Grace Lutheran Church
Proclaiming the grace of Christ in Word and Sacrament
500th Sunday Worship Celebration
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
✠ February 1st, 2026 ✠
3410 Community Church Road
Pfafftown, NC 27040
500th Sunday Worship Celebration
February 1st, 2026
Our service begins with the ringing of bells. Please stand, as you are able, as indicated by *
* Confession & Forgiveness
P: In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit
C: Amen. Matthew 28:19
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: Beloved in the Lord: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
P: 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 name. Amen.
B: Almighty God, in His mercy, has given His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, and for His sake, He 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 your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
C: Amen John 20:22
* Introit
P: Worship Him, all you His angels. Zion heard and was glad. The daughters of Judah rejoiced because of Your judgments, O Lord.
C: The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice, let the multitude of isles be glad.
Psalm 97
* Hymn: “Lift High the Cross” LBW #377
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
* Kyrie (chanted)
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy Mark 10:47
P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
* Hymn of Praise
P: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth. Luke 2:14
C: Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father,
We worship You, we give You thanks,
We praise You for Your glory, Revelation 7:12
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; John 1:29
Have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; Hebrews 1:3
Receive our prayer.
For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord,
You alone are the Most High; Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit,
In the glory of God the Father: Amen.
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you. Ruth 2:4; 2 Timothy 4:22
* Collect of the Day
P: O God, you know the perilous choices we are prone to make that fall short of your desire for human faithfulness and obedience. Without you, our fragile nature cannot survive. Support us with your Word of truth, that we may grow in faith in the midst of our trials. Grant this, we pray, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.
The First Reading: Micah 6:1-8
1 Hear what the Lord says: Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. 2 Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth, for the Lord has an indictment against his people, and he will contend with Israel. 3 “O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me! 4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. 5 O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” 6 “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Psalm 15
1 Lord, who may dwell in your | tabernacle?*
who may abide upon your | holy hill?
2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does | what is right,*
who speaks the truth | from his heart.
3 There is no guile upon his tongue; he does no evil | to his
friend;*
he does not heap contempt up- | on his neighbor.
4 In his sight the wicked | is rejected,*
but he honors those who | fear the Lord.
5 He has sworn to | do no wrong*
and does not take | back his word.
6 He does not give his money in | hope of gain,*
nor does he take a bribe a- | gainst the innocent.
7 Whoever | does these things*
shall never be | overthrown.
All: Glory to the Father, and to the + Son, and to the | Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be fore- | ver, Amen.
The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Please stand as you are able for the Holy Gospel
* Gospel Acclamation
All: Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia John 6:68
A: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Saint Luke.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
* The Holy Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
1 Seeing the crowds, {Jesus} went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
A: This is the Gospel of our Lord
C: Praise to You, O Christ
You may be seated
Naomi’s Heart Mission Collection
Naomi’s Heart Mission is a mission in the Philippines that seeks to provide food and education to children in need. Children are welcome to participate by taking a collection bucket from the back of the worship space. To learn more about Naomi’s Heart, go to naomisheartmission.org/
Children’s Message
The Sermon Bishop Daniel Selbo
* Hymn: “Amazing Grace” LBW #448
* The Apostles Creed Romans 10:9-10
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried,
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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 life everlasting, Amen.
Prayers of the Church
A: Lord, in your mercy
C: Hear our prayer
After the Prayers:
P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your abundant mercy through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
C: Amen
* The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you. John 20:19
Members of the gathered assembly are invited to greet one another, saying: “Peace be with you.”
Offertory
After the gifts have been collected from the assembly, please stand.
All: Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord, Isaiah 27:2
And fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather the harvest from the seeds that were sown,
That we may be fed with the bread of life. John 6:35
Gather the hopes and dreams of all,
Unite them with our prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
And give us a foretaste of the feast to come. Revelation 19:9
* Eucharistic Liturgy
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.
* The Great Thanksgiving
P: The Lord be with you
C: And also with you
P: Lift up your hearts
C: We lift them to the Lord
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise
P: It is indeed right and salutary…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
Lord God of power and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Isaiah 6:3
Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:9
*The Words of Institution
P: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father…For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
C: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Matthew 26:26-28
P: Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup, we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in power to share with us the great and promised feast. Revelation 19:9
C: Amen. Come, Lord, Jesus.
P: Send now, we pray, Your Holy Spirit, the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection, that we who receive the Lord’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light. Colossians 1:19
C: Amen. Come, Holy Spirit
P: Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all. Hebrews 4:14
* Doxology
P: Through Him, with Him, and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is Yours, Almighty Father, now and forever,
C: Amen. John 14:6
* The Lord’s Prayer
C: 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. Matthew 6:9-13
Agnus Dei
C: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world
Grant us peace, grant us peace. John 1:29
All who are baptized and share in our confession that we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion are invited to the altar with us. After receiving the bread, those who wish to dip the bread into the wine may proceed to the right chalice; those who wish to drink from the common cup may proceed to the left chalice.
Anyone is welcome to come forward with their arms folded to receive a blessing from the minister.
After the celebration of Holy Communion, the minister will ask the assembly to stand
P: May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen
*Post-Communion Canticle
C: Thank the Lord and sing His praise
Tell everyone what He has done
Let everyone who seeks the Lord
Rejoice and proudly bear His name
He recalls His promises
And leads His people forth in joy
With shouts of thanksgiving
Alleluia, Alleluia
P: Let us pray…through Jesus Christ our Lord:
C: Amen
* The Benediction
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen Numbers 6:24-26
* Exit Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress is our God” SBH #150
* Dismissal
A: Go in peace, serve the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Altar flowers are given to the glory of God.
Welcome to our Visitors!
Grace Lutheran Church welcomes you this morning! We value families with children and encourage you to worship together; if you would like assistance during the sermon, we have volunteers who will be happy to take your child to a Nursery Area following the Children’s Message, they will return your child to you in the sanctuary just before Holy Communion. Please fill out a Visitor Connect card, these are found either on the entrance table or in the pew rack in front of you. Completed cards should be placed in the offering plate and will be collected with the offering today.
Sunday School
All are welcome to attend the adult Sunday School class before worship beginning at 8:45. We are currently studying Early Church History.
Holy Communion
Those who are baptized and believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation, are welcome to the Lord’s Table with their baptized children, regardless of age. Please let the Pastor know that you wish to receive this gift of life by holding out your open hands. If you desire to drink the wine from the common cup, please proceed to the left chalice after receiving the wafer. If you prefer to dip the wafer into the wine, please proceed to the right chalice after receiving the wafer. All are welcome to come forward for a blessing. The sign for a blessing is folded hands.
Disciples in Service today, February 1st
Ushers: Richard Maxey, Rik Maxey
Organist: John Trotta Lay Reader: Kathy Kollmeyer
Deacon: James Clapper Crucifer: Art Peters
Torchbearer: William Roberts
Servers: Dena Anderson, Marsha Maxey
Altar Guild: Greta Roberts
Disciples in Service next Sunday, February 8th
Ushers: Rob Maxey, Marc Voigt
Organist: John Trotta Lay Reader: John Kollmeyer
Torchbearer: James Clapper, Jr. Crucifer: Ashley Hurst
Servers: Scott Barrett, Nicole Hurst
Altar Guild: Debbie Barrett