AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SUN CITY

WELCOME! If this is your first time at American Lutheran Church, we are glad you

have chosen to visit us. You are welcome to worship alongside us anytime as we weave

the stories of our lives together with the eternal truths of God’s love. Please fill out the

Welcome Pad placed in your pew. God’s joy, peace and blessings be yours!

What Does the Lord Require of You?

Rev. Lowell D. Nelson

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

February 1, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

February 2, 2020 at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

OUR MISSION

To proclaim the love of Jesus Christ,

invite others to participate in our faith community,

and be a blessing to all in word and deed.

Who are the blessed ones of God? For Micah, they are those who do justice, love

kindness, and walk humbly with God. For Paul, they are the ones who find wisdom in the

weakness of the cross. For Jesus, they are the poor, mourners, the meek, those who

hunger for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers. In baptism

we find our blessed identity and calling in this countercultural way of living and serving.

American Lutheran Church of Sun City

17200 N. Del Webb Blvd

Sun City, AZ 85373

Office Hours: Monday-Friday

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: 623.974.2512 Fax: 623.974.2515

www.alcsuncity.org

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PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

When Morning Gilds the Sky Dale Wood

(Sunday) Arioso, Cantata 156 J. S. Bach/Gaylord

Jackie Huget, Flute

WELCOME, MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS, AND PRAYER CONCERNS

INSTALLATION OF NEW CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS (8:30)

OPENING HYMN When Morning Gilds the Sky LBW 546

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APOSTOLIC GREETING

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy

Spirit, be with you all.

C: And also with you.

P: Trusting in the word of life given in baptism, the love of God poured into our hearts,

and the victory of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, we gather this day with faith,

confidence, and joy to worship in the name of (+) the Father, and of the Son, and of

the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

OPENING INVOCATION

P: This is the day the Lord has made,

C: let us rejoice and be glad in it!

P: Jesus Christ, you come to transfigure us and renew us in the image of God:

C: shine in our darkness.

P: Jesus Christ, light of our hearts, you know our thirst:

C: lead us to the wellspring of your gospel.

P: Jesus Christ, light of the world, you shine in every human being:

C: enable us to discern your presence in each person.

P: Jesus Christ, friend of the poor:

C: open in us the gates of simplicity so that we can welcome you.

P: Jesus Christ, gentle and humble of heart:

C: renew in us the spirit of childhood.

P: Jesus Christ, you send your church to prepare your path in the world:

C: open for all people the gates of your kingdom. Amen.

P: This is the day the Lord has made,

C: let us rejoice and be glad in it!

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HYMN OF PRAISE This is the Feast

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ORDER OF CONFESSION

P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no

secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy

Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through

Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: Amen.

P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Most merciful God,

C: we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have

sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by

what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have

not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ,

have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in

your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

P: Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives

us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his

authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all of your sins, in the

name (+) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

SALUTATION AND PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

P: Let us pray. Holy God, you confound the world’s wisdom in giving your kingdom to

the lowly and the pure in heart. Give us such hunger and thirst for justice, and

perseverance in striving for peace, that in our words and deeds the world may see the

life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

C: Amen.

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ANTHEM

(Saturday) Arioso, Cantata 156 J. S. Bach/Gaylord

Jackie Huget, Flute

(Sunday) Offertory John Ness Beck

Celebration Choir

THE LESSON Micah 6:1-8 With the mountains and the foundations of the earth as the jury, God brings a lawsuit against

Israel. God has “wearied” Israel with a long history of saving acts. God does not want or

expect lavish sacrifices to attempt to earn divine favor. Rather God empower the people to do

justice, to love loyalty to God, and to walk shrewdly in God’s service.

L: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God!

THE SECOND LESSON 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 According to the world’s standards of power and might, the message of the cross seems stupid

and offensive. Yet this word reveals the paradoxical way God has chosen to work power and

salvation through weakness, rejection, and suffering. Hence the message of the cross becomes

true wisdom and power for believers.

L: This is the Word of the Lord

C: Thanks be to God

ALLELUIA

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL

READING OF THE GOSPEL Matthew 5:1-12 Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount by naming those who are blessed in the reign of God.

RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL

SERMON What Does the Lord Require of You?

Rev. Lowell Nelson

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CONFESSION OF FAITH Nicene Creed We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he

came down from heaven;

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the

virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under

Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in

accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand

of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge

the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the

Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father

and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is

worshiped and glorified.

He has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic

and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for

the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection

of the dead, and the life of

the world to come. Amen.

