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Welcome to St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Worship

February 21, 2021

215 North Second Street, North Baltimore, Ohio 45872-1105 419-257 -3253 StLukesNB@gmail.com

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9-1

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Disciples and Ministers: All the People

Pastor: Rob Johnson

NWOS Bishop: Daniel Beaudoin

ELCA Presiding Bishop: Elizabeth Eaton

Companion Church: Mwanawotta, Tanzania

Web Page: http://www.stlukesnb.org

eMail: StLukesNB@gmail.com

Rob’s phone: 419-913-7506

Live Life Generously Generosity even when it feels like there’s nothing left to give

Wednesday Lenten Bible Talks

LIVE on ZOOM, Wednesdays, 7 – 8:00pm

• February 24

• March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

You may join the conversation LIVE at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86322416833?pwd=d2xEWjZQL0lFWjhsQ1VTdktFV1V5UT09

The talks will be recorded and posted on Facebook and YouTube at a later time.

Whether this is your first time with us or you have been here

your whole life, WELCOME to the place where we stand together before God as equals. If you are new here and seeking a church home, please contact the church office at 419-257-3253 and leave a message.

Assisting Ministers

Organist: Janet Goldner Scripture Reader: Karen Krauss

Prayer Leader: Pastor Rob Johnson Technical Assistants: Emily Meyerson, Beth Williams

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Order of Worship First Sunday in Lent “B” February 21, 2021

GOD GATHERS US At the symbol assembly members may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked upon us

at baptism.

PRELUDE WITH SILENT PRAYER

GREETING AND SHARING OF THE PEACE Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

All: And also with you.

PRAYER REQUESTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS

INVOCATION Pastor: In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

All: Amen

GATHERING HYMN #504 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (pg 10)

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 40

Pastor: I waited patiently for the LORD to help me,

and he turned to me and heard my cry.

All: He lifted me out of the pit of despair,

out of the mud and the mire.

He set my feet on solid ground

and steadied me as I walked along.

Pastor: He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise

to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed.

They will put their trust in the LORD.

All: Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for

us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list.

You have no equal.

Pastor: I have told all your people about your justice.

I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know.

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All: Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.

Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.

Pastor: For troubles surround me— too many to count!

All: My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out.

Pastor: They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all

courage.

All: Please, Lord, rescue me!

Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

LENTEN CANTICLE On My Heart Imprint Your Image (pg. 11)

PRAYER OF THE DAY All: Holy God, heavenly Father, in the waters of the flood

you saved the chosen, and in the wilderness of temptation

you protected your Son from sin. Renew us in the gift of

baptism. May your holy angels be with us, that the wicked

foe may have no power over us, through Jesus Christ, our

Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy

Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

GOD SPEAKS TO US

FIRST READING: Genesis 9:8-17

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am

establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after

you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the

domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as

many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you,

that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood,

and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God

said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me

and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future

generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a

sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring

clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will

remember my covenant that is between me and you and every

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living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again

become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the

clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant

between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the

earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I

have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Reader: Word of God, word of life.

All: Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING 1 Peter 3:18-22

Christ suffered and died for sins once and for all—the innocent

for the guilty—to bring you near to God by his body being put to

death and by being raised to life by the Spirit. He went in the

spiritual realm and made a proclamation to the spirits in

prison because of their disobedience of long ago. For during the

time of Noah God patiently waited while the ark was being

prepared, but only a few were brought safely through the

floodwaters: a total of eight souls. This was a prophetic picture of

the immersion that now saves you—not a bathing of the physical

body but rather the response of a good conscience before

God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is now in

heaven at the place of supreme authority next to God. The very

powers of heaven, including every angel and authority, now yield

in submission to him.

Reader: Word of God, word of life.

All: Thanks be to God.

LENTEN GOSPEL ACCLAMATION On My Heart Imprint Your Image (pg.11) GOSPEL Mark 1:9-15 At Jesus’ baptism, the heavens have been torn apart, just as at the transfiguration and

crucifixion. His baptism is followed by the temptation, which Mark tells in two

sentences. Recapitulating ancient Israel, Jesus undergoes testing in the wilderness;

the forty days recalls forty years; the wild beasts suggest the transformation of all

things at the coming of the messianic age. In Mark the Spirit is mentioned six times,

here signaling the power of God in both Jesus’ adoption as God’s son and his

participation in human suffering.

Pastor: The holy gospel according to Mark.

All: Glory to you, O Lord.

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One day, Jesus came from the Galilean village of Nazareth[a] and

had John immerse him in the Jordan River. The moment Jesus

rose up out of the water, John saw the heavenly realm split open,

and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and rested upon him.

At the same time, a voice spoke from heaven, saying: “You are

my Son, my cherished one, and my greatest delight is in you!”

Immediately after this he was [pushed] by the Holy Spirit to go

into an uninhabited desert region. He remained there in the

wilderness for forty days, enduring the ordeals of Satan’s tests.

He encountered wild animals, but also angels who appeared and

ministered to his needs.

Later on, after John the Baptizer was arrested, Jesus went back

into the region of Galilee and preached the wonderful gospel of

God’s kingdom realm. His message was this: “At last the

fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for the realm of God’s

kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to

God and put your trust in the hope-filled good news!”

Pastor: The gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, O Christ.

THE MESSAGE

HYMN OF THE DAY #618 Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer (pg 12)

AN OFFERING OF CONFESSION Pastor: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who was in the

beginning, who makes a dwelling among us, who covers us with

justice and mercy.

All: Amen.

Pastor: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of

one another…….God of goodness and lovingkindness,

All: we confess that we have sinned against you

and our neighbors. We have turned away from your

invitation to new life. We have turned away from the lowly

and downtrodden. In your abundant mercy, forgive us our

sins, those we know and those known only to you, for the

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sake of the one who came to live among us, Jesus Christ,

our Savior. Amen.

Pastor: Hear the good news of forgiveness! 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, God, for new life through the forgiveness of Jesus,

the anointed Savior.

ALL: Amen.

Pastor: Let us pray,

ALL: I am loved by God. I am marvelously and wonderfully

made! My spirit gets crushed under a pile of regrets and

disappoints. The world springs traps of guilt on my way.

But you, faithful God, give me a new song of forgiveness.

I praise you, God, for rescuing me from the miry mud of

despair, in the name + of Jesus, the Son of God whose

wonders are everlasting. Amen.

APOSTLES’ CREED Pastor: We proclaim what we believe as the people of God!

All: 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 live everlasting. Amen

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PRAYER SONG ELW hymn 794

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Pastor: Let us pray.

All: Have mercy, O God.

THE PRAYER OUR LORD TAUGHT US Pastor: Trusting in God’s amazing grace that sets us free, we

pray:

All: 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

PRAYER SONG ELW hymn 794

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OFFERING CANTICLE The Doxology

GOD SENDS US

BLESSING

Pastor: For reasons known and mysterious, God sent Noah and

Jesus each into 40 days of fear, struggle, and judgement. In the

midst of our 40 days of Lent, you send us out to be doves of hope

and angels of mercy to our neighbors. Signed, sealed, and

delivered through the waters of baptism, may God bless and

keep you through Jesus, the Sufferer of our sinfulness.

ALL:

SENDING HYMN #335 Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (pg 13)

DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

To the Glory of God February Altar Candles: available for signup

February Sunday Bulletins: available for signup February Newsletter: available for signup

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NORTH BALTIMORE Food Panty ———————————————————————————

FEBRUARY requested donations include: instant potatoes,

pork & beans, bar soap

MARCH requested donations include: shampoo, toothpaste,

deodorant

Thank you for your continued support of this vital ministry.

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TODAY’S WORSHIP COPYRIGHT PERMISSIONS Designated liturgical music text, back-page devotions from Sundays and Seasons.com © 2020

Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted by permission: Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License

#SAS18497. All rights reserved.

Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-717176: “A Might Fortress Is Our God” text & Music: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” text: Thomas H. Kingo, 1634-1703; tr. Peer O. Strömme, 1856-1921, alt. Music: Johann B. König, 1691-1758 “Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer” text: William Williams, 1717-1791; tr. William Williams and Perter Williams, 1722-1796, alt. Music: John Hughes, 1873-1932 “Calm to the Waves” text: Mary Louise Brinngle, b. 1953 © 2002 GIA Publications, inc. Music: Thomas Pavlechko, b. 1962 © 2002 Selah Publishing Co., Inc. “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” text: Thomas Ken, tune: Old Hundredth “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” text: Thomas Ken, tune: Old Hundredth

“Jesus, Keep Me Neat the Cross” text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915 Music: William H. Doane, 1832-1915

Psalm 40: Printed from Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by

Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol

Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

First reading: Printed from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright© 1989 the

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.

Second reading: Printed from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet

Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

thePassionTranslation.com

Gospel reading: Printed from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet

Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

thePassionTranslation.com

Please help to keep our Prayer List up-to-date by notifying the church office of any changes, additions or deletions.

WE GIVE THANKS: for the life and ministry of our sister, Kathy Eninger.

MEMBERS: John Kruse, Marilyn Ziegler, Bob Kelley, Madison Mills, Bertha & Jim Carter, Barb Williams, Jack & Donna Sterling, Gloria Hoffsis, Rex McCarty, June Blake (Briar Hill), Sue Wirt (home).

FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Zach Thompson, Steve Whitman, Nickie Whitman, Linda Sue, Anna Miller, Brent Bradley, Richard

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Roberts, Kristeen Keyes, Loren Welch, Mary Stewart, Deanna Griffith, Laura, Michael Sullivan, Jason Kline, Cindy, Tara Meyer, Maureen Doherty, Sally Eggleston, Sandy Bloom, Cindy Rife, Catherine Pritts, Carol Johnson, Ja-nét Moske, Teresa Ferguson, Kaye Thompson.

St. John’s, McComb: David Cary, Sue Maki, Paul Maki, LuAnn Beverly, Linda Sharninghouse.

DEATHS: Nick & Steve Eninger and family following the death of their mother, Kathy on February 9.

MILITARY: For all those who are in training and who are serving in the military & their families; the chaplains (especially those in combat zones); grieving families and friends of those who died while serving.

CHERISH ALL CHILDREN: All of God’s children, that we seek to protect and cherish their lives and futures, always staying focused on what is best for God’s children. www.lssmn.org/services/youth/education/cherish-all-children.

COMPANION CHURCH: Mwanawotta Lutheran Church, of the Dodoma Diocese, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.

WIDER CHURCH PRAYERS: all ministries of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), our presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, all our bishops, pastors, leaders, of the congregations of the NWOS (Northwestern Ohio Synod), Bishop Daniel Beaudoin, and our 15 Central Conference congregations.

THE WORLD: for peace in our country and around the world. For the end of violence against one another. For everyone to seek You and share Your love, grace, and mercy.

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SUNDAY, February 21 12:00 p.m. ONLINE ONLY WORSHIP

https://www.facebook.com/stlukesnb

YEAR OF GENEROSITY SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 4 —-———————————————————————–——————————————————————————————————

MONDAY, February 22 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

YEAR OF GENEROSITY SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 5 —-———————————————————————–——————————————————————————————————

TUESDAY, February 23 YEAR OF GENEROSITY SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 6 —-———————————————————————–——————————————————————————————————

WEDNESDAY, February 24 7:00 p.m. – Lenten Bible Study on Zoom (see pg 2)

YEAR OF GENEROSITY SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 7 —-———————————————————————–——————————————————————————————————

THURSDAY, February 25 YEAR OF GENEROSITY SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 8 —-———————————————————————–——————————————————————————————————

FRIDAY, February 26 YEAR OF GENEROSITY SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 9 —-———————————————————————–——————————————————————————————————

SATURDAY, February 27 9:00 a.m. Holy Communion @ St. Luke’s Church

YEAR OF GENEROSITY SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 10 —-———————————————————————–——————————————————————————————————

SUNDAY, February 28 12:00 p.m. ONLINE ONLY WORSHIP

https://www.facebook.com/stlukesnb

YEAR OF GENEROSITY SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 11 ———————————————————————–——————————————————————————————————

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Worship & Ministry

Now that we are recording the Worship

Services in thet Sanctuary, and hope to be

back together soon, we are using the

candles and printing a few bulletins.

