Category: Worship Services

John 3:1-21| On a weekend we lose an hour of sleep, it’s likely we also notice it’s just a bit darker again in the morning. What we could see out our window at 6 am now needs to wait ’til 7 am to become visible to our eyes. Light illuminates the landscape, and it exposes what is present. That light is a gift, but at times, it also may be tempting to stay in the dark. In our Gospel this weekend, we meet a leader – Nicodemus – who was skeptical to come to Jesus and to be fully seen. But even when Nicodemus hung back in the shadows, Jesus shown a spotlight on himself – revealed to Nicodemus just who God is, and then Jesus invited Nicodemus into that spotlight of God’s activity. For various reasons, we may hang in the shadows, but even then Jesus shines a spotlight on who God is to us, and invites us to come into the light so that God’s story can shine through us. So this weekend, even though it’s a bit darker in the morning, come into the light of Jesus in worship as we encounter the saving nature of God and as we are sent as vessels of God’s light. 

Sunday, March 10, 2024, Fourth Sunday in Lent Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God. Text and Music: Karen Lafferty. Text and Music: © 1972 CCCM Music (admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.). Covered under CCLI subscription. & You Are Mine  Text and Music: David Haas. Text and Music: © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross. Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915.  Music: William H. Doane, 1832-1915. Text and Music: © OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: There In God’s Garden. Text and Music: K Lee Scott. Text and Music: © 1987 MorningStar Music Publishers/Birnamwood Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Will You Come and Follow Me. Text: John L. Bell, b. 1949.  Music: Scottish traditional. Text and Music: © 1987 Iona Community/WGRG (North America). Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Amazing Love. Text and Music: Graham Kendrick. Text and Music: © 1989 Make Way Music. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: You are My King (Amazing Love). Text and Music: Billy J. Foote. Text and Music: © 1996 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Covered under CCLI subscription.

John 2:13-22 | On average, it takes 9 months to build a home. Construction takes time. But, according to Jesus in our Gospel lesson, he can build an entire temple in a mere three days! At least, that’d be the literal interpretation. But, as we discover, Jesus isn’t referring to a physical building; he’s referring to himself as the temple that is filled with the glory of God. Knowing the “end of the story” – the coming of Christ’s death and resurrection – it might be one thing for us to look at this passage and nod with approval that Jesus was simply pointing to himself as the dwelling place of God. But much like the early Christians who would’ve heard this gospel passage, are there not times in which we struggle to know where and how to encounter the dwelling place of God? And, amid seeming de-construction, are there not times in which we struggle to hold onto the hope of God’s resurrection promise? On our own, we cannot encounter the truth of God. But by the power of the Holy Spirit, and gathered in community, we can be reminded of God’s ongoing work within us and around us. So this weekend, join us for worship as we once again hear – and receive – Christ’s promise given to us and as we are sent forth to become Christ’s living body as vehicles of God’s Kingdom.  

Sunday, March 3, 2024, Third Sunday in Lent Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Built on a Rock. Text: Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig, 1783-1872; Carl Doving, 1867-1937, adapted. Music: Ludvig M. Lindeman, 1812-1887. Text and Music: © 1958 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Beneath the Cross of Jesus. Text: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830-1869. Music: Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927. Text and Music: Public Domain. Offering Song: Jesus Paid It All. Text and Music: Mark Hayes, Marvin Gaspard. Text and Music: © 2017 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Blessed Assurance. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: The Wonderful Cross. Text: Isaac Watts, J. D. Walt, and Chris Tomlin. Music: Lowell Mason, Chris Tomlin, and Jesse Reeves. Text and Music: © 2000 Rising Springs Music, Vamos Publishing. Covered under CCLI
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Mark 8:31-38 | During the season of Lent, some choose to “give something up” as a way of fasting. But as we heard Jesus predict his coming death and resurrection, it’s clear that Jesus isn’t just giving “something” up. Jesus (in fact, God) is giving everything up for the sake of our life, and the life of the world. So, in response to this covenant God has made with us, then what does it mean for us to give ourselves – fully – to Jesus as we hear his call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow? Join us for worship this weekend as we receive God’s promise given to us, and as we are sent forth to faithfully follow – giving up not just “something” of our lives to the Lord, but our full selves.

Sunday, February 25, 2024, Second Sunday in Lent Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: I Want Jesus to Walk with Me. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2006 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: If You But Trust in God to Guide You. Text and Music: Georg Neumark, 1621-1681. Text and Music: © 2006 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said. Text: Charles W. Everest, 1814-1877, alt. Music: W. Hauser, Hesperian Harp, 1848; arr. hymnal version. Text and Music: © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Jesus I Will Ponder Now. Text: Sigismund von Birken, 1626-1681; tr August Crull, 1846-1923, alt. Music: Melchior Vulpius, 1570-1615. Text and Music: Public Domain. Communion Song: Take Up Your Cross. Text and Music: Jaime Cortez. Text and Music: © 2014 OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus. Text: Sigismund von Birken, 1626-1681; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, alt. Music: Georg G. Boltze, 18th cent. Text and Music: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

Mark 1:9-15 | Side mirrors on cars carry the often joked about phrase, “objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.” During the season of Lent, it may seem as though God’s presence, God’s provision, and God’s kingdom are still a long way off. We just started Lent! We’ve still got six more weeks until Easter! But no matter where we find ourselves, we are promised that God’s Kingdom is breaking into our midst. So join us this weekend for worship as we take another step into the season of Lent, confident that God is with us, and turning ourselves in repentance to believe and trust in this Good News.

Wednesday, February 18, 2024, First Sunday in Lent Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Down to the River to Pray. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2013 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: As Your Spirit in the Desert. Text and Music: Susan Palo Cherwien, Michael Costello. Text and Music: © 2012, 2015 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: When We Are Tested. Text and Music: Ruth Duck. Text and Music: © 1996 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: The Solid Rock. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text and Music: © 1984 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Lead Me, Guide Me. Text and Music: Doris Akers. Text and Music: © 1953 Alfred Publishing. Covered under One License subscription.

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17 | Each year, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday: a day that we remember we are dust and to dust we return. This recognition leads us to repentance, to return to the Lord our God with broken and contrite hearts. But that is only the first step of our Lenten journey. For the point of confession, of repentance, and of each and every Lenten discipline is to prepare us to receive the abounding mercy, healing and forgiveness of our God through Christ’s cross. So as you begin another holy season of Lent, join us for worship as together we offer our confession and as we look in hope for God to uphold God’s covenant to us.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024, Ash Wednesday Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Christ, Revive Us Again. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Opening Litany: O Lord, Hear My Prayer. Text: Psalm 102:1-2; Taizé Community, adapt. Music: Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994. Text and Music: © 1982, 1991 Le Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: O Lord Throughout These Forty Days. Text: based on Claudie F. Hernaman, 1838-1898; para. Gilbert E. Doan Jr., b. 1930. Music: A. Davisson, Kentucky Harmony, 1816;arr. Theodore A. Beck, 1929-2003. Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Arr. © 1969 Concordia Publishing House.  Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Our Father, We Have Wandered. Text: Kevin Nichols, 1929-2006. Music: Hans Leo Hassler, 1564-1612; arr. Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750. Text: © 1981 International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Imposition of Ashes: Just As I Am. Text and music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2022 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Offering: Be Thou My Vision. Text and music: Carlton R. Young. Text and Music: © 1964 United Methodist Publishing House/Abingdon Press. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Songs: Return to God. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text and Music © 1990, 1991 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Bless Now, O God, the Journey. Text: Sylvia G. Dunstan, 1955-1993. Music: Welsh tune, 19th cent. Text: © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc. Music: Public Domain. Covered under One License subscription.

