove, Lector

Beth Slevcove, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Joann Masters, Randy Sensmeier, Joyce Sensmeier, Paul Engel, Ellen Beck

Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Elizabeth Connolly, Victoria Pearson, Singers

Brian Jensen, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Sound, Video, & Computer

Ruth Clayton, Melinda Person, Dan Kjonegaard, Ushers

Lorena Myrda, Fellowship snacks

Hymns, Prayers, Liturgy

from Sundays and Seasons 2020, Year C

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work

First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:

Connecting with each other
Fostering leadership
Attending to our Virtual Community
Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice

Tomorrow! FLC Night at TACO

Fellow FLC volunteers, tomorrow (February 3) is the first Monday of February and our evening to assist with serving dinner at TACO. Please consider giving 2 hours of your time for this worthwhile and heartwarming experience. If you can give of your time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday February 3, please let Joann Masters know, either at church or by email: jbmasters56@gmail.com, and she'll take care of signing you up. Come join the fun! Looking forward to seeing you there.

Save the Date for a Music&Arts Performance: February 21 at 7:00pm

Highly acclaimed Actor Antonio T.J. Johnson will be performing a staged reading of August Wilson's How I Learned What I Learned on Friday, 2/21 @ 7:00, followed by a reception. More info to come!

NEW Lobby & Sanctuary Art Installation by Dr. Ellen Beck

"I Lift My Eyes to the Mountains": The Hebrew words on the large screen/room

divider are the first words of Psalm 121--I lift my eyes to the mountains. All of the

works represent sky and sea and lifting our eyes to the wonders around us. They are

done with oil on canvas, painted with my hands. (See the full artist’s statement in the Heartbeat.)

February Book Group News

Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, this months selection, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead fathers good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. This Pulitzer Prize winning novel was inspired by Charles Dickens David Copperfield, which explored Dickens’s experience as a survivor of institutional poverty many generations ago, and its damages to children in his society. These problems have yet to be solved in ours. One reviewer notes, “Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, this is the story of an irrepressible boy nobody wants, but readers will love.” Please join us to discuss this book on Thursday, February 20, 4:00PM in the church library. Erin Pfaff and Jeannie Roehrs will host. New participants warmly welcomed at any time!

Lenten Devotional Writers

Once again, we will publish our First Lutheran Church Lenten Devotionals for the 2025 season of Lent. At this time, we are only asking you to let us know if you would offer your time and talent to this ministry. Whether you’ve done this before or are newly considering it, know your gift reaches people beyond the walls of Third and Ash. Email Frank De Louise at fpdcgl@yahoo.com with your commitment and questions or reach out to Pastor Kurt or Erin.

Save the date: April 4th Shabbat Dinner at FLC

The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla hosts Shine A Light Shabbat Dinners in churches across the county as part of a powerful effort to stand against anti-semitism and build one-on-one relationships. The JCC and our Jewish communal partners will handle all the logistics: food, staffing, and preparation. This initiative is a wonderful opportunity to share experiences, break bread together, and nurture fellowship between our communities. In times when division can feel overwhelming, moments of connection like these are more important than ever. Please join us! More details to come.

TACO Bites

TACO was mentioned in the news again, this time in the San Diego Tribune’s story about homeless encampments during the recent wildfires. “I felt my life was in danger from being so cold,” said Benito Castillo, 63, who got a coat through [TACO]. “The wind chill factor is insane.”
It's winter, and TACO is in immediate need of bags, blankets, men’s pants, men’s shoes, and men’s hoodies. Any donations are always welcome, but these items are in especially great demand right now.

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lounge 3:00 FLC night at TACO
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks; Clothing closet
Thursday	12:00 Al Anon in the library
Friday	9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship