The Third Sunday After The Epiphany

January 27, 2008 9:00am

Thank You for sharing this time of worship with us. We're glad you're here! Do come again! If you do not have a local church home, we invite you to make your home with us. You will find Christian love, opportunities for spiritual growth, warm friendships, and an appreciation of being part of God’s family.

Please Don’t Rush Off After The Worship Service. Stick around for some refreshments and a little conversation. We hope you are able to stay!

Assisting Us In Worship This Morning

Bob & Lois Bentson and Lois McNamer, greeters

Margaret Meier, organist

We Gather To Worship The Lord

Order of Service: Morning Praise, page 45 in the front of the hymnal

Hymns: 453 552 (1,23,13,&3) 467

Message: Matthew 4:12-23

“He Saw Two Brothers”

OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 8:19-9:2

When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

EPISTLE I Corinthians 1:10-17

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?

I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-- to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed Him.

Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and His brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

This Week At Mt. Olive

Today: 8:45am Prayer Time in the Fireside Room

9:00am Family Worship Service

10:00am Refreshments and Social Time

10:30am Sunday School and Adult Education Hour

4:00pm Mission Concert and Dinner at Bloomington Lutheran

Monday: 7:00pm “Beautiful Feet” Bible Study

Tuesday: Newsletter Articles Due!

Tuesday: 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday: 5:30pm Confirmation Class

Thursday: 10:00am “Explorers of the Word” Bible Study

Next Sunday: 9:00am Family Worship Service with Holy Communion

2:30pm Band Concert at SCLHS

Visitors: Please include your email address in the Friendship Register information. Thanks!

The WELS Connection video for January will be shown at the close of today’s worship service.

WELS Kingdom Workers, Twin Cities Chapter, will host its annual Mission Concert and Tinucci-catered Dinner this afternoon, beginning at 4:00pm, at Bloomington Lutheran Church. This event is becoming more and more popular, and will feature the musical talents of Susan Ann, Caitlin Bandelin, the Cantabile Singers, and the Western Accents. Childcare will be provided. Welcome!

Position Available: Christian Life Ministries is looking for a new Assistant Director for our Life Center in Little Canada. Interested candidates need no prior experience but should be a WELS/ELS member with a strong heart for pro-life issues and working with individuals dealing with challenges due to pregnancy and parenting. The position entails an 8-10 hour work week with very flexible hours (perfect for individuals with school-age children) with a stipend of $300 per month. Training in the areas of counseling, intake procedures, coordination of services and responsibilities would be included. This is a unique and very rewarding way to witness to those in need of God’s love and concern for their lives and the lives of their children. If you are interested in an interview please contact Cheryl Tembreull or Rebecca Hillstrom at 651-649-3538, Monday thru Friday between the hours of 10-2 to set up an appointment time.

Back To The Future is the SCLHS Auction theme. March 8, 2008 is the date. Now is the time to put your creative ideas to work. Now is the time to drop off your donation at St. Croix Lutheran High School. Check on-line for a list of ideas, for items already donated and for information concerning the auction at www.sclhs.org. Call 651-455-1521 x106 if you would like to bring larger items to the loading dock. Thank you for your support!