OFFERTORY Gift of Finest Wheat arr. Jeffrey Honoré

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OFFERTORY RESPONSE Create in Me a Clean Heart

OFFERTORY PRAYER

P: Let us pray. Merciful Father,

C: we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us – ourselves, our

time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake

of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

P: It is indeed right and salutary…

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

THE SANCTUS

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Sung)

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LAMB OF GOD

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION

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Let Us Break Bread Together LBW 212

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Great is Thy Faithfulness ELW 733

POST COMMUNION BLESSING

P: May the precious body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen you

and keep you in his grace now and forever.

C: Amen.

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POST COMMUNION CANTICLE

BLESSING & RESPONSE Three-fold Amen (All Sing)

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CLOSING HYMN We Are Called ELW 720

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THE DISMISSAL P: Go in peace. Serve the Lord!

C: Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE This is the Feast Charles Callahan

Liturgy, hymns and praise songs are reprinted with permission from OneLicense.com; Paperless Hymnal

CCLI License #511983; Augsburg Fortress License #9786000167707, and Digital Songs and Hymns, LLC.

Next Week’s Lessons:

Isaiah 58:1-9a; Psalm 112:1-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20

Please join us for coffee in the Fellowship Hall in between services.

LAY READERS:

Saturday: 4:00 –Judy Erickson Sunday: 8:30 – Bryan Cooper-Keeble

10:30 – Dave Hjortland

Today’s Altar flowers are provided by:

Nancy Naeser in memory of her mother, Katherine Cozad.

Barbara and Jim Holmberg in memory of Barbara’s mother, Mary Jean.

Altar Flowers delivered by: Lowanne Brokaw

WEEKLY PRAYER AND MEDITATION GROUP

Pastor Judith Rainforth will lead a weekly prayer and meditation group on Tuesdays at

11:15 a.m. until noon in the Chapel of American Lutheran Church. All are welcome!

3RD

TUESDAY BOOK CLUB “Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them” meets Tuesday,

January 21, at 6:30. Interested? Contact Dianne Garvey – 575-551-4207.

SUN CITY PARTNERS IN MINISTRY

This week we pray for St. Joachim & St. Anne Catholic Church.

‘SOUPER’ BOWL OF SHARING SUNDAY

Nearly 100 million people will watch the Super Bowl this weekend. BUT, 1 billion

people will be hungry—trying to stay warm, find shelter, and their next meal. Please join

others in remembering the hungry this Super bowl with a money donation after worship

on Super Bowl weekend! ‘Soup pots’ will be available in the Narthex for your donation.

2019 GIVING STATEMENTS have been mailed. If you did not receive one, please

contact Julie Ochs in the office. She will print one for you.

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LOST AND FOUND

Check the table in Fellowship Hall. You may find something you left at the church!

After two weeks, unclaimed items will be donated to the Lutheran Thrift Shop.

3rd

ANNUAL ‘TAKE IT or DONATE IT’ SALE

Choose a quilt for $20. ‘Take It’ to a shut in or friend in need, OR ‘Donate It’ to be

given to the Children’s Crisis Center, Women’s Crisis Center, Sun City Fire Dept., or

Helping Hands. Thank you for all the hard work that goes into making these worthwhile

quilts!

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN FOOD PACK

Saturday, March 21, 9-11 and 12-2 at Community of Grace Lutheran Church,

10561 SW Pinnacle Peak Road. For more information, contact Judie VanDevere,

623-337-7747 or Ann Skidmore, 623-606-7464.

Last Reservations Taken February 29.

EMAIL SCAM ALERT!

Pastor Nelson wishes to alert the congregation to a scam email that has been circulating

to ALC members. The email begins with Pastor Lowell asking you to contact him—he

has a favor to ask of you! DO NOT RESPOND to this scam email. This is a criminal

attempt to secure funds from unsuspecting, innocent people that are generous in nature.

If you have any questions, please contact the office. Thank you.

FINE ARTS SERIES BROCHURES are available in the Narthex on the Music Bulletin

Board or in the church office. Pick one up today, or check it out on the ALC website?

Upcoming Concerts:

February 16 Lorraine Miller, Organ Recital, 3 p.m.

February 19 ALC Hymn Fest with Glenn Henriksen, 6 p.m.

February 23 Sun Cities Community Orchestra, 3 p.m.

February 28 Phoenix Chorale, 7:30 p.m.

February 29 Monroe Crossing, 6:30 p.m. (Note time change!)

Those who participated in the may pick up a mug in the Narthex!

