Third SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY JANUARY 26, 2025

Third SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY JANUARY 26, 2025 AS WE GATHER Jesus Came for Gentiles, Too The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Gentile (Rom. 1:8–17). Even in the Old Testament, the Gentiles were beneficiaries of God’s saving power. Though unimpressed at first with the Word of God, a Syrian commander is persuaded to receive that Word, and in the water he is cleansed and brought to faith in the God of Israel (2 Kings 5:1–15a). Evil is overcome by good (Rom 12:16–21). So also in the New Testament, a Roman centurion demonstrates great and humble faith in the Lord (Matt. 8:1–13). All he needs is the Word of Christ, for he trusts that Jesus’ Word of healing has authority to accomplish what it says. And indeed it does. The centurion’s faith is praised by our Lord above that of any Israelite. For the last shall be first, and the first last. Apart from faith in Christ, there is no salvation—not even for a Jew—but only weeping and gnashing of teeth. ORDER OF WORSHIP DIVINE SERVICE 3 Ringing of the Bell Hymn of Invocation 395 Invocation p184 Confession/Absolution p184 †The Service of the Word † Introit p8 of bulletin Kyrie p186 Gloria in Excelsis p187 Salutation/Collect p189 Old Testament Reading p311 2 Kings 5:1–15a Psalm 110:1-4 Front of Hymnal Epistle Reading p948 Romans 12:16–21 Alleluia and Verse p190 Holy Gospel p813 Matthew 8:1–13 Apostles Creed p192 Hymn of the Day 398 Sermon Offertory 192 Offering (please sign attendance book in pew) Prayer of the Church † Service of the Sacrament † Preface p194 Sanctus p195 Lord’s Prayer p196 The Words of our Lord p197 Pax Domini p197 Agnus Dei p198 Distribution Hymns 628, 410, 585, 409 Nunc Dimittis p199 Thanksgiving p200 Salutation and Benedicamus p201 Benediction p202 Hymn to Depart 400