Strive to Enter Through the Narrow Door

January 22, 2023
Pastor Jacob Lee
Worship

Service of Worship

Adagio from Clarinet Concerto A Major
W.A. Mozart
Public Domain

(based on Psalm 40)

Leader: The God of all creation makes us one in the flesh.
People: Let us join hearts and voices in praise.
Leader: In Jesus Christ, we are made one in the Spirit.
People: Let us be united in truth through the same one Spirit.
Leader: We practice our faith in many different ways.
People: Yet we confess one Lord Jesus Christ.
Leader: We render different forms of ministry.
People: Yet our calling is one because Christ is undivided.
Leader: Rejoice, people of God: The Risen Christ is among us, calling us together at his one Table.
People: Praise the Lord!

(From: Life in Liturgy)

Opening Hymn — #61 “Come, Thou, Almighty King”

1. Come, thou almighty King,
help us thy name to sing,
help us to praise!
Father all glorious,
o’er all victorious,
come and reign over us,
Ancient of Days!

2. Come, thou incarnate Word,
gird on thy mighty sword,
our prayer attend!
Come, and thy people bless,
and give thy word success;
Spirit of holiness,
on us descend!

3. Come, holy Comforter,
thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art,
now rule in every heart,
and ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of power!

4. To thee, great One in Three,
eternal praises be,
hence, evermore.
Thy sovereign majesty
may we in glory see,
and to eternity
love and adore!

Come Thou Almighty King (Italian Hymn)
Felice de Giardini
Public Domain

Pastor’s Time With the Children

Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer, Lord’s Prayer

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, the power, and glory forever. Amen.

For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory – Megumi Komori

Suite V, Allemande
J.S. Bach
Public Domain

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
Public Domain

Offertory Prayer

Holy God, as we present our tithes and offerings in worship, we know we come from a world that is tearing itself apart due to division. Even among your followers, we find ourselves shutting down and closing ourselves to those who don’t think or act as we do. We need to be reminded that you desire unity and one mind from your children – not a church void of disagreement, but one where we work at listening in love more than working at speaking louder and winning the day. We dedicate not just our gifts but our minds to the work of your unifying love. In Christ, we pray. Amen.

(1 Corinthians 1:10-18)

Scripture Reading — Luke 13:22-30 (NRSV)

22 Jesusa went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. 29 Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Response
The Word of the Lord:
Thanks be to God.

Anthem — P.A.L.A. Singers

He Keeps Me Singing
Luther Burgess Bridgers
Public Domain

Additional refrains from
Take the Name of Jesus with You
Lydia Odell Baxter | William Howard Doane
Public Domain

Sermon — Rev. Jacob Lee
“Strive to Enter Through the Narrow Door”

Closing Hymn — #530 “Are Ye Able” (v. 1, 3, 4)

1. “Are ye able,” said the Master,
“to be crucified with me?”
“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered,
“to the death we follow thee.”

Refrain
Lord, we are able. Our spirits are thine.
Remold them, make us, like thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.

3. Are ye able when the shadows
close around you with the sod,
to believe that spirit triumphs,
to commend your soul to God?

Refrain

4. Are ye able? Still the Master
whispers down eternity,
and heroic spirits answer,
now as then in Galilee.

Refrain

Are Ye Able
Earl Marlatt | Harry S Mason
Public Domain

Benediction

Postlude – Hani