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Mark 9:2-9 | There are moments within our lives that change us. For some, those moments are when a child is born, when a new culture is experienced, or when a new possibility opens up before us. Whatever that moment is like, there’s a possibility for that experience to shape our trajectory forward. So, if those moments still do happen in our lives, then what do we have to say, as people of faith, when we experience the very glory of God? When we see Jesus? Or when the Spirit reveals something new? Do we allow these experiences to transform and transfigure us on our journeys of faith? As we look to the coming season of Lent, join us for worship as we once again behold the glory of our God, as we consider how we have witnessed God’s power, and as we look in anticipation for the fullness of God’s glory revealed to us in Christ’s death and resurrection.

Sunday, February 11, 2024, Transfiguration of Our Lord Sunday Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Gather Us In. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text and Music: © 1982 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. & Build Us Up, Lord. Text and Music: Donna Hanna, Mark Glaeser. Text and Music: © 2003 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Christ, Be Our Light. Text and Music: Bernadette Farrell. Text and Music: © 1993 OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Shine, Jesus, Shine. Text and Music: Graham Kendrick. Text and Music: © 1987 Jubilate Music. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Come to the Mountain. Text and Music: Scott Tunseth, Kathy Donlan Tunseth. Text and Music: © 1996 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Beautiful Savior. Text and Music: Munster Gesangbuch, David Allen. Text and Music: © 1979 Fred Bock Music Company. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: We Are Marching in the Light of God. Text and Music: Anders Nyberg, South African traditional; Freedom Is Coming, 1984. Text and Music: © 1984 Walton Music. Covered under One License subscription. Postlude: The Trees of the Field. Text and Music: Stuart Dauermann, Steffi Geiser Rubin. Text and Music: © 1975 Lillenas Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription.

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Mark 1:29-39 | This weekend we hear the story of Jesus healing Simon’s mother-in-law. Being told of her fever, Jesus comes to her, takes her by the hand, and lifts her up. Still today, Jesus also comes to us, takes us by the hand, and raises us up to newness of life. But then what? For Simon’s mother-in-law, immediately after being healed, she began to serve them. So then, what about us? As people who also have been touched by Christ, do we have the gumption to be lifted up into service? Join us this weekend as once again we receive God’s gift of life through Word and Sacrament, and as we are commissioned to live as servants so that the message of God’s Kingdom can be both proclaimed and experienced by even more people.

Sunday, February 4, 2024, Fifth Sunday of Epiphany Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Holy, Holy, Holy. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2006 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: You Are Holy. Text and Music: Per Harling, b. 1945. Text and Music: © 1990 Tom Vis Production AB, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness. Text: Rust Edwards, b. 1955. Music: J. Wyeth, Repository of Sacred Music, Part II, 1813. Text and Music: © 1987 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: The Lily of the Valley. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2013 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: He Will Give the Weary Strength. Text and Music: Ellie Holcomb. Text and Music: © 2013 Full Heart Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me. Text and Music: African American spiritual. Text and Music: Public Domain.

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1 Samuel 3:1-20 | It’s not too uncommon for people to joke about “selective hearing.” In certain situations, we hear what we want to hear, and we find ourselves better able to hear when we want to listen. So when it comes to listening to God, do we want to hear what God has to say? Throughout Scripture, God speaks to people time and time again. But, as we hear in the story of Samuel, what God had to say wasn’t always the easiest thing to hear. So, in our walk of discipleship, are we willing to hear what God has to tell us? Even if it’s something we didn’t expect? Or, if it’s something that might challenge us? As we venture into the season of Epiphany, we invite you to join us as we consider what it means to open ourselves to hear God’s Word for us, and as we lean into to follow after this one who has come to redeem and save us.

