Covenant Presbyterian Church

Third Sunday After the Epiphany

January 22, 2023 – 10am

  Covenant is an accepting, welcoming community sharing the glory of God’s love with all.

PRELUDE                         “Variations on Aurelia”  arr. Linker               

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Candle

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:  The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear?

People:  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?

Leader:  One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek;

People:  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Leader: Let us sing and make music to the Lord!

*HYMN  #409 “God is Here!” (verses 1, 3, 4) Ribbon

1 God is here! As we your people

meet to offer praise and prayer,

may we find in fuller measure

what it is in Christ we share.

Here, as in the world around us,

all our varied skills and arts

wait the coming of the Spirit

into open minds and hearts.

3 Here our children find a welcome

in the Shepherd's flock and fold;

here as bread and wine are taken,

Christ sustains us as of old.

Here the servants of the Servant

seek in worship to explore

what it means in daily living

to believe and to adore.

4 Lord of all, of church and kingdom,

in an age of change and doubt 

keep us faithful to the gospel;

help us work your purpose out.

Here, in this day's dedication,

all we have to give, receive:

we, who cannot live without you,

we adore you! We believe!

CALL TO CONFESSION 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

Almighty God,

we confess that we have not been faithful to you in 

our thoughts and actions.

We have been selfish in our desires

and quarrelsome in our relationships.

We have allowed fear to divide us from those who 

seem different,

and let distrust separate us from our brothers and sisters.

Shine your light into our hearts.

Save us from our divisive ways.

Unite us in the same mind as Jesus Christ 

who dwells with you and the Holy Spirit 

in perfect harmony. Amen.

WORDS OF FORGIVENESS 

HYMN #447 “We Are Forgiven” Ribbon

We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.

We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.

PASSING OF THE PEACE

The peace of the Lord, be with you all. And also with you.

HYMN #188 “Jesus Loves Me” 

TALK WITH CHILDREN

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Cross

THE FIRST READING Psalm 27:1, 4-9 (NRSVUE) 

The voice of the Lord, powerful and full of majesty. Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL READING Matthew 4:12-23 (NRSVUE)

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

PRAYER OF THE DAY †

God of all people

you sent your Son

into the shrouded world 

into the borderlands;

may his dawning light

give hope to the broken,

the persecuted,

the alien and the excluded,

that we might feel the kingdom drawing near

and turn to follow him;

through Jesus Christ, the morning star.

Amen.

SERMON “The Call to the Kindom”  

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven… (Hymnal p. 35. We say “debts & debtors.”)

HYMN #721 “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”   (verses 1, 3, 4) Ribbon

1 Lord, you have come to the lakeshore

looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;

you only asked me to follow humbly.

Refrain

O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,

and while smiling have spoken my name;

now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me.

By your side I will seek other seas.

3 You need my hands, full of caring,

through my labors to give others rest

and constant love that keeps on loving. (Refrain)

4 You, who have fished other oceans,

ever longed for by souls who are waiting,

my loving friend, as thus you call me: (Refrain)

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERTORY             “For the Beauty of the Earth” by John Rutter

You can give online to Covenant by scanning this QR code. 

*DOXOLOGY #606      Ribbon 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise God, all creatures here below;

praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.                                            

*Prayer of Dedication Cross

*HYMN #630 “Fairest Lord Jesus” (verses 1-4) Ribbon

1 Fairest Lord Jesus,

Ruler of all nature,

O thou of God to earth come down,

thee will I cherish,

thee will I honor,

thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

2 Fair are the meadows,

fairer still the woodlands,

robed in the blooming garb of spring.

Jesus is fairer;

Jesus is purer,

who makes the woeful heart to sing.

3 Fair is the sunshine,

fairer still the moonlight,

and all the twinkling, starry host.

Jesus shines brighter;

Jesus shines purer,

than all the angels heaven can boast.

4 Beautiful Savior, 

Ruler of the nations,

Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor,

praise, adoration,

now and forevermore be thine!

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE         Reprise of “Fairest Lord Jesus”

Unless otherwise noted, prayers in this service are reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion. Copyright 2012.

† From Prayers for an Inclusive Church by Steven Shakespeare. New York: Church Publishing, 2009

Assisting in Worship Today:

Asher Esala–Liturgist

Whitney Dodds–Vocalist

Cherie Brooks – Director of Music & Technology 

Katie Wynkoop–Organist/Pianist & Assistant Director of Music 

Erin Wise – Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries

Brian Biller – Media Production Specialist

Rev. Joel A. Esala–Pastor