Sign-up sheets for your financial support

of the worship and ministry of this

congregation for 2021 are posted on the

bulletin board in the main hallway.

Donations of any amount are welcome.

Also, the opportunity to sign up to

provide flowers to the glory of God for

our worship services. With the worship

services be recorded from the Sanctuary

flowers add a lovely touch. Please call

the church office to sign up. Thank you

for sharing your blessings.

“Living Lutheran” Those who are receiving our monthly

denominational magazine, “Living

Lutheran,” are asked to make a $10 or

$12 donation to cover the cost of the

group subscription. If you aren't

receiving the magazine, and would like

to, please let Dana, our church secretary,

know. “Living Lutheran” keeps us in

touch with what is happening in the

church near and far. There are articles for

spiritual growth, learning, insight,

current events, ethical and moral issues,

humor, and the way people in our church

live their discipleship as Lutherans.

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Don’t Forget --- Pastor Rob would like to send you a baptismal

anniversary card. Please fill out the information below

and send it to the church office. If you would like to fill

out the form online, contact the church office to get a

web link.

What is your name?

What congregation are you a member of?

What is the date of your baptism? (Just the month and day are needed)

Would you like a phone call or follow-up contact from Pastor Rob?

Also Pastor Rob is offering socially distanced Holy Communion to

individuals who would like to receive the Sacrament.

Saturdays, 9am – 12pm,

St. Luke’s, North Baltimore

Wednesdays, 3pm – 6pm,

St. John’s, McComb

Pastor Rob will see one person/couple/family, at a time. No

appointment necessary, just come.

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We invite you to study, pray, reflect and give with us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving — for our families, our neighbors and communities

around the world.

As the world has reeled from the effects of a deadly pandemic, we have seen the number of hungry people around the world rise, watched as food pantries and soup kitchens expanded to serve an ever-growing number of guests, and longed together for the time when we “will hunger no more, and thirst no more ... and God will wipe away every tear from our eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17). This very yearning is at the heart of who we are as church together. Yet our longing has never led to inertia or despair, despite the discouraging forecasts. We are an Easter people, ever journeying toward the cross but trusting in faith that God’s story does not end on that hill. Commit to a giving goal for the Lenten season in support of ELCA World Hunger. Set aside a portion each day, or make your gifts throughout the season as pat of your regular Lenten practice. Your gifts can be made through the church. Make your check out to the church and mark “World Hunger” on the memo line. Thank you and have a blessed Lenten journey.

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The Power of Water Water is an integral part of the created order. Water sustains and

fosters life; too little or too much water can end it. A glance at the

news headlines points out the destructive power of water’s

presence or absence: In the United States alone, 2011 saw

severe droughts afflict several parts of the country. On the

opposite end of the spectrum, floods ravaged the Plains states

in the spring and summer, displacing from their homes many

people who live near rivers and streams. For those dwelling on or

near the Eastern Seaboard, hurricane season is a tense time

every year. Yet we need water as much or more than we need

food, shelter, or the other “staples” of human life. Since ancient

times we have established our communities near sources of

water. We cannot survive long without it.

The tension between the saving and destructive powers of water

fills today’s lectionary readings. The waters of the flood

overwhelmed the world in the days of Noah, yet 1 Peter reminds

us that God delivered Noah and his family from death. The Holy

Spirit descends on Jesus only after his baptism by John, yet the

Spirit immediately drives Jesus into the desert—a place defined

by its lack of water. Through water and the word, in baptism our

old, sinful self is put to death, and we are reborn as children of

God. But the current that flows through these paradoxes is this:

in death and life, in flood and drought, God remains faithful. As

the psalmist reminds us, God’s mercy and steadfast love “are

from everlasting.”