Sunday, January 21, 2024, Third Sunday of Epiphany Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Lord Let My Heart be Good Soil. Text and Music: Handt Hanson, b. 1950. Text and Music: © 1985 Prince of Peace Publishing, Changing Church, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. & A Place at the Table. Text and Music: Lori True, Shirley Erena Murray. Text and Music: © 2001 GIA Publications, Inc. Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Listen, God Is Calling. Text: Tanzanian traditional; tr. Howard S. Olson, b. 1922. Music: Tanzanian tune; arr. Austin C. Lovelace, b. 1919. Text: © 1968 Lutheran Theological College, Makumira, Tanzanie, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music: © 1968 Austin C. Lovelace. Covered under One License subscription.
Hymn of the Day: Here I Am, Lord. Text and Music: Daniel L. Schutte, b. 1946. Text and Music: © 1981 OCP Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Will You Let Me Be Your Servant. Text and Music: Richard Gillard, b. 1953, & arr. Betty Pulkingham, b. 1928. Text and Music: © 1977 Scripture In Song, admin. Integrity Music. Covered under CCLI subscription. Communion Song: Lord, Be Glorified. Text and Music: Bob Kilpatrick, 1952. Text and Music: © 1978 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Send Me, Jesus. Text and Music: South African. Text and Music: Public Domain.

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Mark 1:4-11 | As we move away from the Christmas holiday, the church year turns to focus on the baptism of Jesus. For many, baptism has become synonymous with a gentle, tender, and calm practice (even if there are a few cries from babies!) But at Jesus’ baptism, God’s activity was far, far from calm. God dramatically broke into the world, and into the life of Jesus, as the heavens were torn open, a dove descended into Jesus, and Jesus was publicly named God’s Son. So then what about now? Does God still dramatically break into our world, doing whatever is necessary to come to us and to our weary world? Join us for our last worship in our series, “How Does a Weary World Rejoice?” as we witness God’s determination to tear through anything in the way of a relationship with God’s good creation, and as we are sent forth as agents of God’s grace.

Sunday, January 7, 2024, Baptism of Our Lord Sunday Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Sing We Now of Christmas. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2019 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise. Text: Christopher Wordsworth, 1807-1885, alt. Music: Jakob Hintze, 1622-1702; arr. Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750. Text and Music: Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized. Text: F. Bland Tucker, 1895-1984, alt. Music: Nikolaus Herman, 1480-1561. Text and Music: © 1985 The Church Pension Fund. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: He Is Born. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2018 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: You Are Mine. Text and Music: David Haas, b. 1957. Text and Music: © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: This Little Light of Mine. Text and. Music: African American spiritual; arr. Horace Clarence Boyer, b. 1935. Text and Music:©1992 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription.

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Luke 2:21-40 | Though we celebrated the day of Christmas last week, the season of Christmas continues in the life of the church – celebrating the light of Christ that has come to the world. As we continue our celebration, we travel with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem where Jesus is presented in the temple, according to Jewish custom. Much like the holy family, we, too, observe rituals of worship, prayer, and service as a way in which we live out our faith. These rituals form us and provide a foundation for us as we come to know just who this child is who has been born to us. So as we continue to follow in the light of Christ, leading us on, join us for worship as we root ourselves in ritual and as we testify to God’s salvation revealed to us.

Special thanks to lay leaders of Shepherd of the Cross for leading worship this morning, and to Bishop Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, for providing the sermon for us this morning in Pastor Aleese’s absence.

Sunday, December 31, 2023, First Sunday of Christmas Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Angels We Have Heard On High. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2019 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Angels, from the Realms of Glory. Text: James Montgomery, 1771-1854, alt., sts. 1-3; Salisbury Hymn Book, 1857, st. 4. Music: Henry T. Smart, 1813-1879. Text and Music: Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: In His Temple Now Behold Him. Text: Henry J. Pye, 1825-1903, alt.Music: Henry T. Smart, 1813-1879. Text and Music: Public Domain. Offering Song: Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2019 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice. Text: Medieval Latin carol; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818-1866. Music: German carol, 14th cent.; arr. Robert L. Pearsall, 1795-1856. Text and Music: Public Domain. Prayers written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Adapted Rev. A. Kenitzer

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