Go and Do

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

God, our Light and our Source of Love, Jesus announced the arrival of your kin-dom and called his disciples to be fishers of people. Give us the courage to follow in the way of Jesus, that our lives may bear witness to the good news of the kin-dom at hand and our vocation serve to draw people to your way of living for more than ourselves; through your Son, Jesus the Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Loving God, your light reveals the needs of your world, and your love offers hope in the darkness. Therefore, we pray for our world and our community.

For your holy church, that we may live and love in harmony with one another, and that we may be in shared ministry for the betterment of the world.

Loving God, your light reveals the needs of your world, and your love offers hope in the darkness.

For the world and for all who suffer the rod of oppression: break the yoke of violence, and free all people from the burden of war and domestic strife.

Loving God, your light reveals the needs of your world, and your love offers hope in the darkness.

For the leaders of nations, that they may be just and faithful in their duty and serve the good of all creation.

Loving God, your light reveals the needs of your world, and your love offers hope in the darkness.

For those who suffer disease of body and mind, that they may know the power of your healing grace.

Loving God, your light reveals the needs of your world, and your love offers hope in the darkness.

For those who have died and for those who will die this day, and for those who care for the dying that they may find peace and comfort.

Loving God, your light reveals the needs of your world, and your love offers hope in the darkness.

For other concerns we offer now silently or aloud.

Loving God, your light reveals the needs of your world, and your love offers hope in the darkness.

Jennifer Rudy,soprano Dave Albulario,tenor John Fluker,pianist

Loving God, illumine our minds in the presence of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scripture is read and your Word proclaimed our eyes may see your kin-dom, our ears may hear the call of Jesus, and our hearts may know the joy of your way of Love. Amen.

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee ¹² Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³ He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, ¹⁴ so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ¹⁵ “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles — ¹⁶ the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” ¹⁷ From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kin-dom of heaven has come near.” Jesus Calls the First Disciples ¹⁸ As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. ¹⁹ And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹ As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. ²² Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People ²³ Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kin-dom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

What must you leave behind to follow Jesus? What does it mean to fish for people? How have you experienced the kin-dom of God as better than the world around us?

God, the source of all good things, has given us what we need. In joyful response, let us offer our gifts, the fruit of our labors, and the dedication of our hearts for loving service in the name of Christ.

Holy God, ever present with us amidst the darkness, you are the source of light and love, receive these gifts that we offer and bless them for the work of your kin-dom, through Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Jesus calls us to be fishers of people. Jesus calls us to Go and Do for the sake of the beloved kin-dom. May the grace of Christ who calls us go with you. May the power of the Holy Spirit who empowers us sustain you. May the salvation of God who love us give you peace. Amen.