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WEDNESDAY NIGHT ALIVE

Coming up on February 5

4:30 Israel Part 1—Diane and David Reesor present their recent trip to Israel

5:15 Catered dinner: Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, sheet cake

6 :00 West Side Tremble Clefs blend strong voices to entertain!

6 p.m.—Sanctuary

West Side Tremble Clefs

Nationwide Music Therapy for

Parkinson’s Disease

4:30—Sanctuary

Diane and David Reesor

Part 1—‘Armchair tour’ of their

most recent Israel trip.

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Sunday, February 2 1st Sunday Food Gathering

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING

8:30/10:30 Communion Worship-1

8:30 Installation of Council Members

9:30 Coffee Fellowship – 5

Monday, February 3 9:00 Sewing/Crafts/Pr. Shawl-5

1:00 WNA Events Committee-19

2:30 Intercessors – 11

3:00 Personnel Committee- 19

7:00 AA-10

Tuesday, February 4 9:00 Audit Committee-10

10:00 Pastor’s Bible Study-5

10:00 ALC Grief Support Group-4

11:15-12 Prayer & Meditation class-2

12:00 Cactus Conference Pastors-19

2-3:00 Genesis Bells-1

3:30-Christo Bells-1

6:30 Al-Anon-9

Wednesday, February 5 9:30 WELCA Bible Study-6

10:30 Women’s Board Meeting-4

1:30 Staff Meeting-19

2:30 Care Ministry Team-19

4:30 WNA Education -1/9

5:15 WNA Dinner - 5

6:00 WNA Gathering-1

6:00 AA-9

Thursday, February 6 8:00 Men’s Bible Study-9

9-11 Choraliers-12 9-12 Steph. Min. Training-6

10-12:30 SM Peer Support-9

12:00 2L Royal Oaks @ Royal Oaks

1-2:00 WNA Task Force-19

1:00-2:15 Ah-Men Singers-1

1:45-2:15 Grace Notes – 12

2:30-4:00 Celebration Choir- 12/1

3-4:00 Gifts and Memorials--19

Friday, February 7 8:00 Bulletin Crew-10 9-11 Friday Morning Bible Study -9

9:30 Faith Exercise @ ALC-6

10:30 El Dorado Communion

12-4 Miller Practice-1

Saturday, February8 8:00 5D Sunflower @ Coco’s on Bell 9:00 3C C. C. C. breakfast –@ ALC-9

9:00 3J Joy, Joy, Joy @ George’s-Bell Rec. Center

9:00 3H Jolly Comrades @ Coco’s

4-5:30 Funsters-Potluck@ Hjortland’s

4:00 Worship-1

5:00 ‘Take it or Donate it’ Sale

Sunday, February 9 Fifth Sunday of Epiphany

2nd Sunday Food Gathering

8:30/10:30 Worship-1

9:30 Coffee Fellowship

9:30 ‘Take it or Donate it’ Sale

PASTORAL STAFF

Rev. Lowell D. Nelson Senior Pastor

l.nelson@alcsuncity.org

Rev. Gary R. Ulrich Pastor of Care Ministry

g.ulrich@alcsuncity.org

Rev. Judith Rainforth Pastor j.rainforth@alcsuncity.org

Rev. Gary R. Garvey Visitation Pastor

g.garvey@alcsuncity.org

MUSIC MINISTRY

Linda Shirck Interim Organist l.shirck@alcsuncity.org

Janet MacDonald Choir Director

j.macdonald@alcsuncity.org

George Zoske Director of Christo Bells

gzoske@mac.com

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Julie Ochs Finance Coordinator

j.ochs@alcsuncity.org

Toni Molck Operations Coordinator t.molck@alcsuncity.org

Oddesy Hernandez Communications/Media

o.hernandez@alcsuncity.org

Lori Kellar Wellness Ministry

l.kellar@alcsuncity.org

Bettie Jo Gomez Receptionist b.gomez@alcsuncity.org

Dave Tigges Property / Grounds

d.tigges@alcsuncity.org

Rolfe Blaess Sound

arol Yearsley

In memory of my Mother & Father

LOCATION LEGEND: 1 – Sanctuary 2 – Chapel 3 – Narthex 4 – Lounge 5 – Fellowship Hall

LOCATION LEGEND: 6 – Multi-Purpose Room 7 – Education A 8 – Education B 9 – Education A & B 10 – Education C

LOCATION LEGEND: 11 – Ed. D/ Library 12 – Choir Room 14 – Office Workroom 15 – Senior Pastor 16 – Pastor of Care

LOCATION LEGEND: 17 – Pastor of Outreach 18 – Business Administrator 19 – Admin. Meeting Room 20 – Columbarium